Max Towing For '91 4x4

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

I cannot find anywhere on my SUV that states max towing weight. I have a factory tow package. No manuel to check and the Chilton's book is useless. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[410Fortune]

5 speed or automatic? Tow hitch or from the bumper?

 

[DeRocha]

The Explorer itself can tow approx 5000 lbs. However the stock bumper is only rated for 3500lbs and 300lbs tongue weight (will be engraved right on the ball area) ... You'd need a class III hitch to tow anything more..

 

[alexefron]

Well the a4ld is rated fior 5k, the m5od is rated at about 3k, but its really more an issue of clutch wear

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

Automatic/Bumper

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

The Explorer itself can tow approx 5000 lbs. However the stock bumper is only rated for 3500lbs and 300lbs tongue weight (will be engraved right on the ball area) ... You'd need a class III hitch to tow anything more..

Thanks, I looked there earlier, but I did not see anything. Although I painted the bumper last year, so I may have covered it up. What is a class III hitch and how much do they cost?

 

[410Fortune]

What are you trying to tow????

Dont forget about STOPPING.

If you google "receiver hitch" you will find one for your Explorer.
U-Haul sells and installs them, though they wont rent you a trailer, hahaha

 

[Darrman]

Amen to that, these ****ty brakes on first Gen X's would burn up quick with out some kind of trailer brake setup. Two extra tons would push even a 4dr around like a toy. I have been debating getting a trailer hitch, but the brakes have held me back.

 

[410Fortune]

get a trailer with brakes AND upgrade the OEM brakes.
My BII will tow my 4500# boat no problem, stopping is not an issue, wheel base and lift height are however. The boat trailer has surge brakes they help a bit as well.

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

What are you trying to tow????

Dont forget about STOPPING.

If you google "receiver hitch" you will find one for your Explorer.
U-Haul sells and installs them, though they wont rent you a trailer, hahaha

I am looking into buying a 18-20' travel trailer. It does not sound like my SUV would handle it. Most 18-20' travel trailers weigh more than 5k. Maybe I will just buy a motorhome.

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

get a trailer with brakes AND upgrade the OEM brakes.
My BII will tow my 4500# boat no problem, stopping is not an issue, wheel base and lift height are however. The boat trailer has surge brakes they help a bit as well.

The brakes do suck on the earlier models. I love my Explorer, but I hate the brakes. When you talk about upgrading the brakes, what exactly are you talking about?...and how much does it cost? I would really like to have beter brakes.

 

[Critter92X]

I had no trouble pulling a 24' Nomad trailer with my 92 w/auto tranny. I used a Reese receiver hitch with equalizer bars on the hitch.I don't know how it would hold up on long trips though. Where I go it's only about 120 miles each way through these Missouri hills and I drove pretty easy.I traded it in and have a motorhome now though.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I wouldn't want to tow a 20 foot travel trailer with an Explorer. It's just to big. At least when you smoked the automatic, you'd have a place to stay.

 

[DeRocha]

I wouldn't want to tow a 20 foot travel trailer with an Explorer. It's just to big. At least when you smoked the automatic, you'd have a place to stay.

I hear that... the auto tranny is not very durable and abuse such as towing can really send it to an early grave...

 

[Critter92X]

I hear that... the auto tranny is not very durable and abuse such as towing can really send it to an early grave...

That's true... I should say I didn't have any trouble towing my travel trailer at the time, but I do have a new rebuilt tranny now. There was probably some connection between the two

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

I wouldn't want to tow a 20 foot travel trailer with an Explorer. It's just to big. At least when you smoked the automatic, you'd have a place to stay.

Funny, but probably true!!!

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

Thanks for the advise. I think it would be best to buy a motorhome.