Hello from the Hudson Valley

[ShamrockWoody]

Hi, I'm contemplating my first travel trailer purchase and figured the forums are the best place to go for info the dealers don't tell you! I'm particularly looking at the 2020 Forest River Flagstaff E-pro 19FD. I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with 3.55 gears. It's rated at 3500 pounds and was wondering if anyone at all had a similar circumstance.

[bikendan]

Sorry but have you looked at the specs on that trailer?
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/trave...pro/E19FD/3557

The fictional dry tongue weight alone, of 390lbs, already exceeds the 350lbs max hitch weight of your Explorer.
That before adding weights of battery, factory options, water or cargo.
And loaded for camping, the trailer's actual weight could easily be over the 3500lbs max. And that 3500 number is rated with only a 150lb driver and full tank. Anything else in the car, will lower that number by its weight.

[ShamrockWoody]

I'm still trying to get a definitive answer on my Explorer. Some are saying 3.55 gears = 3500 pounds, https://www.bing.com/search?q=2002+f...RM=CHRDEF&sp=2 Says 5500 pounds, some sites are saying 3.72 gear set will give me 7000 pounds of pull. The hitch would most certainly need to be addressed, so I'm still looking at options.

[Flybob]

Cargo capacity ( weight) has nothing to do with gear ratios. Weight capacity is determined by frame, suspension and tires. The cargo capacity of a vehicle is posted on a sticker on the drivers door jamb. That number is the total weigh that can be added to the TV, includes hitch weight, weight of hitch (100lbs) and all cargo and passengers in TV except driver.

[ShamrockWoody]

additionally I found this

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/v...DU73W52UC96140

[rebellee]

Welcome from a former inhabitant of the lower Hudson valley. I grew up in Warwick NY (Orange county) and often worked down in Rockland (Nyack, Peal City, Haverstraw, etc.) but moved west in '78. I can't help you with the towing issue, but there are many knowledgable folks on here that can help.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by ShamrockWoody

I'm still trying to get a definitive answer on my Explorer. Some are saying 3.55 gears = 3500 pounds, https://www.bing.com/search?q=2002+f...RM=CHRDEF&sp=2 Says 5500 pounds, some sites are saying 3.72 gear set will give me 7000 pounds of pull. The hitch would most certainly need to be addressed, so I'm still looking at options.

Which engine? V-6 or V-8?
You need to know rear end ratio and GCWR for your car, to know the Towing capacity.

You can find the 2002 Ford Towing Guide here:
https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-...towing-guides/

[CurtPutnam]

Welcome from SoCal!
You may need a more capable tow vehicle or else back off to a trailer you can actually tow safely with gear and family aboard.

[tpstauffer]

Originally Posted by ShamrockWoody

Hi, I'm contemplating my first travel trailer purchase and figured the forums are the best place to go for info the dealers don't tell you! I'm particularly looking at the 2020 Forest River Flagstaff E-pro 19FD. I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with 3.55 gears. It's rated at 3500 pounds and was wondering if anyone at all had a similar circumstance.

Smart move to check in with this forum. The most your tow vehicle could handle is some popups. Your vehicle tow rating is not enough for this trailer.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by ShamrockWoody

Hi, I'm contemplating my first travel trailer purchase and figured the forums are the best place to go for info the dealers don't tell you! I'm particularly looking at the 2020 Forest River Flagstaff E-pro 19FD. I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with 3.55 gears. It's rated at 3500 pounds and was wondering if anyone at all had a similar circumstance.

We don't have enough information to give you an answer. The trailer is almost 4,000 lbs GWV (the trailer, plus cargo.) You already know that your hitch is rated at 350 and the trailer is rated at 390. The only information I've found shows your towing capacity around 5,000 pound. So you're going to have to make a judgement call. If you had a proper hitch weight, maybe, but you don't have a vehicle with a tow package and the numbers are too tight for safety. IMHO

[pgandw]

You haven't answered the V6 or V8 question. You can probably get away with towing a little extra weight, especially if you use a weight distribution hitch (WDH).

What you can't get away from is the frontal area of your TT, especially if you have the V6. You just won't have the guts to keep at highway speeds in significant headwinds. Well, maybe if you have the engine to 5K RPMs in 3rd gear. Add an upgrade in the NY mountains, and you will be slowed below many trucks. Ask me how I know this.

Above about 45MPH, wind resistance of the TT will be the most significant load on your tow vehicle. Unless you have 260+HP, with a decent torque (at least 225 ft-lbs) available in the 3K RPM range, you are just not going to be able to manage 65-70MPH into a headwind without winding the engine all the time.

Ford tow ratings usually have a frontal area max - heed it and follow it.

just my experiences
Fred W
had 2000 Coleman Lakewood pop-up
had 1993 Ford Explorer

had 2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame
now 2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW high wall A-frame
now 2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan (V6)

And yes, the difference from towing the standard height A122 to towing the high wall (all of 7" higher) is noticeable. I went from 35 sq ft frontal area to 40 sq ft, and now contend with noticeably more and earlier downshifts. Gas mileage towing went 18mpg to 14mpg. And there's only 300lbs increase in actual towed weight. I can keep highway speeds (60-70mph) with occasional downshifts to 3rd gear on upgrades with the high wall. There is no way I could keep highway speeds with a full height TT.