Towing question

RinconVTR wrote:

MFOX wrote:
Hi! We are looking for a new truck because our 12 year old suburban is slowly dying. We are looking at a Ford Explorer 8 cyclinder with a max. tow rating of 7000. We are also looking at a KZ Frontier 2505 that the GVWR is at 7000 lbs. Now we would be using a weight distribution hitch and sway bars. Is this going to be okay. I tried to find the answers else where online, but they aren't giving me all the info put together. Thanks for any help.

There's nothing but******for replies in this thread so far.

NO ONE pointed out you stated the trailer is 7000lbs GROSS, meaning it will likely NEVER come near that number unless you carelessly overload it.

GVWR is NOT the number to shop and match TV's with. Sure you can, there is no harm, but more often than not you will buy a TV that is far more than you ever required.

In your case, matching the TV max towing with the max the trailer should ever be, should be fine. HOWEVER, the Explorer is typically known as a Mid-Size SUV. Just because it can tow 7000lbs, doesnt mean it will do so comfortably. You'll want to make the the actual loaded weight isnt really that close to the max ratings, strictly for comfort.

I towed with a 2012 Honda Pilot nearly maxed out, and it did so very well, but I felt it wasnt comfortable enough to travel entire days at a time, as we changed our plans to start national travel with the TT. So we bought a 2010 Sequoia. There isnt a whole lot different, other than I dont feel the trailer as much, and day long drives wont wear on the driver as much.

You say the Pilot towed your trailer "very well" but then you say it wasn't comfortable enough to tow a whole day. That doesn't compute. If it's a tiring struggle on the driver to tow something then it's clearly not doing it "very well".

The OP needs more of a tow vehicle if he plans on towing the trailer he wants any fair distance. They need a truck based SUV minimum for a trailer that large and heavy.