We were thinking of getting a 2017 4WD Ford Explorer with the 3.5l V6 (not the twin turbo) and Class III towing package to pull a Winnebago Micro Mini 1700BH. But then I started reading around on here.The TT has a dry weight of 3000# and GVWR of 3800#. The Explorer is marketed as having a 5000# towing capacity with the Class III towing package. The door sticker on the Ford says the GVWR is 6180#. Front GAWR 3080#, Rear GAWR 3350#. I dug up a Ford towing guide that says the GCWR is 10,150#. If I'm doing my math right here, does that mean there's only 3970# of headroom with that vehicle? If so, it would seem I'm screwed with 600# of people, plus all of our other stuff in addition to the TT. But I hang out on a Winnebago forum and they're all happily towing the heavier dual axle models with Explorers, Santa Fes, Cherokees, etc. That seems like it would defy logic. The problem is my wife is insisting on having a 3rd row vehicle and doesn't want to get into the bigger SUVs (Tahoe, Expedition, etc.). We were just about set to buy a Dodge Durango, but every "car guy" I know was emphatic about avoiding that vehicle at all costs. Also looked at the Pathfinder, but have seen too many bad things about towing large loads with a CVT. Ready to pull my hair out here...

I honestly dont think that would make for a enjoyable towing experience even if you manage to stay within the numbers - which may be a challenge.

Matt-I thought about the Explorer, Traverse and the 1700BH. Determined the Explorer and Traverse just were too close on towing ability. Then I spent an hour in the 1700BH alone...without the spouse...trying to imagine both of us inside. After 5 minutes I was tired of sitting up at the booth. After 10 more minutes I was tired of trying to recline on one side of the dining booth. Now lets talk capacities....31 gallons of fresh water. Depending on where you camp might be ok....but in the dry West that isn't enough for someone like me that dry/boondocks most of the time. I went with the 2101DS. Its successor, the 2106DS, unfortunately also has only a 31 gallon capacity. Both have a sofa...much better for relaxing. That's my take.

"The problem is my wife is insisting on having a 3rd row vehicle and doesn't want to get into the bigger SUVs"Wife picks her car. I stay quiet. I pick my car. Wife stays quiet.

The combo "might" work, but it costs a lot of money to upgrade trailers and then tow vehicles. You have a chance to get some extra capacity now. Get it. Look for frontal area restrictions in the fine print.That engine is not a great tow motor, very little torque at lower rpm's. Add the turbos, and it is a good one.

Wow. This sounds way too familiar. Our story is SO similar, even though there are some key differences. Started out with a smaller SUV, towing a popup. Wanted to upgrade from popup to small TT. Found that we would need a larger SUV to do so. Went and bought the larger SUV, then went looking at small trailers more seriously. The more we looked, the less we liked the smallest trailers. Found a somewhat larger (23', but still under 5000lb loaded) trailer and bought it. Towed it with our larger SUV (5000 lb capacity) for a year. Then decided that we'd be better off with a pickup.The F150 super crew cab has MORE passenger space than our larger SUV. The back seat is enormous! The only thing is, it doesn't offer three rows of passenger seating.I feel your frustration. I hope you find the best things for your family.-Speak

Will this combo work? | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
Jul 11, 2017
I honestly dont think that would make for a enjoyable towing experience even if you manage to stay within the numbers - which may be a challenge.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2017
Matt-

I thought about the Explorer, Traverse and the 1700BH. Determined the Explorer and Traverse just were too close on towing ability. Then I spent an hour in the 1700BH alone...without the spouse...trying to imagine both of us inside. After 5 minutes I was tired of sitting up at the booth. After 10 more minutes I was tired of trying to recline on one side of the dining booth. Now lets talk capacities....31 gallons of fresh water. Depending on where you camp might be ok....but in the dry West that isn't enough for someone like me that dry/boondocks most of the time. I went with the 2101DS. Its successor, the 2106DS, unfortunately also has only a 31 gallon capacity. Both have a sofa...much better for relaxing. That's my take.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2017
"The problem is my wife is insisting on having a 3rd row vehicle and doesn't want to get into the bigger SUVs"

Wife picks her car. I stay quiet. I pick my car. Wife stays quiet.
TomG2
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
The combo "might" work, but it costs a lot of money to upgrade trailers and then tow vehicles. You have a chance to get some extra capacity now. Get it. Look for frontal area restrictions in the fine print.

That engine is not a great tow motor, very little torque at lower rpm's. Add the turbos, and it is a good one.
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
Wow. This sounds way too familiar. Our story is SO similar, even though there are some key differences. Started out with a smaller SUV, towing a popup. Wanted to upgrade from popup to small TT. Found that we would need a larger SUV to do so. Went and bought the larger SUV, then went looking at small trailers more seriously. The more we looked, the less we liked the smallest trailers. Found a somewhat larger (23', but still under 5000lb loaded) trailer and bought it. Towed it with our larger SUV (5000 lb capacity) for a year. Then decided that we'd be better off with a pickup.

The F150 super crew cab has MORE passenger space than our larger SUV. The back seat is enormous! The only thing is, it doesn't offer three rows of passenger seating.

I feel your frustration. I hope you find the best things for your family.

-Speak
Flattop1
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
I wouldn't tow with the v6 explorer unless I wasn't planning on going very often and avoiding mountainous routes.
Like Tom said, not preferitable to max out a tow vehicle if it can be avoided.
If you get more than u need, you'll never be dissapointed.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2017
The numbers should work if you watch them. The problem comes from the torque management built into cars nowadays. You don't get full throttle from a stop. With drive by wire you only get what the computer thinks it needs. It will ramp up to 95% throttle at most after you are rolling. A good tuner fixes that. The Exploret is a good solid platform with T/H mode and trailer sway control.

I used to tow a 5000lb loaded Award TT that was 27ft total length with a 95 4door Explorer with the old pushrod 4.0L. It did well here in he flat Midwest. With a properly setup WD hitch I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well it actually does.
TomG2
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
To the OP; Very few people come on here complaining have a little too much towing capacity. Seldom do you hear a someone say that their tow vehicle is a challenge as it tows like there is no trailer attached. I am still waiting to hear someone who likes to see the puddle of transmission fluid under their tow vehicle after a long hard pull. I am NOT saying that you need a one ton pickup to tow a popup, just an extra twenty percent or so of capacity.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
All I can say is....we played tow vehicle and trailer "leap frog" over and over.
Don't play the game. Get a tow vehicle that will handle your NEXT trailer which will be bigger, longer and heavier..and there will be a next trailer.
cmeade
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
Not sure it applies - I drive newer 2015 and 2016 black and white Explorers with the V6 non turbo and 6 sp. There is no provision for selecting individual gears except for button on gear shift which locks it in first gear. Not able to downshift in the hills which means lot of brake pedal use. BTW the brakes are very strong. Also the power transfer unit (awd) is sealed and throwaway and gets hot and causes limp mode and burned fluid smells like an exhaust leak. Average life 30k to 50k miles. Explorers with tow package might not be equipped like the ones I drive. FWIW.