Can my 2004 Explorer tow my 2011 Mustang GT?

[kieran23kk]

I'm looking to move and would love to be able to tow my Mustang behind my Explorer. Would save me a lot of time.

Is the base model 2004 Explorer 4x4 able to do it? It has the trailer hitch.

 

[Joe in NY]

need some info.

What motor?
What tow hitch? the class I or class IV?

 

[Number4]

I presume you have the 1 1/4 class II HITCH. The answer is no.
If it's across town and you use the two wheel dolly (two tires in dolly, two on the ground,) you could probably get away with it.

If you have the 2" hitch then you could. I'd use the dolly.
V6, 4x4 max tow capacity is 5780.

 

[imp]

I presume you have the 1 1/4 class II HITCH. The answer is no.
If it's across town and you use the two wheel dolly (two tires in dolly, two on the ground,) you could probably get away with it.

If you have the 2" hitch then you could. I'd use the dolly.
V6, 4x4 max tow capacity is 5780.

Different context, but we put our '04 Explorer on a U-Haul trailer, tandem 4-wheel job, and towed it during our move using an 18 foot box truck, also U-Haul. Explorer exceeded max. weight they would allow, so told them we were towing a small Honda. No problem whatsoever.

I expect an Explorer could tow the Mustang similarly, if reasonable care were observed, no overdrive, go easy on long, steep grades, especially uphill! imp

 

[Joe in NY]

WHY DOES FORD NOT ALLOW OD FOR TOWING? Is it really that weak in a Ford tranny? GM simply has TOW/HAUL in which all gears are allowed. 2007 Suburan, Its nice to cruise at 75mpg with 2,200 rpm and towing... With 4th it would be at 3,500 rpm for 75mph, that would not be fun...

 

[D Hook]

Tahoe and Explorer....two totally different capacities. My wife's Expedition is a better comparison to the Tahoe and I wouldn't hesitate to tow our boat with it. Not so much in the Explorer.

 

[Joe in NY]

Yes I know Suburbans are real 1500's. But my friends 07 F150 4x4 5.4L 3.73 limited slip rear with tow package, in order to tow the only button is the OD toggle. No tow/haul. So when he tows he's stuck in 3rd gear because of fords 4th lock out... Makes no sense to me...

 

[Dave8338]

Common sense prevails. If the tow vehicle is not jumping in and out of OD, causing unneeded shifts, then it is safe to tow in overdrive. The biggest reason that Ford suggests not towing in OD is for those who aren't smart enough to know the difference. The engine won't blow up at 3,500 RPMs and the trans temps will be lower as more fluid is pumped through the trans cooler.

MOST people who drive Fords, tow in OD and don't think twice about it. With the Edge programmer on an 05 F150, I can monitor trans and engine temps and know for sure that there is no chance of overheating things.

.02 from a guy that has towed with Fords for 30+ years...