Will Explorer tow a Roo?

We’re looking into getting a 17’ or 18’ Forest River "Roo" Hybrid Travel Trailer. The 17’ ROO has a GVWR of 3,860, and the 18’ has a GVWR of 4,475. We are also considering a Ford Explorer with a tow package and towing capacity of 5,000.

We are planning many camping trips, to include a trip across the US, which would entail towing through the mountains. So will the Explorer with the 5,000 towing capacity work, or will we need to step up to the Explorer with the 7,000 towing capacity?

Thank you

 

[chezoom]

what model explorer are you considering. if i were you, get a v8 explorer. 2002 and up. do the intake mod, exhaust and get a tune. plus a trans cooler and you should be good to go

 

[v8merc]

Def try to find a v8 with a tow package. If you were just towing for short trips, I would say the v6 would be fine, but sounds like you have some serious travel plans in mind. Go for the v8 with tow package and you will have no worries.

 

[Joe Dirt]

V8. There is virtually no difference in gas mileage, and the V8 with a towing package will give you the power that you'll wish you had if you end up with the V6.

Also, the mods are great in time, but still without them your V8 Explorer will tow just fine without them, didn't want you to think the Ex was not capable without the mods...

 

[thebrakeman]

V6 with tow package has 10,000 lbs GCVWR. Subtract around 5100 for the empty truck, and you have 4900 lbs. Let's say your family is 500 lbs total. That leaves about 4400 lbs for the loaded trailer. Given the fact that you intend to go into the hills, the 19 is out, but it may be OK for the 17-footer (about 600 lbs of buffer).

The '02 and later V8 with a tow package gets you 12,000 lbs GCVWR. Now you have about 6400 for the loaded trailer. You can keep a Roo 21SS or 23SS (Superslide) near 5000 lbs, and have well over 1000 lbs of buffer. Or stick to the 17/19 and have no worries.

My recommendation would be no older than 2006. This is where they upgraded the engine to 300 ft-lbs torque, and gave the V8 the 6-speed auto. The 6-speed allows tow-package models to retain the 3.55 rear axle, while V6 models have to get the gas-hungry 3.73. This means you get the full 7000 lb tow rating (12,000 GCVWR), but:
YOU WILL GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE THAN A V6 WITH TOW PACKAGE.

We found our Mountaineer (see sig line), and are watching for a 23-26 foot hybrid not to exceed 5500 loaded.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Great info and advice, brakeman...