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

SkiMore
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
Have you looked at the rating posted on the door jam of your SUV? It will say the max payload and max towing for YOUR vehicle.

Will the tongue weight + WD + people + stuff in SUV be under the max payload?
horton333
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
Huntindog wrote:
You have an opinion there.

Actually I gave directly relevant experience and measurement.....that is more than opinion.
Jebby14
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
keep in mind my wj has solid axles and a lower center of gravity. its tow rating was 6500lbs 1000lbs of payload
Jebby14
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
look at my sig. That's my 2002 WJ with the 4.7 towing my camper loaded around 4500lbs. It did it but barely. I had pleanty of power its payload I ran out of at 1000 lbs - me-gear-fam = not much for tongue weight and weight distribution hitch.
Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
horton333 wrote:
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.
You have an opinion there.
Opinions are opinions. Facts are facts.

The fact is that there is a LOT of fine print in that Tow rating.... So much that it pretty much makes it useless.

One either believes in facts or opinions.

Your warranty, your choice.

Your money, your choice.
bid_time
Nomad II
Feb 03, 2017
Start with THIS site, you will get good unbiased information here.
horton333
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
GrandpaKip wrote:
Remember that if the camper is loaded and weighs 4500 lbs., you are looking at about 520 lbs. of tongue weight. You will need to subtract that from your payload sticker and then figure out the rest of the weight in your vehicle. You may find that you are getting uncomfortably close to max payload.
Get all the numbers for all the weights and do some figuring.
Good luck.

So assuming 520# that's ~925# left for people and cargo - and of course extensive cargo should be put in the trailer anyway. What about that is that makes you 'uncomfortable'?
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2017
Remember that if the camper is loaded and weighs 4500 lbs., you are looking at about 520 lbs. of tongue weight. You will need to subtract that from your payload sticker and then figure out the rest of the weight in your vehicle. You may find that you are getting uncomfortably close to max payload.
Get all the numbers for all the weights and do some figuring.
Good luck.
horton333
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
Jim727 wrote:
It's been recommended to me by a small dealership I trust to stay under 4500 pounds, an aftermarket class lll is rated 5000#s, I never take one opinion that's why I'm here.

Actually 5000 is without weight distribution, 800/8000 pounds with WD.
For instance
You *do* need weight distribution, as mentioned per above. You can get many good trailers in that 4500 pound range, I'd concentrate on that part of the equation cause there are a *lot* of choices out there as you may already know.
Jim727
Explorer
Feb 03, 2017
It's been recommended to me by a small dealership I trust to stay under 4500 pounds, an aftermarket class lll is rated 5000#s, I never take one opinion that's why I'm here.