Hello--I might buy a custom travel trailer with a truck axle and heavy springs. I would like to tow 4000lb plus the trailer. So figure around 4400lb total. My explorer has a towing capacity of 5680lb. One of my concerns is stopping safely. Even though my truck can tow that trailer, can it stop it? Is there a weight threshold that suggest it might be a good idea to have electric brakes? Thank you.
Leo
Your 5680 towing capacity is only fully usable when you have an empty Explorer (plus the driver). Just remember that for every pound of passenger or cargo in the Explorer, you towing capacity goes down by the same amount. You are probably OK (unless you have more than 1280 lbs of people and cargo to put in the truck), but just be aware. You probably have a 10,000 lb combined vehicle weight, so you could check total weights, too. Theoretically, the numbers should work out the same by either method.
Regarding brakes:
1. According to Page 12 of the 2002 Ford Towing Guide:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2002/2002_All.pdf
...Ford notes that many state laws require trailer brakes for trailer weighing 1500 lbs or more when loaded. That is certainly your case. They also highly recommend a functional brake system for any towed vehicle.
2. You should pull out your Explorer owners manual. You will find other recommendations/requirements for trailer brakes.
3. As a brake engineer for the past 19 years, here is my opinion regarding recommended vs required:
a. GVWR = maximum weight rating of your Explorer...look it up (6400 lbs?)
b. GCVWR = maximum combined weight of truck & trailer...look it up (10,000 lbs?)
c. GCVW = ACTUAL combined weight of truck & trailer (you need to determine)
The Explorer's brakes (as are any vehicle, really) were designed to stop the truck at it's GVWR, but NOT at it's GCVWR. Even the HD towing package does not change a thing about the brakes on most vehicles.
So, if you have a small enough trailer that your combined weight is less than your GVWR (6400 lbs?), then I would say trailer brakes are
recommended (as does Ford...see #1). If your combined weight is greater than GVWR, then trailer brakes are
required. You definitely fall into my definition of "required".
In short, the vehicle's brakes are designed to handle payload, but not any significant trailering loads beyond payload weight.