I'm doing my homework, I have a 2007 Mountaineer, V8, I'm looking at trailers in the 4,000/4,500 pound class, any comments, I now live in CT. and am heading south. Ford dealer says no problem, RV dealers say the same, what say you folks?

I have a 2003 Explorer which is a very similar vehicle, actually yours is a bit better as it would be the 3 valve engine and the slightly improved chassis. You should have no trouble finding a suitable trailer, lots of people using it and some a fair bit larger trailer. Some stock tires are not good for pulling, try to find some LT or speed rated sidewall tires. I assume you have the factory tow package, if not then you will need an additional transmission cooler. The wheelbase is short so you do need weight distribution and anti-sway package installed on the trailer, it's pretty standard but saying just in case.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacitytells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way over

Dennis Smith wrote:https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacitytells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way overIt's rated `7,000 pounds by Ford with the towing package, not sure why google is rating SUVs... It can actually do more, but that is the rating.

Dennis Smith wrote:https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacitytells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way overThat's without tow package, 7,100 with but between the short wheel base and low payload it would have to be a flatbed full of bricks with half the weight on and behind the axle to actually tow that much well. A shorter 4-4.5k is probably the sweet spot for that TV.

afidel wrote:Dennis Smith wrote:https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacitytells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way overThat's without tow package, 7,100 with but between the short wheel base and low payload it would have to be a flatbed full of bricks with half the weight on and behind the axle to actually tow that much well. A shorter 4-4.5k is probably the sweet spot for that TV.Do you have any experience with this vehicle?

Newbe question, Mercury Mountaineer max trailer size

Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2017
My 2 cents: be very leery of anything an RV dealer tells you. Their interest in selling trailers does not necessarily coincide with what's the best trailer for your family. There's a big difference between being able to tow something and being able to tow it safely.
Assuming it's not dry weight, staying under 4500 lbs is smart. As others have said, the short wheelbase of the Explorer is a limiting factor, though not the only one. Personally I wouldn't go much past 20 ft for trailer length.
horton333
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
Huntindog wrote:
Dennis Smith wrote:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacity

tells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way over
The OP IS new to this. The first thing he needs to know is that the tow ratings are essentially an advertising number. Few vehicles will actually be capable of that rating.

There are lots of people who actually have these vehicles who diassagree with your assumption, based on their experience. Yes tow ratings are largely marketing numbers on smaller vehicles, but on smaller vehicles tow ratings tend to be *less* than the vehicle is capable of: to upsell customers to the more profitable, and for many people less useful, trucks.
Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
Dennis Smith wrote:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacity

tells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way over
The OP IS new to this. The first thing he needs to know is that the tow ratings are essentially an advertising number. Few vehicles will actually be capable of that rating.
horton333
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
Jim727 wrote:
It is rated for 7000 but only has the class ll factory receiver, it has the towing package with transmission cooler. I will be putting a class lll receiver on it.

Hum it's interesting that is different than the Explorer and they put the larger cooler on a 1 1/4 receiver but it sounds like you already have a handle on that.
Happy camping, let us know where ya go!
rexlion
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
My advice is, keep the TT the shortest and lightest you can make work for your situation. Smaller trailers are more pleasurable to tow and to maneuver around the gas pumps, which equates to a little less stress. But it's totally up to you.
Jim727
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
It is rated for 7000 but only has the class ll factory receiver, it has the towing package with transmission cooler. I will be putting a class lll receiver on it.
horton333
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
afidel wrote:
Dennis Smith wrote:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacity

tells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way over

That's without tow package, 7,100 with but between the short wheel base and low payload it would have to be a flatbed full of bricks with half the weight on and behind the axle to actually tow that much well. A shorter 4-4.5k is probably the sweet spot for that TV.

Do you have any experience with this vehicle?
afidel
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2017
Dennis Smith wrote:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacity

tells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way over

That's without tow package, 7,100 with but between the short wheel base and low payload it would have to be a flatbed full of bricks with half the weight on and behind the axle to actually tow that much well. A shorter 4-4.5k is probably the sweet spot for that TV.
horton333
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
Dennis Smith wrote:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacity
tells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way over

It's rated `7,000 pounds by Ford with the towing package, not sure why google is rating SUVs...
It can actually do more, but that is the rating.
Dennis_Smith
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=2007+mercury+mountaineer+v8+towing+capacity

tells me 3500 is your max towing. think your way over

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Newbe question, Mercury Mountaineer max trailer size

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