Hello and welcome to the rv world. You are on the right track so it seems on the size, weight and asking for advise. Not knowing your vehicle`s specs, the payload sticker on your doorpost and the make and model of the trailer all I can do it give you a few things to look at. Does your vehicle have a receiver and what is it rated for( might have to upgrade ) . The trailer tongue weight will be quite a bit higher with propane tanks and battery. If you have front storage on the trailer it could increase even more. Do you have a brake controller on the tow vehicle? That to can be added. Do you have a transmission cooler? Is the tow vehicle wired for a 7 pin connection? That too can be added. When you get that travel trailer get the best weight distribution hitch with sway control because of your wheel base. Something in a 6k range should work for you and it will help with keeping everything level and tracking with the tow vehicle. I don`t get into which is better but I have one I recommend to all my family and friends because I know it works.

 

 

 

Great and that is a nice trailer. Look on your door post and see what the payload is for your vehicle; usually on the tire pressure placard. To be safe substract 700 lbs from that and you should be in the ball park for vehicle remaining payload. I don`t think you will reach that tongue weight. If all is good then when you load the trailer follow manufactures suggestion on loading. The remaining payload is for family and whatever else you are planning to carry in the vehicle plus the weight of the WDH. I think you should be good to go, the rest is just getting everything dialed in. After you find the sweet spot try to load the same way as often as you can. Remember to air you tires up to carry the added weight, if you still feel a little squirmy you might have to up grade the factory shocks. Get a good sway control hitch. From what I see I think you are on the right track. Good Luck and hope it all works out for you.

 

Tires will make a big difference in how stable you feel going down the road. I don't know what the Explorers are getting for rubber at the factory, but if you have P tires and the combo feels a little squirrely you may want to consider LT tires.

 

Should tow quit well, you will have a ton of power that's for sure with the 3.5. Only issue you may have is rear suspension, they tend to be soft. you will for sure want a weight distribution hitch and a brake controller. When loading the trailer be mindful of tongue weight, try to keep most of the load over the axles if possible, this will help keep the tongue weight under control or it will add up fast. Also look into a set of tow mirrors, they aren't really optional as you won't see anything other than the front of the trailer with the stock mirrors. The **** clip ons for the f150 are great, so if they offer anything like that for the explorer they would be a good bet.

Speed is important. You will see everyone bragging that they tow at 85mph, good for them, they are idiots. check the trailer tires and see what they are rated for number one, then drive where you are comfortable. Speed is compounding not only in stopping distance, reaction time but also drag which puts a huge load on the tow vehicle. Leave many times your length between you and the car in front of you, keep an eye out for people hanging out in your blind spots and watch on ramps. People assume you will let them in on an on ramp and if your towing you likely cant so be prepared for them to try and push you out of your lane.

I pulled a 2008 starcraft travelstar 21sso which was 3300 dry 5k gross with a 2004 jeep grand cherokee for years, everyone said it would be horrible blah blah bahl. With just a round bar WDH and a friction sway bar and some monroe load leveler shocks it rode like stock. It was underpowered with the 4.7 v8 but with a prodigy p3 it stopped like stock and was a pleasure to drive.


EDIT

air lift has a 1000 lb kit for the 2017 explorer, 60821. It just fits inside of the coil spring and when aired up give you some more spring rate. Might be fine as is but if you do have a bunch of sag there is help.