Ford V-8 Explorer

[kshatzer]

Does any one have experience pulling a 22' (+ or -) boat, motor and trailer weighing around 4500#s with a v-8 Ford Explorer ?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Ken

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Ford V-8 Explorer

Is it a 5.0L or 4.6L <br />The max towing capacity is 6000 lbs with a 4.6L<br />It would depend on the terrain you are towing in<br />as to whether this vehicle would be adequate.

 

[kshatzer]

Re: Ford V-8 Explorer

It's a 4.6L and will be mostly in North to South Central Texas. Some rolling hills but not much more than that.

 

[JB]

Re: Ford V-8 Explorer

Ahoy, Ken.<br /><br />With the right equipment your Explorer V8 is rated for up to 7500lb. Tow package, tranny cooler, heavy duty cooling and electrical systems, 5 speed auto and 3.73 diffs. Less goodies, lower rating.<br /><br />The typical 22 footer, ready for the water is going to weigh something around 3,000-3500lb.<br /><br />Trailer Boats Mag. named it tow vehicle of the year in 2002. They towed a 5500lb. rig when testing it.<br /><br />I think it is an excellent choice.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Ford V-8 Explorer

I guess I should have looked it up, my memory<br />has let me down again. The 5.0L has max towing<br />capacity of 6000lb and the 4.6 l can tow when<br />properly equipped up to a maximum of 3175 kg or<br />7000 lbs that is according to Ford motor company<br />of Canada. But I certainly would not recommend<br />that kind of weight as the vehicles curb weight<br />is only 4434 lbs (base model).<br />7000 lbs that is. You definitly are ok at 4500lbs

 

[JB]

Re: Ford V-8 Explorer

I got the 7500lb. rating from Trailer Boats. <br /><br />NOSLEEP got 7,000lb. from FOMOCO.<br /><br />If I had to choose, I would believe Ford. It wouldn't be the first time a mag made an error.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Ford V-8 Explorer

Yes Ken, I do tow a Wellcraft 196 Eclipse With a 4.O litre SOHC V6 Explorer XLT with a 6000# tow package, I tow my rig about 120 miles North from Toronto with lots of long steep hills, My rig is pushing upwards of 5000# I can say the Explorer does a fine job I don't use overdrive and can maintain 60mph no problem. The Explorer is not the fastest out of the gate but holds well in the long run, I think your good to go. P.S. I just joined this forum I think it is great there is plenty of knowledge

 

[kshatzer]

Re: Ford V-8 Explorer

Thanks for all the info; it's been a real help deciding which way to go. I'm new here too and can say this is about the best forum that I've run across. Everyone seems most helpful; but I guess that's what you'd expect from the boating world.<br /><br />Thanks again all<br /><br />Ken