class 2 hitch on 04 v6

[Green04]

wondering how much weight i can pull safely behind it, i searched and really found nothing, just wondering

 

[Triton8273]

All depends on your engine and differential.

If you have the V6 with 3.55 gears 3500lbs
V6 with 3.73 gears 5400lbs
V6 with 3.73 2WD 5800lbs


Really wasnt that hard...just google "2004 ford explorer specs" and you will see this link
http://trucks.about.com/od/2004suvspecifications/a/04_explorerspec_2.htm

 

[turborich]

That's not correct.

Your class II hitch is rated for a maximum of 350 lb tongue weight and 3,500 lb total trailer weight regardless of engine or gearing.

You will have to upgrade to a class III hitch to exceed this. Keep in mind that your Explorer has the 3.55 gearing instead of the 3.73 which was included with the tow package. I also believe that the tow package equipped Explorers also had an engine oil cooler. They both use the same stand alone trans cooler.

Just by installing a class III hitch you can safely pull 500 lbs tongue weight and 3,500 total trailer weight. You could technically pull more trailer weight with the class III hitch although I wouldn't subject your vehicle to it without the gearing.

 

[Green04]

well i have the factory class 2 hitch does that make a difference?

 

[Triton8273]

well i have the factory class 2 hitch does that make a difference?

You should re read the response under mine since he just stated that since you have the Class II you are stuck at 3500lbs no matter what.

 

[Green04]

gotcha im stuck with the 3.55 gearing even though i have the factory class 2 but if i had the factory class 3 id have the 3.73 gearing?

 

[miker104]

I have the same vehicle and it says in the owners manual and it says 3375 tow weight with the class II hitch and 4.0L V6 with the 3.55 gear ratio

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WO4EXP/~MUS~LEN/41/04expog3e.pdf

Page 179

4x4/AWD

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weight

Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum GCWR-(kg) lbs. Trailer weight range-(kg) lbs. (0-Maximum)
4.0L SOHC Class 3.55 8000 (3629) 0–3375 (0–1531)
II towing

4.6L* Class II 3.55 8000 (3629) 0–3390 (0–1538)
towing

4.0L SOHC Class 3.73LS 10000 (4536) 0–5355 (0–2429)
III/IV towing

4.6L* Class III/IV 3.73/3.73 LS 11600 (5262) 0–6970 (0–3162)
towing