Experienced Sport Trac Haulers Out There?

[cschulz]

Afternoon all,

I have just picked up a new (to us) camping rig for the family and I, and I'm wondering if anyone out there has experience hauling with a Sport Trac?

The newish trailer is a 2004 Shamrock 21' HTT. I believe dry weight on it is roughly 3000LBS with a 260LB tongue weight. When we are fully loaded for camping, I would estimate the trailer comes in at about 3800LBS

Our TV is a 2005 Sport Trac (Adrenalin), with the 205HP 4.0L V6 and 4:10 in the rear. We have a 700 pound WD hitch and a full trailer break setup, and an aftermarket transmission cooler (not sure of the make, came with the truck).

I have only hauled the trailer 3 times so for, for a total of about 300 miles, and it pulls well. However, on our last return trip, I hit serious cross/head winds (60km - 80km gusts). When I hit this head wind, my little work horse had it all it could do to keep 95km, RPM at 3k and if I tried for more it would kick down to passing gear (really makes me wonder if I can handle a mountain trip).

I looked at my towing guide guild for the vehicly and all that I can find is that it is rated for 3500LBS, or 5300LBS "if properly equipped". I have not yet be able to define what "if properly equipped" means. We have the trans cooler, the WD hitch, trailer breaks... I am cautiously assuming this meets the criteria. Can someone out there using a Sport Trac for real world camping throw some comments my way on the thier experience?

Thank you in advance for any feedback,

Chris

[bikendan]

you've experienced why most will suggest a v-8 to tow a travel trailer. the wind resistance of pulling a barn door will easily strain a v-6.
i had an Explorer 4.0 v-6 and i would never had asked it to tow a travel trailer. but i have to go over the Sierras, Cascades and Siskiyous to get anywhere.
in normal situations, your Sport-Trac can tow 5000lbs. but it's not going to be happy whent the weather gets rough.

[cschulz]

Thank you for the reply. I live in the middle of the praries here, and it maybe that I should keep my little rig in on the flatlands until I can upgrade my TV. However it would still be nice to hear from anyone that has towed with a similiar vehicle, and how they found it in the hills. I am not to far from the Rockies, and it would be nice to hear if a short trip into them is a feasable thought, even if a trip all the way through is not.

Thanks again,

Chris

[California Rambler]

Back when I first started out, I was using a Sport Trac... Until I burned out my transmission. I was pulling about 4,000 lbs (Dry weight trailer) and it finally gave up on me.

After having the ST transmission rebuilt, I sold it and got serious and got a V8 f250 and never looked back.