Purchase recommendations needed

[Am_Dew]

My 1996 Explorer XLT V8 AWD was stolen this past weekend and I am looking for a "newer" used, suitable, similar, replacement. It had 155K miles on it, ran great and never gave me any problems since I bought it used in 1998 with 59K miles on it. Since I liked this one so much, I am thinking I would buy another late model, used Explorer and am looking for recommendations on what year would be best (or not best) to buy, things to look for when buying, options, etc.

I do own a 17' pleasure boat which weighs about 2500 lbs. (including trailer) which I occasionally tow into the mountains of northern California, so decent power is a consideration as well as a tow package. Of course, my V8 pulled the boat well in the mountains, but if a V6 will do the job OK for those 2-3 times per year when I tow the boat into higher elevations, I'm fine with a V6 instead of a V8 like I had. The vast majority of time though I will be towing the boat at sea level.

Other than towing my boat, my needs are pretty basic...nothing fancy is needed, but I do like to stay away from the bottom end models. A 4 door, 4 WD or AWD XLT is what I am thinking but I have not educated myself on the recent years' Explorer models and what options are available on them, so I'm not sure.

My budget is USD$20K or less.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, comments, etc.

Bob

 

[tower]

I would look for 04 or newer with a tow package and a V8. I have a V6 and although it tows my boat and jetskis I wish I had a V8 more power almost same mpg.

Get the extended warranty from Ford.

The rest is personal preference like;

I have the 3rd row with the rear a/c I do not care for it. I have only used it once and a flat back would be better for me.

 

[FordLover]

for 20 grand you should be able to find something barely used.
In december, I found an old 02 demo explorer on a dealer lot, never been sold, 9K miles on it for 19 grand. It's fairly loaded V8 with 4x4, leather, tow package, etc. And the 3 year warranty didn't start till I bought it.
-Martin

 

[Am_Dew]

I would look for 04 or newer with a tow package and a V8. I have a V6 and although it tows my boat and jetskis I wish I had a V8 more power almost same mpg.

I've noticed the newer model Explorers have a built-in hitch...looks like class II was standard, with class III an option.

Do you tow your boat with the built-in tow hitch or an aftermarket one?

 

[tower]

I do not have a tow package so I use the class II, it has never really been a problem.

My boat is a 19' Ski Nautique and I have 2 jet skis on a double trailer. I have trailered both many times with some trips over 2hrs at highway speeds and up and down hills.

The truck has no real problem towing them but the V8 would be nice for the extra tq.

 

[FordLover]

I have the 3rd row with the rear a/c I do not care for it. I have only used it once and a flat back would be better for me.

I tend to agree. Most of the time driving around it's just me and the girlfriend, on trips and on moving day, I'm glad I don't have the rear seat. I have alot more storage in the rear compartment and a flatter load floor. I would never use the 3rd seat, so I was lucky I found one without.

 

[Am_Dew]

I do not have a tow package so I use the class II, it has never really been a problem.

My boat is a 19' Ski Nautique and I have 2 jet skis on a double trailer. I have trailered both many times with some trips over 2hrs at highway speeds and up and down hills.

The truck has no real problem towing them but the V8 would be nice for the extra tq.

So, you tow your 19' Nautique using the built-in class II hitch? I guess things have come a ways since the '96 model which just had, basically, a whole in the middle of the bumper that you could install a hitch ball into. At the time I bought my '96, I researched towing and found out that the concensus was to not use the bumper and instead have a separate class III hitch installed, which is what I did. It does not sound like I would need to do that with one of the newer models which have either class II or III hitches already installed.

 

[FordLover]

the 'Class' is just a rating, basically a max towing weight/tongue weight. The bumper 'hitch' on all 91-01 explorers is effectively the same thing as the class II receiver hitch on the 02-06 models as far as capability goes. I like the reciever better, because it allows you to use a drop hitch to get your ball at the right height to match your trailer, and also allows it to be removed when not towing and keep you from driving around with a nasty ol ball on the back of your truck all the time. The maximum towing weight for the stock class II hitch on the explorer is 3500 lbs.
You can read up a bit more here:
hitch info

 

[Am_Dew]

the 'Class' is just a rating, basically a max towing weight/tongue weight. The bumper 'hitch' on all 91-01 explorers is effectively the same thing as the class II receiver hitch on the 02-06 models as far as capability goes. I like the reciever better, because it allows you to use a drop hitch to get your ball at the right height to match your trailer, and also allows it to be removed when not towing and keep you from driving around with a nasty ol ball on the back of your truck all the time.

Is the stock class II hitch on the 02-06 models actually a separate hitch attached to the frame? I guess what I am trying to be sure of is that if I do get something with just the class II hitch that towing a boat with it is the right thing to do, assuming of course that the class II weight limit is respected. And again, I refer back to my '96 Explorer which even though the bumper type hitch was rated for the weight I was going to tow, everyone recommended against doing it.

 

[blichy]

Is the stock class II hitch on the 02-06 models actually a separate hitch attached to the frame?

Yes, the factory hitches on the newer Explorers are frame mounted.

 

[Am_Dew]

Well, I went out and bought a 2005 XLT 6 cyl. this weekend from a local Ford dealer...seems as though I got a pretty good deal...about $18K.

It just has the class II hitch and now I am finding it hard to locate a class II drawbar with enough drop so my 17' single axle boat trailer will ride level (or close to it). According to my calculations, I need a 5-6" drop. Anyone know of a good source for class II drawbars? One with 2-3" drop are very common but I'm having problems locating one with a 5-6" drop.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[blichy]

Well, I went out and bought a 2005 XLT 6 cyl. this weekend from a local Ford dealer...seems as though I got a pretty good deal...about $18K.

It just has the class II hitch and now I am finding it hard to locate a class II drawbar with enough drop so my 17' single axle boat trailer will ride level (or close to it). According to my calculations, I need a 5-6" drop. Anyone know of a good source for class II drawbars? One with 2-3" drop are very common but I'm having problems locating one with a 5-6" drop.

Thanks,
Bob

A 6" drop sounds like a lot for you boat--that is what I used for my Hobie Cat, which had the small wheels on the trailer. Don't forget that there will be a little drop to the rear of the truck as you add the tongue weight of the trailer to it. One option to try is pick up a 2" drop bar, attach it to the truck and place the hitch ball in (but don't torque the bolt), place the trailer on the hitch and see how the level is. If you don't like it, return the draw bar and get a larger size drop.

edit: Draw Tite has 3 1/4" and 4 3/4" drops for the class II (#36071 and 36078 respectively).

 

[Am_Dew]

Thanks Brian. I'm not sure how much the rear of the truck will drop...I sat on it and it did not drop much, and I weigh 220 lbs, which is probably about the tongue weight of my trailer. In any case, I've found a local place that will order the 4 3/4" drop model you mentioned so I'll probably go with it and go from there.