dwilso38
New Member
- Joined
- August 3, 2014
- Messages
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- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2012 Taurus
To anyone out there wondering about towing with your 2011-2015 Explorer, it works great! I have a 2015 Explorer XLT with the Appearance Package and the Towing Package. I searched the internet prior to buying our travel trailer to try and see what people had said about towing but didn't come across a lot of information or testimonials. Well, after doing as much research as I could, we purchased a Rockwood/Forest River Mini-Lite 2306 trailer. At 3,891 lbs dry, I figured I could stay below the 5,000 lbs towing limit with my family and all of our stuff. Figuring ~550 lbs of people (& dog), I guessed our packed possessions were less than 450 lbs. Anyway, we traveled from Livonia, MI to Orlando, FL along I-75. Total of 2700 miles. Even through the Appalachians, the Explorer pulled well. I only averaged ~9mpg, but that was what I expected. The biggest drawback was the small size of the gas tank. With only 17 gallons, I couldn't even make 200 miles before needing to fill up again.
Other impressions: I used a Weight Distribution hitch made by Husky that helped eliminate sway in a big way. For most of the flat land travel, I left the transmission in Drive with the Tow button engaged (locking out 6th gear and holding other gears for a longer time), but for the mountains, I shifted to Manual ("M") and stayed in 4th for the most part. Finally, I had a towing brake module added.
So to anyone wondering whether to tow with their Explorer, my advice is to do it (as long as you stay within the weight guidelines)!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65201506@N00/16616493094/in/photostream/
Other impressions: I used a Weight Distribution hitch made by Husky that helped eliminate sway in a big way. For most of the flat land travel, I left the transmission in Drive with the Tow button engaged (locking out 6th gear and holding other gears for a longer time), but for the mountains, I shifted to Manual ("M") and stayed in 4th for the most part. Finally, I had a towing brake module added.
So to anyone wondering whether to tow with their Explorer, my advice is to do it (as long as you stay within the weight guidelines)!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65201506@N00/16616493094/in/photostream/