When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'd like to hear any feedback on the '02 Explorer towing capabilities. I just bought an '02 XLT this week and will be towing my boat (approx 3000 pounds) in 2 weeks with it. My previous vehicle was an '01 F-150 SuperCrew and you couldn't even tell the boat was behind the truck when driving! I don't expect that kind of "easy" towing with the much smaller Explorer, but would like to hear from anyone who has towed.
As a side note, I was VERY disappointed to find out that my '02 XLT (with Tow Package) did NOT come with the adapter that connects the standard 4 wire connector from my boat trailer to the socket next to the hitch. My '98 Expedition and '01 SuperCrew both came with this $25 adapter.
This is the only thing I have found so far with my '02 XLT that I'm unhappy about.
U-Haul sells the adapters for $10. I take you do not have any trailer brakes on the boat trailer? Most states require brakes on trailers over about 1500 pounds.
Can't see any problem towing your boat with an explorer. We have in the past been pulling a 4500lb plus trailer with ours and have moved up to an E-150 5.4ltr -- much better feeling! But 3000lbs. should be a nice solid feeling! Enjoy - it should look good!
Well, I'm a little late in reporting but I thought the info would be good for others interested in this topic.
My towing experience went very well. I didn't put a lot of miles on while towing, but on the couple of short trips I took, everything went well. I could feel the weight of the boat behind the truck a lot more than I could with my F-150 SuperCrew, but that was expected. Handling was excellent, as was acceleration and braking. An added bonus over my F-150 is that with a shorter wheel base (and much shorter vehicle over all) maneuvering the boat in and out of the garage, especially backing up, was significantly easier. I've only got 2 inches of clearance on each side of the trailer when backing the boat into the garage. I found this excercise easier with my new Explorer than it was with my SuperCrew.
-Mike
http://explorer.mazworld.com (still under construction)
I have 1994 Explorer 4.0L and tow a 3600 boat for many years. The Explorer pull fine at highway speeds 65 mph. I strongly suggest when you pull you have the vehicle out of over-drive. I also strongly suggest you have trailer brakes as well. I have a surge system on my boat trailer. You will notice a big difference on acceleration with the Explorer compared to your previous F-150. But once at highway speed the vehicle pull just fine.