Explorer Base V6 FWD - Anybody tow with this?

rexlion wrote:
I'm guessing the Hi-Lo is around 3500 lbs ready to camp?

IIRC they tend to be around 4k lbs dry. I'm trying to remember how heavy the folks 17' was... A bit heavier than you'd think anyway.

With the lower profile of the Hi-Lo, you should be ok. It will slow you down on the steep grades, of course, but it shouldn't harm the drive train. It will probably have an easier time of it than my Highlander does with my KZ (lighter weight, but more frontal area). I'm guessing the Hi-Lo is around 3500 lbs ready to camp?

Hi, I have a 2011 Ford Explorer SLT, but the AWD which has the same specs as the FWD. I am towing a 2012 Jayco 228 25' holiday trailer that weighs about 4300 lbs fully loaded (no water though). It tows ok on flat roads and in some hilly areas but you would not want to sustain a long climb on a steep grade for too long. We are a couple of hours from the Canadian Rockies and we have made a couple of treks into the national parks but I would not want to go much further. Our explorer also has the tow package which gives it a tow rating of 5000 lbs and a 10,250 GCVW. Without the tow package (brake controller, class III hitch, tranny cooler and a larger radiator) your towing capacity drops to around 2000 lbs (I think). My trailer is is slightly too much for the explorer even though we are within the tow capacity and just under the GCVW. At 100 kms an hour we are averaging 10 mpg. Ryan

You probably need to provide some specs here. How heavy is the trailer. What is the payload and tow rating on the explorer. My wife has the 4.0 v6 explorer. I don't tow with it, but think it could handle a hi lo less than 5000lbs loaded. Ours has the tow package and auxillary tranny cooler. you'll need it. I think it would pull a bit sluggish, but should be able to stop and handle that type of trailer.