2010 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0 V-6

[Guitarmanrlk]

Looking to buy a Jay Feather ultra light between 4000-5000lbs. Will the Explorer adequately tow it? Should I add the transmission cooler? Thanks.

[JPBeck]

I towed one for years with a Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.0 straight 6)-- all I added to it was a axillary transmission cooler. It pulled... ok. I usually was white knuckled when a big rig went by, and going up steep grades was nerve racking and on the slow side. We could not run the AC either. It'd take me hours to unwind from the trip. After upgrading to a strong 1/2 ton I would never go back to a 6.

IMHO and speaking from experience I'd say... IT can, but you may not want to.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by JPBeck

I towed one for years with a Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.0 straight 6)-- all I added to it was a axillary transmission cooler. It pulled... ok. I usually was white knuckled when a big rig went by, and going up steep grades was nerve racking and on the slow side. We could not run the AC either. It'd take me hours to unwind from the trip. After upgrading to a strong 1/2 ton I would never go back to a 6.

IMHO and speaking from experience I'd say... IT can, but you may not want to.

My thoughts exactly JPBeck

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Guitarmanrlk

Looking to buy a Jay Feather ultra light between 4000-5000lbs .....snip

Guitarmanrlk,

Welcome to the Jayco forums.

Just a heads up on trailer weights, ignore dry and UVW weights, focused on potential "loaded" weights or the GVWR of the Jay Feather you look at.

Bob

[bccber]

I have just bought a 24rks at 5035 lbs. My Explorer is rated at 7200 lbs and I have been towing a 4585 uvw Salem without any issues in the Pacfic NW mtns. I will have a good anti sway Equal-i-zer, but am still abit apprehensive. ,hoping I don't have to upgrade to a Expedition. Any thoughts?

[bccber]

Don't want to hijack the orginal OP but a 6 Cyl might have issues with 5000
lbs uvw.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bccber

snip....... Any thoughts?

Bccber,

Welcome to the Jayco forums.

As I mentioned to the OP, ignore dry or UVW's because we don't tow empty TT's to the CG.

Well, the first surprise is that your Explorer's "actual" tow rating is less than 7,200lbs.. The following forum sticky will shed a little light on "actual" tow ratings: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3866

Since you already have the Explorer and 24RKS, the only way to take the guessing out of the discussion is to make a visit to your local CAT scale, time to work with "real" weights. The following forum sticky will walk you through the CAT scale weighing process: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3871

The CAT scale results will provide you with a lot information confirming the compatibility or your TV and TT combination. Feel free to start a new forum thread with your results and we can worked through them with you.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[JPBeck]

Originally Posted by bccber

Don't want to hijack the orginal OP but a 6 Cyl might have issues with 5000
lbs uvw.

Don't tell that to FORD-- their V-6 EcoBoosts are rated to tow 11,000 lbs...

[mcfarmall]

Drop the 3.5l Ecoboost in there and you could pull it no problemo and then some!

4x2=11,300lbs
4x4=11,200lbs

Not sayin I'd pull that much but that's what it's rated.

[AMC_Jeep]

Originally Posted by JPBeck

Don't tell that to FORD-- their V-6 EcoBoosts are rated to tow 11,000 lbs...

The Eco-boost and the 4.0L are no comparison.

[villain2000]

Originally Posted by Guitarmanrlk

Looking to buy a Jay Feather ultra light between 4000-5000lbs. Will the Explorer adequately tow it? Should I add the transmission cooler? Thanks.

Def need a trans cooler. The v6 explorer with a 2 inch receiver already has the trailer tow package which includes a trans cooler and lower gearing. Does yours have the 2 inch receiver? If so, you are rated to 5000lbs.. If not and you have the inch and a quarter receiver, then you don't have the tow package and are only rated to 3500 pounds.

My opinion, tow package or not, I wouldn't go over 3000 lbs dry weight with a v6 explorer. Could you go to a Jayco Swift 18bh? They are only about 2950 dry.

[villain2000]

Originally Posted by bccber

I have just bought a 24rks at 5035 lbs. My Explorer is rated at 7200 lbs and I have been towing a 4585 uvw Salem without any issues in the Pacfic NW mtns. I will have a good anti sway Equal-i-zer, but am still abit apprehensive. ,hoping I don't have to upgrade to a Expedition. Any thoughts?

I have a Mountaineer (Explorer twin) with the 3 valve v8. It is rated to 7200 lbs like yours. I will say this, it has plenty of grunt to tow my 19bh just fine. My camper with all my gear is right around 5000 lbs. Again no issue with grunt. Brakes great and handles very well on the highway. Weight wont be your issue here. The only place I think you may have a problem is the lack of wheelbase on the Explorer. The longer the trailer, the more wheelbase you need for stable highway handling. You may experience something akin to "the tail wagging the dog". I have seen Explorers on the highway towing campers about the length of yours. Not saying you can't do it, just not sure how relaxed you'll be. The only real way to tell is to hook up and go. You will know if it feels right or not.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by villain2000

I have a Mountaineer (Explorer twin) with the 3 valve v8. It is rated to 7200 lbs like yours. I will say this, it has plenty of grunt to tow my 19bh just fine. My camper with all my gear is right around 5000 lbs. Again no issue with grunt. Brakes great and handles very well on the highway. Weight wont be your issue here. The only place I think you may have a problem is the lack of wheelbase on the Explorer. The longer the trailer, the more wheelbase you need for stable highway handling. You may experience something akin to "the tail wagging the dog". I have seen Explorers on the highway towing campers about the length of yours. Not saying you can't do it, just not sure how relaxed you'll be. The only real way to tell is to hook up and go. You will know if it feels right or not.

The V8 and V6 are not the same. If he had the V8 he would have a lot more power and bigger brakes. At a 7200 lbs it would not be a problem..

[nathanchev]

I have a 2007 V8 Explorer (max towing 7300lbs) and I tow the 23K (which, if I recall correctly is 4500lbs dry, 5900 max wet) no problem.

I could see it being a problem without a WD hitch. I use the Husky Centreline (Not much written about it online. However, it is awesome!)

As a first time tower, I was a bit nervous of the thought of towing such a large combination. However, I have no complaints.

A month after delivery of the 23K, we went on a 4500 km trip without any issues.

However, I wouldn't get a V6 model.

[villain2000]

Originally Posted by clutch

The V8 and V6 are not the same. If he had the V8 he would have a lot more power and bigger brakes. At a 7200 lbs it would not be a problem..

Well,you're wrong about the brakes on a v6 and a v8. They are exactly the same. Same, rotor pad and caliper. Guitarmanrik has the v6. I responded to his post regarding his v6. BCCBER has a v8. I responded to him about his v8. BCCBER does not say he has a v8, but he did say he has a tow rating of 7200 pounds. Only V8 Explorer/Mountaineers have a tow rating that high.

[villain2000]

Originally Posted by nathanchev

I have a 2007 V8 Explorer (max towing 7300lbs) and I tow the 23K (which, if I recall correctly is 4500lbs dry, 5900 max wet) no problem.

I could see it being a problem without a WD hitch. I use the Husky Centreline (Not much written about it online. However, it is awesome!)

As a first time tower, I was a bit nervous of the thought of towing such a large combination. However, I have no complaints.

A month after delivery of the 23K, we went on a 4500 km trip without any issues.

However, I wouldn't get a V6 model.

It is one hell of a package in a smaller SUV. Glad to hear that your 23 footer tows with such ease. Makes me think if I can one day move up a few feet, I would be allright.

[Seann45]

It depends on the options your vehicle left the factory with.... take your serial number into any ford parts counter and they can look it up and tell you what the tow limits on your vehicle is..... (well at least my GM dealers will do that for me)

[29BHS ECO]

guitarmanrik-- If you don't have a trans cooler now that may mean you don't have a tow package which means that there are others things that need to be changed/ added like rear end gears, tires, 12v constant power to the 7 pin conn, mirrors etc. Just an fyi-- a trailer hitch does not make a tow vehicle. Larry

[bccber]

This is a update on original ? Since my post I have taken my new 24rks Jayco and V-8 EB Exp from B.C. to Palm Springs and back over 33 days and lots of pleasant wx. First challenge was the Siskiyou's,which we were able to hold 50 mph with some reserve in second gear. For the most part used cruise control on I 5 set at 60 mph,no problem maintaining that. The Tehachapi pass was easy, If any of you have been up to the Silent Valley resort at Banning,Ca then you will have a very interesting climbing experience. ,lots of switchbacks and sheer drops,terrific view though,I found the biggest challenge is the descent from 4000 ft,again 2nd is best. All in all I was very satisfied with the ability of the Explorer to do the job,however I think I will opt for an Expedition or equivalent for next TV.
I sure as heck don't think any V-6 could handle this setup which includes the 1000/10000 Equal-i-zer. avg mpg was 10.6 imperial.

[Wyotraveler]

Originally Posted by Guitarmanrlk

Looking to buy a Jay Feather ultra light between 4000-5000lbs. Will the Explorer adequately tow it? Should I add the transmission cooler? Thanks.

Great tow car for behind a MH.