Towing question
 

Hi All,
I'm currently not a Ford owner, but I hope to be in the near future. I'm here to get some feedback about the new 2013 Explorer Limited. I need to replace my 1999 Tahoe, which as been a work horse for me. I live in snowy Upstate NY, I pull a 1500 lb boat and drive on the sandy east coast beaches. So, I'd like to know if the Explorer is up to the task.

Welcome to FTE.

This is a tech question, so might get moved by mods, but here goes anyway.

The Owners Manual will tell you the max towing capacity, without any guesswork or uncertainty. The dealer can look it up.

If you get the optional class III towing package and V6 engine, it will tow 5000 lbs.
2013 Ford Explorer | View Towing Specifications | Ford.com

According to this brochure, the standard towing capacity is 2000 lbs.
http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...t_explorer.pdf

In heavy snow, you'll need snow tires obviously. I had an 03 Explorer V6 4WD and ran Cooper Discoverer M+S snows with studs for the icy grades here in Colorado.

Thanks for your reply! Really appreciate it! I think I might go for the class III towing package.

Sorry but since you're asking tech questions, I went ahead and moved your post into its own thread in the correct forum.

Welcome to FTE.:-X22

Hello!

I do not know if you ever did purchase the said Explorer. However, my boss owns one for his business. He knows I will never admit it but the latest ones pretty nice when it comes to the 4 wheeling needs. He said he has never got stuck once in any condition he has driven through. (Snow, Mix precip, Sand, mud, etc.) He has owned the ride since Feb 2012.

We also tow on a regular basis. We have a small 6 by 12 enclosed trailer for moving equipment around. I believe it is rated for around 3000 pounds but our loads are never that high. Last month he purchased an ultra light weight travel trailer. Dry it is 3500 pounds. Wet it is 4400. Him and his fiance have taken it out a few places so far and he said it tows well. I was personally skeptical until he allowed me to drive it around the office complex and local area. It did better than what I was expecting. I felt it towed fairly well as a matter of fact. I just don't won't admit it since it is a matter of male pride. (A running joke around the shop.)

I am not a fan of the newer look. Call me a traditionalist. I like the look the older ones. I did own a 99 Sport. (probably would have still had the ride if I had not been involved an accident with a drunk driver) I currently own a 05 Explorer 4 door. My daughter loves the rear entertainment set up :) However, the new ones seem to be a pretty stout ride. The ecoboosted models should be coming out as well. That may give more towing capacity when the time comes.

Good luck with purchasing or a purchased ride.

The ecoboost have been out for a while and I can tell you without even testing that that v6 with 365hp won't have a problem towing 5k lbs....

It is a HEAVY rocketship --- if you can get the 4wd to handle the violent torque without wheel hop, I would guess sub 2 second 60 footers !!! and that's quick...

IIRC, the 13 sport we have weighs in @ about 4400 lbs and has a relatively wide track I've found when I throw it around curves :)

Alas though - it's my wife's DD and I only rarely drive it so can't get into it any further, just that I know I like it even better than the Audi we traded in on it...