Towing report: 06 Explorer with 22' TT
We try to go camping somewhere every year with the kids. Usually, we would take our “utility” trailer that I built on my driveway with my kids according to my wife’s design, load it with bikes, kayak, tents, gear and whatever and go some camp ground and have fun.
It looks like this:
This year, we wanted to add some fun for kids so we rented a 22’ travel trailer. I checked the specs on line and it read that a shipping weight is 3680 lbs, which I did not believe much since they tend to underestimate the actual weight. Therefore, on my way to pick it up, I stopped on a CAT scale with just the truck, and I came up with 5480 lbs without me. I know that my car should be around 5000, but since I have the front hitch with plow mount, and a heavy tool box, and other stuff with me all the time, that looked reasonable. On the way back with the TT, I went thru the scale again, and it read 9180, telling me that the TT with fresh water and 1 gas tank was 3700 – incredibly close to the specs on line and on the door. The allowable cargo was about 3500 for the GWV of the TT around 7200 – I was not planning to do that.
With 4 of us in the car, plus the gear in the trailer, I estimate 10,500 for the GCVW. My Exp GCVW is 12,000.
The car handled it with no effort, and I mean it. I knew it was back there, but I was able to accelerate uphill, and pass some slower cars in the right lane. I maintained 65-70 mph. There was no tail wagging, and I feel like the truck could handle maybe a 26-28 footer.
We went from NY/NJ to MA, about 240 miles.
My biggest complaint was the mileage, about 9 mpg, and small tank. You really need to fill up frequently and get the gas when you can, otherwise you are in trouble.
The truck is 06 Explorer with 4.6 v8, 3 valve, 209k miles.
It looks like this:
This year, we wanted to add some fun for kids so we rented a 22’ travel trailer. I checked the specs on line and it read that a shipping weight is 3680 lbs, which I did not believe much since they tend to underestimate the actual weight. Therefore, on my way to pick it up, I stopped on a CAT scale with just the truck, and I came up with 5480 lbs without me. I know that my car should be around 5000, but since I have the front hitch with plow mount, and a heavy tool box, and other stuff with me all the time, that looked reasonable. On the way back with the TT, I went thru the scale again, and it read 9180, telling me that the TT with fresh water and 1 gas tank was 3700 – incredibly close to the specs on line and on the door. The allowable cargo was about 3500 for the GWV of the TT around 7200 – I was not planning to do that.
With 4 of us in the car, plus the gear in the trailer, I estimate 10,500 for the GCVW. My Exp GCVW is 12,000.
The car handled it with no effort, and I mean it. I knew it was back there, but I was able to accelerate uphill, and pass some slower cars in the right lane. I maintained 65-70 mph. There was no tail wagging, and I feel like the truck could handle maybe a 26-28 footer.
We went from NY/NJ to MA, about 240 miles.
My biggest complaint was the mileage, about 9 mpg, and small tank. You really need to fill up frequently and get the gas when you can, otherwise you are in trouble.
The truck is 06 Explorer with 4.6 v8, 3 valve, 209k miles.
