Just found out my truck has 3.55s and im looking to tow a 2800# car + trailer. So probably 4800 combined. Am i looking at something impossible here? It has a factory external trans cooler on it. Looks like i may look at a V8 or some 4.10s. Thanks

You should be alright. I beleive most explorer's are rated to 5000 lbs towing capacity with the automatic. do a search on extending the life of the trans there is alot of info out there about it.

I made it from Denver To San Diego pulling a 12ft Uhaul that was overloaded. My tranny was actual spewing fluid. I had it checked and the guy said i may have blown a seal or was simply putting too much pressure on the tranny by pulling so much weight. He said he could redo the seals but wouldn't gaurantee it for $500.

I asked him how much for 3 quarts of tranny fluid.

So I paid the 10 bucks and made it to san Diego, dropped the trailer and have not had any problems since. That was 60k miles ago.

Good Luck.......

how far and is it a one-time thing? i have a 93 ex 4.0 with 3.27s and i towed a 2500lb u-haul auto transport with a for-door ex on it (i think it weighs like 4500lbs) for 50 miles with no problems..but then again, i also have a 5-speed. its funny, the rear-end didnt even sag. just make sure you have a class III and you should be fine. mine is a ford oem hitch that i put on after i bought it...4 bolts per side, so technically class IV. depending on configuration , any where from 5000-6500#, but i know i pulled more than that. and BTW, a heavy duty variuable load flasher comes in handy (assuming you have trailer wiring)

You didn't say if yours was a 2-door or 4-door or 2WD or 4WD. In any event, here are the '97 Towing limits for Explorers equipped with a 3.55 axle at sea level:

2-door, 2WD = 4000 lbs.
2-door, 4WD = 3800 lbs.
4-door, 2WD = 4800 lbs.
4-door, 4WD = 4600 lbs.

In any event, unless you have a 2WD 4-door, you are over your tow limits. Even if you have a 2WD 4-door, you are right at your limit or above.

If there are any mountains involved or a lot of stop and go traffic, I wouldn't. My SOHC has a hard enough time pulling 3000 lbs. up to 7000 ft. with 4.10s and 33" tires. This combination works out to having a 3.59 axle and 235 75R15 tires. If your tires are smaller than 235s, it will help, however 4800 lbs. is still a lot of weight to try pulling with the SOHC and 3.55s. If it is for short distances and over flat terrain, you will probably be OK. Just expect to do yearly transmission fluid changes and probably rebuild it by 100K miles.

Thanks for the info guys, it is a 4 door. Rob, where did you get those numbers from? It says 4000# in my owners manual. It has the 5r55 trans too. I will be towing short distances like 50 miles at a time. Maybe time for V8 X or Expidition.

i have the 2dr 4wd (worse combo for towing according to the chart) with 3.27s (worse gear ratio for towing) and 30x9.5 tires (oversized, also bad for towing). like i said, i did fine butmost of it was straight land and i have a manual....i would be wary of the auto but definatly keep it out of OD....you will need that torque. i got mine up to 75mph but it was slow!

I have a 99 4door, 4wd with 3.55 and a 4.0L. I towed >5000 (one time, not repeatedly) and even though my hidden hitch class III bent the frame where it was attached, the motor and tranny didn't have too much trouble. Oh... the axle was sitting on the bump stops though. (D'OH!)

I think i will be alright. I just found out the trailer weighs 1300#. So with the car it takes it to 4100#. I dont think i will have any problems as long as i add another trans cooler. Thanks



Pat

Digging from the grave, im towing the trailer with 0 issues and once you start moving, i can barely tell a differance. Trailer brakes are awesome, As long as you are cautious, its fine!