Is it realistic to expect my 97 F150 4.2 5 speed 4 wheel drive to be able to tow an Explorer loaded on a car trailer approx 500 miles? I don't want to damage my truck to bring home a dead Explorer.

 

I dunno man, i guess its one of those deals where you use your best judgement, is the truck mechanically sound? how many miles? might be some wear on your clutch with this load and that many miles to go. just some things to consider.

 

The tranny is the weak point. I'm thinking your max tow weight is around 3000lbs. The Exploder weighs more than that.

 

I got a 98 and it hauls a race car with a box trailer no problems, but it also has a tow package with a radiator for the tranny.

 

Max trailer weight from the owner's manual is 3200# for a 3.55 axle and only 1900# if 3.08 gears.

My old 93 Exploder 4X4 grossed around 4300#, IIRC (been awhile since I had it on a scale).

That particular truck is not rated for the job.



Since you don't provide any relevant information (engine, drivetrain, axle ratio), plus you have an automatic (OP has a manual), you're probably comparing apples to oranges and the comparison is not useful.

Steve

 

The bottom line is: you're overloading it. You are taking a risk that something will break, and/or you will get in an accident. Nobody's going to tell you, "no problem".

But it doesn't turn to peanut butter at 1 pound over the rating.

 

I have a 4.2L V6 5 speed 4x4 also...not sure about the other stuff, if it wasnt the same i wouldnt have posted!

 

5-speed manual transmissions do not have a tranny cooler (radiator).

 

mine does, and no its not for the a/c. the a/c one is beside it.

 

That would be interesting to see since the manual transmission doesn't have a pump that would move any fluid to a cooler....

 

the dealer ship told thats what it was for...if i can find a camera i'll take a picture, but someone will have to tell me how to post it on here.

 

I suspect you are operating under mistaken information or your vehicle has an unknown modification or an undocumented option.

In any event, your factory-recommended towing weight limits are the same as posted above.

follow the fluid lines and see where they go. Take pictures of that view.

 

its the power steering cooler, not the tranny cooler, there would be 2 small heat exchangers in the front if you had a tranny cooler... which is not really possible since the fluid in the tranny is so heavy

 

my bad then..i was just going with what the dealer ship told me...sorry. I do have to say it looks kind of big to be a power steering cooler, its about the same size as the radiator just slimer.

And the way I see it as long as your not doing a lot of stoping and going while your hauling this explorer you should be alright, just start off easy and take your time and keep an eye on things...i'm not saying you should haul it and i'm not saying you shouldn't. after all its your truck.

 

Oh then thats the condensor for the air conditioner, should be in front of the radiator