Forum Discussion
- lanerdExplorer IIWhat year? 4WD, AWD, FWD? What motor? What transmission?
Go to remcotowingcom and put in the info. - AvaExplorerRead the towing section in the owners manual to see if it can become a toad.
- LeeblevExplorerDitto on Remco. I tow a 2011 Ranger. At the time it was only pu recommended without things like having to stop every 200 miles and cycle the tranny. Another mfgr. said their pu would work. Remco said no and after some going around, the mfgr told me Remco was correct. Don't go by how somebody else tows. Make sure whatever you want can actually be towed 4 down w/o extra $$.
- dons2346ExplorerI think if you tow in front of your motorhome, all problems will be eliminated
- j-dExplorer IIMany SportTrac's could be flat towed following a routine to get the electronic transfer case into Neutral.
BUT!!! I can't recommend a Explorer/Ranger/SportTrac with the 4.0L OHC V6 engine. It's a modified 4.0L Pushrod engine where the camshaft is replaced with a drive that passes through the engine. One OHC cam drive chain is on the front of the engine and one is on the REAR. Rear where it can't be accessed with transmission attached to engine and/or engine in the vehicle. Doesn't show up till well past 100,000 miles. When the cam drive fails, and most do, the truck isn't worth fixing. This was OK when they were new and many new owners traded theirs before the issue surfaced. They're old enough now that many running engines will have or be close to this issue, and many donor engines will also have it. An automotive tinkerer might be able to pull the job off as a labor of love. Rest of us, NO.
The 4.6L OHC V8 does NOT have this design.
The GM's (S-10, Sonoma, Colorado, Canyon) with 4x4 automatic are set up with a Neutral mode in their electronic transfer cases and are towable.
But as always, CHECK OWNER's MANUAL - We towed a 2003 Ford Sport Trac until last year when we replaced it with a 2014 Ford Flex. The ST was probably the least problematic of all the toads we have had over the years. Not all ST's are towable. As mentioned; follow the user's manual, but be careful. Not all manuals found in vehicles are for the said vehicle, so do your research. Remco towing as well as the FMCA dinghy guides help. We had to purchased a "neutral tow kit" which was just a wiring pigtail that plugged into the transfer case to let you know when it was freewheeling. It didn't physically do anything, it was just a light. Ford, I understand, quit making that available and some people managed to rig up their own using parts from Radio Shack.
We traded ours when our mechanic of many years told us the timing chains (3) were starting to rattle and that is an expensive repair. It requires pulling the engine. Done before they break is cheaper than waiting till they do, but it is expensive regardless. She had 167,000 driven miles and another 100,000 towed in the years we had her. A good serviceable truck we were sad to part with, but the "Oster Toaster" seems to be stepping up and filling the void.
The newer ST's are heavier than our '03 so we went a different route.
Dale - newleeExplorerI tow a 2007 Sport Trac. 4X4 V8. From 2007 thru 2010 only 4X4's are towable. Not sure about prior years. It needs to have an neutral tow kit. This allows the transfer case to go into neutral.
- LancsladExplorerDodge Dakota 4x4 automatic V8, Set up for towing--- Set transfer case in neutral, shifter in park, attach Blue Ox and away we go!!!
- HeisenbergExplorerI have just purchased a 2017 Colorado Crew Cab 4X4. It weighs 4300 lbs. I read the manual before I closed the deal. I am getting ready to put a Demco BP and wiring on it.
About RV Tips & Tricks
Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,101 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025