V6 Towing

[RuneSpyder]

I've got an '06 Eddie Bauer V6 with the class iii/iv towing package. We just bought a Bayliner 205 boat and need to tow it with the Explorer.

Bayliner says the boat weight about 3700 with the trailer, so let's say 4,200 full of gas, oil, stuff like that.

From what I can tell, the tow capacity of the Explorer is around 5,500 with my engine and tow package. Do I need to be concerned at all about towing this boat? I really don't have a choice anyways, so I guess I just need to know if anyone has any tips? The trailer has surge brakes on it as well.

Should I put it in 4-low when pulling the boat out of the water or is the automatic 4WD sufficient? I am assuming that I will need to tow with o/d off pretty much all the time with this engine.

 

[Homerexplorer]

I have been towing my 19' (4500 lbs with a full tank) with my 99' 4.0 sohc. I tow it up some pretty nasty hills (OD off) and I have noticed that the temp gauge will start to climb. I am planning on adding an additional transmission cooler this weekend just to be on the safe side. Turning off the a/c helps - turning on the heater works even better. I would recommend the cooler (yes I already have a factory cooler).

My rear springs were sagging pretty bad, so I added shackles and helper springs to keep the rear end where it needs to be.

 

[bojans]

Rune,

I have the 06 V8 and towed about 4500lbs for 350 miles, towed like a dream in OD. You are down on some HP and torque but with how well mine towed I would guess you will be fine. Just don't try to set any speed records and take a look at the thread I posted about towing, some good infor for adding an aditional trans cooler and filter. Nice option on some of the filters is a trans temp guage.

Enjoy the boat!

 

[RuneSpyder]

I towed it my longest distance so far last night, from my house to the storage lot about 18 miles away. There were some pretty good hills on that section of interstate and the Explorer did pretty well.

It was pretty happy to cruise at 60mph at around 2300 RPM or so with the OD off. Not too bad. It did need to shift down into 3rd on a couple of hills @ around 3600 RPM or so to maintain 55-60 mph. This was on a 70 MPH interstate, so I didn't want to slow the traffic down too much.

I gotta tell ya though, the '06 Explorer is VERY smooth and stable towing that heavy load. I was really suprised at how well it handled the extra weight. Braking was excellent, but the surge brakes on the trailer help with that. Nice!

Ya know, a lot of people tell you not to tow with the cruise control on. I totally disagree. I think it's EASIER on your transmission to do this. This stops the transmission from having to hunt as much as it might if you were trying maintain a certain speed on your own.

I have found sometimes that the cruise control has better control over the throttle than I do and can sometimes maintain your speed without having to downshift, where a person would always give it enough gas to force a downshift, when it's not really necessary? Maybe I'm just crazy.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

I have found sometimes that the cruise control has better control over the throttle than I do and can sometimes maintain your speed without having to downshift, where a person would always give it enough gas to force a downshift, when it's not really necessary? Maybe I'm just crazy.

I've always thought just the opposite.

It seem like when my explorer meets the bottom of the hill on a highway it will sort of freak out and down shift just so that it won't slow down 1mph when it meets the hill.

When I drive with the cruise off I can just let the explorer slow down 2-3 mph just so it won't have to down shift.

When I drive to school their are certain hills I know it down shifts on every time with the cruise on. Otherwise with it off, If i let her slow down just 2mph it won't down shift.

Just my 2cents

 

[LouZ]

I tow my car to the racetracks about 4 to 5 times a year. Car is 3050# and trailer is 1800#, while the back of the Explorer is filled with tools and tires. The V6 tows great! I can drive on the Interstates at 80 - 85 MPH with confidence, and go up and down the hills at some tracks (Watkins Glen) without problems, other than dropping down to 3rd.

Even in the summer, with the AC on, I don't see any significant cooling temperature rise.

 

[joachimf]

I like to pick this old one up....

I do towing a 4.500 lbs horse trailer with the '07 4.0. Because there are no hills in our region its easy to switch off O/D and set the cruise to 65mph. Never saw temps rising even in a hot summer while towing a 250mls trip.

Did the same with my '02 4.0 M/T and even could leave the shifter of the 5spd in top gear.

But you are right the '07 is more stable than earlier models. That is what I like my '07 for.