Towing Question

J

john gov.

Member
exMember
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
307
Messages
64
A Sea Hunt 23' CC has a dry weight of 2,800 lbs. Add a Yamaha 225 4-stroke and 700 lbs of gasoline. Can a V-8 AWD Ford Explorer haul that boat on a tandem trailer?
Thanks for any and all comments.
John Gov.
 
If it can't haul your boat John there's something wrong with it. I'm guessing but your V-8 Ford should have a min. towing capacity of about 4500 lbs. How far are you going to trailer your boat? If you're going long distances a good aftermarket tranny cooler might not be a bad idea. My V-6 GMC Jimmy can haul just over 4000 lbs but we don't do any long distance pulling.

Ford's specs for '07 Explorer Sport Trac.

Towing.

Every 2007 Sport Trac now comes complete with a standard Class II Trailer Tow package that can be upgraded to Class III/IV. With the new V8 engine, the 4x2 models boast a maximum tow capacity of 3084 kg (6800 lbs).*

Rick
 
Rick, Yeah, it looks like the Explorer has a towing capacity of 7,000 lbs. More than enough. Now, how about my 1995 F-150 six cylinder, five speed? We have a short six mile run to the nearest ramp, but we might want to haul the boat for some longer distance vacations. Just thinking ahead.
John Gov.
 
You're probably going to be good with the F-150 as well. The 5 Sp manual transmission will crush stones before it gives up hauling a load. A test run might be in order to see if the engine can handle the load without overheating. If your boat/trailer is well balanced you should be ok. Don't know what the tongue weight limit is on the F-150 or Explorer is. We get ours dead centre on the tandem axel trailer so tongue weight is minimal (maybe 75lbs), the Jimmy likes it that way and pulls a 4400lb boat plust trailer plus fuel/water etc. just fine.
 
Does the trailer have surge brakes? Don't forget you have to stop the load as well. The short wheelbase on the Exploder will also cause it to be a little twitchy. Tranny cooler is a must if it does not already have a tow package.
 
Yeah, the tandem axel trailer has surge brakes. Should I get the F-150 fitted out with a Class III hitch? Right now it has a bumper hitch but it is quite a bit more substantial than the typical bumper hitch.
This is starting to be fun!
john gov.
 
If there is a weekness with the explorer, it would be the transmition. Since every vehicle has a different
weight and differential gear ratio, you have to rely on Ford's recommendations. You might look to see if
you have a transmition cooler and a tranny temp gauge. Make sure the over drive is switched off.
 
I hope the F150 has a good clutch, some weight on the rear wheels, and/or limited slip axle. The stick shift 2WD pickups I watch on the ramp tend to either stall, smoke the clutch, or spin the wheels. Explorer sounds like a a better bet.
 
Generally, you're better with an automatic transmission. Stopping, you need trailer brakes of whatever kind.
 
The Yamaha performance bulletin for the Sea Hunt 23' gives weight as tested at 4,250 lbs. (that's with 1/2 tank fuel, one battery, T-top, and safety gear). Besides adding for a second battery, people, and personal gear, what else do I have to consider for total weight? The trailer itself, stuff in the truck???
john gov.
 
The Explorer has enough grunt to pull the load, I believe. The thing that may be less than wonderful about it as a tow vehicle is it's relatively short wheelbase. It sounds like your total load is going to be in the 5500-6000# neighborhood, when you add the 1200-1500# the trailer weighs. You may find that a weight distributing hitch will be necessary.
 
quote:
Rick, Yeah, it looks like the Explorer has a towing capacity of 7,000 lbs. More than enough. Now, how about my 1995 F-150 six cylinder, five speed? We have a short six mile run to the nearest ramp, but we might want to haul the boat for some longer distance vacations. Just thinking ahead.
Click to expand...


John, trust me you don't want to use the F150. I also own an F150 supercab with a 6 cyl and 5 speed and it barley got my friends 21 foot center console up the ramp. I think the 6 cyl 5 speed combo limits the truck to about 2400 lbs. towing. I tow my 13' whaler and my 10" RIB with it but that's about it.

I am looking at F250 Super Duty's now.
 
quote:
Originally posted by john gov.

Yeah, the tandem axel trailer has surge brakes. Should I get the F-150 fitted out with a Class III hitch?

Click to expand...


Definitely
 
quote:
Originally posted by KnottyBuoyz

We get ours dead centre on the tandem axel trailer so tongue weight is minimal (maybe 75lbs), the Jimmy likes it that way and pulls a 4400lb boat plust trailer plus fuel/water etc. just fine.

Click to expand...


Using to low a tongue weight can cause a trailer to fishtail dangerously.

7-15% tongue weight is a good rule of thumb.

See http://www.etrailer.com/faq/trailer-towing-tips.asp for some more information.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Rommer,thanks for the link. Lots of good information there.
john gov.
 
It's not so much what it will tow BUT what it will stop.
I'll catch hell for ths but I have a 99 Yukon Denali.5.7 4wd/awd.Only two years they made the Denali with a transfer case.

I tow a 1995 Crownline 250CR.Tandem aliminum.The boat is heavy to say the least.With Boat/trailer/fue/gear I am a bit over 8k lbs..The boat is 6500lbs dry.You get the idea.

The Denali is rated max at 6500lbs..I can do it pretty good here in Florida even in the heat.Run the AC and she'll only do about 60mph after awhile.Stopping is my biggest concern.I give adequate time and NEVER put myself in a questionable situation.I'll just hang back and give myself room to stop.

Any type of hills and no way..drags me right down.

The 4wd is where it is at..some ramps down here get slimy in the summer.Even without it the steep ramps would be very bad.I use 4lo each time I snatch her out.Crawls right up.I do how ever have to trailer about 40 miles each way.

I'm also in the market for a 7.3 Diesel Excursion..That would be great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top