I have a 2003 Explorer V8 and want to know how much I can tow. We want to buy a travel trailer and need to know what our limits are. I have found loads & loads of contradicting info out there on the web. I just need someone to give it to me straight.
All the info I know:
V8
4.6L
Class III or IV hitch (not sure)
3.73 axel ratio

Thanks for your help!

 

FTE feature

2003 Ford Explorer Specifications

 

depends on hitch rating and drive type..

but max, if AWD/4x4, 7000# with class III/IV

 

How can I tell my gears and if the truck has towing package?
Thanks

 

Welcome to FTE - what are you driving?

Steve

 

Remember the numbers Ford posted were way optimistic. With the low GVWR of the Explorer and the low payload you really can't get above 5k towing even in the highest configuration. That's more than you will want to tow with a small SUV anyway.

2003 Ford Explorer Specifications

MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY (POUNDS)
Engine
4.0L V-6 4x2, Class II 3280
4.0L V-6 4x4, Class II 3400
4.0L V-6 AWD, Class II 3400
4.0L V-6 4x2, Class III/IV 5800
4.0L V-6 4x4, Class III/IV 5400
4.0L V-6 AWD, Class III/IV 5380
4.6L V-8 4x2, Class II 3280
4.6L V-8 4x4, Class II 3420
4.6L V-8 AWD, Class II 3420
4.6L V-8 4x2, Class III/IV 7160
4.6L V-8 4x4, Class III/IV 7000
4.6L V-8 AWD, Class III/IV 7000

 

somewhere I read the 80% rule, so 7000lbs would be a 5600lb fully loaded trailer. A lot of 20-23' ones will fall into that category.

 

Payload capacity is what determines it ultimately. Ford used highly confusing numbers for bragging rights. Notice the highest GCWR is 11,600? Well if you subtract the claimed max 7400lbs from that number you get 4200lbs. So that right there tells you Ford got the 7400 number by using a base model 4x2. A base XLT 4.6 4x4 has a base curb weight of 4470 based on the Ford guide. That doesn't include fuel, cargo, passengers or trailer tongue weight. Add in 4 passengers 550lbs, fuel 150lbs, 300lbs cargo and you have 1,000lbs. That leaves you with 410lbs available for trailer tongue weight. Figure tongue weight is 10% roughly of trailer overall weight. That means you can at maximum tow a 4,100lb trailer and a total GCWR of 9980lbs. That's with the tow vehicle maxed out.


GCWR
4.0L, 4×2 10,240
4.0L, 4×4/AWD 10,000
4.6L, 4×2/4×4/AWD 11,600
GVWR
4×2 5720
4×4/AWD 5880