Towing Capacity of Ford Explorer
We are upgrading from a tent trailer to either a Hybrid or Travel Trailer. We have a 2013 Ford Explorer with the towing package - 5000 lb towing max. I am not sure how to determine the towing capacit...
Forum Discussion
I tend to agree that the vehicle is to skinny to tow a 8' wide trailer. Short wheelbase does not help.
When they rate the maximum allowable tow rating, it is a base vehicle with no options, so lighter than the typical Exployer. Also it only has a driver in it, 154 pounds. If you will have 400 - 500 pounds of people in the car, along with some camping gear, then that weight must be added to the curb weight, along with the trailer's "Wet" hitch weight.
Wet hitch weight will include the battery on the front, and full propane tanks, the water heater once filled, probably will always hold it's 6 gallons of water (56 pounds). You will also have 100 pounds of food, 50+ pounds of kitchen utencils (pots, dishes, silverware, cooking spoons and spatula).
Say you have a optional A/C unit, that will add about 95 pounds to the base model curb weight.
On the Exployer, if you have options such as roof rack, hitch, spare tire, they all add weight beyond the base model truck. Even leather seats, chrome package, and such add weight.
The weight distribution hitch comes in a 120 pound box!
So if you do happen to tow this large of a trailer with the Exployer, you might do this once or twice before giving up on camping, or trading up to a 3/4 ton truck, or at least a 1/2 ton truck.
And if you have kids, you will need to add their weight to the vehicle, and subtract that weight from what you can tow before reaching the max GCVWR.
Good luck,
Fred.
When they rate the maximum allowable tow rating, it is a base vehicle with no options, so lighter than the typical Exployer. Also it only has a driver in it, 154 pounds. If you will have 400 - 500 pounds of people in the car, along with some camping gear, then that weight must be added to the curb weight, along with the trailer's "Wet" hitch weight.
Wet hitch weight will include the battery on the front, and full propane tanks, the water heater once filled, probably will always hold it's 6 gallons of water (56 pounds). You will also have 100 pounds of food, 50+ pounds of kitchen utencils (pots, dishes, silverware, cooking spoons and spatula).
Say you have a optional A/C unit, that will add about 95 pounds to the base model curb weight.
On the Exployer, if you have options such as roof rack, hitch, spare tire, they all add weight beyond the base model truck. Even leather seats, chrome package, and such add weight.
The weight distribution hitch comes in a 120 pound box!
So if you do happen to tow this large of a trailer with the Exployer, you might do this once or twice before giving up on camping, or trading up to a 3/4 ton truck, or at least a 1/2 ton truck.
And if you have kids, you will need to add their weight to the vehicle, and subtract that weight from what you can tow before reaching the max GCVWR.
Good luck,
Fred.
