NikkiInNC
North Carolina
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Joined: 07/01/2008
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DH has a 1996 Ford Explorer. We used to tow our pup with no problem at all. It weighed over 2500lbs. His Explorer is supposed to be able to tow like 5300lbs. I'm going to try my best to remember what his vehicle has.
4dr... 3.73 something...automatic...
We're supposed to drop it off Monday and have a special hitch put on, weight distribution, sway bar, electric brake system, transmission cooler and I thought something else.
I think the gross weight of the camper we bought is 3600 lbs. The combined weight of me, DH and our two girls is under 450lbs.
Are we going to be in trouble? DH is already keeping his eye open for a new TV, but I'm worried that one small trip alone will be too much for his vehicle after reading other posts on here.
Me: 31, DH: 33, DD: 10, DD: 8
2001 Ford Expedition
2001 Honda Odyssey
2003 K-Z Coyote 23
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rhondavid
Birmingham, Al
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Joined: 07/01/2003
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Take a look at this website and it will give you a lot of good information on weight, lenght, set up etc.
RV Towing Tips
David,Wife,4 kids,SIL,1 grandchild
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 7.3 PSD w/3.73 rear end
Jayco Kiwi Too 30T bunkhouse w/triple bunks
Prodigy Controller
Reese Dual Cam HP
Michelin LTX M/S
2001 F150 SuperCrew
Topsail Hill Cult Member
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Joined: 01/29/2001
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V6 or V8?
ERIC & BEV
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS
Built-In Onan 5500W generator
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Vulcanmars
Naples, FL
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Joined: 10/18/2004
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I have a 96 V6 with over 250K. Those explorers are super tough.
But you won't want to do it too often. Also is it worth the set up $ on a SUV worth $2500.
They just were not gear for heavy towing. Keep it out of OD if it starts to jump in/out of OD. If you're not venturing into mountain country you should be fine for a few trips
Mars
06 Rage'n FA3005
04 V10 F250 SDCC 4X4
Pullrite SG 16K
1st TH 02 Keystone Tailgator
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dodge guy
Chicago, western subs.
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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We towed a 4500lb loaded Award TT with a 95 V-6 4dr V-6 Explorer with 3.73 gears and never had a problem here in flat IL. if I had the V-8 I don`t believe hills would have been a big issue.
If your saying it can tow 5300lbs then you have the V-6. I used a WD hitch with mine with only 1 friction sway control. I can only imagine how much better it would have been with the Dual Cam. the hitch and all the hardware can be swapped from vehicle to vehicle, so that is not an issue.
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
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SpoiledRotten
Central Mississippi
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Joined: 06/14/2004
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How long is your new TT? When I had a TT and an Explorer, the TT was 26' and I had white knuckles after being on the road for a short distance. I didn't keep that Explorer very long. We loved the EX, but not for pulling that TT. Good luck.
Just the 3 of us...SpoiledRotten, TotallyRotten, and ALittleRotten
2000 F-250 Lariat, CC
7.3 PSTD-Superchipped
2005 33RL2 New Vision - AKA "SpoiledRotten"
2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Edition
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Go to this thread "Followup to the fatal crash" in General RVing section and read what can happen when towing with a short wheel base SUV.
Donn
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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donn0128 wrote:Go to this thread "Followup to the fatal crash" in General RVing section and read what can happen when towing with a short wheel base SUV.
I SECOND THIS READING
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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I have owned several Explorers. My son in law is driving one of them now. It sounds like you have the trailer towing gears and package. With the V8 it will have plenty of power. I would do my best to tow without carrying water if possible. Keep it light as possible.
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SpoiledRotten
Central Mississippi
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YC 1 wrote:I have owned several Explorers. My son in law is driving one of them now. It sounds like you have the trailer towing gears and package. With the V8 it will have plenty of power. I would do my best to tow without carrying water if possible. Keep it light as possible.
It's not the weight as much as the footprint of the TV. The explorer is such a small vehicle. I had the 5.0L V-8 in my Eddie Bauer, but that was like pulling a billboard down the road. When vans, other campers, 18-wheelers passed me, I looked like I was running the cones in a slalom course.
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