Should I upgrade my TV?

[vinmaker]

Yeah Beerjay. A new small diesel would be awesome. Just none on horizon at the moment that I can see. As you mentioned, the Trailblazer does not get good mileage at all and I think that contributed to its demise. Why not just get a larger vehicle with a V8 (Tahoe, etc) with equal MPG.

[Bryce]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

Are you speaking of the Eco boost engine? There is a lot of talk of that engine here on the forum. That I believe only comes in the Explorer sport. As that is close to $45K if I remember correctly. Right around the price of a V8 Tahoe I think.

I was looking at the standard Explorer engine (V6 - non turbocharged). The tow package is rated up to 5,000 lbs.

Vin.

While I love my '13 Ex Limited.. it's a great road trip vehicle, I'm not sure I'd be happy towing with it (probably because I have my '01 F-250 Diesel to tow with). Mine's a NA V6 with tow package and 4wd. I got the Tow package strictly for the additional cooling it has, but don't plan to ever really tow anything more than my 17.5ft boat.

This thread talked about using a 5th gen Explorer as a TV. http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-tv-58017.html

the 5000lbs rating is with a weight distribution hitch... anyone familiar with what that does to a Unibody framed vehicle?
The Ecoboot Sport has the same tow ratings, so I'd guess the limit is not the engine but the body or brakes on the Ex, since the same Ecoboost in an F-150 gets 2x the tow capacity.

[beerjay]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

Yeah Beerjay. A new small diesel would be awesome. Just none on horizon at the moment that I can see. As you mentioned, the Trailblazer does not get good mileage at all and I think that contributed to its demise. Why not just get a larger vehicle with a V8 (Tahoe, etc) with equal MPG.

Actually you get a lot with a Yukon/Tahoe besides a proven V8. The tow packages add a lot of safety and stability and the wheelbase stops wind sheer and transport sway while towing, was well as better brakes. I have no white knuckles with the Suburban.

I'm sure with 5 of us and gear I was over the rear axle rating of the Trailblazer and that's the key indicator in 1500 type vehicles. You will hit that long before you are over tow rating or the GCWR.

[Rockwoodjoe]

I'm looking for a '53 Merc convertible that they pulled the Long Long trailer with in the movie. I wonder what that trailer weighed.


2013 Ford f-150 Super Cab 5.0L 3.55
Rockwood 2703ws on order

[rsscully]

What about a grand Cherokee with the hemi?

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by beerjay

Sounds familiar to my situation. Had a 2002 Trailblazer I6 for 4 years pulling a Coleman Mesa (3000 lbs). Pulled ok but the Trailblazer is underpowered for towing and doesn't have a big gas tank. Worked ok for lots of short trips though.
...

I had a 2000 Coleman Mesa for 2003-2009 camping seasons, also loaded to around 3000 lbs! I used a '97 Chrysler Town & Country 3.8L (which got totaled) for 5 seasons, then a '00 Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3L for 2 seasons. Sticking to fairly flat land, I was pleased with both. Near the limits, but used a LD WDH kit, and the same Prodigy brake controller I have now.

[beerjay]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

I had a 2000 Coleman Mesa for 2003-2009 camping seasons, also loaded to around 3000 lbs! I used a '97 Chrysler Town & Country 3.8L (which got totaled) for 5 seasons, then a '00 Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3L for 2 seasons. Sticking to fairly flat land, I was pleased with both. Near the limits, but used a LD WDH kit, and the same Prodigy brake controller I have now.

The guy I bought the Sunridge/Mesa from had a Grand Caravan. He said he stayed on flat roads close to home and had some scary moments but had a load of kids and gear too, sway bar but no WDH.

I actually had a 1998 Grand Voyager 3.3L at the time as well, but I think it was rated at 2000lbs tow capacity.

I opted for the new Trailblazer at the time and it was a good vehicle overall. Friction sway bar but no WDH. I'm still using the simple Reese brake controller I had with the popup.

[asquared]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

The Armada's as great but big. I think they compete with the Suburban which is on the large size to me. I would prefer a Tahoe size vehicle I think. Pathfinder and Toureg are definitely considerations. The choices can make you crazy. lol.
Vin.

Actually the armada has a lot shorter wheel base than the burb and is probably closer to the Tahoe. Although, it is technically in between the two. The armada has a 123" wheel base whereas the suburban has a 130" wheel base and the Tahoe has 116" wheelbase. I have had a Durango and an armada, honestly, they both drove just fine as daily drivers (this was in south Jersey and Philadelphia). The armada actually handled better than the Durango but to be fair it was a 2000 durango and a 2004 armada.

[vinmaker]

I see asquared. I will have to look at the armada a bit closer then.

Thanks.

Vin.

[tanddc]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

Are you speaking of the Eco boost engine? There is a lot of talk of that engine here on the forum. That I believe only comes in the Explorer sport. As that is close to $45K if I remember correctly. Right around the price of a V8 Tahoe I think.

I was looking at the standard Explorer engine (V6 - non turbocharged). The tow package is rated up to 5,000 lbs.

Vin.

No on the turbo. 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6
Still puts out 290 HP (255 on the torque)

[tanddc]

Originally Posted by Bryce

While I love my '13 Ex Limited.. it's a great road trip vehicle, I'm not sure I'd be happy towing with it (probably because I have my '01 F-250 Diesel to tow with). Mine's a NA V6 with tow package and 4wd. I got the Tow package strictly for the additional cooling it has, but don't plan to ever really tow anything more than my 17.5ft boat.

This thread talked about using a 5th gen Explorer as a TV. http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-tv-58017.html

the 5000lbs rating is with a weight distribution hitch... anyone familiar with what that does to a Unibody framed vehicle?
The Ecoboot Sport has the same tow ratings, so I'd guess the limit is not the engine but the body or brakes on the Ex, since the same Ecoboost in an F-150 gets 2x the tow capacity.

I use a Blue Ox WDH with mine with no problem. I think there is excess worry about uni-bodies and towing.

I think my ex is the exact same as you. Only difference is I don't have a diesel F150 to use instead

[keith_h]

Originally Posted by tanddc

I use a Blue Ox WDH with mine with no problem. I think there is excess worry about uni-bodies and towing.

I think my ex is the exact same as you. Only difference is I don't have a diesel F150 to use instead

I don't know that the concern has to do with uni-bodies as a construction technique but how they are set up to tow. The factory tow packages on some (most/all?) clearly state they do not support a WDH. Since this is fairly important to a number of people it kind of eliminates uni-bodies from the equation. There are some businesses out there that can custom build receivers for WDH on uni-bodies but it is a specialized field and not something a "Do it yourselfer" is likely to attempt. With a body on frame on the other hand a person can usually upgrade receivers with relative ease on their own.

[vinmaker]

Originally Posted by keith_h

I don't know that the concern has to do with uni-bodies as a construction technique but how they are set up to tow. The factory tow packages on some (most/all?) clearly state they do not support a WDH. Since this is fairly important to a number of people it kind of eliminates uni-bodies from the equation. There are some businesses out there that can custom build receivers for WDH on uni-bodies but it is a specialized field and not something a "Do it yourselfer" is likely to attempt. With a body on frame on the other hand a person can usually upgrade receivers with relative ease on their own.

Yes. I just found this out during a discussion on a Toyota 4Runner. I was surprised that some manufacturers state that you should NOT use a WDH. I am in the process of trying to figure out if a Ford Explorer with a tow package will NOT accept a WDH. I need to find one and see what the manual says. I cannot believe the Ford website is so vague on stuff like this. Either that or I cannot find it.

The Tahoe might just be the way to go. They just cost so freaking much.

Vin.

[tanddc]

If you check the link below you will see that it is RQUIRED to have a WDH to tow over 2000 LBS with the Ford explorer

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...orer_Sep11.pdf

[kinma13]

we have a 2014 Ford Explorer AWD and we pull a 2015 rockwood hw276, The pup is about 3800 lbs fully loaded and we do just fine so far. havent really went anywhere with hills or mountains, but we dont even have a WDH or sway and havent needed it yet. During the 355 we get about 16+ mpg in the city (heavy foot too) we dont lose much when pulling about 14 mpg.

[kinma13]

my owners manual says its best after 3500 lbs to use a WDH but not sure on FWD ours is AWD.

[kinma13]

tanddc: i believe the 2k max is fwd and 4 cyl, if you look at the first chart it says 5k.

vinmaker here is a link to the Owners Manual down load printing 1 its a pdf file go to pg 277. this is the 2014 explorer manual.

2014 Ford Explorer Owner’s Manual & Maintenance Guides | Official Ford Owner Site

[tanddc]

Kimma,

If you look down at the receiver capacity, you will see that 2K is the maximum towing amount for weight carrying hitches.

Tim

[kinma13]

I see that. So confusing then.

[keith_h]

The 2000 lbs would be towing without the towing package. On the older Explorers it was eh bumper hitch not sure what the 5th generations uses but most likely a class II receiver. The towing package adds a class III hitch and whatever else is needed to increase capacity. This is where the 3500 lbs comes in.