2004 explorer 4.6 real world limits

I would say that figure is VERY optimistic. Is there a sticker on the door that shows the towing limit of your vehicle? Use 80% of that for a comfortable weight.
The book told me I could tow a 3500# trailer behind my 4.0 Ranger. Maybe across southern Saskatchewan with a tail wind but it sure didn't work here in mountainous BC.

THe 7000 lb number is good I checked a lot of places, but to me it's not relevant. Even 5000 seems high for such a small vehicle.



I just want to hear from people who have used this truck and how it performed.

Hi I used to have the same vehicle as you and a few years ago I lost my transmission in my pickup and was able to get a ride home to use my explorer to pull my 25ft Coachmen Catalina Lite home. Campground was an hour away and I will say that It pulled it okay but I wouldn't have pulled it long trips. I live in central Illinois and when I first bought my TT I did a 8 state road trip with my pickup (1/2 Ton) and so glad I had that vs the explorer. Just my opinion it did the job to get TT home yet me personally not the tow vehicle I would choose. Best of luck

I just used our F150 with the same gen 4.6 to pull our combine header to storage about 12kms. The header weighs 7600lbs operating, but we pulled the canvasses and dividers off- so let's say 7000lbs. The dolly is a wagon type 4 wheel so no tongue weight to speak of other than the draw bar.

I actually didn't think it was going to make it. 60kmph was as much as I could edge out of it, and the header is not nearly as aerodynamically challenged as a camper. Any grades at all and that little engine was screaming its guts out.

As for the wheel base- I don't think a 20' or so would be out of the question.

Many Ford products have an optional HD trailer tow package that includes a HD radiator, transmission cooler and usually a higher final drive ratio. I would not tow anything above 3500 lbs without these.

Clearly a WD hitch and electric brakes (not just surge brakes) are required.

Not a direct comparison, but I used to tow a 21 foot ultralight with a Ford Aerostar and then a 1998 4.6 Expedition. Later I owned a 2003 Explorer with the 4.6. Based on my experience the 21 foot ultralight (GVWR 4400) would have been a good match for my 2003 Explorer but not too much heavier. My Explorer had 3.55 gearing and as such was only rated for 3500 lbs towing. I don't see 3.73 making a huge difference, but in Ford's ratings it did. I certainly wouldn't tow a 7K travel trailer with one.

Assuming little to no people and cargo in the Explorer I would not hesitate to tow a 7,000 GVWR trailer.

Did it come factory with a class 4 hitch and 7 pin connector?

It has the complete towing package and I have towed some very heavy loads short distances.

Towing anything high walled at 60-65mph is hard work. A 3000 pound TT is more difficult than a 7000 pound flatbed or boat due to all the flat-ish front and sides.

I would say up to 5k new, maybe 4-5k dry at 14 years old. Flush all the fluids.

I towed a 27ft 5k lb Award TT with a 95 4dr 4.0L Explorer. It had the tow pkg and did very good towing it. Keep in mind the Award TT is low profile and aerodynamic! If it had the V-8 it would’ve been even better, but the V-6 did decent here in the flat Midwest! The only drawback was the small fuel tank!