Can my vehicle tow this camper?

[Undercover_Poe]

Since I'm asking the question, I think I know the answer (it's probably no) but let's run thru the match and see how much over I am and how big of a deal is it to be over. Here is my stats on my trailer 3650lbs on the sticker

I'm trying to do this with a 2007 3500lbs tow capacity ford explorer, 2" aftermarket hitch is installed as well as 7 pin and brake controller.

[krobbe]

Read up on the 6.0L Powerstroke before considering one for your TV.

[Undercover_Poe]

Op here. I just test drove this at the local Used car lot. Only 69k miles on this 06 diesel f350 and they offer $5k off If I give them my jeep wrangler.

[All_I_could_aff]

UNDERCOVER POE

I sent you a Private Message detailing my towing experiences with a mechanically identical 2006 explorer V6 with an add on 2" hitch. Feel free to ask any specific questions.

[Atlee]

You have, except for one key number, the Cargo Capacity of your explorer. It should be on a yellow sticker/plaque on the door jam on the front drivers side of the Escape. Just go look and let us know what that number is?

That said, if all the cargo that's normally in the TV vehicle including passengers and even the propane tanks are riding in another vehicle, you will probably be under the cargo weight.

By the way, make sure the propane tanks are firmly secured in the other vehicle. I would not be a happy camper to have propane tanks inside my vehicle.

Undercover Poe wrote:
I've been as informative as I can about my tow veh. Is 2007 ford explorer with the v6 and the 3:73 gear that came stock with the 1.25" hitch and 3500lbs rating tow rating. The camper is 3650. We have now arranged to have the other happy campers I'll be traveling with to ride in separate vehicle carrying everything include ing both propane tanks so I can get as close to the 3650 the factory says the trailer. I think with the WD hitch and the current 2" and brake control, the only think to worry about is keeping the Trans cool. I'll be looking into a gauge for that shortly. I understand it's not ideal but 200 lbs over might now be reason for major concern. Agreed if I load it up and get 30% over it probably won't be advisable. But I would like to hear your thoughts for what an adequate tow vehicle for this 3,650lbs camper without breaking the bank.

[westend]

2007 Ford towing guide

[rexlion]

Gdetrailer wrote:

Atlee wrote:
Actually the choke point has not been eliminated with the class 3 hitch.

Did the OP ever tell us what the payload capacity of his Explorer is?

That is the true choke point. It is for any F150, so I'm quite sure it is for any Explorer.

rexlion wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
If nothing else this thread is a classic example why these types of "can I tow it" discussions are a total waste of time. :M The numbers clearly demonstrate the OP would be towing beyond the rated capacity of his vehicle, some of us who have already unwittingly made the same mistake of trying it with a similar vehicle and similar trailer have offered anecdotal proof that's it's just not a good idea, but worst of all now the OP himself who asked for advice in the first place is ignoring it all and going ahead with this anyway, saying first "I think I know the answer (it's probably no)", later followed "so at least lets give it a go one time to see how it does". Good grief, why ask if you're going to ignore the good advice given from those who have already been there?! :S :S :S :S

Classic - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I'm done with it. 😞

You're done with it? Good! Because it's illogical to conclude that the vehicle is rendered incapable by its factory class II receiver, when that class II receiver is not being used. The limiting factor, the 'choke point' in the tow rating, has been eliminated from the equation. Your argument is akin to stating that a fire hose is inadequate to put out a fire just because someone attached a small garden hose nozzle onto the end of the hose.

For the record, my Mountaineer is rated 6000/600 lbs. Towing a similar (3400 lb dry, 23' long) trailer with my similar vehicle was not "a mistake". I have approximately 325,000 miles of towing experience, both work and play.

NO.

That is the "elephant" in the room so to speak.

For some off the wall reason folks seem to be happy to OK the OPs choice even thought the OP has NOT stated the available cargo..

For the folks advocating the go ahead based on THEIR ASSUMPTIONS are YOU personally willing to guarantee and PAY for any and ALL damages which the OP may incur including taking the legal rap for YOUR bad "advice"?

Is it possible the OPs vehicle "could" be more capable than 3500 lbs, perhaps..

But I would not be willing to say so until the OP gives ALL the specs of the vehicle.

Simply bolting on a aftermarket hitch doe not "majically" increase payload.

OP has intentionally danced around the vehicles numbers and there MUST be a good reason to do so.. Perhaps the vehicle DOES NOT have the payload.. That is my conclusion until the OP brings for evidence otherwise.

I did state in my first post that the OP needs to weigh his trailer hitch. If he keeps it under 550 lbs or thereabout, do you really think his payload will be exceeded? Give me a break! He'd have to load 5 adults and a bunch of gear in his truck to do that. I don't even have to see his doorjamb sticker to say that with confidence. It's common sense... a commodity in short supply for some folks, it seems.

No one needs to guarantee anything. We've been asked for our opinions.

[Undercover_Poe]

I've been as informative as I can about my tow veh. Is 2007 ford explorer with the v6 and the 3:73 gear that came stock with the 1.25" hitch and 3500lbs rating tow rating. The camper is 3650. We have now arranged to have the other happy campers I'll be traveling with to ride in separate vehicle carrying everything include ing both propane tanks so I can get as close to the 3650 the factory says the trailer. I think with the WD hitch and the current 2" and brake control, the only think to worry about is keeping the Trans cool. I'll be looking into a gauge for that shortly. I understand it's not ideal but 200 lbs over might now be reason for major concern. Agreed if I load it up and get 30% over it probably won't be advisable. But I would like to hear your thoughts for what an adequate tow vehicle for this 3,650lbs camper without breaking the bank.

[TomG2]

You really think that anyone is stupid enough to blindly follow what "The guy on the Internet" says to do? I think even in these litigious times that none of us has to worry about being sued for, "ALL damages which the OP may incur including taking the legal rap for YOUR bad "advice"?"

[Gdetrailer]

Atlee wrote:
Actually the choke point has not been eliminated with the class 3 hitch.

Did the OP ever tell us what the payload capacity of his Explorer is?

That is the true choke point. It is for any F150, so I'm quite sure it is for any Explorer.

rexlion wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
If nothing else this thread is a classic example why these types of "can I tow it" discussions are a total waste of time. :M The numbers clearly demonstrate the OP would be towing beyond the rated capacity of his vehicle, some of us who have already unwittingly made the same mistake of trying it with a similar vehicle and similar trailer have offered anecdotal proof that's it's just not a good idea, but worst of all now the OP himself who asked for advice in the first place is ignoring it all and going ahead with this anyway, saying first "I think I know the answer (it's probably no)", later followed "so at least lets give it a go one time to see how it does". Good grief, why ask if you're going to ignore the good advice given from those who have already been there?! :S :S :S :S

Classic - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I'm done with it. 😞

You're done with it? Good! Because it's illogical to conclude that the vehicle is rendered incapable by its factory class II receiver, when that class II receiver is not being used. The limiting factor, the 'choke point' in the tow rating, has been eliminated from the equation. Your argument is akin to stating that a fire hose is inadequate to put out a fire just because someone attached a small garden hose nozzle onto the end of the hose.

For the record, my Mountaineer is rated 6000/600 lbs. Towing a similar (3400 lb dry, 23' long) trailer with my similar vehicle was not "a mistake". I have approximately 325,000 miles of towing experience, both work and play.

NO.

That is the "elephant" in the room so to speak.

For some off the wall reason folks seem to be happy to OK the OPs choice even thought the OP has NOT stated the available cargo..

For the folks advocating the go ahead based on THEIR ASSUMPTIONS are YOU personally willing to guarantee and PAY for any and ALL damages which the OP may incur including taking the legal rap for YOUR bad "advice"?

Is it possible the OPs vehicle "could" be more capable than 3500 lbs, perhaps..

But I would not be willing to say so until the OP gives ALL the specs of the vehicle.

Simply bolting on a aftermarket hitch doe not "majically" increase payload.

OP has intentionally danced around the vehicles numbers and there MUST be a good reason to do so.. Perhaps the vehicle DOES NOT have the payload.. That is my conclusion until the OP brings for evidence otherwise.

[Atlee]

Actually the choke point has not been eliminated with the class 3 hitch.

Did the OP ever tell us what the payload capacity of his Explorer is?

That is the true choke point. It is for any F150, so I'm quite sure it is for any Explorer.

rexlion wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
If nothing else this thread is a classic example why these types of "can I tow it" discussions are a total waste of time. :M The numbers clearly demonstrate the OP would be towing beyond the rated capacity of his vehicle, some of us who have already unwittingly made the same mistake of trying it with a similar vehicle and similar trailer have offered anecdotal proof that's it's just not a good idea, but worst of all now the OP himself who asked for advice in the first place is ignoring it all and going ahead with this anyway, saying first "I think I know the answer (it's probably no)", later followed "so at least lets give it a go one time to see how it does". Good grief, why ask if you're going to ignore the good advice given from those who have already been there?! :S :S :S :S

Classic - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I'm done with it. 😞

You're done with it? Good! Because it's illogical to conclude that the vehicle is rendered incapable by its factory class II receiver, when that class II receiver is not being used. The limiting factor, the 'choke point' in the tow rating, has been eliminated from the equation. Your argument is akin to stating that a fire hose is inadequate to put out a fire just because someone attached a small garden hose nozzle onto the end of the hose.

For the record, my Mountaineer is rated 6000/600 lbs. Towing a similar (3400 lb dry, 23' long) trailer with my similar vehicle was not "a mistake". I have approximately 325,000 miles of towing experience, both work and play.

[rexlion]

SoundGuy wrote:
If nothing else this thread is a classic example why these types of "can I tow it" discussions are a total waste of time. :M The numbers clearly demonstrate the OP would be towing beyond the rated capacity of his vehicle, some of us who have already unwittingly made the same mistake of trying it with a similar vehicle and similar trailer have offered anecdotal proof that's it's just not a good idea, but worst of all now the OP himself who asked for advice in the first place is ignoring it all and going ahead with this anyway, saying first "I think I know the answer (it's probably no)", later followed "so at least lets give it a go one time to see how it does". Good grief, why ask if you're going to ignore the good advice given from those who have already been there?! :S :S :S :S

Classic - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I'm done with it. 😞

You're done with it? Good! Because it's illogical to conclude that the vehicle is rendered incapable by its factory class II receiver, when that class II receiver is not being used. The limiting factor, the 'choke point' in the tow rating, has been eliminated from the equation. Your argument is akin to stating that a fire hose is inadequate to put out a fire just because someone attached a small garden hose nozzle onto the end of the hose.

For the record, my Mountaineer is rated 6000/600 lbs. Towing a similar (3400 lb dry, 23' long) trailer with my similar vehicle was not "a mistake". I have approximately 325,000 miles of towing experience, both work and play.

[Undercover_Poe]

SoundGuy wrote:
If nothing else this thread is a classic example why these types of "can I tow it" discussions are a total waste of time. :M The numbers clearly demonstrate the OP would be towing beyond the rated capacity of his vehicle, some of us who have already unwittingly made the same mistake of trying it with a similar vehicle and similar trailer have offered anecdotal proof that's it's just not a good idea, but worst of all now the OP himself who asked for advice in the first place is ignoring it all and going ahead with this anyway, saying first "I think I know the answer (it's probably no)", later followed "so at least lets give it a go one time to see how it does". Good grief, why ask if you're going to ignore the good advice given from those who have already been there?! :S :S :S :S

Classic - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I'm done with it. 😞

. Is there no validity to other people post who indicate the 3500 lbs rating is due to class two hitch which is now out of the equation. My models differ from the 5200 rated explorer simply because different gear ratio and larger hitch. Trans cooler is identical from what I have learned. Gear ratio isn't likely to cause an unsafe situation, is it? From what I have learned here even the v8 explorer struggles with towing and they are supposedly rated for nearly 8000lbs. Not saying the truck will be able to do it well for ever but it might get me there wile I shop for a larger tow vehicle

[TomG2]

What's wrong with buying a hitch, which he will probably want anyway, and giving it a try? There are many who tow over their ratings, whether it be with a SUV or F-450. I don't, but I have. I am betting that within five miles, he will be ready for a more capable tow vehicle.

To the OP; Be very careful and at the first sign of sway, get out your checkbook.

[hohenwald48]

SoundGuy, don't be so quick. I remember a guy a couple of weeks ago who asked the "can I tow" question and actually listened and followed the advice he was seeking. Not all is lost. Some do pay attention.

[SoundGuy]

If nothing else this thread is a classic example why these types of "can I tow it" discussions are a total waste of time. :M The numbers clearly demonstrate the OP would be towing beyond the rated capacity of his vehicle, some of us who have already unwittingly made the same mistake of trying it with a similar vehicle and similar trailer have offered anecdotal proof that's it's just not a good idea, but worst of all now the OP himself who asked for advice in the first place is ignoring it all and going ahead with this anyway, saying first "I think I know the answer (it's probably no)", later followed "so at least lets give it a go one time to see how it does". Good grief, why ask if you're going to ignore the good advice given from those who have already been there?! :S :S :S :S

Classic - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I'm done with it. 😞