Can I tow 5,000 pounds?

[RLWSNOOK]

So I'm looking to buy a new boat.

The boat with gas and gear weighs 4,000 trailer 1,000. Total weight 5,000 pounds.

I want to tow it one time 1.5 hours on a pretty flat highway (I live in the midwest) from the previous owners house to my marina where the boat will be put in a rack.

I will be alone in the car and weigh 160 pounds. I have a 2011 with FWD and the factory trailer tow package.

I know the max is 5,000. Kelly blue book showed towing what they claim to be 5,000... But I want to know if I'm crazy for trying this or if I should be okay?

I"m assuming ford has a margin of error in there for idiots like me who want to tow the max their cars can... Is this true? Or should I rent a truck to tow?

Note I'm not going to be pulling the boat out of the water or launching the boat, just driving on the highway (very slowly of course haha). And I won't have anything in the car with me other than myself...

 

[drumguru1]

Yes you will be able to tow 5,000lbs. If your car is a FWD it has a GCWR of 9920 which means that the car plus all gear people and towing can be up to 9920 subtracting the curb weight of about 4600 lbs and boat and trailer of 5000 lbs you get about 300 lbs of gear and people you can have in the car. I think this is how it works. Someone please correct me if im wrong and I will change my statement.

Just curious, if you are not going to launch the boat how do you fish? haha jk.

 

[RLWSNOOK]

Just curious, if you are not going to launch the boat how do you fish? haha jk.

thanks for the reply.

I keep my boats on a rack at a marina.. they have big fork lifts to take them in and out. That way they are indoors while not in use and during the winter, but no need for me to have to launch every time, I just call them up and they put it in the water and tie it up to the dock for me

Makes boating soooo much easier!!

 

[drumguru1]

thanks for the reply.

I keep my boats on a rack at a marina.. they have big fork lifts to take them in and out. That way they are indoors while not in use and during the winter, but no need for me to have to launch every time, I just call them up and they put it in the water and tie it up to the dock for me

Makes boating soooo much easier!!

I know i do the same thing. I was just making a joke! Terrible attempt at one but I made myself laugh and that's half the battle.

 

[dco43054]

Check out the tow specs. They call for a weight equalizing hitch to be able to tow at maximum.

Does that mean it won't pull the load? Maybe not. But that's how they spec it.

 

[JDraper]

You should be fine. I just towed my 3400lb Mustang on a 16' steel twin axle trailer for about 300 miles with no problems, and I don't have a weight distribution hitch. Explorer towed it extremely well.

 

[RLWSNOOK]

You should be fine. I just towed my 3400lb Mustang on a 16' steel twin axle trailer for about 300 miles with no problems, and I don't have a weight distribution hitch. Explorer towed it extremely well.

Good to hear. That is pretty much the same weight as I'll have so good to know.

 

[patkell]

Does anyone know if Ford has a trailer brake controller for the 11explorer or do I have to install an after market unit, i have the trailerntow package

Thanks

 

[tmilicia]

Does anyone know if Ford has a trailer brake controller for the 11explorer or do I have to install an after market unit, i have the trailerntow package

Thanks

This is what I'm using, Tekonsha P3:

Towing this:

Also, Blue Ox SwayPro WDH: