jimh425 wrote:
I intended to use my 2006 4.6 v8 Explorer to tow my driftboat/trailer with a few tires over the Cascades and Rockies this weekend. I hadn't even made it from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass before I decided to turn around.
My guess is the driftboat/trailer with tires was still no more than 1500 lbs and probably closer to 1000. Those of you who tow with yours, should I expect high revs to maintain 65-70 going up mountains with this type of load? How many RPMs should I expect up to 6000 ft?
If not, what should I check? My 2006 Limited is AWD with 18 inch wheels. The tires are slightly larger than stock size.
NOTE: I took it to Montana using a F450 instead. Obviously, a bit overkill for a light towing load.
With slightly larger tires, a 4-speed auto(?) and I'm guessing your 4.6 was the 220hp/265ft-lbs spec engine...I'd say at some points you'd be running in 2nd gear at a high RPM, probably mostly in 3rd Perfectly normal for those specs. You didn't mention your rear gear ratio and if that's set up for highway cruising you can expect your transmission to downshift when towing any kind of a load up any slight incline.
Wife's uncle had an older Chev with the 4.8 v8 and highway rear gears (3.08's I think) and that thing would scream up the hills towing his small trailer. Again, perfectly normal for that particular setup. If you want low RPM's when towing you need a diesel or large gasser with 5-10 speed auto.
