2004 sv-190t towed by2011 explorer with class 3 towing package.?

[lunarcaptain]

2004 surveyor hybrid sv-190t
I will now be towing with a 2011 explorer with class 3 towing package, and electric brakes ctrl.

says 5000 towing weight and 500 tongue weight.

is the surveyor fall in that range? is this do=-able?
think I need a weight dist hitch?

whatya all think?

and where can i get an owners manual to see the exact weights of the surveyor?

thank you in adnavnce.!

[thebrakeman]

We have a 2004 261T, the big-brother to the 190T. They are very light-weight.

Could not find the 2004 specs. Dry weight on a 2009 model is 2650; Payload capacity is less than 1000 lbs. In reality, the GVWR on your 2004 model is probably 3500 lbs. 325lbs dry hitch weight will probably get a bit over 400 lbs.

Weight wise, this is a good match, although you might find that you need a WDH. But the trouble will be the wind resistance. V6 crossovers are not the best option for full-height campers, even light ones like yours.

[lunarcaptain]

I called forest river. Got thru fairly quickly to someone who knew tech. She looked up my 2004 surveyor 190 T and came back with these specs

gross weight dry 2934
max cargo wieght 1500
302 tongue weight

My explorer has 550 lb tongue max, 5,000 lb tow cap, it has electric brakes and the whole class 3 towing pack etc. also going to use weight dist hitch too!


Thanks for your quick and informative post. I figured I would add to your info for future lookups!

Thank you much!

[lunarcaptain]

I am also guessing your "probably" weight is more accurate than any others !!! lol thats what Im going with!

[thebrakeman]

If you don't have an accurate loaded trailer weight, a conservative estimate is 1000 lbs over dry weight. When I towed a popup, typical used to be +600 lbs. Hybrids and small hardside TT seem to be 600-800. So if you don't know, +1000 should be conservative.

That puts you at about 4000 lbs, which will leave you with only 1000 lbs available for passengers and cargo in the Explorer. Again, should not be a problem weight wise, but you may not be happy trying to move at expressway speeds. Definitely keep it out of 6th gear, and be ready to hold 4th if the trans can't hold a consistent gear on it's own. Will these new Explorers let you hold a specific gear (or at least limit to 4th or 5th)?

[Summer2Go]

I too plan to tow a small hybrid with a 2014 Explorer. I would like to know more about towing a Roo 183. I figure on dumping all my tanks in the campground if I have to.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[thebrakeman]

Same drill. You likely will be able to remain under your weight limits, but the drivetrain may not be happy due to wind resistance at high-speed.

I just remembered that the FORD TOWING GUIDES include a frontal area limit for each vehicle. Looking at the 2014 guide, on page 13, the limit for an Explorer:
-w/o class III tow package = 20 sq-ft. That's a standard short/wide popup, or a narrow-medium-height utility trailer.
-with class III tow package = 40 sq-ft. That's a high-wall popup or a tall/narrow utility trailer.

Most modern campers are now 8ft wide and at least 8 feet tall from bottom of frame to top of roof. That's at least 64 sq-ft, and that's being conservative. The drivetrain is not intended to be pulling a full-height brick of a camper.

The choice is yours, but you will likely find the transmission constantly hunting for the right gear. And it could prevent the torque-convertor from locking up, driving up transmission temps.