This is my first post, I hope it's in the right place.

I have a 2003 Explorer Limited with the 4.6 L V8 and tow package with the class III hitch, 3.77 LS rear end. I am looking to buy a new boat (21 open bow Ultra) with weighes 2800 plus a tandem trailer 1200. I read the owners manual but I can't figure out all of the issues since I have never towed before. Ford said I need a weight distribution hitch if over 3500lbs? does that mean the hitch on the boat, or the receiver on the back of the truck?

Thanks for any help you guys can provide!

 

A weight distributing hitch goes between the truck and the trailer. It plugs into the 2" square hole on your truck. There are two arms off to the side of the 2 5/16" ball that attach to the rails on the trailer that form a tongue holding the ball receiver. There are chains on the trailer side of each arm that are adjusted in length to support some weight and distribute the weight. Never realized how hard this is to describe. Try doing a seach on "Reese" then pick weight distribution hitches for a picture and description. I recently bought a Reese system with dual cam sway control, weight distributing hitch, adjustable draw bar, ball etc for $545 I think.

 

Thanks, I found a picture. Strange, I have never seen people use one of these to two a boat. I see tons of mid sized SUVs towing with out these. Is it really necessary.

 

Does that tandem axle trailer have surge brakes? If so and you buy a W/D system, make REAL sure the two are compatible or your surge brakes won't work correctly. Personally, I don't think a W/D system is necessary unless your tongue weight is over 500#. Tongue weight for a boat trailer is usually 5-8% of gross, so at 5000# you're looking at 250-400#.

Those weights you listed sound low to me; the only way to know for sure is to get the rig weighed. The # of people, full tank of gas and amount of cargo/gear in the Explorer detracts from your tow rating; so does gas, water and anything else you haul in the boat.

Welcome to FTE!!!

Steve

 

you would be suprized at how many people tow a trailer over/ incorrectly loaded to a vehicle. a weight distributing hitch does what its name implys, distributes the weigh to both the axles on the tow vehicle. Ford probably wants you use a weight distributing hitch due to a light payload rating of the rear suspension.
the tounge weight should be between 10% to 15% of the actual weight of the trailer fully loaded. also your hitch/trailer needs to sit as level as possible.
Does this trailer have brakes on it? it most likely has surge brakes, but if it does not get a differant trailer, one with brakes. if it has electric over hydr. brakes make sure your brake controler is rated for them.

 

Crash -

That 10-15% tongue weight you mentioned is for travel/utility trailers; boat trailers should be 5-8%.

Steve

 

The trailer is made by Exstreme, they told me it weighes 1200lbs, and it a tandum with surge brakes. The Ford manual says my truck can tow 7000 with the 4.6L and 3.73 rearend. The combined weight can't go over 11,000 LBS.

I am just trying to find out how to do this right. I know the truck can tow the boat, I am concerned about safety for me and my family as well as others on the road. I just figured that based on the numbers that a 4000 lb boat was ok to do this. If not I will really need to re-think this boat thing, I am not going to dump a new SUV to buy a new F-150 and the boat. I am concerned that if this SUV can't safely handle this load, the WDH will just be a $500-$700 bandaid.

I don't like white knuckle rides!

thanks!

 

Are surge brakes applied every time you brake the vehicle? Most states require trailer brakes to be applied every time you brake the vehicle when the towed load is over a Class I load. I am not familiar with "surge" brakes obviously.

 

Titan7 -

Yes, your Explorer will do the job; just wanted to point out a few things, namely that you could be closer to 5000# by the time you head for the water. Like Crash posted, get the trailer as level as possible, to give the surge brakes the best chance of working. Ford mentions the W/D hitch for 3500# because a normal trailer would have a tongue weight of 350-525#; a boat trailer would be at 175-280#.

Steve

 

Thanks,

How can I verify what the tongue weight will be? really don't want to guess on this. I though the tongue weight needed to be about 10% or 400 lbs?

Sorry for the dumb questions but I would rather be SAFE!

I called Extreme trailers and they said the trailer weighes 1200 LBS. Ultra tells me the 21' Stealth weighes appx 2800 lbs. I do not plan on loading the boat up, I will wait until I get out to the river

Steina, how big is your boat? Did you need to put a raised hitch on it to get the trailer level? How does your Explorer handle the towing task?

 

Titan7 -

Here's one way to measure tongue weight:

http://www.rverscorner.com/articles/tongueweight.html

You can also take the rig to a public scale and weigh it while it's hooked to the Explorer, then take it off the ball so it's resting level on the tongue jack and weigh again; the increase is your tongue weight. Again, boat trailer tongue weight is 5-8% of gross, not 10-15%.

My boat/trailer rig weighs 3680# (had it weighed) and tongue weight is 230#; I use a 2"-drop ball mount to level the trailer. My Explorer handles this weight fine.

Steve

 

Thanks!! I will try that, what kind of gas mileage ya get?

 

opps, blame that one on lack of sleep.