What do you want to see in the Towing section?

This is a new section for Explorer Forum, so I want to know what do you want to see in here?

Let me hear it!

 

[Brian1]

I know there are a few trailer threads that should be moved here. I have posted in at least a few of them.

 

[410Fortune]

The first thing that comes to mind is how to wire up for trailer lights, I see that question ALOT

I used a spare tail light wiring harness from a donor Explorer, i gave me a plug that I could use to make my trailer wiring harness plug n play, similar to what U Haul would sell

F-150 leaf spring mod
Shock suggestions
hitch suggestions
brake upgrades
trans cooling upgrades and gages
electronic brake controllers
Sway bar upgrades

trailer types (trailer surge brakes, e brakes, no brakes), towing capacities (engine and trans, Explorer Gen's), gearing, mmmmmmmm thats about it off the top of my head

 

[MountaineerGreen]

The first thing that comes to mind is how to wire up for trailer lights, I see that question ALOT

F-150 leaf spring mod
Shock suggestions
hitch suggestions
brake upgrades
trans cooling upgrades and gages
electronic brake controllers
Sway bar upgrades

trailer types (trailer surge brakes, e brakes, no brakes), towing capacities (engine and trans, Explorer Gen's), gearing, mmmmmmmm thats about it off the top of my head

Thanks for the input. I searched and found a few threads and moved them in here.

I stickied a link to the F150 leaf spring mod and hitch suggestions.

Brake and shock upgrades I don't really know where to look to get info, everyone has opinions, no general consensus.

Ill be working on the other suggestions. I didn't think of some of those.

Keep the suggestions comming.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Bump

 

[BrooklynBay]

Congratulations for being the new moderator! Some good articles would be how to install a power winch with a dual battery, how to connect towing accessories, connecting frame, and bumper mounted towing hitch hook ups (with different classes), safety precautions, and maximum capacities for different years (so you don't burn out the transmissions, and differentials).

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I have been working on a chart for capacities per Ford Specs, each year seems to be different, at least by a little, and there are many variables- trans, motor, 2wd, 4wd, diff ratios. Its going to be a big chart!

 

[BrooklynBay]

How will it be different than the information in the Ford Spec section?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

How will it be different than the information in the Ford Spec section?

The Ford Spec section is largely incomplete when it comes to towing capacities. I believe it only lists 97-2000. It also doesn't take in to account gear ratios or auto or manual trans, both of which affect towing capacities greatly.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

I would like to see pics of explorers towing.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Maybe you could move IZWack's towing van here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174395

 

[rookieshooter]

The Ford Spec section is largely incomplete when it comes to towing capacities. I believe it only lists 97-2000. It also doesn't take in to account gear ratios or auto or manual trans, both of which affect towing capacities greatly.

Also towing in OD or locking it out.

Hey that signature that you got about camshafts is great. But duration ranks right up there. Add in a little split overlap and you got her salavating. Don't forget the grind also. Hey they don't call it the "bumpstick for nothin".
Some of you yougins just need to seek the advice of a professional once and awhile.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I would like to see pics of explorers towing.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Here is a sample of what I have come up with for capacities. The think that stinks is every year varies a little, I am going to have to make a chart for every year. This is for the 1997 year model.

 

[BrooklynBay]

According to the chart, it looks like most of the automatic transmissions are rated much higher than the manual transmissions.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Strange isn't it? I wouldn't have thought that.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Are other years similar to this chart? Is the 5R55E, and M5OD used on all of those engines in this 97 chart?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I posted 97-01, stickied in the towing section. I pulled the factory manuals from the fleet.ford.com website for my data. I downloaded each of them and put the data in the charts, it didn't differentiate between transmissions.

Another odd thing, the manuals online didn't give capacities for the 2002 year model and above. I am going to have to find a source for that information.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check WWW.FordCDs.Com?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

No, I haven't- though I am not particularly crazy about downloading and burning CD's for every year.