Towing with 5 speed transmission

[Da'Newf]

Ok, haven't towed anything for a while. Last time I did was with a full size truck. I've got a '99 Explorer 2 dr Sport 4x4 with the 5-speed manual transmission and 4.10 axle. Right now, I'm looking at getting a small tent trailer, preferably something in the 1500 lb dry weight range. A good portion of the use will probably be towing up into the mountains, so I plan to keep things relatively light.

I've done all the reading about the stats for towing capabilities and haven't been able to find the answer to a question that has been bugging me for a while now: why are manual transmissions rated so much lower than automatic when it comes to towing capabilities? If the manual transmission was so inferior, why would all the big trucks use that style of transmission???

Hope someone can shed some insight here. Thanks.

 

[dogfriend]

I don't think it is really the transmission that is the issue, but the clutch. It is easy to burn up the clutch if you don't know what you're doing. It might also be due to auto transmissions having external coolers, while manual transmissions don't. Heavy duty trucks often have temp gauges for the transmission so the temp can be monitored. Auto transmissions also have the advantage of torque multiplcation when starting out because of the way that a torque converter works.

I used to tow my camping trailer with a manual trans Ranger with a 2.9L. The trailer weighs about 1800 lbs empty, maybe 2400 loaded with gear and water. I could tow it, but it was tough at higher altitudes (> 5000 ft) and kind of scary to take off from a dead stop going uphill. I ended up getting the Explorer because it had a higher tow rating with the Auto trans.

 

[HahnsB2]

I would certainly trust a manual to haul more than an automatic any day. The reason they are rated lower is because ford doesn't want to warranty broken parts because of stupid people that can't drive a clutch properly.

 

[briwayjones]

The Explorers with manuals aren't setup for towing well. Automatics are forgiving because the are made to slip. And if it's too much for the automatic to a point it'll just slip and be ok unless it's way too much or you tow all of the time. Most of the Explorers with manuals had 3.55 gears or higher which is too high to tow with a Explorer with a manual. Yours having 4.10 is a definite plus. Also as someone mentioned the clutches in the Explorers are weak. And unless you really know how to drive a manual most people will burn them up towing in no time. Also the manual transmissions in the Explorers are kinda weak too. They are fine for daily driving but when trying to tow the weakness can become evident real quick. Don't tow in 5th gear with the manual transmissions in Explorers. They aren't strong enough and you'll likely burn up the transmission.

 

[briwayjones]

I would certainly trust a manual to haul more than an automatic any day. The reason they are rated lower is because ford doesn't want to warranty broken parts because of stupid people that can't drive a clutch properly.

In general, as a general rule in a properly setup vehicle, such as one made for towing, yes. Big rigs, work duty pickups ect. But not in Explorers.

 

[HahnsB2]

No, in any vehicle, I'll take a manual over an auto for towing. Granted 3.27s are not ideal at all, I'd still take that over an auto with 4.10s, you shouldn't tow much weight in OD with an auto aither. Heat kills autos, towing builds heat. Slipping a clutch at low rpms isn't that bad, high rpms and long duration is. With 4.10s I think 5th gear is fine up to 1000-1500LBS, after all it isn't impossible to get 1000LBs worth of people/stuff inside an explorer.