Another "can I tow that?" question:

Ask a Ford dealer if the optional tow package included a different differential ratio. If those are all the same, just add an auxiliary ATF cooler, and use the "severe duty" maintenance interval for all your fluids and filters. You may find it will also lack the pre-wiring for electric brake control. No biggie, that can be custom installed.

I can't imagine that with the above your Explorer would be a weaker tow vehicle than my 3,500# rated Honda minivan. I've used it for 13 years and 217,000 miles now and the powertrain is still all original. Our popup weighs 2,700# loaded and there are 5 of us in the van.

badercubed wrote:

SeaCoast wrote:

badercubed wrote:
My experience only.

We bought my wife a 2011 Explorer XLT (3.5L V6) with an aftermarket hitch that I purchased used directly from a Ford dealer. They told me the Class III aftermarket hitch made it rated for 4,000lbs. I used it to tow a 3 place v-nosed enclosed snowmobile trailer (with only two sleds in it) a few times which I would say was around 3,000lbs. Did it light the world on fire, no. But, the frontal area was obviously much larger than that of a popup of the same weight. I personally wouldn't hesitate.

Also, depending on how much is in the Explorer and what sag you see, you could add these for more rear-end support.

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/SuperSprings/CSS-1125R.html

Thanks, badercubed. Good to hear from first hand experience.
I tried the Super Springs website but they don't have an application for the 2011 Explorer.

Weird, ETrailer says that the Coil Sumosprings in the link will work with 2011 Explorers and they are pretty on.

Regardless, I think you will be fine with the popup, especially for weekend trips. If you are gonna go for a long time and are massively loaded then maybe you take the bigger vehicle, but I think you'll be pleased.

OK - sounds good! Thanks again and happy camping...

your already over your tow rates with an empty pup add all your camping stuff your going to be way over your going to make your explore tired very quickly.

eichacsj wrote:
I had researched the TT I wanted to buy, I had a 86 1/2 ton pickup I spent close to 18k putting in higher CI engine, beefed up tranny, gears, brakes and suspension, pretty much everything but the frame.

I went to buy my TT, the dealer told me that I would need to bring a different vehicle to take it off the lot as it was more than double the documented tow capacity, I told him it was none of his business, but we continued talking. Eventually he opened the driver door and said when you get pulled over they will read this sticker (weight and tow capacities) it is all that matters. I sold the truck and bought the one in my signature.


You will need a different truck even though you are close.

Not really so. I won't say the dealer lied. But I will say he didn't know what he was talking about. Ford, GM or any other auto company does not write law. There is NOTHING on the vehicle that tells what it can legally tow.

As for the Explorer / SUV. It is tagged as a car, not a truck. It does not have a truck tag on it, and so does not have a weighted tag on it. The same tag on a smart car can be transferred and used on a SUV. For some reason. DOT don't care what you hook to a car. And in NC they don't care what "Private Camping Trailer" you hook to a truck, as the tag does not have to cover the trailer's weight.

SeaCoast wrote:

badercubed wrote:
My experience only.

We bought my wife a 2011 Explorer XLT (3.5L V6) with an aftermarket hitch that I purchased used directly from a Ford dealer. They told me the Class III aftermarket hitch made it rated for 4,000lbs. I used it to tow a 3 place v-nosed enclosed snowmobile trailer (with only two sleds in it) a few times which I would say was around 3,000lbs. Did it light the world on fire, no. But, the frontal area was obviously much larger than that of a popup of the same weight. I personally wouldn't hesitate.

Also, depending on how much is in the Explorer and what sag you see, you could add these for more rear-end support.

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/SuperSprings/CSS-1125R.html

Thanks, badercubed. Good to hear from first hand experience.
I tried the Super Springs website but they don't have an application for the 2011 Explorer.

Weird, ETrailer says that the Coil Sumosprings in the link will work with 2011 Explorers and they are pretty on.

Regardless, I think you will be fine with the popup, especially for weekend trips. If you are gonna go for a long time and are massively loaded then maybe you take the bigger vehicle, but I think you'll be pleased.

badercubed wrote:
My experience only.

We bought my wife a 2011 Explorer XLT (3.5L V6) with an aftermarket hitch that I purchased used directly from a Ford dealer. They told me the Class III aftermarket hitch made it rated for 4,000lbs. I used it to tow a 3 place v-nosed enclosed snowmobile trailer (with only two sleds in it) a few times which I would say was around 3,000lbs. Did it light the world on fire, no. But, the frontal area was obviously much larger than that of a popup of the same weight. I personally wouldn't hesitate.

Also, depending on how much is in the Explorer and what sag you see, you could add these for more rear-end support.

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/SuperSprings/CSS-1125R.html

Thanks, badercubed. Good to hear from first hand experience.
I tried the Super Springs website but they don't have an application for the 2011 Explorer.

I've been away from the RV.net forums for about 7 years, but it's good to be back! Reading the various opinions from a wide variety of participants never gets boring. Thanks to all who responded.

Agree with the comments. But I got a good price on my 86 and wanted the 8.1 and a 3/4 ton.

Also the TT dealer only sold RV's. I went to Chevy and got my truck. So the TT dealer had no skin in the game. It also did not change my mind on the TT, though I did find a better price on the TT somewhere else as more dealers came in selling Northwood back then, 2000.

samsphones wrote:
You need a bigger vehicle

I already have one, big enough. But its an older vehicle, and I was curious about towing with this newer vehicle.

Thanks to all for the responses.

OP, you need to find out from a Ford dealer what the tow package included in that model year. I believe all 2011 Explorers came with the 290 HP V6 engine. You may only need to add a hitch receiver and some wiring. Or you may need to add an extra cooler for the transmission. Sometimes a tow pkg includes a larger alternator; you could get by ok without that if you wished.

The Explorer is physically a very capable tow vehicle for the popup you're looking at. It won't be dangerous to tow with. Failure to add a cooler, if they say you need it, could ruin your tranny but would not impact safety. Do not let the women scare you out of using it, with the proper mods of course. I towed 2700-3500 lb trailers with my '08 Highlander V6 (similar size vehicle & engine) over 140,000 miles (for both work and vacations), and it performed well. Your Explorer will have no difficulty with a low-wind-resistance popup.