Can a 2000 AWD 4.0 SOHC 4 door pull a 21 ft maxum?

[rocket22]

GW of Boat and trailer 3,500. Should I upgrade the rear leaf springs? I am planning on upgrading the brakes and add a trans cooler if this is an option. I have read through the towing forums, but feel I am pushing the limits here.

 

[koda2000]

GW of Boat and trailer 3,500. Should I upgrade the rear leaf springs? I am planning on upgrading the brakes and add a trans cooler if this is an option. I have read through the towing forums, but feel I am pushing the limits here.

you can pull upwards of 6,000 lbs with the right hitch. I believe the bumper is rated for about 3,500 lbs. how much tongue weight are you talking about? the rear springs on these trucks are pretty soft. anything more that 50-75 lbs will probably cause some sag. you can get Monroe Load Leveler Shocks to get a little extra lift support on the rear, or go with an air shock for adjustability.

 

[rocket22]

I have seen too many of these with bumpers bent

What class hitch should I go with? Is the basic uhaul hitch ok?

 

[SoNic67]

U-haul won't rent a trailer for Explorers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Haul#Ford_Explorer_Ban
I would not give them my business.

 

[koda2000]

What class hitch should I go with? Is the basic uhaul hitch ok?

check out www.etrailer.com I found their prices to be very good. saved $110 on a universal class III hitch for my '54 F100. it fit like it was made for it. I bought the ball, receiver and misc stuff at Walmart.

you might as well get the one rated for 5000 lbs with the 2" hitch (eg: Hidden Hitch $172.95 five star rated PN 40647). see if you can buy it through Amazon and get free shipping with Super Saver. easy install (30mins) although it would take me 30 mins to open the box... lol

 

[GJarrett]

+1 etrailer.com

You can get a class III hitch and a tranny cooler from them. Great prices, fast shipping, good customer service. You'll be able to haul 3,500 lbs okay. Depending on your tongue weight and how far you plan to tow, upgrading your rear leaf springs a bit with an add-a-leaf or air shocks wouldn't be a bad idea either. If the boat is placed properly on your trailer it should have a tongue weight somewhere around 250 lbs. A frame mounted class III hitch will have absolutely no problem holding that.

 

[damarble]

Or if you're feeling cheap half the ones in a junkyard usually have a hitch on them, I get mine that way for about $10.

3500lb is no problem. 5000lb+ does suck, too much tongue weight when balanced properly.

 

[rocket22]

DMarble - you are my type of forum person

This truck is a complete junker, and I keep it going with Junkyard parts as much as possible. Not for brakes, control arms, etc. but for non critical stuff.

The junkyard near us has a $50 all you can carry day....I normally go there with a list!

Will towing put an additional strain on an already rattling timing chain?

 

[Robman]

rattling timing chain . My sport 4.0L OHV w/manual trans hauled a stripped down 4dr XLT explorer on a car trailer to the wrecking yard the other day, the whole setup weighed 9000lbs the highest gear I used was 4th and the sport has a class III hidden hitch which worked well. I've also made a class III'ish hitch for the XLT I just scrapped(bad trans.)

It's my experience that towing heavy stuff frequently, will bring out the weak spots of a vehicle if there is a part not in 100% health you'll likely find it sooner because towing heavy loads does stress the vehicle more (suspension and drivetrain mainly). But that said, if you maintain your Explorer reasonably well.. there is a certain satisfaction derived from hauling a heavy load with yer trusty Ex. If you have an auto trans, be sure to baby it, which is why I finally got one with a manual transmission.. '00 sport 4.0L OHV+ Std trans, 4.10 gears in theory it should be bulletproof, hasn't proved me wrong yet fingers crossed.

- make sure your trailer tires are nice and pumped up so they roll easy.. try to have the boat be level when hooked up, using a different height of hitch. A Tranny cooler is pretty much a must if your going to be hauling frequently + external filter wouldn't hurt. Make sure tranny fluid level is good. You can even get load proportioning(leveling) bars(sp) .. or air bags for the rear axle if you want to go hog wild.

- Heavy loads are also handy for testing your brake lines

 

[koda2000]

oh, and by the way there's no such thing as an AWD 4.0L Ex. only 4x4.

 

[Flash]

U-haul won't rent a trailer for Explorers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Haul#Ford_Explorer_Ban
I would not give them my business.

But you can with Mountaineer or Aviator. Stupid, eh?

 

[Robman]

oh, and by the way there's no such thing as an AWD 4.0L Ex. only 4x4.

I could put "ControlTrac" 4wd .. I haven't owned an explorer yet with the 2wd option, all 4.0L engines 2 OHV 1 SOHC so I just call it AWD most of the time, it's simpler.Tomato Tomahtoe.

 

[rocket22]

correction

yes it is a 4x4. I will say my last explorer was a 2 WD and was able to pull a 20 ft boat.

I will be replacing the rear leaf springs since one is very weak and also going to add a type III hitch. Then a complete checkup of the braking, bleed lines, check back brakes as front are new. I have flushed the trans recently.