Thinking of buying a 96 Explorer limited for towing..have questions..

[FordNStangLuvr]

I currently own a mazda tribute(a ford escape basically). I tow my 2,800 lb 18' boat with it. Either a 180 mile round trip or a 50 mile round trip depending on where Im going.

It really does good considering its a 3.0 DOHC engine, but the fact that its smaller displacement leaves me with mediocre torque up high...

My sister in law has a 96 limited edition 2wd with a 5.0L V8. No tow package from the factory. She is selling it for a good price, and thinking of making this my tow vehicle.

I want to know if I would be able to cruise in overdrive at 70 mph. Also thinking about getting a "pop up" camper...a trail manor...it goes down to 5'6", 7' 7" wide and no more than 3500 lbs...

What kind of gas mileage do you get with towing? I get about 11 right now, which isnt that bad(I guess), but I feel Im working the car too hard, and with a 15 gal tank, my cruising range isnt that great.

Im also interested in this car because of the 5.0. I had a mustang with one and totally tricked it out, so I know the engines on these..

 

[ExplorerDMB]

the 5.0s are a little different (I believe the intakes are different). Anyhow, the 5.0 should do fine with towing...but it probably will get you somewhere around the same gas mileage while towing 11-13 mpg. If you are going to tow; I would leave it out of overdrive. Overdrive is really only for "cruising" and to get optimum fuel economy. When your towing - you just want to have enough grunt to move the thing. Hope that helps

-Drew