Forum Discussion

Patinmd's avatar
Patinmd
Explorer
Feb 06, 2018

Ford Explorer and Pop up

Hello again,

We looked around at several travel trailers and wound up with a 2017 Coachmen Clipper Sport 125ST popup. The popup has a UVW of 2300 or so and a tongue weight of 243 on the brochure (meaning not reality). Gvwr is just over 3400. There is a roof top AC slightly behind the trailer axle. We obviously will have a battery (group 24 deep cycle) and a 20 lb propane tank in the middle of the tongue.

This trailer exceeds the capabilities of our current vehicle, and we've been considering a new vehicle anyway Ann's have decided to go ahead and purchase, we just need to know what.

No matter the trim level, we will have a class 3 tow package. This package allows for a tongue weight of 500lbs/5000lbs total with WDH. 3500 lbs with weight carrying hitch. Neither the manual nor the towing guide specify tongue weight max for a weight carrying hitch.

I'm confident our weight will not exceed 3100lbs or so (will hit a scale sooner or later). Tongue weight is something that I think would be around 350, maybe slightly higher. Battery is about 45 lbs and propane tank is 37 full. The AC should offset a small amount of weight. The front storage compartment will be used, but for relatively lighter items like chairs, hoses,etc. My guess is tongue weight would not exceed 400 lbs with proper loading.

I'm not concerned about exceeding RAWR, gvwr, or gcwr of the explorer. Just me, my wife, one kid, and a 35 lb dog, maybe a cooler and a few lighter items would be in the explorer. I did just realize I should clarify that this is the factory 5k towing package with oil cooler, etc., not an aftermarket hitch.

My last note is that a WDH is not an option. Coachmen confirmed this trailer is not compatible due to the C- channel frame.

We're looking at cars in a few days (already have the right trailer and now finding the right vehicle) and I'll see if I can get clarification, but I'm not holding my breath.

Do you think this would be a reasonable vehicle to tow this trailer?

That's in advance,
Pat
Tow Vehicles
  • JAC1982's avatar
    JAC1982
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2018
    I have a 2016 Sport (as in my signature) and it pulls our double axle utility trailer and RZR just fine. I believe all Sport and Platinum models (anything that comes with the 3.5 EB) now have factory tow packages. That was not the case I learned when vehicle shopping with some of the older models. Many 2013-2015 Sport models I looked at did NOT have the tow package, I would have had to add an aftermarket hitch. That was one of the big reasons for buying new... plus lower mileage used ones are still really spendy, might as well spend a bit more and get a new one.

    I also have not found the seats to be uncomfortable. But that's a personal preference thing I'm sure. If you have any other questions about the Explorer, let me know, I love mine and think it's the best of it's class on the road.
  • silverfz's avatar
    silverfz
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2018
    The trailer sway is standard.my 2011 non tow package has it too.
  • Patinmd's avatar
    Patinmd
    Explorer
    Feb 08, 2018
    dodge guy wrote:
    The longer hitch is so I can clear the skis on ththe sleds when turning and to make it easier to unload them.

    BTW, the built in sway control system works great. I drove on many icy roads and every once in a while you could feel ththe away control kick in. I think it’s standard on all explorers?


    Ahhh that makes sense. I think it must be with the tow package. It looks cool... glad to hear it works well.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Feb 08, 2018
    The longer hitch is so I can clear the skis on ththe sleds when turning and to make it easier to unload them.

    BTW, the built in sway control system works great. I drove on many icy roads and every once in a while you could feel ththe away control kick in. I think it’s standard on all explorers?
  • Patinmd's avatar
    Patinmd
    Explorer
    Feb 08, 2018
    silverfz wrote:
    Congrats pat. My 228D even had a electric roof roof. Welcome and enjoy.


    Thanks! Now we just have to wait for it to warm up
  • Patinmd's avatar
    Patinmd
    Explorer
    Feb 08, 2018
    dodge guy wrote:
    I have a 13 Explorer with the factory tow pkg. the only thing I tow with it is a 3 place snowmobile trailer, approx. 2200lbs. With the back of the Explorer loaded for a weekend and a 12” extended hitch with a tongue weight of 250lbs, it does great! It doesn’t sag, yes the headlights do point a bit higher at night but that is the case with all vehicles.

    The only thing I will warn about is the uncomfortable seats. They suck. They are OK for an hour or so. After 2 hours my back was killing me (and it 5 hours to northern WI.) And we have the Limited with heated and cooled seats and all the adjustments. I couldn’t wait to get out. The seats in my 01 Explorer are much more comfortable! Also keep an ear out for the wheels bearings, they are a common failure, towing or not.


    Thanks, hopefully these seats are better but we'll make sure we put some extra scrutiny.

    Just curious... why a hitch extension?
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Feb 08, 2018
    I have a 13 Explorer with the factory tow pkg. the only thing I tow with it is a 3 place snowmobile trailer, approx. 2200lbs. With the back of the Explorer loaded for a weekend and a 12” extended hitch with a tongue weight of 250lbs, it does great! It doesn’t sag, yes the headlights do point a bit higher at night but that is the case with all vehicles.

    The only thing I will warn about is the uncomfortable seats. They suck. They are OK for an hour or so. After 2 hours my back was killing me (and it 5 hours to northern WI.) And we have the Limited with heated and cooled seats and all the adjustments. I couldn’t wait to get out. The seats in my 01 Explorer are much more comfortable! Also keep an ear out for the wheels bearings, they are a common failure, towing or not.
  • silverfz's avatar
    silverfz
    Explorer
    Feb 08, 2018
    Congrats pat. My 228D even had a electric roof roof. Welcome and enjoy.
  • Patinmd's avatar
    Patinmd
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    IdaD wrote:
    As others have said that combo is fine. We towed a heavier pop up behind a 2010 Pilot for several years and it worked great. My only input would be to think ahead and consider the compromises that go along with a pop up compared to a standard height camper and how you think you'll feel about it long term. It would be cheaper to buy a larger vehicle now and then be able to trade the trailer later if you decided to change without having to change the tow vehicle also. Part of that will also be what sort of plans you have for a larger family in the future (or not). Just something to consider.


    Yeah we went back and forth a few times on this one. We don't want to go anything bigger than the explorer for a while. We initially looked at some small travel trailers (Clipper 17BH was one) and felt like we were in a box and the dinette felt so small it was unusable. We also have a fairly large yard for being in the edge of suburbia, but there are some ground clearance issues on one side and tight turn on another, so a trailer with a box over 19 feet or so literally will not fit.

    I grew up camping in a 72 Coleman with almost no conveniences (beds, burner, and sink was it) and am also an Eagle Scout and have tent camped for up to a week at a time, so we were looking for an upgrade from that. I was dead set on travel trailers because of that 72 Coleman and ease of set up and extra storage. On a whim we looked at the popup campers in the show room at our local dealer. I knew you could get AC and a toilet, but had no idea you could get interior and exterior showers, king size beds, and a storage box up front. This one also has an extra hookup on the lift that's geared so any power drill can lift the top.

    Anyway, hopefully we made the right choice and my punt was I appreciate you making sure we think about it.

    Pat
  • Patinmd's avatar
    Patinmd
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    alexleblanc wrote:
    I've towed a 3500lb 22ft flatbed with mine before with nothing on it just to get it home. so a very similar weight to your loaded popup. The Explorer seems to have fairly stiff springs out back as mine only squatted about 3/4". I only towed it about 8 km's to home on a rural country road with an 80km/h speed limit but I was impressed but it.


    Thanks... soft springs like what what we have now were a concern. Granted, what we have now isn't appropriate to tow with in the long term.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,025 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 18, 2025