ggerad
New Member
- Joined
- July 26, 2015
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Great Lakes State
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2011 Ford Explorer
I'd consider myself a novice tow guy. I have a deep V boat I tow with both my 11 Explorer and 06 Escape without a problem. My wife and I now have a 18 foot hybrid travel trailer. It's dry weight is just short of 4000lbs and we've weighed it at 4200 when loaded with our gear.
My question is this. We've towed a few times and have had a concern with the tranny. When traveling highway speeds it struggles to stay up to speed in 5th and does fine in 4th but that puts us in the 4000 RPM range. To me, that seems high so I fight to keep it in 5th which from time to time requires a few extra shifts depending on hills and such. When I tow the boat the Explorer works as if nothing is behind it. But the trailer has a WDH and I run into these struggles each time.
Since this isn't a popup there is also the issue with the "sail" that I'm dragging behind me and not just the weight but I do figure I'm within/at the 40 sqft allowance for such after taking numerous measurements.
What do you guys think? is it ok to be at 4000 for an extended time? Should I try to get to 5th gear?
My question is this. We've towed a few times and have had a concern with the tranny. When traveling highway speeds it struggles to stay up to speed in 5th and does fine in 4th but that puts us in the 4000 RPM range. To me, that seems high so I fight to keep it in 5th which from time to time requires a few extra shifts depending on hills and such. When I tow the boat the Explorer works as if nothing is behind it. But the trailer has a WDH and I run into these struggles each time.
Since this isn't a popup there is also the issue with the "sail" that I'm dragging behind me and not just the weight but I do figure I'm within/at the 40 sqft allowance for such after taking numerous measurements.
What do you guys think? is it ok to be at 4000 for an extended time? Should I try to get to 5th gear?