Tow with 1998 Explorer Sport?
MPerlst216
1998 Ford Explorer Sport 2door 2WD(I like the sporty feel over the 4door). I
have a 19ft boat/trailer that weighs 4500lbs.. Can this SUV with 4.0L SOHC/AUTO
handle the towing(round trips are 20-40 miles depending on lake, flatland
towing). The axle ratio I am finding on all the used SUV is 3.55. Finding one
with the trailer tow package and 3.73 axle is impossible. I am well aware of
the Explorer 4 door towing, and am looking for advice on the 1998 2door Sport.
Thanks
w4...@home.com
Craig A
do OK. I used a '99 2 door Explorer Sport to tow a 19' bowrider distances of
20-30 miles. With the short wheelbase it just doesn't feel very stable. You can
really feel the trailer moving the truck around. I would not have tried to tow
long distances with that setup. Oh, it was a standard transmission and I ended
up frying the clutch towing the boat.
Craig
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http://www.awesome.tzo.com
"MPerlst216" <mperl...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011128235946...@mb-fc.aol.com...
> Anyone towing with their Explorer Sport 2
> door 2WD. I am thinking of buying a
> 1998 Ford Explorer Sport 2door 2WD
> (I like the sporty feel over the 4door). I
> have a 19ft boat/trailer that weighs 4500lbs..
> Can this SUV with 4.0L SOHC/AUTO
...
MPerlst216
engine i think has a 4900lb tow rating
MPerlst216
chart the tow ratings for the 9 possibilities. i dont kow of any OWNERS MANUAL
that give this info. i am looking ofr ANECDOTAL INFO.
Eric Nospam
and haven't had any problems with towing. However, my boat
is lighter than yours - 18' with the boat and trailer
weighing in at about 2500 dry, probably well under 4000
loaded.
I normally go about the same distance as you, less than 50
miles round trip. My area is not flat at all (Pacific NW).
I've also used it several times for longer distances at
around 200 miles (each-way) without any problems. Even over
mountain passes, it tows better than I expected it to (not
great, but it is acceptable), considering the small engine
size. Definitely stick with the SOHC motor.
I've never felt uncomfortable towing with it, nor have I had
any problems with swaying or feeling like the trailer was
driving the truck.
On a side note, I like the looks of the 2 door much better
also. However, my next SUV will definitely will be a 4-door.
If kids are even remotely in your future, get a 4-door.
- Eric
"MPerlst216" <mperl...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011128235946...@mb-fc.aol.com...
David Leach
the pertinent towing info for all 4 possible read-end axles. This
predated the 'better' V6 and the V8 but I would imagine you will find
it in any owner's manual you come across.
By the way, I tow a '97 Maxum 2000 SRL and am happy but you can
definitely feel it back there.
David
Craig A
"MPerlst216" <mperl...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011129115338...@mb-fc.aol.com...
-rick-
MPerlst216 wrote in message
<20011128235946...@mb-fc.aol.com>...
>Anyone towing with their Explorer Sport 2 door 2WD. I am thinking of
buying a
>1998 Ford Explorer Sport 2door 2WD(I like the sporty feel over the
4door). I
>have a 19ft boat/trailer that weighs 4500lbs.. Can this SUV with 4.0L
SOHC/AUTO
>handle the towing(round trips are 20-40 miles depending on lake,
flatland
>towing).
I think it would be very marginal. I tow 4500 lbs.. with a 5.3L
Suburban with a 4:11 rear end. It is marginal on hills. You might
squeak by on flat land if you're in no hurry and have good trailer
brakes but I wouldn't want to drive it.
-rick-
Curtis CCR
> does you owners manual list the 3 engine and 3 axle ratio combinations and
> chart the tow ratings for the 9 possibilities. i dont kow of any OWNERS MANUAL
> that give this info. i am looking ofr ANECDOTAL INFO.
The manual for my '95 Explorer gives gross *combined* weight ratings
for all engine, transmission, axle combinations, 4x4 and 4x2, for the
two and four door. You have to figure the weight of the vehicle and
subract it from the CGVR to get the towing capacity.
I have the 4L w/auto and 3.73 rear end. My GVWR is 5300 lbs. The
GCWR is 9500 lbs. That means if I load passengers, fuel,
baggage/cargo in the truck and hit the gross weight of 5300, I have
4200 left for towing. My jet boat and trailer weigh in at about 1800
and the combination has *never* been a problem. I have towed 3000
once and decided that I that was as much as I would want to pull on
regular basis behind my Explorer - it wasn't a problem, but there are
better towing platforms for towing heavier rigs. (Thats my anecdote)
The rated capacity of the 2-door is a bit lower than the 4-doors for
any given powertrain.
I think the 4L in the '98 has more power than my '95. But with
shorter wheel base of the 2 door chassis, I thing you will find the
extra power won't help, it's probably just not enough truck for that
kind of load - even if you found one with a 3.73 rear end. I'd bet a
4500 lbs trailer will bust the book numbers with the 3.55 (Its 500 lbs
over what the book says for a '95 2-door with a 3.55).
I drive a desk now, but up until last wintger, I worked in the field
and drove a 454 powered, 3/4 Suburban with a tow package (company
truck - glad I wasn't paying for gas!). I used to tow 6000-7000 lb
equipment trailers (generators, communications packages) with no
problem. Lot of wheel base to go with the power made it easier.
(another anecdote)
If was going to use an Explorer as a tow vehicle, I give in on the
"sporty" look of the 2 door and take the extra 10" of wheel base on
the 4 door. It's also a lot easier to find 4-doors with the towing
package so you have the 3.73. Of course 4 door Explorers have better
resale value so you'll pay more for them.
Friend of mine just took delivery of several 2001 V8 4-door Explorers
over the summer for field use. The towing capacity is way up on those
- something like 8000 or 9000 lbs - I don't recall exactly - just
remember it sounded like a ludicrous amount of weight to put behind a
less-than-full-size SUV. Go see your dealer :-)