We just bought a 2015 Explorer Base 4WD model for my wife with Ford Sync/Sirius Radio and Tow Package.This Crossover (they call it an SUV :D ) could be a nice tow vehicle for lighter and shorter campers.While with a max 500 lbs hitch weight limit, it'll be limited to small travel trailer with around a Max "LOADED" weight of 3900 lbs, to stay within the hitch rating.While the drive train looks to be less powerful, it is surprisingly powerful. I had a 2005 Pathfinder 4WD (true locked 4 Hi with truck frame) and the 4.0L that was rated for higher torque than the Ford 3.5L. The Nissan Pathfinder felt less powerful down low despite weighing the same.The reason is gearing. The Explorer has some pretty high ratio gearing along with a 3.65 axle ratio in the 4WD model.It gets up and goes with that gearing even though the rated torque is 255 lbs at 4000 rpms. Now here's the most surprising benefit. It has 1398 lbs of payload right on the yellow tire loading tread act sticker on the door jam. That's only 30 lbs less than my previous 2010 F150 Crew Cab 4WD 5.4L 3V truck! It's also higher than many 1/2 ton trucks.So you can probably load it up with a family, get a small TT or Hybrid, and do pretty good with it.Really surprised as it has more payload than my late 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac by over 100 lbs. Hek, it even has Trailer Sway control and a Tow mode.Granted it's crossover design limits hitch weight but within that, it could be a pretty decent tow vehicle.

I hope it works out that way. We had the older Explorers and found the weak spot was brakes. Had to have those (and tranny) serviced more often than normal when we were towing - and we usually towed just popups. I wonder if the brakes have been redesigned, since the entire car has been.

kknowlton wrote:I hope it works out that way. We had the older Explorers and found the weak spot was brakes. Had to have those (and tranny) serviced more often than normal when we were towing - and we usually towed just popups. I wonder if the brakes have been redesigned, since the entire car has been.I had great luck with my 2008 Explorer Sport Trac, never any brake troubles. Even towing this. That Sport Trac though had a 730 lbs hitch rating thanks to it's truck frame.

I traded my 2002 Explorer 4x4 V8 Limited in for a 2012 4x4 Limited, both fully loaded including factory tow packages. I can say for a FACT these two vehicles are in no way shape or form even remotely related to each other, period. The 2002 is a truck, the 2012 to present is a Flex. When I bought mine (unchanged to date), there were more Bently's on the road in this area for at least the 1st year, people thought it was a Land Rover.Never had a problem towing the boat in either, but there sure is a difference in power. The V8 feels way more secure power-wise where the 2012 makes up for it with 6 speeds fancy shifting routines and assisted power train braking.

Side note - U-Haul will still not rent you a trailer if the TV is an Explorer.

There are plenty of brake upgrades available for the Explorer now that it is sold as a Police Vehicle. Ours have been pretty durable.

2015 Explorer | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Mike_Up
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
Fordlover wrote:
kknowlton wrote:
I hope it works out that way. We had the older Explorers and found the weak spot was brakes. Had to have those (and tranny) serviced more often than normal when we were towing - and we usually towed just popups. I wonder if the brakes have been redesigned, since the entire car has been.

I just completed the first brake job on my 2002 model, right around 95K miles. About 20K miles has been towing, about 15K of that is pulling my RV. I'm very pleased with the durability and longevity of my X.

Wow, that's only 7,300 miles per year. No wonder why you got away without needing new brakes until 95,000!!

I have 46,000 miles on my 2012 F150 and need new front brakes and rotors (warped). Then again I drive about 17,300 miles per year (which is a break from driving 21,000 and over for years).
Fordlover
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
kknowlton wrote:
I hope it works out that way. We had the older Explorers and found the weak spot was brakes. Had to have those (and tranny) serviced more often than normal when we were towing - and we usually towed just popups. I wonder if the brakes have been redesigned, since the entire car has been.

I just completed the first brake job on my 2002 model, right around 95K miles. About 20K miles has been towing, about 15K of that is pulling my RV. I'm very pleased with the durability and longevity of my X.
Mike_Up
Explorer
Jul 29, 2015
This is really a nice car. I had a 2005 Pathfinder SE 4WD with three 3rd row seats and only a small child could fit back there due too the lack of leg and knee room.

The Explorer had a comfortable 3rd row seat as there's enough leg and knee room for me to sit comfortable. Still a bit claustrophobic for my liking but good enough for shorter trips.
IdaD
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
Mike Up wrote:
Now here's the most surprising benefit. It has 1398 lbs of payload right on the yellow tire loading tread act sticker on the door jam. That's only 30 lbs less than my previous 2010 F150 Crew Cab 4WD 5.4L 3V truck! It's also higher than many 1/2 ton trucks.

My wife's 2010 Pilot has almost the same torque and payload rating, and it towed a not quite 4000 lb pop up very well and got pretty good mileage doing it. Typically around 17 mpg. The low profile of the pop up obviously helps a lot in making it easier to tow.
Lessmore
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2015
carringb wrote:
ib516 wrote:
There are plenty of brake upgrades available for the Explorer now that it is sold as a Police Vehicle. Ours have been pretty durable.

If you buy an Explorer sport you basically get the Interceptor package, except with fancy bling wheels instead of durable steelies.

Carringb, I'm not sure that is the case. I'm not saying you're not right, I'm saying I don't know.

The Explorer police package has the 3.7 liter V6 (304 hp)... not the 3.5 liter that the civilian package has.

The turbo 3.5 liter (365 hp) is optional for the police package (Interceptor) and has the same hp rating as the civilian package.

Police packages are quite involved and my understanding is that their specs/equipment differ from civilian models in a number of respects.

For further clarification, please see the attached Interceptor package for 2016 Explorer. This is from the Ford Motor Company.

Interceptor Explorer package
carringb
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
ib516 wrote:
There are plenty of brake upgrades available for the Explorer now that it is sold as a Police Vehicle. Ours have been pretty durable.

If you buy an Explorer sport you basically get the Interceptor package, except with fancy bling wheels instead of durable steelies.
carringb
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
mbopp wrote:
Side note - U-Haul will still not rent you a trailer if the TV is an Explorer.

They revised the policy to rent to the new body style (current) Explorers.
Fast_Mopar
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
SCVJeff wrote:
mbopp wrote:
Side note - U-Haul will still not rent you a trailer if the TV is an Explorer.
tell us more...

This dates back to the 90's when Ford had the issue with the Firestone tires that would fail on the Explorers. The focus was really on the 2001 and older Explorers. I did not realize the ban was still in effect. I rented a U-Haul trailer 10 years ago to tow behind my Chevy Lumina. The rental clerk said Luminas were fine, but she would not rent if I had a Ford Explorer.

The new Explorers are great, by the way. There are two people in my workplace who just purchased new 2015 Explorers - great vehicles.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
mbopp wrote:
Side note - U-Haul will still not rent you a trailer if the TV is an Explorer.
tell us more...
rexlion
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
The current Explorer is fairly similar to my '08 Highlander in power and capability. The HL tow rating is also 5000 lbs and the gearing makes it feel nice and fast. I've towed over 140,000 miles with it and it has held up beautifully. But I would not want to tow more TT than about 20' long and about 3500 lbs loaded weight.

I test drove a new Explorer a year or two ago. Pretty nice.