[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Feb-02 AT 11:28 AM (EST)]Need to know the towing capacity for a 1993 Explorer Sport. Towing a 2200lb (about) pop-up camper. No manuals for the Expy. Towed find in drive, but backing up caused problems. It is a manual transmission if this makes a difference.

Help please!!

 

My manual shows two ratings depending on axle ratio.
M/T with 3.27 ratio GCW 6,000 lb
M/T with 3.73 ratio GCW 7,000 lb
GCW includes your loaded vehicle and loaded trailer.
If you have a 4x4 with manual hubs like mine, you
can leave the hubs out and select 4 low when backing up
that allows you to creep slowly and maneuver without
slipping the clutch.

 

>My manual shows two ratings depending on axle ratio.
>M/T with 3.27 ratio GCW 6,000 lb
>M/T with 3.73 ratio GCW 7,000 lb
>GCW includes your loaded vehicle and loaded trailer.
>If you have a 4x4 with manual hubs like mine, you
>can leave the hubs out and select 4 low when backing up
>that allows you to creep slowly and maneuver without
>slipping the clutch.


How will I know what the axle ratio is??

Do you know the empty weight of the vehicle??

Please forgive me, I am kinda dumb on this kinda stuff.

 

To get the axle code, look inside the drivers door on the label. Than reference that against a page in the owners manual that decodes the letter/number into a ratio.

To get the weight of your vehicle, use 3500 pounds or get your vehicle weighed at your local truck weight station, truck service shop etc. Lots of places advertise public scales.

 

If only we had the owners manual.

 

Two ways, post your axle code and I will decode it, or crawl behind the rear axle and read the ratio off the tab hanging from one of the bolts at the rear axle cover.

 

Thanks, I will get my Hubby to look (he drives it to work) and will post it later.

 

It will probably either read "D4" for a 3.73 or "41" for 3.27
If it is not one of those, post the code.

 

Ok he says it is 41 so that means 6000 lbs. If we use 3500 lbs for the weight of the truck, that means we have 2500 lbs to work with. If the trailer is about 2200, and we have it totally loaded with clothes, coolers, camping gear and bikes, plus the family total weight of close to 600 lbs. I figure we should go out and buy an

F-350!!!

 

 

OK SO I HAVE A 93 FORD EXPLORER XLT. 4 door. it's odometer is broken and I really don't have no clue how many miles it has on it. The odometer reads 600,000 miles.lol. It also says I travel like 30,000 miles a day. Anywho. I just got the trans rebult and I really want to tow my dog grooming trailer. The trailer weighs 1200 and it's shoreline so there are no water tanks. I just have about 300lbs of equipment on it. Do you guys think that would be ok? I looked inside my door and the label says Axel: D4. help!

P.S it only has a bumper tow thingy not a tow package but is there a way I can just buy one and have it installed? Is it worth it?

 

Based upon above and the new tranny you can tow it.

You will want to put a receiver hitch on it. It would also recommend and trailer brake controller so that you can engage the trailer brakes to help you stop.

If you are planning on long distance travel then I would recommend a newer vehicle that is larger so that you have more room and can haul more items.

 

You do not say where you live so there are some other considerations, as well. Senix suggested a trailer brake controller, which I would agree with IF the trailer actually brakes. Not all trailers are required to have them, depending on the weight of the trailer and where you live.

Another consideration, based on where you live, is elevation. Elevation reduces your towing capacity by 3% (I think) per thousand feet. Where I live, that would be 21% and a significant factor.

As I recall from when I had a '92 Explorer, the bumper was rated for 3500# capacity. I put a receiver hitch on it as the trailer would not sit level without a lower tow point. You can get a receiver for less than $200 and they can be self-installed if you are handy as no welding is needed.

You can't really go back and retrofit a trailer towing package without spending a lot of money, and it would not be worth it on a vehicle that old.