Dave Mck
Long Island
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I'm looking for some info on towing with a Mountaineer. With the 8 cylinder engine and the factory tow package it is rated at 7,050 lbs. Does anyone here use this as a tv? I am looking at the Trail Sport TS29BHSS. The dry weight is 4166 lbs. The GVWR 5962lbs. I don't see many Mountaineers towing travel trailers. I know there are a lot of people who will insist that you can't tow a pop-up with out a turbo deisel 550. These numbers seem to work out fine to me. I am looking for someone who has experiance with this tv.
Thank you
Dave
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SemperFiCop
USA
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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What year Mountaineer?
GCWR - loaded SUV = max trailer weight
GVWR - loaded SUV = max trailer hitch weight
The travel trailer is a little long with a 113" wheel base
but with a good weight distribution hitch and good brake controller
anything is possible...
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benbovac
KY
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Joined: 03/13/2005
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I believe that you will be OK with a good wd hitch/sway control. If you are staying fairly local only for weekend trips. I have learned that feeling OK, and feeling at ease when towing are a big difference. My family safety is my primary concern and why we recently upgraded our tow vehicle.
Good luck.
BenBovAC
2008 GMC 2500HD SLT Z71 Duramax  What Trailer?
TC 30 QBSS 06
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have" Thomas Jefferson
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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If you do this, get a Hensley. A 32' trailer is WAY too long for the short wheelbase of an Explorer. You'll be within general limits, but check on LOADED tongue weight vs the GAWRs of your Expy. I would not consider a trailer longer than 22-23' for your wheelbase.
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downtheroad
Puget Sound
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Well, the numbers look pretty good weight wise. (as long as you are not packing 6 people in the Explorer. I would not be all that excited about the length however. If I am researching correctly, the TT you are considering is 29+ feet. Having owned one and towed with it...that's a lot for an Explorer.
Sway is a frightful thing. (even if you are pulling a pop-up with that turbo diesel 550 you mentioned.)
By the way, welcome to the Forum and good luck with your choice.
GMC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
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advntrs
greenwood, Indiana
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The only thing that concerns me about these two vehicles is the fact that U-haul won't let you pull any of their trailers with them......Might want to check out the reason why.
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horton333
Newmarket (Ontario)
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What year - there is a lot of chassis differences between the years.
I have a 2003 Explorer with the V8 and I'm towing a 30' toyhauler that weighs between 6.5 and 7.5 k# depending on what's in it and it tows very well; much better in windy conditions than many a 5th wheel I've meet on the road.
I did find it a bit lose with only friction sway bars in the rain given the short wheelbase and I went to a Hensley Arrow which was well worth the money and a lot easier to adjust than chains I find. I am fussy, you don't have to spend the extra if you don't want to. The stock tires had very weak sidewalls, I changed to slightly undersized Goodyear Fortera Triple Treads and that made a big difference, even solo there was a noticeable improvement. Other tires with more rigid sidewalls than stock would help equally as well. I run them at their 44# max.
The stock hitch flexes a bit back to forth and so the weight distribution will not work as well as it can unless you weld in some braces to hold it rigid, nothing fancy is needed. After that with the short wheelbase is an advantage to move the weight forward and get any balance you want. I found only slightly less 'down' on the front than back works best, which is more forward weight than most people would use.
Have fun, but this is not a 'no brainer' like an F350 so set it up right with weight distribution and sway control.
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Finally Time
Northern California
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I have an '06 Explorer V8 with the heavy duty tow package rated for 7,200 lbs towing. I tow a 21' travel trailer weighing 5,100 lbs with full tanks and loaded for travel. Plenty of power, no problems going over the Sierras, Siskiyous, or Tehachapis. Handling is fine but I can feel it when the big rigs pass, especially busses and motorhomes. I do get pushed around a bit in gusty cross winds. If the wind is making the flags snap, I get off the road. I usually tow at 58 to 60 mph and my mileage averages about 10 mpg, between 7.9 and 12 depending on grade and headwinds. I use an Equal-I-Zer brand hitch. The biggest pain is the small gas tank. To be safe I usually fill up every 150 miles.
'06 Sunline T-1950; '06 Explorer, V8
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Dave Mck
Long Island
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Thanks for all the quick responses. The mountaineer will be a 2008. I am not too crazy about using this as a tv. We don't have a tt or a tv yet. I wanted to get an Expedition but I have found that is out of our price range, then add in a tt payment. We would be living in the trailer because we would lose the house.
I know wheel base is also something you have to consider, not just the weight ratings. I may just have to wait until I can get a better tv to get the type of trailer I want.
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broomer5
Northwest Ohio
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I have an 05 V8 Explorer and towed our signature Jayco 3-4 times last year. As others mentioned, the passing semis and buses do boss you around some. The Explorer had enough power - but that's a relative thing. My two biggest concerns are the 32' 4" trailer length, and tongue weigth.
The Explorer with people and light gear does not allow for much tongue weight.
Your GVWR of 5962 LBS
10% tongue = 596 LBS
15% tongue = 894 LBS
Most agree that you want to be somewhere between 10-15%, so you gotta watch this closely.
Dry numbers really don't mean a lot when trying to figure out if your tow vehicle is adaquate.
From my seat ..... I would not consider towing the Trail Sport with our V8 Explorer. Even with a Equal-i-zer hitch and good brake controller ... I think you'll find it a rough way to go.
But again, everything is relative.
I would ask for a "test tow" if possible before closing the deal.
2005 Ford F-250 XL Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed 6.8L V10 4.10 4X4
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Jayco Jayfeather 213 EXP
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