duff302127
New Member
- Joined
- September 6, 2013
- Messages
- 2
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- City, State
- Ohio
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2013 Ford Explorer XLT
I've got an interesting question on tongue weight and thought the seasoned towing vets could chime in and offer their thoughts/opinions.
I've got a 2013 Explorer XLT 4x4. Looking at a used travel trailer. I've read up on towing basics and got the whole GCWR things down. We'll be well within safety margins for towing capacity and combined weight. However, does the weight in the third row (like my kids) really impact the total tongue weight available when towing a trailer? A couple trailer websites indicate anything behind the rear axle contributes to the total tongue weight available to tow. That 3rd row sits just behind the rear axle. There is nothing in the owner's manual or on Ford's official tow guide that indicates you have to subtract cargo behind the rear axle in the Explorer from your available tongue weight when considering the 500 pound max.
If I have to subtract out the kids in the 3rd row, I'd be left with approximately 300-350 pounds for the trailer hitch weight to still remain within the 500 tongue weight max. This would really limit the available trailers we could look into buying....even many pop ups have dry hitch weight of 300+.
Most people I know say I'll be fine a few pounds over, but I don't take chances when it comes to safety. However, I may be over analyzing things.
Thanks!
I've got a 2013 Explorer XLT 4x4. Looking at a used travel trailer. I've read up on towing basics and got the whole GCWR things down. We'll be well within safety margins for towing capacity and combined weight. However, does the weight in the third row (like my kids) really impact the total tongue weight available when towing a trailer? A couple trailer websites indicate anything behind the rear axle contributes to the total tongue weight available to tow. That 3rd row sits just behind the rear axle. There is nothing in the owner's manual or on Ford's official tow guide that indicates you have to subtract cargo behind the rear axle in the Explorer from your available tongue weight when considering the 500 pound max.
If I have to subtract out the kids in the 3rd row, I'd be left with approximately 300-350 pounds for the trailer hitch weight to still remain within the 500 tongue weight max. This would really limit the available trailers we could look into buying....even many pop ups have dry hitch weight of 300+.
Most people I know say I'll be fine a few pounds over, but I don't take chances when it comes to safety. However, I may be over analyzing things.
Thanks!