Explorer Towing Capacities

[Fredness]

OK, here's my rig.
2005 Sport Trac, 4.0L SOHC, 5R5E Auto, 4x4, 4.10 open diff.
It has a 10x5x3/4" trans cooler (factory), but no power steering cooler, just a large diameter tube in a "j" bend where I would expect the cooler. Also it has a SINGLE row radiator. WTF? My '97 and '98 Sport's both had the tow package, but had the PS cooler and a 2 row radiator.

Looks factory, solid lines the radiator, factory 1 row fan/shroud.

If this is factory, has any one gone to a 2 row? Any need to?
Thanks!

[Busdriver58]

My explorer has a 4.0L SOHC with a 1 and 1/4 inch reciever with a class 2 hitch.
will it safely tow a 6x12 tandem axle enclosed trailer? It's an 08 Explorer.
I will be towing 1 Honda Valkyrie(863lbs.) will this be a problem?

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by Busdriver58

My explorer has a 4.0L SOHC with a 1 and 1/4 inch reciever with a class 2 hitch.
will it safely tow a 6x12 tandem axle enclosed trailer? It's an 08 Explorer.
I will be towing 1 Honda Valkyrie(863lbs.) will this be a problem?

You have 3500 lbs MAX tow rating. Make sure the loaded trailer does not exceed 3500 lbs.
You have 8000 lbs GCVWR (combined vehicle rating). Make sure the total weight of both LOADED vehicles does not exceed 8000 lbs.
I can't help you further, unless you tell me the weight of the Explorer, the trailer, and any other passengers/cargo you will be hauling.

[Mbrooks420]

How far will you be towing it? I would guess the trailer would be in the neighborhood of 11-1300 pounds. I would think it would tow it fine.

[Busdriver58]

Thanks Brakeman it worked out fine!! Towed my bike from Baton Rouge La. to Destin Fla. and Panama City Fla. with no problem! Gas miles didn't suffer much at all! Thunder Beach was great! The Explorer didn't complain, Life is Good!
Thanks for the help!! Still can't figure why they won't rent trailers to people with Explorer's. I actually know but it's stupid!!

[Riks93XLT]

This seems to be so simple to me yet I can not get a correct answer. I have a 93 XLT with 4.0 V6 130K manual tranny with axle code 41 so its the 3.27 gears, I have a class 3 hitch with a 2" ball and receiver. I am looking at buying a travel trailer with a UVW of 2610. Can this be pulled safely with my explorer or will it be too much?

I have an 09 Nissan Quest van that may be the main TV but it has a tow rating of 3500lbs with 350lb tongue rating. I am wondering if this may be too much for my van once its loaded. Can anyone provide insight? I have towed trailers before but they were lightweight or when I knew they were able to be handled by the vehicle that had the pulling power.

[MountaineerGreen]

Originally Posted by Riks93XLT

This seems to be so simple to me yet I can not get a correct answer. I have a 93 XLT with 4.0 V6 130K manual tranny with axle code 41 so its the 3.27 gears, I have a class 3 hitch with a 2" ball and receiver. I am looking at buying a travel trailer with a UVW of 2610. Can this be pulled safely with my explorer or will it be too much?

I have an 09 Nissan Quest van that may be the main TV but it has a tow rating of 3500lbs with 350lb tongue rating. I am wondering if this may be too much for my van once its loaded. Can anyone provide insight? I have towed trailers before but they were lightweight or when I knew they were able to be handled by the vehicle that had the pulling power.

You can get several hundred lbs of stuff in a camper in a hurry. The problem with your 93 towing the camper is the "high" gears in the axles and the relatively light duty clutch and transmission. The transmissions in those were not nearly heavy duty enough IMO. There have been people pulled lots of stuff with them, and they also fix transmissions or clutches. The frontal area of the camper creates a whole lot of wind resistance beyond the weight of the camper- that is what makes them difficult to tow.

My knowledge of Nissan mini vans is nil, so I can't comment on its capability.

[Riks93XLT]

I am planning on a pullapart trip tomorrow and I am on the lookout to do a rear axle swap. What I am seeking is the best combination of gears in my rear axle for mileage and towing up to 3500 pounds. I feel like my truck struggles to get out of its way at times so I am hoping the upgrade to 3.53 or 3.73 gears would be the best option. It seems the easiest remedy is swap the whole axle from a second gen and the bonus is disk brakes. I don't do any type of mudding unless its driving on a job site or through potholes. my towing is limited to my small camper and utility trailer. I have stock Goodyear Wrangler AT tires. Can anyone suggest what to look for? There is about 40 plus xp in stock from 91-2000 so there are many options.

[2TimingTom]

^^I have a similar question.

According to the chart, my Explorer is capable of towing 4600 lbs. I tow a Jayco popup trailer in the mountains of Colorado. If I had to guess, I would say that loaded up, the trailer weighs no more than 2500 lbs (total stab in the dark):


Now if my estimate is remotely close, I have about 2000 lbs of "spare" capacity. If I were to regear the axles to say 4.10, this would increase my capacity by about 1000 lbs. Wouldn't this also make towing that same load easier on the Explorer? Having more spare towing capacity can't be a bad thing, right?

I have the factory aux transmission radiator cooler and a B&M aux transmission cooler- so I don't think cooling is a concern.

However, pulling at upwards of 11,000 feet, the SOHC struggles a little in the thin air.

Would it be worth it?

What say the experts?

[turboexplorer]

If you tow I would say at least 3.73's. 3.73's still give great freeway milage as well as some much needed torque to the ground. 4.10's are also a very good option. If you have the first gen OHV engine and tow I would say 4.10's for sure, you will be very happy with it. Most 2nd gen axles are 3.73's the eddie bauer versions may have 4.10's. Great option for the first gen's because you get the much better gearing as well as the disc brakes.

And yes it is MUCH easier on the truck with lower gearing. You have more mechanical advantage. Easier on the transmission because you have less throttle to move the same weight, which is less heat by a little bit. And keeps engine at slightly higher RPM so closer to the engines power band. Closer to peak torque.

Just for info I have 3.73's in my V8 with 31's and I sit at 2,200-2,300 at 75it mph. If 4.10's then rpmthe would be 2,400-2,500

[JohnnyV1973]

Hello I am looking to buy a Hybrid camper. These campers go from 2700 to 5000 for the weight. I have the Class III hitch, but only the 3.55. I am putting a large tranny cooler on and electric brake control.
My question is: With this setup how much can I actually tow before it is too much for the 3.55.

This is a 4x4.

thank you
John

[joecrna]

You didn't say which 4 liter. Also, 4 door? We'll assume SOHC, 4DR, 4x4. This would put towing capacity right around 4700 lbs. When you say Hybrid camper, what exactly is that?

[JohnnyV1973]

Sorry I left that out. Yes it is the 4.0L 4D SOHC. A hybrid camper is a hard top camper with fold down ends like a pop up camper

[JohnnyV1973]

The camper also has weight distribution bars and anti sway. Will that help?

[joecrna]

It will help with the towing stability but it does not increase the towing capacity. So a pop up camper is like a tent camper and that is like a hybrid camper. Are these just interchangable names or are there differences? At 5000 lbs this would be one heavy/large tent camper, so there must be some difference. Who makes them?

[houstonscout2]

Hey guys,

I have a 2001 sport trac with 4.0 sohc, auto tranny, 4x4, and 4.10 gears. I was wandering if it was safe to tow a 73 scout 2 from las vegas, nv to houston, tx. it is approx 1500 miles. The scout factory weight is about 3600 lbs but has been lifted 4 inches with bigger tires. There is also a soft top. Im guessing the true weight to be around 4000 with the spare parts in the back. I want to do this with a tow bar. The scout has an auto tranny as well. I plan to pull the drive shafts out of the scout and and keep the overdrive off on the sport trac unless going downhill.

And the second part just out of curiosity what kind of fuel mileage should I expect in doing this. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[shades9323]

My family and I are looking into getting a small camper, maybe a pop up and I would like to know how much capacity my Explorer has. It is an 06 4.0L with 3.73 gears, class 3 hitch, and trailer tow. What can my Explorer handle with these specs?

Thanks

[Cstoliker]

I can not beleave the charts are acuit. According to it my 95 Xlt made from steel (and built like a tank) has the same towing capacity as a Subaru made from plastic and fairy dust.
My explorer has never been stopped by logic or "ratings" Dubt this will be any different so I am going to through caution to the wind and buy the 5,500lb camper I'm looking at. It has a frame mounted hitch rated for 6k and a heavyer duty clutch. It will pull it or die trying.

[acschilling]

I had to tow a 2000 Ram today with my 92 for my fiancé's dad..4.0 OHV M5OD 3.73s I think. The charts at the beginning went all the way across for everything else I had. That truck weighs close to 5000 pounds..oops

[dferg99]

Ok guys I have a 97 Explorer Xlt 4.0 with ohv. I want to tow my race car to the track about 40 miles away. The car weighs 3200 lbs and the trailer weighs 2210 lbs. Can I do this safely or is this to much for my Ex? If not im looking at buying a 2003 Eddie Bauer Ex with the V8 and tow package on it. Will that one be able to tow my car thanx?