Towing capacity of 02

[taxgod4u]

Any one know the biggest travel trailer one couls SAFLEY pull with an 2002 v8 w/ tow package? what is a reasonable toung weight also?




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All things in moderation, except acceleration!

 

[BigDave]

Check your owners manual for the GCVWR and max tongue weight.

Dave

 

[taxgod4u]

will do, any thoughts on length of trailer. Something like th tail wagging the dog?

 

[BigDave]

I've pulled a tandem axle uhaul 12x6 (total length of about 16 ft I think) with my '94. I would think that depending on the weight up to about 25 ft you should be ok. More than that and you need to look into wheel base and weight of the trailer.

What are you wanting to pull?

Dave

 

[Majisto]

You may want to be careful about towing with the new style X since it's unibody and IRS. I don't know what the tow package does though. Maybe it strengthens the rear-end, but on IRS i'd be very careful about putting a lot of tongue weight on the truck...

 

[Shawneric]

Towing with an 02

Hey taxgod4u, here are the towing capacities you are looking for:

2002 V8 4x2 w/tow package : 7,300lbs (w/o tow package 3,500)
2002 V8 4x4 w/tow package : 7,000lbs (w/o tow package 3,500)

The tow package gives you the class III/IV heavy duty hitch and light/brake connectors along with 3.73 gearing and limited slip (except if equipped with Advance Trac, then its a 3.73 open diff)

Also, the 2002's are NOT UNIBODY. They are fully boxed hydroformed body on frame construction just like the older ones...just vastly improved. They went with the body on frame to give it more towing capacity.

shawn

 

[Majisto]

Re: Towing with an 02

Originally posted by Shawneric
Hey taxgod4u, here are the towing capacities you are looking for:

2002 V8 4x2 w/tow package : 7,300lbs (w/o tow package 3,500)
2002 V8 4x4 w/tow package : 7,000lbs (w/o tow package 3,500)

The tow package gives you the class III/IV heavy duty hitch and light/brake connectors along with 3.73 gearing and limited slip (except if equipped with Advance Trac, then its a 3.73 open diff)

Also, the 2002's are NOT UNIBODY. They are fully boxed hydroformed body on frame construction just like the older ones...just vastly improved. They went with the body on frame to give it more towing capacity.

shawn

They're not? You sure about that? I KNOW they have IRS, but I remember a lot of people complaining about the new Xs being unibody. Well that's good it's still body-on-frame. Btw, heh that looks like my X's specs.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

Yes the new gen X's are still body on frame. Just like Shawn said Ford did it to keep up the tow rating. That is why its still a truck.

 

[blichy]

If you are worried about sway, be sure to get an anti-sway arm for your hitch set-up. I have a friend who towed a 30 foot sailboat with a Cherokee and no problems (including Detroit to Key West). Tandem axle trailer with the axles about 20 feet from the tongue. This wouldn't be a problem with the Explorer (new or old).

As for the unibody, the Explorer will probably never see that day (at least in the next 15 years). The new Freestyle (was to be called Crosstrainer) will be unibody and more carlike to compete with the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.