Towing Question: '99 Explorer Sport 4x4

[97SHOgt]

I have a '97 Ford Taurus SHO that I need to tow from Ohio to Massachusettes to have some work done, about an eleven hour, 690 mile trip. Now my question is, does my Explorer Sport have the ability to do that for me. I checked the Axle Code on the door and it was 42 (which is 4.10's right?). According to the towing sticky, if I read it correctly the max towing weight is 4880lbs right? My Taurus's GVWR is about 4389lbs, and the curb weight is 3440lbs, not sure which one I need to be looking at. So my question is, if I get one of those two wheel towing dolly's could my Explorer handle it? I'm not out to mess anything up so thats why I'm asking. I've never really towed anything before so please be kind. I appreciate any input though. Again this is a '99 Sport 4x4. Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I towed 4 SHO's with my old Sport(s), I had no issues. I think your biggest thought would be to leave yourself adequate braking distance and don't floor it when accelerating- that's when things break! They all towed fine.

But then again, you know all about broken stuff if you're a SHO guy... I've owned 9 of them... I feel your pain!

BTW- curb weight on your SHO is about 3,450 lbs- not 4,400. That's the max you can have with, in and on the car as far as passengers, gear, etc.

 

[97SHOgt]

I towed 4 SHO's with my old Sport(s), I had no issues. I think your biggest thought would be to leave yourself adequate braking distance and don't floor it when accelerating- that's when things break! They all towed fine.

But then again, you know all about broken stuff if you're a SHO guy... I've owned 9 of them... I feel your pain!

BTW- curb weight on your SHO is about 3,450 lbs- not 4,400. That's the max you can have with, in and on the car as far as passengers, gear, etc.

Awesome!

Actually my GenIII SHO has been a very reliable car other than alternator issues. I'm taking it to have some preventative maintenance done. Getting the cams welded. If you know anything about V8 SHO's you'd know what I mean. My GenII though has a lot of problems though so I know exactly what you mean there. Are you a shoforum member? I think I recognize that user name. Thanks for the input!

 

[gijoecam]

Axle code 42 is a 4.10 open diff.
99 Sport 4x4, and I'm assuming the SOHC.

From the owner's manual, max trailer weight is 4880, and max GCWR is 9000 lbs.

Now, lets work backwards from the GCWR:
9000 lbs
-4300 lbs curb weight of the Ex (My 98 scales at 4300 on the nose... I'm guessing the 99 is about the same)
-200 lbs driver and munchies
-1000 lbs for the trailer
_______________________
3500 lbs max vehicle weight.

If the Taurus is, in fact, less than 3500 lbs (it's going to be close) then you'll be within the truck's limits... barely. It'll require a class-3 frame-mounted hitch bolted to the frame, trailer brakes that work and work well, and VERY careful loading of the trailer. Loading the Taurus on any u-haul trailer will very easily overload the front of the trailer and put the tongue weight of the trailer WAY over 500 lbs. Odds are, even loading it backwards will put it over the limit. Unfortunately, that's the only way to load a U-haul trailer. Unfortunately you won't be able to use a u-haul trailer anyways since they don't rent them to Explorer owners.

I've towed at those limits before... it's hairy to say the least. The short wheelbase of the Sport combined with a trailer that out-weighs the tow vehicle pushes it around. I would not want to use it to haul anything that weighs that much over a long distance. It'll be a white-knuckle ride, to say the least.

Also, we haven't discussed the tow vehicle... the trans won't like it in the least, and it's very easy to exceed the GAWR for the rear axle. Even with 300 lbs of tongue weight, the front end will float... a LOT. It makes it pretty light with only 300 lbs of tongue weight, so I'd hate to feel it with more.

If it was mine, I'd find another way.

-Joe

 

[Joe Dirt]

I'm joessho on SHOforum, but not on there much anymore, maybe once a month to see what's up in the local chapter. And yep- camwelds are the achilles band-aid!

I owned this mufflerless truck-tipped Gen III... You should have seen how many "WTF is that?" looks I saw at traffic lights- especially when I would pull away... Ha ha!

When I was selling it, I made this little exhaust vid- got my asking price a week later... CLICK ME

Paul Nimz's Gen III on the dyno HERE is Paul's video... is what made me buy my first Gen III after 8 Gen 1 & 2's

Sorry for the hijack!

 

[chriswells78]

Nice Joe. I've always wanted one of them but the cam welding thing always scared me off.

I agree with the gijoecam, it would be scarey at best. Short wheel base and a heavy trailer don't like each other much. And if you encounter any kind of heavy cross winds your really going to hate life.

 

[97SHOgt]

Wel I guess it is not a good idea then. My parents have a GMC Sierra 2500 4x4 that I could use but with a 32 gallon tank averaging about 10mpg, I'd probably be spending around $400 just on gas. I'll probably end up driving my SHO then and hope I make it. It's not like its making any abnormal sounds or anything but who knows what could happen on an eleven hour trip.

Joe Dirt knows what I'm talking about. Oh yeah Joe Dirt, I'm going to take it to NESHO because there the best at welding cams. Thats why I'm making this long journey.

Mine has Magnaflow's so it's a lot tamer than your's. It still sounds good though especially with the Porterized intake when those secondaries open up. I've had this car for three years now and I'm still not sick of it!

Here she is...

Whoops, I guess I hijacked my own thread...

 

[cementslinger]

Just Do it...

If you are going to use a tow dolly, you will have no problem. Keep it under 60mph for safety sake. I used a 92 rwd 4cyl, 5spd Ranger to tow a 85 Buick Regal, via tow dolly, from Fort Campbell Kentucky to Saginaw MI. Had to ride the clutch just to get the dam thing going! 75mph all the way, well, after the 10 minutes of getting it up to that.

All I'm saying is that it is possible and can be safe. I would do it 24/7 and twice on Sundays without a second thought.

Bottom line, you have to be comfortable with what you're doing. Just be safe and hope everything goes well.

 

[gijoecam]

Oh, yeah, I guess I hadn't considered using a dolly... It'll still be close to 4000 lbs pushing you around, but it'd be a lot less strain on the tow vehicle to use a dolly than to use a car hauler. Might be worth considering...

-Joe

 

[97SHOgt]

I guess the only trouble would be finding somebody who would let me use a dolly with my car. So far the only place that would let you rent without towing with one of their vehicles is Uhaul which is fine, except the max weight for the dolly is 3450 lbs! I'd have to gut the interior! I guess I have until spring to figure this one out...

 

[chriswells78]

try buying one from someplace like craigslist or something. Hell, you can usually get them new for less than $700, turn around and sell it when your done with it, you might take $100 hit but it will cost you like (last time I rented one) $22 per day plus tax just to use Uhauls and it solves your problem of Uhaul not renting to you.

 

[gijoecam]

Is that 3450 total vehicle weight, or 3450 lbs on the dolly? If it's the former, you're SOL there, but if it's the latter, you're well within the limits.

-Joe

 

[cementslinger]

Is that 3450 total vehicle weight, or 3450 lbs on the dolly? If it's the former, you're SOL there, but if it's the latter, you're well within the limits.

-Joe

If it is a tow dolly, then not all the vehicles weight will be put on it. Your rear axle will be supporting quite a bit of weight (say maybe 2000 lbs). Likewise, your tongue weight won't be very much because of the weight of the front of the SHO will be over the axle of the dolly.

While you're making a mountain out of a molehill, at least you're doing your homework and being safe about it.

 

[97SHOgt]

Is that 3450 total vehicle weight, or 3450 lbs on the dolly? If it's the former, you're SOL there, but if it's the latter, you're well within the limits.

-Joe

You be the judge.

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=towing-towdolly

From how I interpret it. This option would be a no go. Not exactly sure though. I'll take other people's intepretations if you have them.

 

[alohamonte]

cannot exceed 45mph? Need to go at least 60 mph to keep from being a road hazard.

 

[97SHOgt]

cannot exceed 45mph? Need to go at least 60 mph to keep from being a road hazard.

Yeah no kidding. I think it's obvious nobody follows that rule.

 

[cementslinger]

Okay, if your vehicle weighs 3450 and the max trailer weight rating is 3440... I don't see a problem here.

Looks like you'd be safe if you took the SHO's spare tire and hauled in the 'splorer!

 

[97SHOgt]

Sweet!

 

[Glen4X4]

I towed with the XLT with a breeze and tow dolly and it swayed here and there of course and the front end felt a little lighter when steering, and since you have a sport I wouldn't go too fast but not real slow neither. Good luck.

 

[cementslinger]

Okay, if your vehicle weighs 3450 and the max trailer weight rating is 3440... I don't see a problem here.

Looks like you'd be safe if you took the SHO's spare tire and hauled in the 'splorer!

Woops! the numbers are backwards... It's supposed to read: vehicle weight = 3440 and max trailer weight = 3450.

Yeah, that's better. And it still wouldn't hurt to lighten up the car in any way you can. ie: spare tire, antenna, windshield (who needs them anyways )