Had to go pick up a piano for our new house. The only catch was that it was 6hrs away in South Carolina. The things you do for family heirlooms....
I'll use it as an update on on the towing capabilities of the 3rd gen
Truck: 2002 xlt with class II hitch. Running 265/75/16 treadwright wardens.
Trailer: 2012 6x12 patriot enclosed trailer, flat nosed, single axle. Weighs about 1000 lbs dry.
Piano - 500lbs plus the crate I built to ship it
Trip: Birmingham to Columbia SC. About 330 miles one way.
Trip to SC - ran with od turned off. Other than a few hill climbs outside of Birmingham, the ex didn't have any issues pulling the trailer and stayed consistently over 70. Avg mpg was about 13
Trip to Birmingham - piano loaded on trailer. Ran with od turned off in post cold front conditions. For the first 100 miles there was a steady headwind that made the truck struggle on hills. I never dropped below 60, but I also didn't hammer it. I tried to make it as easy as it could be on the tranny. Avg mpg - 11
I was impressed with the comfort and ease that the explorer towed this load. With the high center of gravity that a piano has, I figured the trip back would have more eventful than it was. Very thankful that it went well.
I'll use it as an update on on the towing capabilities of the 3rd gen
Truck: 2002 xlt with class II hitch. Running 265/75/16 treadwright wardens.
Trailer: 2012 6x12 patriot enclosed trailer, flat nosed, single axle. Weighs about 1000 lbs dry.
Piano - 500lbs plus the crate I built to ship it
Trip: Birmingham to Columbia SC. About 330 miles one way.
Trip to SC - ran with od turned off. Other than a few hill climbs outside of Birmingham, the ex didn't have any issues pulling the trailer and stayed consistently over 70. Avg mpg was about 13
Trip to Birmingham - piano loaded on trailer. Ran with od turned off in post cold front conditions. For the first 100 miles there was a steady headwind that made the truck struggle on hills. I never dropped below 60, but I also didn't hammer it. I tried to make it as easy as it could be on the tranny. Avg mpg - 11
I was impressed with the comfort and ease that the explorer towed this load. With the high center of gravity that a piano has, I figured the trip back would have more eventful than it was. Very thankful that it went well.