Towing my Saleen

[Saleen201]

Just signed up today and have been doing a ton of reading. First of all... GREAT site, it is hard finding good Forums.

I did a search for "Tow Rating" and came up with some good info but didnt really answer my question.

I am looking for a bad weather vehicle, my mustang isnt very fun to drive in the rain and imposible to drive in the snow. 4x4 is a must, is there a reliablity/strength differance between AWD and traditional 4x4 that can be disengaged. I also need the vehicle to be able to tow it because i would like to start entering it into Open Track racing. Total weight of the Stang and trailer should be around 6,000 lbs, with extra supplies and possible people i would like to guestimate about 7,000 lbs.

From the reading it sounds like a bit much for the v6 (even with the tranny cooler). Can something like a 97-98 Explorer 5.0 with 4wd step up to the plate? It will also need to be able to tow up slight hills, i plan on moving to PA (around Philly lancaster area) when i get out of the military. Thanks for any info

Ford

-Mike

 

[Texplorer]

If you want to tow that much your best bet is the V8 AWD. It also has a better drivetrain than the V6 does, its more reliable. The V6 trannys arent the best. Im sure if you own a S281 you are probably familiar with the 5.0 that comes in the Explorer. It responds well to mods to help the towing and power.The V8 doesnt come in 4WD but the AWD in the V8 is better for the kind of wet and snow traction you are looking for. Welcome to the site.

EDIT: Come to think of it, get a blown Saleen X to tow your s281. That would be awesome.

 

[Saleen201]

Thanks for the reply Texplorer,

Actually my car comes with the asthmatic 4.6L with only 225HP at the engine Stock that is But i am a mechanic anyway, so installing parts wont be a problem.

What about upgrading tires? I have been looking at a ton of pics on here and really like how the 3" lift (body) and 33" tires look. I doubt i will ever get into serious 4 wheeling, but i know i will want to play when i get the truck. How much does upgrading to 33" tires effect the towing? Not counting gearing, i would obviously change that. Are there any serious safety issues with going up to 33s?

-Mike

 

[Michael]

Total weight of the Stang and trailer should be around 6,000 lbs, with extra supplies and possible people i would like to guestimate about 7,000 lbs.

Are you sure the mustang and trailer are that heavy? A typical open car hauler trailer only weighs about 1500#, and a mustang should be in the 3800# range. That would be 5300# for the combo plus whatever supplies you need. If I were in your position I would be looking at heavier vehicles than the Explorer. I would be thinking half ton pick-up or SUV with the biggest V8 and a towing package. You are in the position of being able to find something to safely and comfortable do the job at hand instead of having to make something work that is not quite up to the task.

 

[Saleen201]

That is why i came on here, to find out if i was asking to much.

I looked this up on E-bay real quick... something like this..

TRAILER WEIGHS 2240 LBS. AND HAS A PAYLOAD CAPACITY OF 7760 LBS.

For the price it looks like the explorer is a great vehicle. I would only be taking my car to racing events maybe twice a year. It would be monstly a bad weather/winter driver.

I know a guy that transports his mustang on a trailer with his new ranger, dont they only come with a v6?

Sorry, but i am completely ignorant when it comes to towing stuff.... i dont tow to many things with my car

Thanks again

-Mike

 

[SplashMan]

'99 4wd SOHC V6 with tow package (tranny cooler and L/S rear) running 33x12.5R15s, 3.73 gears... pulling a 1500 pound tandem axle trailer with a 3500 pound Bronco II on it and 1000 pounds of gear. I put over 3,000 miles on with that setup and never had any problems other than real long/steep hills. I've pulled through both a snow and rain storm too. I have since went down to 32x11.5R15s and she pulls little better on those hills, but if I had 4.10s it would be allot better. Would a V8 be better... YUP, but I use what I got and it has worked so far.

 

[SplashMan]

Here is a pic with the 32s...

 

[Saleen201]

Great! Thants what i wanted to hear, thanks for the info

 

[james t]

get the V8 AWD, plain and simple. better tranny, more torque, more reliable for towing. i tow my early bronc all the time, and as you know its quite a bit heavier than your 'leen.

 

[section525]

I'm gonna have to agree with jamest here.

I have a 1/2 '96, 1/2 '99, V8 AWD that I'll tow anything with!

Oh yeah, it has a 3" body and 32's (33's in Nov.)

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Towing the Classic (before body lift; with 31s)

 

[Saleen201]

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Perfect!! Thanks for the replies.... more pictures are always welcome...

 

[Saleen201]

Anybody have any links to good aftermarket parts for the Explorer? I have been looking and cant find any good sites (besides the sponsors).

 

[SplashMan]

www.performanceproducts.com is a nice one, I have ordered a couple things from them and never had a problem.

 

[99explorer5.0]

i towed a 92 gran marquis for a few miles on a UHAL trailer which looks close to the one you have posted. I had to lie to UHAL and say i was towing a mustang because according to them the explorer didnt weigh enough to tow the grand marquis but i towed it to the track with no problems, engine had plenty of power.