I did a search on towing but I didn't get the info I wonted, while searching through 72 pages of threds. I have seen alot of people towing large vehicles on car haulers but not tt. I have a 96 xlt v8 AWD. It has 3:73 gears. I am buying a large tt. It is a 30' bunck house with no slides or anything. I wieghts about 5,000 empty. I would like to know if any body else has towed anything this big before with there x? I don't dought the power of fords or the 302. I was wondering if anybody else has tried this and had any problems.

Thanx for the help. Sorry if I anger anyone buy starting this thred.

5000# is alot for even the V8 Ex. Your brakes are the biggest problem.

WHat is a TT? tractor Trailer?

I'm assuming his "tt" means travel trailer. A.k.a. "camper".

correct me if i'm wrong.

There was a guy on here pulling a horse trailer for a while...

If it's occasional towing you will be fine IF....

You have a tranny cooler and brakes on your TT. A good stabilizer system would be good because of the affects that wind will have on your trailer and truck.

I used to tow a 98 Trans Am on an 18' trailer ( 6K total package ) to all my Road Races. This was with the 4.0 and 160K miles on the truck.

The most improtant thing is to make sure that you allow braking room and keep an eye on your Tach. Don't push the RPM's and don't use O.D. if you are running on an incline. The TAch will jump as the tranny jumps in and out of OD. I only ran it in OD on long downhills or flats areas with the wind at my back helping to push.

Your truck can do it but you will have to invest in some hlpers things like the stabilizer set-up and maybe some bags or helper springs.

Watch your gauges and don't try to rush when towing.

Good Luck.

Bob: I have done quite a bit of towing with Explorers, both my 93 4.0L and 96 5.0L. Obviously the 5.0L pulls the best. However, a trailer that large is going to give you problems. Frontal area is large plus the short wheelbase of an Explorer and width/visabiltiy and as mentioned, braking are the main draw backs. You don't want to get into a situation with the "tail wagging the dog". An Explorer handles 7' wide travel trailers best, up to 21' long. You really need a high quality weight distribution hitch to tow with. It essentially distributes the heavy tongue weight evenly to both the vehicle's and trailers axle, making the entire rig function as one unit. Still, however, the trailer is too large, IMO. Mike

does the trailer have brakes? i towed my friends truck on a trailer (about 7-8000lbs) with my v8 awd and i didnt have any issues, but the trailer had hydraulic brakes... so basically, if you have a good hitch, and the trailer has good brakes, by all means go for it, its up to you, dont hold me responsible if something happens :) i just think it can be done

TT means travel trailer. It is a 98. I would never pull any kind of trailer that large with out weight destribution bars or a sway bar. I bought thjose with the trailer. All tt since the 40 come with brakes espically if there over 2000 lbs. I would never tow without brakes. This i all common sense stuff. I do not dought the 302's ability to pull.I wouldn't do it with out wd and brakes if I had a 1 ton.I know a couple of guys that pull30' tt's with a f150 with the 302. That is more weight less gear and less hp.I just want to know if any one else is pulling a large tt. If not I'll be the first and tell you how it goes.

Be sure to warch the tranny temperature,

Originally posted by aldive
Be sure to warch the tranny temperature,
Agreed, but if he manages to trash a 4R70W...


I'm calling BS :D

I would recommend installing a transmission temperature gauge, and while you're at it a filter. B&M makes a complete kit that is sold for $70 at www.summitracing.com that splices inline with your factory transmission cooler lines. Check it out.

Take a look at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34136&highlight=transmission+filter+external

From towing a 16 footer ( thats without the tounge)
I have the 4.0 A4LD trans, med duty trans cooler, aux tranns filter with gauge. on the flat ground my trans temp was around 200 going up a big hill It went up to around 250.(thats Hot for a trans):fire:
The motor worked well brakes worked good.
Oh I also have 172K on my X

Just to give an update on this thread. I pulled this trailer down to Loudnvile Ohio. Which is getting into the foot hills of the appalation mountains. It pulle d well for such a bigg trailer. Had no problems at all. I thinkl a chip would help by shiffting quicker going on a grade kepping the engine where it wants to be. It would hessitate going on a good grade and then only unlock the torque converter. Ithink if would have dropped down quicker it would pull up it better. I still didn't have that much of a problem though. I thought I would judt let you all know how it went, and to tell you how well this little truck will pull.

I do a lot of towing ie..boats, car trailers to shows etc.. Just make sure the trailer brakes are good, tranny cooler, plenty of room, and the tranny temp gauge would be a really good idea. Other than that, you should be just fine. I used my x when it was straight stock (3.23 gears) to tow a '79 K5 Blazer on 33's from Va Beach, VA to southern AR. The x was great.