Weight of trailer and my tow vehicle
I have a 2013 Ford Explorer AWD LTD with factory towing package. It says that it is rated for 5000 pounds towing. When I've talked to different salespeople, I tend to get different answers as to this ...
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I tow with a 2008 Ford Explorer with factory tow package, V6 4x4. Factory tow rating 5225#.
I prefer a little safety margin so I looked for and bought a TT with a GTWR of under 4000#. (See signature) . I could use a little more power but otherwise it tows, brakes, and handles well with my WDH. In this TT weight range, its mostly single axles. THAT is a concern because my GTWR (3877#) assumes part of it is carried by the tongue weight on the TV's payload weight (1452#). The TT has a single 3500# rated axle! My CAT scale TT axle weight was 3600#! I have hence had my TT on a weight reduction program ;) Additionally, my TV drive axle was also overloaded.
The camping trip before the trip to the scales we had my 12yo grandson along. Before that, on our initial run with this TT, no grandson but a load of wood in the Explorer. So I was likely even more overloaded on those trips.
This is my first TT but I've had two enclosed cargo trailers and a mid size boat for towing experience, but no brakes on the under 3K trailers.
Based on my current TV & TT experience, when towing with an Explorer I recommend shooting for a TT GTWR at 80% of the TV tow rating.
I prefer a little safety margin so I looked for and bought a TT with a GTWR of under 4000#. (See signature) . I could use a little more power but otherwise it tows, brakes, and handles well with my WDH. In this TT weight range, its mostly single axles. THAT is a concern because my GTWR (3877#) assumes part of it is carried by the tongue weight on the TV's payload weight (1452#). The TT has a single 3500# rated axle! My CAT scale TT axle weight was 3600#! I have hence had my TT on a weight reduction program ;) Additionally, my TV drive axle was also overloaded.
The camping trip before the trip to the scales we had my 12yo grandson along. Before that, on our initial run with this TT, no grandson but a load of wood in the Explorer. So I was likely even more overloaded on those trips.
This is my first TT but I've had two enclosed cargo trailers and a mid size boat for towing experience, but no brakes on the under 3K trailers.
Based on my current TV & TT experience, when towing with an Explorer I recommend shooting for a TT GTWR at 80% of the TV tow rating.
