Forum Discussion

NuWa's avatar
NuWa
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014

2005 Ford Explorer Input

Hi all - new to the forum and I'm hoping to get input from anyone towing with a 2005(ish) Ford Explorer with similar deets:

- 4.0L, V6, 4x4, Auto;
- Tow Prep Pkg w/Class III/IV hitch, tranny cooler and 3.73 gear ratio, 7-pin plug

I'm interested in hearing some details on what others are towing with a similar set-up, what kind of terrain you tow over (hills, flats), how far, what your set-up is (trailer brakes? weight dist/sway bars?), etc.

I have my eye on a 16' (bumper to ball connector), newly restored vintage trailer. This was a ground up resto, using lighter wight materials. I don't know the dry weight of the trailer yet, but I am thinking it's in the range of approx. 2000 lbs. It does not have trailer brakes. Current owner tows with an F250 and says "it's a breeze! Can be towed ball almost anything!" (yeah, yeah).

I've done a lot of reading re: tow capacities, etc. and I'm not too concerned about the ability of the Ex to tow the trailer, more concerned with how it will tow without the brakes and sway bars. I will have to tow it a couple thousand miles to get it home and white knuckling it isn't sounding attractive.

Anyway, I would love to hear what you are towing to get some real life perspective. Thanks!

Laura
Tow Vehicles

9 Replies

  • NuWa's avatar
    NuWa
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    NuWa wrote:
    BurbMan wrote:
    Look for scrap yards, recycling centers and moving companies in your area, they all have truck scales. For a $7 to $10 fee you can drive on, get weighed, and be out of there in 5 minutes.


    Great advice! I will certainly do that.


    And look what I found here: Certified Public Scale Locator http://www.publicscaleslocator.com/
  • NuWa's avatar
    NuWa
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    BurbMan wrote:
    Look for scrap yards, recycling centers and moving companies in your area, they all have truck scales. For a $7 to $10 fee you can drive on, get weighed, and be out of there in 5 minutes.


    Great advice! I will certainly do that.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2014
    NuWa, those calculations look fine, but often the base curb weight is not accurate. If you want to be comfortable with the numbers do 2 things: First take your Ex to a scale and get it weighed with you in it and full tank of gas. This will give you the baseline from which to run the rest of the numbers. Second, request that the seller get the trailer weighed and tell you what that number is. If he can weight the tongue on a bath scale as suggested that would be better yet. Until you have actual weights everything just rests on assumptions. By the way, your assumptions don't appear unreasonable either.

    Look for scrap yards, recycling centers and moving companies in your area, they all have truck scales. For a $7 to $10 fee you can drive on, get weighed, and be out of there in 5 minutes.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    BurbMan wrote:
    You don't mention what the tow rating of teh Explorer is (look in the owner's manual) but it's probably about 5000 lbs with that drivetrain. A smaller travel trailer like this is actually a good match for a medium size SUV like the Explorer. Not too long, not too heavy.


    X2
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    You want to have the seller weigh the trailer tongue on a bathroom scale so you know what the hitch weight is. Assuming the whole trailer weighs 2000, anything between 200 and 400 should be ok without getting fancy. More than 400, you'd better use a weight distribution hitch. Less than 200, you'd better use sway control... or find some sand bags to load in the front of the trailer!
  • NuWa's avatar
    NuWa
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    BurbMan wrote:
    You don't mention what the tow rating of teh Explorer is (look in the owner's manual) but it's probably about 5000 lbs with that drivetrain. A smaller travel trailer like this is actually a good match for a medium size SUV like the Explorer. Not too long, not too heavy.


    Burbman, I'm reasonably comfortable the Ex can handle the actual weight, but here are a few more stats to consider. Your input is welcome.

    The Ex has:
    - Max tow rating (MTR) 5380;
    - Base Curb Weight (BCW) (incl. full tank) 4300;
    - GVCR of 10k;
    - Hitch tongue rating 500
    - Gross axle weight 3380

    Here's my calculation, based upon the 2005 Ford Towing Guide http://ford.to/1AuYpEz :

    4300(BCW)+ 325(passengers)+ 300 (est tongue weight)+ 1000 (cargo)= 6100(GVW) + 2000(trailer) = 8100 GCW.

    5380(MTR)-4300(BCW)= 1080 allowable payload

    1080-325(passengers)= 755 lbs cargo capacity.

    Certainly I've made some assumptions here, and the weight limits may look a little tight. One thing that's unclear to me is that one site listed the max payload as 1500, but I have no idea how that was calculated. Do these calculations look accurate?

    Thanks!
  • NuWa's avatar
    NuWa
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    APT wrote:
    If you want to tow anything high walled, few people are satisfied with V6 engines excepting the later Ecoboost. 250-280 lb-ft of torque at 4500rpm means not enough at 2500rpm to tow comfortably. If you like that generation explorer, get a a 4.6L V8.


    Thanks APT. Worthy info, however the V6 is what I have right now and trading in is not an option at this time. That's why I'm hoping to hear the experiences of those who are currently, or have towed with a similar set-up.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2014
    You don't mention what the tow rating of teh Explorer is (look in the owner's manual) but it's probably about 5000 lbs with that drivetrain. A smaller travel trailer like this is actually a good match for a medium size SUV like the Explorer. Not too long, not too heavy.

    Regarding dry weight, have the current owner run the trailer over a scale and send you a pic of the weigh slip. Only costs $10 or so to get a trailer weighed at any moving or scrap yard that has a vehicle scale. Then you'll know for sure what the dry weight is. If you plan to go camping with the trailer, figure you will add another 500-600 lbs of stuff to the dry weight for that size trailer.

    State laws vary regarding trailer brakes, with some states requiring brakes on trailers at 1000 lbs and up. Again, have the current owner weigh it so you know what you have.

    Regardless, I would highly recommend trailer brakes on a 2000 lb trailer behind an Explorer. Good news is that since you have the 7-pin connector you just need to have a brake controller installed. Depending on what kind of axles are on the trailer, brakes can be added.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    If you want to tow anything high walled, few people are satisfied with V6 engines excepting the later Ecoboost. 250-280 lb-ft of torque at 4500rpm means not enough at 2500rpm to tow comfortably. If you like that generation explorer, get a a 4.6L V8.

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