Yes Or No For Towing?

eaglesguy1981j · 05-06-2009, 07:06 PM

Ok. I have a 97 exp. 4.0 4x4 4 door. I need to tow a car and a trailer at a combined weight of approxmate 5000lbs. Can it be done? Im not sure what rear end I have. But I need to got about 450 miles loaded can it be done? I have read the towing cap thread but 5000 is really close to the rated 5800lbs. I have several days to make the trip so i dont need to do it all in on shot. Maybe 100 mile segements. Im only towing with it once just need to get my dart home. and its fairly flat country.

eaglesguy1981j · 05-06-2009, 09:02 PM

Any response would be helpful. I'm even considering renting a tow dolly to get the weight down to about 4200lbs. Willing to explore all options. Thanks!

SVTmountianeer · 05-06-2009, 09:13 PM

I see why not, if u have a hitch ! only thing I can say is invist in a Trans Gauge helps

eaglesguy1981j · 05-06-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTmountianeer

I see why not, if u have a hitch ! only thing I can say is invist in a Trans Gauge helps

Thanks for the reply. I have a trailer but its weight close to 2000lbs alone so loaded weight would be about 4800-5000lbs. Looks like im going to have trouble renting a dolly since they dont rent to explorers. I dont what to have to tow a dolly all the way down unloaded i think it would bounce to much. But if i can get it done with my trailer that would be better and yes i have a class 3 hitch.

nitro71 · 05-07-2009, 12:46 AM

Not sure if the explorer tranny is like others but you should probably keep it out of over drive. OD eats chevy trannies when you tow with them.

mithesaint · 05-07-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaglesguy1981j

Thanks for the reply. I have a trailer but its weight close to 2000lbs alone so loaded weight would be about 4800-5000lbs. Looks like im going to have trouble renting a dolly since they dont rent to explorers. I dont what to have to tow a dolly all the way down unloaded i think it would bounce to much. But if i can get it done with my trailer that would be better and yes i have a class 3 hitch.

Any of your friends at the pick up point have a truck or SUV? Have them pick up the dolly for you.

MazdaGreg · 05-07-2009, 12:30 PM

If i were in your shoes, i'd probably do it.
There are a few things that I would do in preperation

Make sure you know your stopping distance. you are going to have a heck of a time getting that to slow down. Just be careful and keep your stopping distances.

Make sure you watch your temp like a hawk.

Make sure your tranny fluid is at the proper level.

Same with coolant.

And yes, no OD UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Slow lane. Just Cruise. you should be good to go. I'd say something like 60MPH Max.

Have a Safe Trip!

eaglesguy1981j · 05-07-2009, 04:45 PM

Well I picked up a class 3 hitch today to install. I really want to go trailer route since im unsure about the drivetrain condition on the Dart. Im going to try my escort up on the trailer it weighs close to 2700 and see how she does that way. Recommendations on a tranny cooler brands and such?

WyoXplorer · 05-16-2009, 12:48 AM

Well my truck did it.

It pulled my 1986 Bronco 4x4 home the day it was given to me lol.

I put my tow-strap through my drivers side Eyelet and secured it to the ball.
If my brother is correct with everything the truck has on it and his 300lbs it towed 5500+ pounds 58 miles home.

and it didn't damage anything.
I did stop at every truck-stop on the access road I was traveling on to check my truck but with a dolly you wont have your brother SLAMMING on the brakes after you tell him over the CB to slow the trucks down to add stess to your tranny.

you should be fine!

05-06-2009, 07:06 PM	#1
eaglesguy1981j Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 38 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Yes Or No For Towing? Ok. I have a 97 exp. 4.0 4x4 4 door. I need to tow a car and a trailer at a combined weight of approxmate 5000lbs. Can it be done? Im not sure what rear end I have. But I need to got about 450 miles loaded can it be done? I have read the towing cap thread but 5000 is really close to the rated 5800lbs. I have several days to make the trip so i dont need to do it all in on shot. Maybe 100 mile segements. Im only towing with it once just need to get my dart home. and its fairly flat country. Last edited by eaglesguy1981j; 05-06-2009 at 08:23 PM.

05-06-2009, 09:13 PM	#3
SVTmountianeer Wannabe Elite Explorer miami fl 97 mountianeer v8 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 124 Vehicle Specs	I see why not, if u have a hitch ! only thing I can say is invist in a Trans Gauge helps __________________ TT / homemade shackles

05-16-2009, 12:48 AM	#9
WyoXplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Cheyenne, WY 1998 Xplorer Sport Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 38 Vehicle Specs	Well my truck did it. It pulled my 1986 Bronco 4x4 home the day it was given to me lol. I put my tow-strap through my drivers side Eyelet and secured it to the ball. If my brother is correct with everything the truck has on it and his 300lbs it towed 5500+ pounds 58 miles home. and it didn't damage anything. I did stop at every truck-stop on the access road I was traveling on to check my truck but with a dolly you wont have your brother SLAMMING on the brakes after you tell him over the CB to slow the trucks down to add stess to your tranny. you should be fine! __________________ 1998 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0L SOHC V6 \| Auto \| 4x4 1986 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L SB V8 \| Auto \| 4x4

05-06-2009, 09:02 PM	#2
eaglesguy1981j Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 38 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Any response would be helpful. I'm even considering renting a tow dolly to get the weight down to about 4200lbs. Willing to explore all options. Thanks!

05-07-2009, 12:46 AM	#5
nitro71 Wannabe Elite Explorer Spokane WA Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,061 Vehicle Specs	Not sure if the explorer tranny is like others but you should probably keep it out of over drive. OD eats chevy trannies when you tow with them.

05-07-2009, 12:30 PM	#7
MazdaGreg Wannabe Elite Explorer Frederick, Co 04 XL Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 140 Vehicle Specs	If i were in your shoes, i'd probably do it. There are a few things that I would do in preperation Make sure you know your stopping distance. you are going to have a heck of a time getting that to slow down. Just be careful and keep your stopping distances. Make sure you watch your temp like a hawk. Make sure your tranny fluid is at the proper level. Same with coolant. And yes, no OD UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Slow lane. Just Cruise. you should be good to go. I'd say something like 60MPH Max. Have a Safe Trip!

05-07-2009, 04:45 PM	#8
eaglesguy1981j Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 38 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well I picked up a class 3 hitch today to install. I really want to go trailer route since im unsure about the drivetrain condition on the Dart. Im going to try my escort up on the trailer it weighs close to 2700 and see how she does that way. Recommendations on a tranny cooler brands and such?