expedition or explorer?
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New User
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expedition or explorer?
I have a 24' pontoon and trailer. However, I do not have a vehicle to tow it with. I believe the weight of the pontoon is anywhere between 3-5000#. My question is, I am thinking about buying a used expedition for this purpose- would this do the job or can I get away with an explorer or even an f-150? Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Expedition and an F-150 are the same chassis and *general* towing capability. Either one would work fine if properly equipped, i.e. don't try it with a 4.6l automatic F-150.
My rule of thumb is never tow anything with an explorer. They're too unstable and too many (especially inexperienced) people have gotten hurt or killed trying it.
My rule of thumb is never tow anything with an explorer. They're too unstable and too many (especially inexperienced) people have gotten hurt or killed trying it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
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i always thought "go bigger" myself. better safe than sorry.
are the newer explorers any better at towing that the older ones (99ish and lower). they seem a lot bigger. my sister has an 02 explorer and my mom has a 99 expedition. obviously lots of differences, but they seem a lot closer in size than the older explorers were
are the newer explorers any better at towing that the older ones (99ish and lower). they seem a lot bigger. my sister has an 02 explorer and my mom has a 99 expedition. obviously lots of differences, but they seem a lot closer in size than the older explorers were
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
The Explorers are fine for towing. My family used to have a 97 Explorer with the 4.0 SOHC and a 5spd auto. We towed our pop-up trailer all over the country without a hiccup. FWIW, we had the "exploding" Firestone tires on it too and never had a problem.
I've towed with my 1992 Explorer with the 4.0 OHV and a 4spd auto without a problem either. If anything, the older trucks are better as they have a solid rear end.
How far are you towing the pontoon? How much does it weigh?
I've towed with my 1992 Explorer with the 4.0 OHV and a 4spd auto without a problem either. If anything, the older trucks are better as they have a solid rear end.
How far are you towing the pontoon? How much does it weigh?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 264
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by MisterCMK
The Explorers are fine for towing. My family used to have a 97 Explorer with the 4.0 SOHC and a 5spd auto. We towed our pop-up trailer all over the country without a hiccup. FWIW, we had the "exploding" Firestone tires on it too and never had a problem.
I've towed with my 1992 Explorer with the 4.0 OHV and a 4spd auto without a problem either. If anything, the older trucks are better as they have a solid rear end.
How far are you towing the pontoon? How much does it weigh?
I've towed with my 1992 Explorer with the 4.0 OHV and a 4spd auto without a problem either. If anything, the older trucks are better as they have a solid rear end.
How far are you towing the pontoon? How much does it weigh?
We had the "exploding" Firestone's for a few k miles, Ford gave us some Bridgestone's, I always assumed they were the same tire, just said Bridgestone on the side so I watched the air pressure, no problems.
A V6 Explorer will be maxed out
pulling your boat ESPECIALLY when you add wife, kids, ice chest, extra gas etc etc.The V8
will have NO problems.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Living under the bosses d
Originally Posted by albran
Yep Yep and Yep
We had the "exploding" Firestone's for a few k miles, Ford gave us some Bridgestone's, I always assumed they were the same tire, just said Bridgestone on the side so I watched the air pressure, no problems.
A V6 Explorer will be maxed out pulling your boat ESPECIALLY when you add wife, kids, ice chest, extra gas etc etc.
The V8 will have NO problems.
We had the "exploding" Firestone's for a few k miles, Ford gave us some Bridgestone's, I always assumed they were the same tire, just said Bridgestone on the side so I watched the air pressure, no problems.
A V6 Explorer will be maxed out
pulling your boat ESPECIALLY when you add wife, kids, ice chest, extra gas etc etc.The V8
will have NO problems.Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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the newer explorers are not the same as the ones with the tires. my wife has a 2004 and i used it to tow alot of things before i got my truck. it would pull the boat with no problem at all. i do have a f250 and use it for all the towing so she could have it back.
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New User
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In responce to MisterCMKI would only be towing for about 50 miles round trip, however, I live in the mountains of western NC and those miles are steep and winding. The pontoon itself, I am guessing is anywhere between 3,000-5,000 with the trailer included.
Last edited by newbie10; Nov 8, 2007 at 05:55 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: new mexico
I have a 26 ft pontoon with drive on top trailer which i hate. i am pretty sure it is a dorsey trailer and sanpan pontoon.
the boat and trailer are heavy. very heavy.
and tongue weight is heavy also.
i do not think my wifes new expedition would handle it at hiway speeds. have never tried since my lake house is .25 miles from water. so never go fast. launch with 68 bronc. and it takes all it can in low to do this. but yours may not be this type rig.
the boat and trailer are heavy. very heavy.
and tongue weight is heavy also.
i do not think my wifes new expedition would handle it at hiway speeds. have never tried since my lake house is .25 miles from water. so never go fast. launch with 68 bronc. and it takes all it can in low to do this. but yours may not be this type rig.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Carlos, MN
Go with either the expedition or an F-150, and explorer is just to small of a vehicle to to a boat like that. You could tow a small fishing boat or a small pup-up camper with an explorer, but not much more. My Parents own and Explorer, Escape and a F-150. We pull the our pontoon 22' regularly with the F-150 or my F-350, but I would not even think of trying it with anything smaller, or else your chancing causing damage. I also think it would be quite difficult for an explorer to pull it out of the lake. Explorer's are good people haulers, for driving in bad conditions, and towing small loads. If you want to haul large loads like a pontoon you want an expedition or F-150, you also have to realize that the pontoon is not the most aerodynamic either, so it also creates a lot of drag.
Last edited by RogueSpear2023; Nov 10, 2007 at 12:26 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
I'd say go with an Expedition or F150. Since you said you are in the mountains get the 5.4. I have a 4.6 in my 97 F150 4x4, and tow around the same weight on occasion. I have no problems with my truck only because i rarely have any hills to contend with.
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Just wanted to thank all of you who posted an answer for me. I am quite amazed and grateful for all of the help and thought that went behind each reply and didnt want your acts of kindness to go without recognition. Too bad this web-site doesnt extend beyond the keyboard of all the PC's in use here.....the world could certainly use the genuine helpfulness that is exhibited in venues such as this. Thanks again!
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