Tow question

If your Explorer doesn't have a transmission cooler I would suggest you trade it before you do any towing. You could always add a cooler but it will just be putting a bandaid on a bigger problem.

Be very careful as this just isn't a safe combination. And I say that with the safety of you and your loved ones riding with you, as well as everyone else on the road. Emergency stops/maneuvers are gonna be bad with the explorer up front. Pulling it is one thing. Stopping it is another. Be very safe and good luck.

bryris wrote:
Its 4WD.

I have decided to buy the trailer anyways and just be careful and go slow. Will most likely upgrade to an F150 around mid summer to handle it with more authority.

Ever since I started hunting for a camper, its been one problem after another. Need to start SOLVING problems here. If getting a new truck is part of the transition plan, I'll make it happen.

But, Id like to use the trailer within a 100 mi radius....so if I drive slow (50) and be ginger, hopefully it'll be alright.

Be careful, plan well and make the upgrade to the TV as soon as possible. You will not regret it.

I'm no expert, but my opinion for what it's worth... The engine/trans should do the job but will be sluggish in the hills. Get yourself a trailer brake controller and weight distribution hitch to help with rear end squat. As others have said, the suspension might be the weakest link here. If you don't already have the ride leveling system, you could probably get helper springs or airbags for the rear coils to help with squat or bottoming out. They don't increase your payload, but will help you get more out of the rig you have safely. All that said, your truck is 8 years old and will probably not perform to factory-fresh specs, but it should be sufficient to do the job while you shop for the next towing rig.
Enjoy the towing/camping and welcome to the forum!

Its 4WD.

I have decided to buy the trailer anyways and just be careful and go slow. Will most likely upgrade to an F150 around mid summer to handle it with more authority.

Ever since I started hunting for a camper, its been one problem after another. Need to start SOLVING problems here. If getting a new truck is part of the transition plan, I'll make it happen.

But, Id like to use the trailer within a 100 mi radius....so if I drive slow (50) and be ginger, hopefully it'll be alright.

Expect to shorten the motor, transmission, brakes and suspension life. If it is two wheel drive I would not recommend towing it even on level ground, frame and suspension are too lite.

Be aware the tow rating of your tow vehicle is one of two numbers.
ONE is the rating of the hitch. The other is the difference between the tow vehicle's loaded, full fuel tank weight and the maximum combined gross vehicle weight rating of the tow vehicle (This is different from the max GVW, higher, that additional "C" in there counts the trailer.

Whichever of those numbers is lower (MCGVW-GVW) (note the dropping of the M in the second term) or the Hitch rating, the lower number is your tow limit.

i'm assuming you're looking at the Innsbruck Lit 248BH.
by the way, just because the model number has 24 in it, doesn't mean that's its actual length.
the 248BH is 26'5" long and has a fictional "dry" weight of 3625lbs.
so, add the 300-400lbs. for the "options"(awning, oven, microwave, a/c, spare tire, and so on.
now, you're near 4000lbs. before water, battery, propane and cargo.

and the 5500lbs. towing capacity is rated with only a 150lb. driver in it. anything or anyone else in the Explorer, will lower that number by its weight.

if you're in Florida, you could be o.k. for awhile, as long as you don't head to any mountains/hills.

i owned an Explorer Sport with the same engine. even if i had the 4 door Explorer, there's no way i'd tow a trailer of that size, with it.

What's the payload on your Explorer? It should be on a sticker inside the driver side door jamb. It'll say something like weight of cargo should not exceed ___ pounds.

My Father-in-Law had an Explorer similar to yours except he had the V8 vs. the 4.0 V6. He pulled a 19' fiberglass bass boat. The boat, trailer and gear weighed 3750. The Explorer pulled OK on flat ground but labored a bit on hills. Because of the soft suspension any maneuvers made above 45 mph had to be easy. A quick lane change resulted in increased pucker factor and induced white knuckles. Between your V6, soft suspension and the frontal area of the TT you'll quickly find that your Explorer isn't the vehicle for the job.