Can my vehicle tow this camper?

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.