Can anyone point me in the directon to finding out towing capability of my Explorer?

[HeatherPage]

We are wanting to eventually get a pop-up, nothing huge but I've been reading on this site and others about being careful about towing capacity.  Here's the info I have so far.

This is what I've found out so far for my 2001 Ford Explorer XLT:

- It has 4 wheel drive
- It has a V6
- It has 15 inch tires (guy at hitch place said he needed to know this)
- We just got our transmission re-built about 12,000 miles ago and an external transmission cooler was added.
- On our back bumper it says tow capacity 3,500 and then goes on to read "this is for bumper capacity only, check manual for further limits)
- We don't have owners manual (bought used)
- I've registered at myford.com and haven't had any luck yet there with finding out towing capacity.
- Local Ford Dealership said for 2001 if we stayed under 5,000 lbs we'd be okay (but I've read all your comments about not trusting the dealer).
How else can I find out the towing capability of my Explorer? Thanks again for any help.

[fiveaday1975]

I checked the ford towing site and it only goes as far back as 2002. However for a 2002 Ford Explorer with a 6 cylinder automatic transmission 4x4 it says you can tow 5,046. Keep in mind this includes the weight of the trailer, driver, passengers, camping stuff, water etc. etc. Good luck and enjoy.

[Recumbentman]

Well according to Edmunds.com  you can tow over 5,000. hope this helps

[mike4947]

2002 and newer Explorers are a redesign. 2001 and earlier are built on the Ranger chassis. IIRC early explorer were rated at the same as the Rangers with again IIRC about a 300 pound decrease in tow rating due to the slightly heavier explorer body work. They have the same GCWR. These early Explorers came with only v-6's, where the redesign 2002's and newer have a v8 option and independent rear suspension.
You can use the 2002 Ranger limits, but get a true weight on the vehicle to use to calculate your actual "tow rating".
As an aside 2002-2006 Explorer Sport Traks as still on the Ranger chassis. They are really a rebadged Ranger dual cab pickup. Calling them Explorers rather than Rangers allowed them to raise the price about $3000...LOL
They have been redesigned for 2007.

[HeatherPage]

Thanks for all the info!

[fshnfool76]

Most cars and trucks have a label on the edge of the drivers door telling you the weight, towing cap, where the truck was built and other info. Check to see if it's there.

[brainpause]

According to Trailer Life's tow ratings for 2001, a 2001 Ford Explorer, 4 door, 4x4, with 4.0L V-6 has a tow rating of 4740 with 3.55 rear end, 5740 with 3.73 rear end, 5740 with 4.09/4.10 rear end (yes, the 3.73 and 4.09/4.10 are the same rating).

Does that mean you can tow 4740 pounds with a 3.55 rear end? No. Read more about tow ratings and gross weight ratings, GCWR, GCVWR, etc. at this site to find out more.

Larry

[ptbrauch]

As an aside 2002-2006 Explorer Sport Traks as still on the Ranger chassis. They are really a rebadged Ranger dual cab pickup. Calling them Explorers rather than Rangers allowed them to raise the price about $3000...LOL
They have been redesigned for 2007.

Tell me about it.  I was looking at 4 door pick ups and found that the Sport Tracs were easily $3000-$5000 more than any other comparative brand--all because they can call it an "Explorer".  I ended up going with a Dodge Dakota.

[mach8274]

2002 and newer Explorers are a redesign. 2001 and earlier are built on the Ranger chassis. IIRC early explorer were rated at the same as the Rangers with again IIRC about a 300 pound decrease in tow rating due to the slightly heavier explorer body work. They have the same GCWR. These early Explorers came with only v-6's, where the redesign 2002's and newer have a v8 option and independent rear suspension.
You can use the 2002 Ranger limits, but get a true weight on the vehicle to use to calculate your actual "tow rating".
As an aside 2002-2006 Explorer Sport Traks as still on the Ranger chassis. They are really a rebadged Ranger dual cab pickup. Calling them Explorers rather than Rangers allowed them to raise the price about $3000...LOL
They have been redesigned for 2007.

Ford put V8's in Explorers as far back as 1995 when they went to that body style. I know this because I was a service technician at a Ford dealer for 6 years, so the statement "these early Explorers came with only V6's" is wrong.

However, the other reply with the rear axle ratios and relative to tow ratings is correct.

You should have no problem towing a pup of any size-haven't seen many over 5,000 pounds.

Good luck in your search.

Dave

[HeatherPage]

Thanks everyone and thank you Dave.  This is what I think I have my heart set on (I hope it's okay to post links here - I'm sure someone will let me know if not).

http://www.palominorv.com/palomino/site/floorplanview.asp?name=4&id=8&page=mustang

[mike4947]

Dave, I stand corrected about the V8's in the Explorers. But IIRC unless you had the trailer towing package (different gear ratio) with the 5.0L (302) V8 the tow rating was actually slightly less than with the 4.0L SOHC V6. The 4.6L V8 that replaced the 5.0L V8 is actually a better engine overall and for towing.
I will admit I know more about Rangers than Explorers including things like Rangers only come with 4 pin connections even with the optional towing package. Where as the Explorers came with 7 pin connection and prewired for brake controller and 12 volt aux line.

[mach8274]

Dave, I stand corrected about the V8's in the Explorers. But IIRC unless you had the trailer towing package (different gear ratio) with the 5.0L (302) V8 the tow rating was actually slightly less than with the 4.0L SOHC V6. The 4.6L V8 that replaced the 5.0L V8 is actually a better engine overall and for towing.
I will admit I know more about Rangers than Explorers including things like Rangers only come with 4 pin connections even with the optional towing package. Where as the Explorers came with 7 pin connection and prewired for brake controller and 12 volt aux line.

The 4.6 was a much better engine. It had a lot more power and torque, and got much better fuel mileage.

I don't know why Rangers didn't have the 7 pin, my 99 Ranger I had to install it.
That only had the 3.0 V6, so I didn't have that long, upgraded to F150 4x4.
5.4 V8 drinks gas like it's going out of style while towing, but I have plenty of POWER.

Dave

[beagledude5]

:!  :usflag: if you like the palomino 6147 you might want take a look at the 6149

[HeatherPage]

Beagledude - we actually were in one (looking only) just this past weekend, very nice.  We would pretty much only stay at campgrounds with bathroom/shower facilities (Ft. Wilderness, Myrtle Beach campgrounds, etc.) so I figured we'd save the expense/weight and opt for the model w/out the shower/toilet cassette.  Of course I don't know alot about the toilet/shower cassettes, are they (hard, nasty, a pain) to empty/clean out?  Maybe I should ask this as a more general question or do a search first.