Towing with a Ford Explorer

[Convington]

Hey guys,

I was pointed over here by another forum because I'm getting a bit of conflicting info.

I have a 2015 Ford Explorer Limited with a V6 3.5L engine. I do NOT have the Ford Towing Package on it. I do have a CURT Class III hitch purchased from eTrailer about 5-6 years ago. I have only used that hitch so far to pull a Canoe.

Looking at Travel Trailers and see that most of them are running anywhere from 3500# to 5000# for what we want.

My Ford dealer, when talking to "the hitch guy", says that even with the 3rd party hitch my vehicle can easily pull 5000#. The other forum has information that says you need the Ford Tow Package to get that rating.

I definitely want to be safe, not cut the life short on my vehicle. Any idea what my vehicle can safely pull? And would I need anything additional to pull a travel trailer safely?

Thanks in advance!

[Convington]

dodge guy wrote:
Good to hear. Just curious what gear and RPM the 3.5 likes. And what was yours gas mileage.
I’m only curious because I have one too!

Seemed to shift like normal and RPMs were between 2000-2800 most times unless I hit a steep incline. Highest it hit may have been 4000 RPM.


Gas mileage real-time was crazy but averaged out to 15.4 mpg on the trip meter.

[Grit_dog]

dodge guy wrote:
Good to hear. Just curious what gear and RPM the 3.5 likes. And what was yours gas mileage.
I’m only curious because I have one too!

Alot and a little...in that order!

[dodge_guy]

Good to hear. Just curious what gear and RPM the 3.5 likes. And what was yours gas mileage.
I’m only curious because I have one too!

[Convington]

Just as a follow-up, after adding trans cooler and an OBD2 connection to my phone.. I've now towed the popup for 9 hours with a max trans temp of 215. Feel pretty good now about the ability of my vehicle to pull 3000-3500 now. There was no crazy auto-shifting going on either.

A couple more days of relaxation before the journey home.

[Jebby14]

not much action here in the popup section. check out popup portal. those guys know their stuff and are quite passionate about it

[bikendan]

We owned two Popups over a 15 year period and were very happy with them.

[dodge_guy]

That’s perfect for the Explorer. But like I said I would have the PTU fluid changed, probably a couple times if it’s got 60k plus miles on it!

Have fun!

[Jebby14]

Im sure it will serve you well. I have many fond memories in popups. may get another when the kids grow up a bit and can help/require less attention for setting and breaking camp.

[Convington]

Jebby14 wrote:
congrats. lots of good times ahead.

make sure its stored dry. if it gets put down damp, open it up and air it out when you get home.

Absolutely. I tent a lot so am used to that concept. Additionally, it rained yesterday , so we packed it up wet - brought it home and immediately put it up (since it stopped raining). Plus - we have a little bit of work to do on it. Plan on using a bleach-water combo to clean it out, some mildew remover in case there is any of that, and probably some change in the window,bed,couch/table coverings as well.

But - we are excited for some good family times

[Jebby14]

congrats. lots of good times ahead.

make sure its stored dry. if it gets put down damp, open it up and air it out when you get home.

[Convington]

I ended up getting a popup. 2500 dry weight, so not the tiniest of PuPs. Towed it back (only 20 miles) to my house with no issues, watching engine temperature like a hawk.

Thursday I go in to have a Transmission Cooler put on as well just to ease my mind.

[Jebby14]

^ agreed. they are more 'camping' plus i used to be able to flip my fishing boat onto it and bring both

[AppFire]

Convington wrote:
Lots of information in there, appreciate it everyone. I still contacted Ford, 2 Ford Dealerships (total, contacted another one today) - Ford says 5000# but requires a transmission cooler, Dealer said 5000# (I don't trust his answer at all, BTW). May have to go with a popup until the Explorer is replaced, which i don't want to do ever because it is nearly paid off - so might be SOL.

My wife and I owned a pop-up several years ago and I loved it. We have a fully decked out TT now and to be honest sometimes I wished I still had that pop-up...

[Jebby14]

Convington wrote:
ugh. ok. sounds like we will be looking at lighter popups for right now and if we really want to do this - invest in a truck, I guess. Kind of a bummer.

don't get too hard on yourself.

I have a 2016 f150 5L (super crew and 4x4)
wife has a 2017 explorer (3,5 NA)

mine:
was cheaper to buy (both bought new at end of the year)
is cheaper to insure
gets better gas milage (even with the 5L by quite a bit)
has more room
does more stuff
has a bigger backseat for the kids
tows better

and that's all with the 5.0L and the 6 speed.
current models are 10 speed, pairing that to the 3.5 eco is about as much fun as you can get out of a half ton.