HEAVY load towing experiences?

[GJarrett]

Yeah it's heavy but I am making adjustments to lose weight down to the stock max rating - so yes, it's a lot, but it's what I'll live with for now. On the list above I forgot to add 80lbs of water (in the freshwater tank for the galley, transom shower, and head) being onboard when I weighed it. Anytime I tow beyond the local lake now will be without the extra stuff in the boat and with empty water and fuel tanks. I am also taking out one of the heavy batteries - I only need two batteries not three - and removing a water heater (another 60lbs with water) that I'll never use. All together this should get me down to very close to the stock max weight rating. I'll consider that as close to overweight, but not "overweight big-time". I do have plans for an Expedition next year so towing with the Explorer is probably a short term situation and may not even occur at all since it will be next year before we take it on a longer trip to somewhere else besides our local lake. Now that the boat is here, I'm plenty comfortable with a short two mile tow.

I'll get a photo of the WDH next time I hook it up. It does look a little weird with the torsion bars going straight back on the single pole instead of being splayed out like a "V", but they worked fine. What did concern me about the WGH setup was the bars limiting the effectiveness of the surge brakes by making it harder for the trailer pole tongue to slide back and forth to activate the brakes, but it didn't happen and the brakes still worked fine.

 

[IAmThor]

I drive a 1994 explorer xlt with the stock bumper hitch and I've towed an 18' tandem axle trailor (1000-1500 pounds) with a 94 chevy cavalier on it (about 2500 pounds). I'm rated for 3500 pounds on the bumper and I went over that and did hunky dorey. I went about 60 miles with it (going 50-55 because of serious trailor sway at speeds over 55). That's the most I've hauled...

Oh my truck is completely stock with no engine or tranny or differential modifications...

 

[thebrakeman]

I drive a 1994 explorer xlt with the stock bumper hitch and I've towed an 18' tandem axle trailor (1000-1500 pounds) with a 94 chevy cavalier on it (about 2500 pounds). I'm rated for 3500 pounds on the bumper and I went over that and did hunky dorey. I went about 60 miles with it (going 50-55 because of serious trailor sway at speeds over 55). That's the most I've hauled...

Oh my truck is completely stock with no engine or tranny or differential modifications...

Well-done, Asgardian!

 

[rs2k]

I tow my 3000 lb empty 20 foot cuddy cabin with my explorer. My guess is that I'm between 4500 and 5000 including fuel, equipment and the trailer. It handles very well and I have no problems at all on the ramp or in a 30 MPH gusty crosswind. The trailer is a twin axle. It has electric brakes on one axle and this setup actually does really well at stopping. I also have some great maneuverability while backing up since the explorer is so short coupled. The only real problem I have is the acceleration above 30 MPH is pretty gutless. I also am limited to about 60 MPH in a head wind. Without wind 4th gear (OD) and 70 MPH on level ground is pretty much the limit. I also can't give it much gas while going uphill. In both 4th or 3rd it wants to downshift. I just let it slow down while going up hill.