Tow question

[bryris]

Looking at a 24 ft innsbruck lite. The empty weight is about 3700 and I assme loaded up, it'll be 4,500 or so. Looking to use my 2006 Explorer with 4.0L v6. It has 3.73 gearing and a class 3 hitch. Rated for 5,500lbs. Going to use weight dist hitch and electric brakes.

The numbers all work. But wanted to get opinions from folks who have done more towing than I have.

I might get a bigger truck in a year or so, but this trailer is beautiful and I want it. I want to be able to use it right away, but grow into it down the road if needed.

Thanks.

[westend]

If your Explorer doesn't have a transmission cooler I would suggest you trade it before you do any towing. You could always add a cooler but it will just be putting a bandaid on a bigger problem.

[Greene728]

Be very careful as this just isn't a safe combination. And I say that with the safety of you and your loved ones riding with you, as well as everyone else on the road. Emergency stops/maneuvers are gonna be bad with the explorer up front. Pulling it is one thing. Stopping it is another. Be very safe and good luck.

[fla-gypsy]

bryris wrote:
Its 4WD.

I have decided to buy the trailer anyways and just be careful and go slow. Will most likely upgrade to an F150 around mid summer to handle it with more authority.

Ever since I started hunting for a camper, its been one problem after another. Need to start SOLVING problems here. If getting a new truck is part of the transition plan, I'll make it happen.

But, Id like to use the trailer within a 100 mi radius....so if I drive slow (50) and be ginger, hopefully it'll be alright.

Be careful, plan well and make the upgrade to the TV as soon as possible. You will not regret it.

[JJ_Spectre]

I'm no expert, but my opinion for what it's worth... The engine/trans should do the job but will be sluggish in the hills. Get yourself a trailer brake controller and weight distribution hitch to help with rear end squat. As others have said, the suspension might be the weakest link here. If you don't already have the ride leveling system, you could probably get helper springs or airbags for the rear coils to help with squat or bottoming out. They don't increase your payload, but will help you get more out of the rig you have safely. All that said, your truck is 8 years old and will probably not perform to factory-fresh specs, but it should be sufficient to do the job while you shop for the next towing rig.
Enjoy the towing/camping and welcome to the forum!

[bryris]

Its 4WD.

I have decided to buy the trailer anyways and just be careful and go slow. Will most likely upgrade to an F150 around mid summer to handle it with more authority.

Ever since I started hunting for a camper, its been one problem after another. Need to start SOLVING problems here. If getting a new truck is part of the transition plan, I'll make it happen.

But, Id like to use the trailer within a 100 mi radius....so if I drive slow (50) and be ginger, hopefully it'll be alright.

[PastorCharlie]

Expect to shorten the motor, transmission, brakes and suspension life. If it is two wheel drive I would not recommend towing it even on level ground, frame and suspension are too lite.

[wa8yxm]

Be aware the tow rating of your tow vehicle is one of two numbers.
ONE is the rating of the hitch. The other is the difference between the tow vehicle's loaded, full fuel tank weight and the maximum combined gross vehicle weight rating of the tow vehicle (This is different from the max GVW, higher, that additional "C" in there counts the trailer.

Whichever of those numbers is lower (MCGVW-GVW) (note the dropping of the M in the second term) or the Hitch rating, the lower number is your tow limit.

[bikendan]

i'm assuming you're looking at the Innsbruck Lit 248BH.
by the way, just because the model number has 24 in it, doesn't mean that's its actual length.
the 248BH is 26'5" long and has a fictional "dry" weight of 3625lbs.
so, add the 300-400lbs. for the "options"(awning, oven, microwave, a/c, spare tire, and so on.
now, you're near 4000lbs. before water, battery, propane and cargo.

and the 5500lbs. towing capacity is rated with only a 150lb. driver in it. anything or anyone else in the Explorer, will lower that number by its weight.

if you're in Florida, you could be o.k. for awhile, as long as you don't head to any mountains/hills.

i owned an Explorer Sport with the same engine. even if i had the 4 door Explorer, there's no way i'd tow a trailer of that size, with it.

[Drew_K]

What's the payload on your Explorer? It should be on a sticker inside the driver side door jamb. It'll say something like weight of cargo should not exceed ___ pounds.

[goodcruisin]

My Father-in-Law had an Explorer similar to yours except he had the V8 vs. the 4.0 V6. He pulled a 19' fiberglass bass boat. The boat, trailer and gear weighed 3750. The Explorer pulled OK on flat ground but labored a bit on hills. Because of the soft suspension any maneuvers made above 45 mph had to be easy. A quick lane change resulted in increased pucker factor and induced white knuckles. Between your V6, soft suspension and the frontal area of the TT you'll quickly find that your Explorer isn't the vehicle for the job.

[fla-gypsy]

BarneyS wrote:
You are NOT going to like the way it tows. First the GVWR of the Explorer (the most the truck itself can weigh)is not 10,000lbs. That has to be the GCWR - the total that the truck and trailer COMBINED can weigh. Most 3/4 ton trucks have a GVWR of around 8800lbs or so so the Explorer has to be less than that. I suspect the GVWR is in the 6000lb range.

I suspect your Explorer is rated to tow 5500lbs. That means that you could tow a boat, flatbed trailer etc ok, BUT a travel trailer has a large frontal area and tow much differently than a boat. A 4500lb travel trailer will tax that Explorer to the limit and will not be fun even though it might be within the numbers!

Your profile says you are in Lakeland. I hope that is Lakeland, Florida where it is flat. If you stay in flat areas you might be ok as long as you don't try to go very fast. The engine, combined with the frontal area of the trailer will prevent going very fast and you will most likely not enjoy the towing process.

Sorry to be so negative but that Explorer, with its' small engine, short wheelbase, and soft suspension is just not designed to tow and will not make a good tow vehicle for a travel trailer. It may get you by but be prepared to go slow and stay near home where it is flat. I would not venture up into the upper parts of Georgia or other places where there are mountains or large hills.
Good luck. 🙂
Barney

I am going to have to agree with BarneyS on this and say I don't think you will like the way it tows. Also I would like to know what the GVWR of the TT is. I am afraid you will be on the ragged edge. Can you provide the GVWR of the TT or a model year and model number so we can offer a more informed opinion?

[BarneyS]

You are NOT going to like the way it tows. First the GVWR of the Explorer (the most the truck itself can weigh)is not 10,000lbs. That has to be the GCWR - the total that the truck and trailer COMBINED can weigh. Most 3/4 ton trucks have a GVWR of around 8800lbs or so so the Explorer has to be less than that. I suspect the GVWR is in the 6000lb range.

I suspect your Explorer is rated to tow 5500lbs. That means that you could tow a boat, flatbed trailer etc ok, BUT a travel trailer has a large frontal area and tow much differently than a boat. A 4500lb travel trailer will tax that Explorer to the limit and will not be fun even though it might be within the numbers!

Your profile says you are in Lakeland. I hope that is Lakeland, Florida where it is flat. If you stay in flat areas you might be ok as long as you don't try to go very fast. The engine, combined with the frontal area of the trailer will prevent going very fast and you will most likely not enjoy the towing process.

Sorry to be so negative but that Explorer, with its' small engine, short wheelbase, and soft suspension is just not designed to tow and will not make a good tow vehicle for a travel trailer. It may get you by but be prepared to go slow and stay near home where it is flat. I would not venture up into the upper parts of Georgia or other places where there are mountains or large hills.
Good luck. 🙂
Barney

[bryris]

The GVW is 10,000. The hitch is factory. I bet the truck weighs about 4,500.

[eHoefler]

Don't assume anything. Look for the decal on the trailer that has the load capacities for the tires, axles and gross. Then look on the door or door post in your tow vehicle for the load capacities for it. Just because you have a hitch rated for 5,000 pounds, doesn't mean what it attaches to has the same rating. Usually it is less.