towing question 1999 Ford Explorer V8 AWD
I want to buy a TT and was interested in some opinions on how big of a trailer my Ford Explorer can pull safely. I believe the tow rating is 6250. Any help would be appreciated. Chris
Forum Discussion
I towed a 23' Rockwood 2304s (7.5' wide TT) with our 2000 Mountaineer 5L V8 for a couple of seasons. Towing the TT home on just a hitch ball, the rig felt scary. I put an Equal-i-zer hitch on it and it became very stable feeling. But! This TT was listed as about 3400 lb dry weight with about 385 lb on the hitch (IIRC); yet somehow it bent a rear spring on the truck from the weight! I never checked the actual hitch weight. Fresh water 30 gallon tank was up front, and sometimes I'd get it close to full. Plus the weight of the Equal-i-zer itself, and LP and battery... the hitch weight really creeps up fast on you.
Performance-wise, the Merc did reasonably well. I towed that TT into Colorado, including north to Telluride and Ridgeway, using 2nd gear and 35-40 mph on the long grades. The tranny fluid smelled a little scorched afterward, but I changed the fluid and it's been working fine ever since (8-9 years later). We still have the truck, my wife won't let go of it. Towing MPG was about 10-10.5, but in a strong headwind it would fall to 9 MPG.
I think a loaded weight of 4000 lb is about all you'd want. And be very careful with your hitch weight. 25' is probably the absolute max TT length, but shorter is better. If doing it over I'd probably stay 20' or less.
Performance-wise, the Merc did reasonably well. I towed that TT into Colorado, including north to Telluride and Ridgeway, using 2nd gear and 35-40 mph on the long grades. The tranny fluid smelled a little scorched afterward, but I changed the fluid and it's been working fine ever since (8-9 years later). We still have the truck, my wife won't let go of it. Towing MPG was about 10-10.5, but in a strong headwind it would fall to 9 MPG.
I think a loaded weight of 4000 lb is about all you'd want. And be very careful with your hitch weight. 25' is probably the absolute max TT length, but shorter is better. If doing it over I'd probably stay 20' or less.
