Towing 163x

Toners · 01-03-2016, 12:34 PM

Hello, I am new to this forum as well as pulling a camper. I had a palomino pop up we bought at the beginning of summer and realized that it was not big enough so we bought a 163x. Now since I am still new and paranoid I am concerned that my 2009 ford explorer can pull it on long trips. We did buy a LD hitch from the dealer and my explorer has a class III / IV hitch that came from the factory . Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks all!

keith_h · 01-03-2016, 01:16 PM

Which engine and rear end do you have in the vehicle? Is it a 4X2, 4X4 or AWD? What is the GVWR and GCWR on your model?

According to the 2009 towing guide you have a max trailer towing weight between 5000 lbs and 5375 lbs for the V6 with a 3.73 rear end. For the V8 it is 7115 lbs to 7285 lbs. This does not mean you will be able to tow this amount as the gross combined weight of the vehicle and cargo capacity comes into play. Your real weight limit will likely be less once you calculate passenger weight and any stuff you take with you in the SUV. With a V6 assuming you do not load the trailer to it's maximum weight I suspect you will be right at the limit of what you could tow comfortably. If you load it fully I suspect you will be over. With the V8 you should be fine.

I have been towing with a 2001 Explorer 4X2 with the 4.0L V6 and 4.10 rear end. It has a spec'ed max trailer weight of 5940 lbs. Based on how our Explorer is equipped and how we pack when traveling I calculate our max to be a bit under 5K lbs. The loaded weight of my trailer is 3100 lbs. While we won't win any races in the mountains we can keep reasonable speeds without stressing the engine or ourselves. I'm pretty sure we would still see good over all performance on hills and mountains up to around 4K lbs. I consider this our practical limit as anything over that just becomes a frustration to drive.

Toners · 01-03-2016, 04:03 PM

Hi Keith thanks for your reply. My engine is a 4.0liter V6 4x4 with a 3:73 rear end. My gvwr is 6190 the gcwr is 7400. No one has ever explained this all to me so thank you again!

**bikendan** · 01-03-2016, 04:58 PM

I think your biggest issue will be the hitch weight, when loaded. With a 400lbs. dry hitch weight for a stripped down trailer with no battery or propane, you could easily be close to 550lbs. when loaded.
You'll be at or possibly over the Exploder's max hitch capacity.

Don't think the trailer weight will be an issue.
I also owned an older 4.0 Exploder for a number of years, towing a popup.

Toners · 01-03-2016, 07:41 PM

Hi bikendan, Thank you for your input! Now I have a stupid question. . my hitch weight is 500 lbs. Now I did buy a Load distribution hitch.. does that matter?

**bikendan** · 01-03-2016, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toners

Hi bikendan, Thank you for your input! Now I have a stupid question. . my hitch weight is 500 lbs. Now I did buy a Load distribution hitch.. does that matter?

How did you determine the 500lbs.?
Did you actually weigh it?

Did you look for the sticker or stamping on the receiver, regarding max tongue weight with and without a WDH?

Toners · 01-03-2016, 10:01 PM

I looked on the reciever stamping.

**bikendan** · 01-03-2016, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toners

I looked on the reciever stamping.

Is the 500lbs with or without a WDH? The receiver should have two amounts listed.
What WDH did you get?

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