Getting ready to tow, bought a 28 ft. Jayco Travel Trailer, I have a 1998 Eddie Bauer 4x4. V-6 auto.

The explorer has a GVWR 5440 and rear GAWR 2950, front GAWR 2710.

The following numbers on the trailer are GVWR 8500, unloaded trailer weight 5934 and GCWR 2566.


What do these number mean and Do I have enough vehicle to pull this trailer? Any thoughts, recommendations would be greatly appreciated, after reading many of the posts, I can appreciate the many expert opinions

Thanks,
dlr71

 

Not to sound blount but YOU NEED A BIGGER VEHICLE. Towing that trailer with that truck could mean we read about you in the obituaries and not RV digest. I will say this, If you are towing at 65 miles an hour and a big rig passes you, you are liable to slam right in the side of him because that little explorer is so light that the trailer, at that point, is actually controlling the truck. Another thing is breaks, the breaks on that truck are not sufficient at all. OK before you say there is breaks on the trailer I am aware, however those can go out very easily and you not know it until you come to a sudden stop by rear ending someone and the trailer winds up around you. I tow trailer every day from 1000# up to 14000# and beyond. I have an F350 SRW and there are times at 10000# I am nervous about it. The 5440 GVRW is the Gross Vehicular Weight Rating and it is what the truck weighs with equipment. Your rig is probably only rated to tow(check in your owners manual about towing) 5000# max (my 02 Ranger FX4 was only rated at 5180# trailer weight) and your trailer unloaded is, call it 6000#, add 40 gals of water at about 320# another half tank of grey and black water at say another 200# all that luggage, cookware, and comforts another 500-1000#. I am not trying to be mean or rude or cut your rig down in any way but that is not safe in my opinion at all. I am sure other people out here agree and also disagree but I would go tomorrow and trade my explorer in for a 1/2 ton truck or SUV. I hate to see anyone get hurt but I have experienced it all and can tell you that pulling that trailer with that explorer is very very dangerous. I just want most of all you to be safe but as well as me and other motorists. If you careeming out of control you could hurt other people as well. Please do not take this post the wrong way. Do what ever you like but please consider what I am saying and be safe out there.

 

Fully loaded is 100% right. I have an 89 F-350 I use for work and pull a 20 footer at 6000# plus close to 1000# of tools and a motorcycle around the country doing work in power plants now. I see a lot of people try to pull with the wrong vehicle and when they pass me I just wait and help to pick up the pieces down the road. 2 years ago I got passed by a family in an Explorer pulling a toy hauler just south of Salt lake headed south. I found them about 10 miles further in the center devider on thier roof. Luckily no one killed but one of the boys had to be taken in an ambulance. A really bad ending to what was going to be a fun weekend. Play it safe and watch the speed.

 

Bluntly, you need more truck! You are way into the 1/2 ton range with that camper. You are borderline 3/4 ton range. I tow a similar weight and length with my 04 F-150 and I am right at max. It does tow well but I also have much more weight and wheel base than an Explorer. I plan on getting a 250 for the next truck and yes, it will be Diesel. I would never attempt it with an Explorer.

 

I agree with everyone else here you need a bigger vehicle. I have pulled a 36ft trailer that weighs any where from 5000#-6000# for the local high school band. I tow that with my 97 F150 wich has max tow rating of 6800#. Like they said about brakes, I pulled the trailer a couple of times w/out trailer brakes and to tell you it isn't fun in the city trying to stop even at 25mph.

 

A 28 foot travel trailer is a pretty hefty load for a 6 banger Exploder. I think we will nick name you White Knuckle Express.

I tow a 30 foot travel trailer that is GVWR right around 8,000# with my 94 F250 supercab 4x4 460 4.10 E4OD and do just fine except the time I cooked my brakes, fun, but then my rating and equipment is appropriate for this. A 6 banger Explorer is going to be very hard pressed.

The GCWR of the trailer is probably a typo. It can't be less than the GVWR. Heck, I am not sure the trailer has a GCWR, maybe for a 2nd trialer after the main one?

Usually GCWR is on the truck and is the combined weight rating for the truck and trailer.

Your truck probably at best is rated for 5,000# tow, but I bet less. Most travel trailers are significantly heavier than the base rating due to "options", especially once you load up all your stuff and water.

Except in dire emergency I would not tow the trailer you describe with the "truck" you own. It can be done, but not safely.

At best, you will be hot and sweaty with a serious nervous twitch after you tow it. And you will be a road hazard. Mountains are going to be fun.

You should rent or borrow something more appropriate. I would at least look into a 150 with tow package, and the big engine and auto tranny. A 250 would be better. Whatever you use, be sure to read the weight ratings since even a 350 can be underated for what you want to tow.

Good Luck and tell us where you are towing so we can stay away for a few days ;^)

Jim Henderson

 

No, you do not.

I agree with virtually all of the other FTE members that have already responded and urge you to rent (or borrow) an adequate size truck that is properly rated for the size/weight of the trailer as jim henderson recommended.

 

My '99 with the pushrod V6 was marginal with a 3700# boat/trailer rig, and it had electric brakes.

Like everyone has said, get a more-suitable tow vehicle for your safety and others on the road!

Welcome to FTE!!!

Steve

 

Please don't hook that trailer on that SUV!!! It's nowhere near engough to handle that trailer!! Thats about as heavy of a trailer as I'd be willing to go with for my 04 F150. They publish traler tow ratings and trailer weights for a reason, and this is why. Even if you got a great deal on the trailer, you'll still need to invest in a tow rig for it. Deals are only deals if they can be used, and used safely.

 

I have done this myself. I would never do this again. I had a 2000 Explorer. The truck is to light to pull a trailer that heavy. My trailer weights 7600# fully loaded. I pulled up a grade of about 4 to 6 %., very slow going, started at the bottom of the grade at 60 mph within 1 mile I was down to 35 mph, rpms at 4000. I had to come back down the same way. That was very white knuckle situation. Also this will kill your tranny. I now have a 1996 F250 SC that pulls like a dream.

Hope thats some help

kf364

 

Thanks to all that took the time to reply to my request, your thoughts, concerns and helpful information is greatly appreciated.
dlr71

 

let me know the next time you are on the road! so i can stay off!!! You are greatly over your linits. I have pulled a 6500 lbs trailer with a 2000 expidition and felt under poweered and under braked plus you can not se around the darn trailer. I up dated to a 2000 excursion with 6.8 and have no problems. towing . I have used the excursion on several trips and there is NO white knuckle experiences. with the expidition there where a few. GET BIGGER TOW VEHICLE. For the safety of your family and other on the road.

 

I have done some "stupid towing" in my passed (ie 8000+ pounds with a f150) but then again i was doing about 10 mph and had the flashers on for about 5 miles. But i had to, it was either move it or its going to impound, so i picked move it.

But enough with that story, I would never try to toe that with that truck, just a little bit small. Id try to find me a bigger truck to haul that, ie a f250 or so. Thats just me, a little bit bigger cant hurt.

(just a side note, I bought a bigger truck after the 8000 pound deal)

 

The above mentioned trailer and a new body F-150 would be a good match. Just make sure it's got the 5.4 and the 3.37 gears with the factory tow pkg. It'll tow like a dream. Of course get a good WD hitch like an Equal-i-zer or Reese HP dual cam. Then get a good brake controller... Prodigy is high on the list.

 

DLR71,

You thought your big brother was pulling your leg didn't you.

At least you followed my advice and joined FTE to get a straight answer from those who know and have experience in pulling a trailer similar to yours.

I told you the guy at the RV center was just trying to sell you a hitch.

Any way welcome to FTE, and NO you can't use my F250.

Your concerned brother.