Let's talk towing!

[Excell]

Hey guys, I have some towing questions!

I have a 1996 XLT 4.0l 4 door with Control-Trac 4WD. It just turned 143,000 miles. I realize that this a lot of miles, but I run Mobil 1 5w30 Synthetic with ZERO oil leaks. It doesn't burn any oil at all. The trans is solid, fluid smells great and it shifts awesome. It has an aux trany cooler also.

I know that our trucks are rated to tow 5000lbs. I would like to tow my Grand Prix to races, it weighs in at just under 3400 pounds. Add a trailer and gear and it's VERY close if not over 5000lbs. I would be towing on mostly flat or slightly hilly ground, no mountains or large hills.

Am I completely insane for wanting to tow this? Should I just stop now and not blow my truck up?

If I can tow this, what mods would I need to make this easier on my truck? Gas milage is not a concern. I would like to be able to tow this and not significantly wear out my truck. I think it has 3.42 gears (I'd have to look again). I want to make it as easy as I can on my Explorer if this IS possible.

Well, do you think it would be possible to do this? Any help is appreciated! Thank You! :exp:

 

[section525]

I think you're good to go. The best thing to have is a tranny cooler as the V6 trannies are crap. Other than that, having trailer brakes would be awesome. I'm sure the weight is fine as long as its not long distances every other day. A lot of us tow more than we're supposed to.

 

[AspenX]

A 4.10 would help alot.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Yep a tranny cooler and maybe a secondary filter so you can add another quart to the system.

 

[zip96]

I have a 91 explorer, we just recently purchased a 17' travel trailer. Our explorer has approx 240,000 kms. We pulled the trailer with no problems other than some of the bigger hills were a little slow going. The trailer weighs around 3000 lbs dry. I say go for it.

 

[udmsvt]

i'm asuming its an auto. you CAN do it, but how far? i wouldnt do more than 100 miles at a time with an auto unless you regear. if its a 5-speed man, go for it butu you may need to replace the clutch more often. i towed like 6500bs with mine one time. it was slow as crap but it did it.

 

[scott135]

Again Towing with Explorer Sport

I have a 1996 Explorer Sport, 115,000 miles, auto trans.

I am looking at buying a racecar. 3500 lbs. plus a 1200 lbs. trailer.

I have a Sport with the tow package which I think only included a gear change and wiring harness for trailer lights.

I would be trailering at most 100-150 miles at a time. Only 4-5 times a year.

I am upgrading the shocks to Bilstiens and was wondering if a spring upgrade would improve towing performance.

What is the biggest thing that prevents towing capacity on these vehicles? Suspension, power, Transmission?

Thanks for any help. I am thinking about upgrading to a Sport Trac since it has a higher tow capacity and of coures being a newer vehicle, they come with 4.10 gears.

Scott

 

[udmsvt]

if you sow in a sport, might want to AAL or get a 4dr leaf pack...also 3.73+ gears are a must with an auto.

 

[Excell]

Awesome, thanks for the replys guys! I want to do a gear swap to 3.73's. Question is, do I need to do BOTH axles? Or just the rear? Will it throw off my 4WD?

Thanks.

 

[scott135]

Tow Package

My Explorer Sport has the tow package which I think the only changes were the gears to 3.73's and the wiring harness. Does anyone know if anything else was included. Does the rated towing capacity change with the tow package from the stated rating for the Explorer? I was also reading about weight distributing tow hitch adapters. I am upgrading/replacing the original shocks to Bilstiens and would consider new leafs or airbags but it seems with the weight distributing tow hitch that isn't necessary.

 

[IAmTodd]

Both Axles have to be changed if you have 4WD, or if you want to use it AT ALL. Since you have a sport, ditch the mono leaf and put in one out of a 4 door. Thats pretty much a must.

As far as a tow package goes, Sports got a 3.73LS and the pig tail for the trailor lights, no tranny cooler I guess.

 

[scott135]

Thanks Todd for the advice,

Does the 4 door leaf spring bolt right into the 2 door? You say mono leaf, so the 4 door spring is significantly stouter? I haven't really been able to find pics on the web to see the difference or where to buy.

What do you tow with your Sport?