Towing Capacity of a 2002 Ford Explorer V6

[alexrobertsedu]

I bought a 2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer for my first car today! It has the 4.0L SOHC V6 with a 3.55 axle ratio. I'm wanting to know my towing capacity. We have a 3,800 pound center console boat. Will my Explorer tow it? If not, is there anyway to increase the towing capacity so that I can tow my boat?

 

[JCR]

According to my owners manual (I have this very same engine/rear combination in my 2002 XLS) you can only tow a combined weight of 3632 lbs. I would have thought the Eddie Bauer had the 3.73 limited slip rear.

 

[alexrobertsedu]

Thanks JCR! I think the dealer may have made a mistake on which axle ratio I have. I'm going to check and see! Thanks again!

 

[Rubberhead]

Thanks JCR! I think the dealer may have made a mistake on which axle ratio I have. I'm going to check and see! Thanks again!

It should be on the tag inside of the front door.

Do you have a 2" Class III/IV hitch built into the frame of the vehicle? If not, you've probably got the 3.55.

 

[Mr. Truckles]

I'm guessing the trailer has surge brakes? The heaviest trailer I've pulled with mine was a 4,800lb car trailer which was definitely a bit heavy. My boat comes in around 3,000 and I tow it all the time with no issues.

 

[alexrobertsedu]

Here's what I have. . .

It should be on the tag inside of the front door.

Do you have a 2" Class III/IV hitch built into the frame of the vehicle? If not, you've probably got the 3.55.

Is this a Class III/IV hitch?

 

[Rubberhead]

Sorry, all I see is the red "X"

 

[alexrobertsedu]

I hope this worked.

 

[Rubberhead]

Red "X" again...

Look on the inside of the driver's door for the Axle code then check it here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

My V6 '07 with Class III/IV tow package shows a '46' Code meaning a 3.73 non-limited slip.
My V8 '03 with Class III/IV tow package shows a 'D4' meaning a 3.73LS.

What axle code are you showing?

 

[alexrobertsedu]

Red "X" again...

Look on the inside of the driver's door for the Axle code then check it here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

My V6 '07 with Class III/IV tow package shows a '46' Code meaning a 3.73 non-limited slip.
My V8 '03 with Class III/IV tow package shows a 'D4' meaning a 3.73LS.

What axle code are you showing?

45, so I must have the 3.55 axle ratio. Thanks for the information!

 

[Rubberhead]

45, so I must have the 3.55 axle ratio. Thanks for the information!

Yeap. No towing package but you're still good up to 2,000 lbs.

 

[alexrobertsedu]

Yeap. No towing package but you're still good up to 2,000 lbs.

Just to make sure that I didn't read it wrong. . . Where exactly should the axle code be?

 

[Rubberhead]

Just to make sure that I didn't read it wrong. . . Where exactly should the axle code be?

Tow packages usually come with a 3.73 rear axle so the code would likely be something like 46 or D4