We are considering towing my father's 19' boat to Marathon this winter (about 1400 miles each way) with his 2002 Explorer (4-door, 4x4). I have gotten some bad reviews and the autobody shop and U-haul dealer that installed the hitch on my car told me that they will not rent trailers to Explorer owners as they have a really bad towing record.

Who can offer me some real world experience towing with this vehicle. The truck has a factory towing package with a frame mounted hitch. The boat, engine and trailer will weigh in between 3200 and 3500 pounds.

I dragged this boat back and forth last year with a 2002 F150 and it tracked very nicely on the trailer. But due to the trucks normal 14 mpg and very uncomfortable seating, I have gotten rid of the truck.

Our towing options are mom's 2004 RX330 (with a towing package) or dad's Explorer. The Explorer is a bigger vehicle and may do better with more room.

But your experiences will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Chris Miller
Mystic Islands, NJ

 

The reason they won't rent to explorers is because of the whole firestone tire fiasco in the past.. they adapted that policy due to (presumed) liability issues if a tire blew while towing their trailers.

However, they have absolutely no problem renting to mountaineers and the old mazda navajos (identical to explorers).. it has nothing to do with towing performance.

Check with your owner's manual for towing weight limits, etc... and if you meet those specifications, you should be ok.

 

Chris -

Does that '02 Explorer have a V6 or V8? Does the boat trailer have brakes? How many people/how much gear are you taking to Marathon?

MRGuy is right - U-Haul's policy has nothing to do with the Explorer's "towing record" and everything to do with the old Firestone problem.

Steve

 

The Explorer has the 4.0L V-6 and averages about 19-20 mpg, so I think it has the lower geared rear end as is discussed in the overview of the vehicle. It does have the factory towing package, but the 1" draw bar looks really small. But I guess since it is solid and not hollow like the class 3 & 4 bars, it it still plenty strong.

The trailer is getting new brakes. I had removed them a few years ago after they completely rusted up and the wheels would not turn. I towed it last year with my full size truck and it was not an issue, although there were a few episodes of standing on the brake pedal with both feet while in traffic on I-95 on the way back north. You guys know how that goes when some idgit is not paying attention and then jams on the brakes, which makes a chain reaction and brings the highway to a stop from 70 mph. And then 1/2 mile later the cars are back up to speed.

Anway, there will be 2 of us in the truck and it will be pretty full with 2 months worth of stuff..fishing gear, clothes, etc.

Thansk for the input. I tried to get dad to buy a new F150, but he got sticker shock.

Chris

 

I would seriously check the weight rating of that draw bar... I have personally not seen those rated above 3,000lbs (I think that is what a class II 1.25x1.25 draw bar is, not sure about a class I... 2,000lbs?). I am not sure that I would be comfortable towing at or slighly over the max rating for a hitch.

 

With both vehicles currently available, we are right at the max towing capability. Both the Explorer and RX330 are rated for 3500 pounds. The boat weighs 1950# empty, the engine is about 450# and I think the trailer weighs 750#. That does not leave much room for some fuel in the tank, a 50# battery, gear, etc. Last year we tried to run down the fuel tank, but packed the boat with as much stuff as we could fit and my F150 was FULL of stuff. 1/3 of we did not use, but it was nice to have. I have never towed at or near a trucks towing capacity and as accustomed to being well under and barely knowing that the boat was behind the truck. Actually I did it once 2 years ago when I bought a 24 Rampage up in Mass and I towed it about 40 miles to a marina, where it was offloaded onto a boat haulers trailer. I was about 1000 pounds over the rating (5000#) and I tore up the low/reverse gear planetary and had to have the tranny rebuilt a few months later. It only had 15K miles on the current rebuild. My truck at the time (1992 Chevy 1500 4x4) did not like pulling that boat and she ran hot and I could only make about 45 mph on the highway.

The trip down last winter with the 19 Mako behind my former truck (02 F150 7700 w/towing package) was almost effortless and I stayed right with the traffic flow as long as long as it was running under 80 mph, which we saw from time to time when drafting tractor trailers. I am not a maniac, but I do enjoy making good time on a long haul. I realize that I am not going to be able to run at 70 with these smaller vehicles, but 65 would be a nice pace.

I will have to look at the rating of the little skinny draw bar. I have pulled the boat in and out and around town, but I don't know about humping down the highway for 1400 miles. The bumps and dips put quite a lot of strian on the hitch and it's components, especially at highway speeds.

Chris Miller

 

Chris -

With the 1.25" receiver hitch and 4-pin connector, you've got 3.55 rear gears and no engine oil cooler; you're right about the 3500# tow limit, which is reduced even further with people/gear in the Explorer. My guess is you'd be 1000# over the limit.

I assume that boat trailer has surge brakes - make sure they work as well as possible if you're gonna use the Explorer!

Steve

 

Steve,

My dad was reading his owners manual over the weekend after coming home from the local Ford dealer with sticker shock. He indocated that the truck did have an engine oil cooler, which would be a plus. The explorer and the Lexus have the same tow rating, but the explorer looks like a bigger vehicle. I got rid of my truck and bought a RX300 and the more I look at it, the smaller it looks. I only have to tow a 17 Mako and as a package it is only about 2000 pounds. I have pulled it to the Keys 2x with my former Chevy and we humped up and down the highway and barely knew it was there. Dad's boat is much bigger, it's wider, the sides are about 1-1.5 feet higher and it has a big consol and T-top, which felt like a sail last year when the wind hit it.

The trailer is getting new surge brakes, so there should not be any issues with them not working properly.

 

Chris -

Unless the factory screwed up, you had to order the tow package to get 3.73 LS rear gears, 7-pin connector, 2" receiver, and an oil cooler for the V6 (the V8 didn't need it).

You might think about removing that T-top for the trip; with surge brakes, you have no way of snapping the trailer back behind the TV (like you can with electric brakes) if it gets squirrely on you. Another reason to keep the speed down.

Steve

 

I'd take the explorer without a question. The RX330 isn't made to tow anything, and it is a lot lighter. Make sure the brakes work, check the tires and fluids. I'd worry about the tralier hitch, but you could get a class 3 or 4 in there- the explorer can handle it, hence the towing package. While you wouldn't have the 3.73, this shouldn't be too big a problem. You can rev the 4.0L pretty high without worry if needed. Maybe shut off O/D to overcome. I think as long as you don't become one of the morons who tow their traliers at 85+ MPH, you'll be fine. Keep to 65, don't tailgate, and don't mind if people pass you.

BTW, my '03 without the towing package does have a engine oil cooler. I'd want a tranny oil cooler if you're towing, as these trannys are weak to start. But is the cost less than the risk of damage? That's for you to decide. Just go already!

 

Guys,

The trailer is getting new brakes and the tires are in good shape. The trailer is only 4 years old. I replaced the bearings last fall and they will be done again when the trailer guy installs the brakes. The brakes on the Excplorer were replaced in March and dad has only put 2,000 miles on the truck since then. He is going to a local trailer guy to see if they can out a class 3 hitch on it as I don't like the looks of the little hitch that is on it now. She will also get new tires as the original ones are looking a little worn with 50K on them. I had the tranny power flushed last winter as it was shifting a little funky, but much better after a good cleaning. A full tune up will be done before the snow flies. I don't think that towing in OD will be a possibility, but we will see how she rides down the highway. My local tranny guy told me last year that it was ok with my F150 as long as I was over 50 mph and the tranny was not jumping up and down.

Thanks agina for the input.

 

Glad to hear you're gonna replace the factory Class II receiver hitch with a Class III.

Let us know how the trip went; it's been MANY years since I towed a boat from Myrtle Beach to Marathon and I probably wouldn't recognize the place. If you have time, stop at South Of The Border on I-95 in Dillon, SC.

Steve