the reason only Ford transmissions have to turn off OD to tow is because Ford trans suck.
GM Tow/Haul mode LOVES to lock up in OD and stay there. I hate turning 3,000+ rpm to go 75 mph because no OD... I tow in OD with my explorer anyways. I mean the transmission is 90% guaranteed to die already.
Try looking at a Trail Blazer or Envoy. They are far better than Explorers. Real 1500 duty Brakes, Transmission,Cooling and Suspension. They come in either a straight 6 that will never die and makes more power than the 4.6L V8 or the 5.3L V8 which makes heaps more HP and Torque and will last a long time..
If you truly love your explorer buy or get your transmission rebuilt and upgraded. I DO NOT recommend Jasper. Currently in the middle of a horrible engine situation with them.
So I'm actively shopping for a replacement for my 01 Explorer, and GMT360 SUVs were on the top of my list. However, after looking at probably 20 of them, I find them to be a bit cheap with materials that dont hold up particularly well, and the 4L60E is not regarded as a reliable transmission by anyone. Suburban and Tahoe owners have complained about failures with as little as 30K miles on them.
Also, Ford transmissions arent the only transmissions that are suggested to tow with OD off, every transmission is. Tow/haul mode IS NOT the same as OD off.
With all the technology these days I see no reason why vehicle manufactures can not make them automatically disable overdrive whenever there is something plugged into the trailer lights connector.
On a different note, didn't want to make a separate post for this. I believe it was the Jeep Commander I meant to recommend and not the Liberty. They look very much alike but the Commander is available with the 5.7L HEMI V8.
Also, might be too big for the OP, but I am kind of liking the 3rd gen (2011+) Dodge Durango.
I looked at some pics of 4th Gen Explorers on CarMax and I really feel like 3rd gen to 4th gen explorer is a downgrade to me. The interior of the 3rd gen is far better IMO, not to mention going back to single dual filament headlights is also a downgrade (I would not be able to run HID high beams with normal low beams on one). Also dislike the console shiftier, waste of space IMO, prefer column shiftiers.
1) The problem with having a vehicle automatically disabling OD if something is plugged in, is it would have to be factory wiring, and there would need to be a way for the vehicle to know whether it's a trailer, or a hitch mounted accessory. You dont want OD to get disabled because you installed a hitch mounted backup sensor, or skull with red lights that go on with the brakes. Also, if youre towing and you dont do the appropriate research to know to disable OD, that's on you.
2) The Commander is very closely related to the WK Grand Cherokees, and the Durango rides on the same frame as the WK2 Grand Cherokee.
3) After putting thousands of miles of wheel time in on my mom's 04 Aviator (which has the console shifter) it has grown on me, but im not a fan of the shifter assembly they used compared to the Aviator and Navigator. Also, I had an 03 Mountaineer which was dual filament, and my 01 is dual filament so I guess that is a moot point for me.
