>I have a '93 Ford Expl Eddie Bauer, 4x4, which supposedly has somekind of
>tow package. Does anyone know for sure what I can pull with it. (6 cyl).
Unfortunately I don't have the 1993 tow ratings, but I do have both 1992
and 1994 ratings, so you can interpolate from them:
1992 Tow ratings
Ford Explorer Two Door 4X4 4.0 V6 5400 lb Requires 3.73:1 axle ratio,
automatic transmission, trailer
towing package. Maximum tow
tow ratings with manual
transmission: 2900 lb with 4X4
2 door; 2800 lb with 4X4 4 door.
Ford Explorer Four Door 4X4 4.0 V6 5200 lb (see above)
1994 Tow ratings
Ford Explorer Two Door 4X4 4.0 V6 5400 lb Requires automatic transmission
and Engine Super-Cooling Package;
manual transmission rating
substantially lower.
Requires 3.73:1 gear ratio
Ford Explorer Four Door 4X4 4.0 V6 5200 lb (see above)
The information above is from the Trailer Life Annual Tow Ratings issue,
published in February or March of every year.
---
Alan Hepburn | |
National Semiconductor | DON'T TREAD ON ME |
Santa Clara, Ca | |
al...@berlioz.nsc.com | |
> I have a '93 Ford Expl Eddie Bauer, 4x4, which supposedly has somekind of
> tow package. Does anyone know for sure what I can pull with it. (6 cyl).
> Thanks.
> CKAYAK1
Most dealers who sell vehicles like that will have towing recommendations
on a model-by-model basis, usuaully depending on axle ratios, extra
equipment, etc. My recommendation is to stay well below the recommended
maximums. The Explorer/Blazer class of vehicle is really NOT well suited
to trailer towing because of the short wheelbase, though many do it
anyway.
wi...@epix.net - KD3XR - W F Sill, Tunkhannock, PA
>I have a '93 Ford Expl Eddie Bauer, 4x4, which supposedly has somekind of
>tow package. Does anyone know for sure what I can pull with it. (6 cyl).
> Thanks.
>CKAYAK1
It should be mentioned in the Ford Owner's Manual some where. However,
I had a 93 Ford F150 pickup with the 300 streight 6 cyl. and had no
problems pulling a Jayco 1209 series pop-up camper, even in the Ozark
Mountains of Arkansas. The pop-up has a 12 ft. box on it with the
works, including a full truck bed with gear... Hope that might help.
:>
Your Ford dealer will have a very nice 15+ page brochure that covers all of
this in great, gory detail. Since the engine and tranny have not changed
significantly, a current '95 brochure should apply to your '93. (I don't
know how the new '95 "control-trac" 4WD system affects towing though ...)
With the automatic transmision and the 3.73 axle ratio (usually comes with
towing package) I think a 4 door 4x4 maxes out at around 5200 lbs.
HOWEVER: That assumes an empty car and full gas tank. Maybe a 150 lb
driver. You need to subtract the weight of people, gear, etc from that 5200.
The Explorers with manual transmissions or lower axle ratios (3.27) have a
_MUCH_ lower limit, I'm thinking it was less than 3500 lbs, but I'm less sure
of that number. 2 door models have slightly higher than 4 door, maybe two
hundred pounds.
In all honesty, I would not want to pull anywhere near 5000 lbs with an
Explorer. (And I own one). Not enough power and not enough brakes, IMHO for
that much sitting behind you. YMMV.
Ford recommends trailer brakes on any trailer heavier than 1500 lbs pulled by
an Explorer. Given the somewhat "wimpy" brakes Explorers have, sounds like
very good advice.
Stuart
: Most dealers who sell vehicles like that will have towing recommendations
: on a model-by-model basis, usuaully depending on axle ratios, extra
: equipment, etc. My recommendation is to stay well below the recommended
: maximums. The Explorer/Blazer class of vehicle is really NOT well suited
: to trailer towing because of the short wheelbase, though many do it
: anyway.
I'm not sure what you mean by short wheelbase on the Explorer. The 4door is
~112 inches, same as the 2 door Chevy "K" Blazer/Tahoe ...
Or do you mean the wheel track/width?
In any case, I agree about staying well below the max.
Stuart
Well, Stuart, I meant (and should have said) two things:
1. That the wheelbase on all the so-called Sport Untility Vehicles
is short compared to Suburbans, longer vans and regular (nor short-box
pickup trucks.
2. Perhaps even more critical than the wheelbase is the ratio between
the wheelbase and the overhang - ie the distance from the rear
wheels to the hitch point. This geometry means that with a long
overhang and short wheelbase the trailer has a much greater
tendency to steer the tow vehicle - a very dangerous situation in
abrupt maneuvers.
It is this problem that makes the fifth-wheel trailer the most stable and
safe handing of any towing setup - ideally the trailer provides zero
steering effort. If you must tow a tag-along trailer, it is good to use a
tow vehicle with a long wheelbase and the rear wheels set far back.
Hope that clarifies -and thanks for asking!