Towing a ranger with an explorer

[carlover]

Well the time has come to build up my ranger project. Will basically be a prerunner race truck. Im guessing the wieght will be around 4000 pnds. I have a 4.0 ohv v6 explorer and am really questioning if it will tow the ranger. On top of the wieght of the truck i need to haul the tools and spare parts and all that. Does this truck have any chance at all or should i start looking around for something else??

 

[Blee1099]

I'd recommend against towing a ranger with a 4.0 explorer. The tranny definately won't like it not to mention I believe the 4K lbs is over the recommended capacity for towing. Just look for a tow rig.

 

[carlover]

Yeah thats what i figured. damn i like this explorer too lol. What about a v8 explorer or mounty?? The ranger itself will wiegh an estimated 4k add in the trailer and tools and such and it adds up pretty quick I dont want a totally seperate tow rig, my daily driver will have to be the tow rig...

 

[carlover]

Well it looks like a v8 explorer will tow the 5K or so pounds ill need it to. So im guessing im now looking for a mounty or explorer v8....

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

V8 swap!!!....that would do fine and you can keep your current truck

 

[Tbars4]

...i know a really good f250 for cheap...

 

[carlover]

Thanks Tbars but i need something to haul the 3 kids around in. Ive thought about a v8 swap but it just doesnt have the cost benefit for me. I can pick up a 97+ mounty with less than 100k miles for less than 6k$. Now the question is do i take mine back to stock and sell/use the parts, or sell it as it.....hmmm decisions decisions....

 

[jimbo74]

i still wouldnt tow it with the v8 or the mounty... the explorer will just be too similar in weight....

sure it will pull it fine, but the xplorer and all explorer based vehicles have crappy brakes, very underpowered, the explorer can barely stop itself, much less 2 of itself.....

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

take off all the stuff on your truck and just move it over..and get one of these....

 

[jimbo74]

another thought i jsut htought of, 4k is going to push the hell out of 4k.....

i say its jsut asking for a problem.....

i routinely tow about 8k punds with a 6000 pound vehicle @ work... that load will push around the toe vehicle like hell, especially @ any type of speed



i towed my yota flat 3100# behind an f350 longbed crew cab with the 7.3 through a twisty mountain roud... that little 3k reuck wnated and did push around the 9k pound truck.....

 

[Tbars4]

...plus the f250 is an xtra cab, custom 1 ton from ford badged as 3/4ton for cali....

 

[carlover]

Hmmm maybe ill have to rethink buying another explorer....Not really sure at this point anymore lol. I know whatever i buy needs to tow the ranger, trailer, tools and all other equipment up over cajon pass to get to the desert areas up there....

 

[manaen]

Expedition... they are now using the new f150 frame that will allow 10,000 lbs of towing with the right configuration.

think of it like a large explorer

unfortunatly to tow those weights properly (read: safely) you will need a full size vehicle.

 

[jimbo74]

unfortunatly to tow those weights properly (read: safely) you will need a full size vehicle.

x2 and tbars f250 would do nicely

i would rather use a longvehcile to tow with, less vibrations and smoother

 

[manaen]

x2 and tbars f250 would do nicely

i would rather use a longvehcile to tow with, less vibrations and smoother

can I raise your x2 with a x2

the longer the wheelbase the better the tow vehicle will ride in all situations. But where is matters most is in an emergency. The longer wheelbase will be exponentially more resisitant to the forces that will jack knife a short vehicle like an explorer.

 

[carlover]

found a hell of a deal on a diesel excursion, gonna go check it out after work..

 

[manaen]

found a hell of a deal on a diesel excursion, gonna go check it out after work..

:notworthy Now your talking!! Man those diesels are sweet talk about gobs of power, have them pull the history on the motor, there were some injector issues with some of those engines. The only thing bad about that will be the oil changes, well that and fuel costs. Not sure why diesel is so much more expensive, I guess it is just demand

 

[carlover]

The miles are pretty low only 65k so im hoping for good things when i see it. Ive heard with some of the programmers you can get the gas mileage to be pretty decent. I only get like 15mpg with the explorer so anything more than that is a plus.

 

[Exploderpilot]

with the excursion, don't buy offroad tires, make sure you watch the pressure, use good gas, and buy a controller, and you can easily get 20+ miles per gallon.
i have a neighbor who is a pro wakeboarder, and he tows a GIANT trailer, with a boat, 2 jet skis, and a big cargo box, and he told me he gets 18+ in his 1999 excursion.

 

[manaen]

well I have a friend with a 250 with the same engine, he uses it to deliver HUD trailers to rescue areas. He gets about 17 to 19 with it unloaded. But the additional fuel costs will negate any increase in mileage, it will probably be a break even situation.

However look into maintanence costs before you take the plunge. There are expensive things like fuel filters and oil filters to consider, also the 14qt ( I think) of oil

but they are still great engines. that if treated right will run for your lifetime.