Pulling Trailers

[XLT Xtreme]

I'm thinking of buying a new trailer and was wondering if any one on here pulls a inclosed trailer of a size of 7x12 or 7x14 somewhere in there. How does the explorer pull it at highway speeds of 65 or so. Not sure how the 4.0 will pull trailer like that with two 600lbs ATV's inside.

 

[410Fortune]

Searchy search.;...


Also with a 99 its helpful if you tell which 4.0L you have on stuff like this.
Stick or Auto

two ATV's + trailer = no problem, but there are SEVERAL things you can do to make it more tow friendly.

Mostly cooling the transmission, keeping the suspension up to par, and brakes are the biggest concern.

Gears are VERY helpful for towing as well...

I tow a 19 boat that weighs #3500+ with a 88 BII on 33" tires....if that gives you an idea of what they are capable of......

 

[taxx]

I have a 12' enclosed trailer and it pulled fine when I used to use the sploder for towing. Your biggest issue is gonna be loading it. Make sure you load it balanced and not too much weight either way. Too much on the tongue makes steering dangerous and too much on the rear will cause significant amounts of sway and can also be very dangerous. But the size of the trailer you are talking about, if it is single axle, will stay well within the weight limits of a sploder.

Just re-read your post and it says two 600 lbs ATVs for a grand total of 1200lbs, thats no big deal. I figure at most the trailer will be around 1500 lbs equalling 2700lbs and your truck is probably rated for around 4500 lbs (depending on engine size and gears).

 

[MONMIX]

I have been told that turning off the over drive is reccomended when towing.

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by MONMIX
I have been told that turning off the over drive is reccomended when towing.

Really depends. the issue with that is if the engine is strugling or you are in a hilly situation that it will shift in and out of OD to keep up the speed wearing on your tranny. When we used to pull dads boat with the gas engine we had to take it out of OD except on the flat stretches of the interstate because of that. OD is just typically geared so high that there isn't much power there.

 

[410Fortune]

Yeah OD is best to keep it off when towing a heavy heavy load, but when you get on a flat stretch and speeds are higher, OD is okay to use.

 

[XLT Xtreme]

Thanks for all of the help so far. Right now I pull an 8x10 open trailer and do not use the OD, BTW if still wondering it's an auto tranny.

Mike

 

[XLT Xtreme]

did some trailer checking, thinking I need a 6x14 enclosed if I go that route. About 1200 lbs in ATV's and the trailer weighs in at aprox 2050. I have a 3.73 Rear end. Any more Ideas or you guys still think I am ok. I would stay with the lower trailer hight of around 5.5' for less wind drag.

 

[410Fortune]

2050 total weight you will hardly notice back there.

The best thing you can do is change the tranny fluid often (like once a year for light towing) get a larger tranny cooler, and change the rear diff fluid.

You can also get some good shocks and some helper sorings in the back to help withthe tongue load.

Other then that you will be fine.

 

[Flounder]

When using the ST to tow a 4x8 open top medium side trailer, I turn OD off when I have to climb a prolonged mountain or incline and on coming back down. The 5th gear results in lower RPMS and stress on the tranny is not an issue because it is downhill.

I also recommend turning off OD when merging/entering a highway as it can get up to speed a little bit better without it trying to give you the 5th gear. Once you reach speed, and if the road is level, I'd use OD since, as before, engine and tranny stress is minimal (no more than if you were carrying a load in your Ex).

When I say 5th gear, I am assuming your X has the 5 speed auto. If it's the 4 speed, the same applies. Just subtract the final gear from my recommendations...

 

[XLT Xtreme]

Figure about 3500 total towing weight. 5 speed with new Apten Flashed computer, AAL in the rear on Monore SensaTracs at about a year old. Have factory trans cooler, aux filter and trans temp gauge added. I do need to change trans and rear diff fluided. You think the factory cooler is enough? Going on about 97,000 miles or so on the 99 "X". Thanks for all your help so far guys. Just don't really want to spend all that money on something that is just going to be too much on the Explorer.

Mike

 

[sailorman3]

I pull my travel trailer (3800lbs) loaded with my 92 Ex all the time. I have a 5 speed with 3:27 gears and 255,000 kms. The only thing that I did extra was a extra leaf spring each side. It set the truck about 3 inches higher. I also use a load distribution hitch and a trailer brake. I have no problem doing 70 mph except on the steepest hills.

Sailorman 3