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 number. Some say that people routinely go over the weight stated and others have said you should limit it to not more than 85% of that value, reserving that last bit for safety. I'm hoping that by asking people with experience that are not trying to sell me anything will give me a different perspective. So far, I've seen a few trailers that I kind of like that encroach a dry weight of 4300, which is 85% of 5000 pounds. I really like my Explorer and it is fully paid off, so I enjoy that. Someday, when it is time to replace it, my plan is to go with a crew-cab 1-ton pickup. I just don't want that "someday" to be before buying the trailer.

To begin with, I usually look at gross weight, not dry weight just to rule out trailers completely, then go from there. Almost all trailers weigh more than the advertised dry weight, it doesn't factor in propane, batteries, or any options.The payload for your explorer will probably be the first limit you hit. That handles your trailer tongue weight+people and luggage packed in the truck. Find out what that is and that would help.I wouldn't classify your explorer as one of the trucks I would feel comfortable overloading or towing close to max. It won't hold up well.

Unless you plan to carry nothing with you, go with Gross Vehicle Weight of the trailer as a starting point...more often than not, that's pretty close to what happens in real life.The Ford engineers have a much better feel for tow rating than your average used car salesman.Big issue I didn't see you mention, what is the payload of the truck? You are probably looking at 650-750 hitch weight, plus passenger weight plus anything else you pack in or bolt onto the truck (including optional equipment from the factory). Even if you are within the tow rating, you may be over the payload for the truck.

Ha, my trailer has a dry weight of around #3500 and a GVWR of #5000 and I tow it with an F150 that has a tow rating of just a tad over #11,000...I'm comfortable with that because I know it weighs every bit of that #5000 because I know I pack too much and will take any trailer I have to it's GVWR..Give me a #7500 GVWR TT... I'll load it to that amount. Easy!I'm just a weekend camper too, so those that don't load anything in their trailers, more power to ya!I used to tent camp and always wanted more stuff when "camping" so got a trailer.. Loaded up all the stuff I want to take and there you go!This is just me of course and I camp the way I want to camp and other's camp the way they want to camp..How do you want to camp? That's the question. Bet that #4300 dry weight trailer has around a #6000 GVWR on it..Good luck!Mitch

Here is good reliable information you can read and it will give you everything you need to know about towing and weights. Clicky

Once sat and listened to a salesman tell my DIL that the Weight Distrbution System takes care of all the tongue weight, so tongue weight really doesn’t matter. Poof. It just goes away.Anyhow, as stated, first find your payload rating located on the door post of your truck.When looking at campers, find the gross weight rating, located on a sticker on the camper. Take about 13% of that and you will get an approximation of max tongue weight. Subtract that from your payload.What’s left is for you, passengers, and any stuff you put in the truck.Do the math a few times and you will get a good idea of what size campers you can really pull.

Weight of trailer and my tow vehicle | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

troubledwaters
Nomad
Mar 19, 2019
Here is good reliable information you can read and it will give you everything you need to know about towing and weights. Clicky
MitchF150
Explorer III
Mar 19, 2019
Ha, my trailer has a dry weight of around #3500 and a GVWR of #5000 and I tow it with an F150 that has a tow rating of just a tad over #11,000...

I'm comfortable with that because I know it weighs every bit of that #5000 because I know I pack too much and will take any trailer I have to it's GVWR..

Give me a #7500 GVWR TT... I'll load it to that amount. Easy!

I'm just a weekend camper too, so those that don't load anything in their trailers, more power to ya!

I used to tent camp and always wanted more stuff when "camping" so got a trailer.. Loaded up all the stuff I want to take and there you go!

This is just me of course and I camp the way I want to camp and other's camp the way they want to camp..

How do you want to camp? That's the question. Bet that #4300 dry weight trailer has around a #6000 GVWR on it..

Good luck!

Mitch
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 19, 2019
Unless you plan to carry nothing with you, go with Gross Vehicle Weight of the trailer as a starting point...more often than not, that's pretty close to what happens in real life.

The Ford engineers have a much better feel for tow rating than your average used car salesman.

Big issue I didn't see you mention, what is the payload of the truck? You are probably looking at 650-750 hitch weight, plus passenger weight plus anything else you pack in or bolt onto the truck (including optional equipment from the factory). Even if you are within the tow rating, you may be over the payload for the truck.
parker_rowe
Explorer
Mar 19, 2019
To begin with, I usually look at gross weight, not dry weight just to rule out trailers completely, then go from there. Almost all trailers weigh more than the advertised dry weight, it doesn't factor in propane, batteries, or any options.

The payload for your explorer will probably be the first limit you hit. That handles your trailer tongue weight+people and luggage packed in the truck. Find out what that is and that would help.

I wouldn't classify your explorer as one of the trucks I would feel comfortable overloading or towing close to max. It won't hold up well.

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Weight of trailer and my tow vehicle

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