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...
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So the salesman told you the Explorer could handle it, eh? You know how to tell when that salesman is lying, don't you? When his lips move. And your gut was right.
In the past year I sold my '08 Highlander AWD with V6, tow package, 5000 lb tow rating. I towed about 140,000 miles with it. Mostly a 6x12 cargo trailer and sometimes a 7x16 KZ Escape E14RB (2700 lbs). It did well with these trailers, although in a strong headwind at higher altitudes it struggled some.
Realistically you should stay under 20' overall trailer length, less than 7.5' wide and not much over 100" high, and under 3500 lbs total weight (which will enable you to keep the hitch weight under your 500 lb limit without a struggle). A relatively lightweight anti-sway hitch like the Andersen No-Sway would be a good safety item. If you don't see any floor plans in that size range that work for you, then it's best to stay with the popup.
I will never tow with surge brakes on a trailer again; they're usually set wrong. A properly adjusted trailer brake system should not push the TV around in a panic stop.
In the past year I sold my '08 Highlander AWD with V6, tow package, 5000 lb tow rating. I towed about 140,000 miles with it. Mostly a 6x12 cargo trailer and sometimes a 7x16 KZ Escape E14RB (2700 lbs). It did well with these trailers, although in a strong headwind at higher altitudes it struggled some.
Realistically you should stay under 20' overall trailer length, less than 7.5' wide and not much over 100" high, and under 3500 lbs total weight (which will enable you to keep the hitch weight under your 500 lb limit without a struggle). A relatively lightweight anti-sway hitch like the Andersen No-Sway would be a good safety item. If you don't see any floor plans in that size range that work for you, then it's best to stay with the popup.
I will never tow with surge brakes on a trailer again; they're usually set wrong. A properly adjusted trailer brake system should not push the TV around in a panic stop.
