2023 Ford Explorer 4 cylinder & 19'

[Beekeepers]

We were planning on a Casita 17 but have now switched our sights to the Explorer 19'. We put the horse before the cart and just purchased a 2023 Explorer with an IV tow package and anti-sway, 10 speed transmission, 5,300 lb tow capacity and 500 lb tongue weight. However it has a 300 hp. 4 cylinder turbo. Specs say we can tow the 19' Explorer, but there is could, should, and enjoy to consider. Anyone have any experience with this tow vehicle?

[Randy in Maine]

How much payload weight for the TV?

[Beekeepers]

The combined vehicle and trailer weight max is 10,300 lbs. Explorer curb weight is 4,345 lbs. Escape 19' GVW is 4,440. So well within "published" limits. I am more worried about you should de versus what you could do. Traveling with 2 adults that travel pretty light. Used to backpacking and bike packing trips.

[Mike G]

I've towed 16' and 17' trailers quite a bit (140k miles) in the past with a Toyota Highlander AWD. The Explorer is now RWD (if not AWD), a nice long wheelbase of 119" (the HL was 108"), and the 2.3L turbo is a fair bit stronger than the Highlander's 3.5L 6 cyl (plus the turbo will help in the higher elevations). You might need to add some air bags or (better yet) a weight distribution hitch if it sags more than you like, but otherwise I'd say the Explorer should do fine. For a WD hitch I'd suggest the Andersen NoSway as a candidate because it's about half the weight of most such hitches, with easy to stow chains instead of heavy spring bars.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Beekeepers

The combined vehicle and trailer weight max is 10,300 lbs. Explorer curb weight is 4,345 lbs. Escape 19' GVW is 4,440. So well within "published" limits. I am more worried about you should de versus what you could do. Traveling with 2 adults that travel pretty light. Used to backpacking and bike packing trips.

Payload of the tow vehicle is important too. Actually weigh your Explorer as equipped, subtract that from the GWVR on the door sticker, that's your useable payload. Take the weight of the driver and passengers, the trailer tongue weight, the hitch, and everything else you might bring, that should be less than the max payload number.

[WillyB]

The 2023 Explorer has a listed dry payload capacity between 1,084 to 1,723 lbs.

My 2016 F150's payload capacity is 1802 lbs and with a 400 lb dry torque weight, 300 lbs. for 2 adults & a dog, 110 lbs for truck bed cover, 300 lbs of gear and a full 36 gals of gas it starts creeping up on that payload capacity pretty quick.

Add in another 400-500 lbs for a couple of friends and their gear and you can see where payload capacity can become problematic.

But Ford says my truck can "tow" 11,200 lbs.

Stay safe!

[HABBERDABBER]

You state you are looking at acquiring an Explorer 19. Escape Trailers does not have such a named model, to my knowledge. There is a XPLORER 19 trailer, from a different manufacturer and type of trailer.
Are you asking on the proper forum?

[Beekeepers]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

You state you are looking at acquiring an Explorer 19. Escape Trailers does not have such a named model, to my knowledge. There is a XPLORER 19 trailer, from a different manufacturer and type of trailer.
Are you asking on the proper forum?

Should have said Escape. https://escapetrailer.com/the-19-foot-escape/

The confusion on my part was trading my Ford Escape for a Ford Explorer as a tow vehicle. Sorry.

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Beekeepers

The combined vehicle and trailer weight max is 10,300 lbs. Explorer curb weight is 4,345 lbs. Escape 19' GVW is 4,440. So well within "published" limits. I am more worried about you should de versus what you could do. Traveling with 2 adults that travel pretty light. Used to backpacking and bike packing trips.

Look at the yellow "Tire Loading" sticker on your driver's door post. That is the actual allowable payload for your specific vehicle. Most light duty vehicles will run out of payload well before getting near the mythical max trailer towing weight.

Payload less trailer tongue weight is what you have left for driver, passengers and all "stuff" you put in the truck / bed.


Appears you might be close to the max tongue weight for the TV as well........though the #500 may be for a non WD hitch?

[Selkirk]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

Appears you might be close to the max tongue weight for the TV as well........though the #500 may be for a non WD hitch?

Is a WD hitch approved for use with an Explorer? I know that some manufacturers don't recommend them with unibody vehicles.

[Beekeepers]

Max payload is 1.365 lbs. Tongue weight is actually 530 lbs but Escape says plan for 500 lb tongue weight. Planning on WD hitch

Combined passenger weight is 325
17 gallons of gas is 102 lbs
1365 Max payload
-102 - fuel
-325 - passengers
-500 - tongue weight
=438 lbs of payload for junk in the back

Pretty sure I am okay,

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Selkirk

Is a WD hitch approved for use with an Explorer? I know that some manufacturers don't recommend them with unibody vehicles.

Appears to not be specifically addressed in the 2023 Explorer towing supplement - only "Weight Carrying" stated.

[Beekeepers]

Originally Posted by Selkirk

Is a WD hitch approved for use with an Explorer? I know that some manufacturers don't recommend them with unibody vehicles.

Previous years towing guides state WD hitch recommended over 3,000 pounds according to Ford Explorer Forum

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Beekeepers

Max payload is 1.365 lbs. Tongue weight is actually 530 lbs but Escape says plan for 500 lb tongue weight. Planning on WD hitch

Combined passenger weight is 325
17 gallons of gas is 102 lbs
1365 Max payload
-102 - fuel
-325 - passengers
-500 - tongue weight
=438 lbs of payload for junk in the back

Pretty sure I am okay,

You don't have deduct for fuel..............

But, you are over #500 max tongue a bit...........

Not seeing the WD suggested over #3k, just the Class IV Trailer Tow package 52T.

[camp4528]

Originally Posted by Beekeepers

Max payload is 1.365 lbs. Tongue weight is actually 530 lbs but Escape says plan for 500 lb tongue weight. Planning on WD hitch

Combined passenger weight is 325
17 gallons of gas is 102 lbs
1365 Max payload
-102 - fuel
-325 - passengers
-500 - tongue weight
=438 lbs of payload for junk in the back

Pretty sure I am okay,

There is a lot of confusion about the Payload rating on the door sticker. My understanding is that the Payload rating already assumes all tanks holding liquid are full (gas, oil, washer, coolant, etc). So your 100lb for the gas does not count against the payload number. However, the driver and all passengers, gear, hitch, tonque from the trailer all do count against the payload.

Hopefully I haven't muddied things further.

[Beekeepers]

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums...-hitch.315556/

Again, a third party reference to a past Ford publication but the Explorer has not changed much chassis wise in several years.

How do you figure I am over on tongue weight. Just double checked and tongue weight for my model with Class IV hitch is actually 560 lbs.

[Beekeepers]

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums...-hitch.315556/

Third party reference to use of WD hitch on Explorer and Ford tow guide. Tongue weight for my model is actually 560 lb.

Take out 102 lbs for fuel and add 82 lbs. for hitch is a 30 improvement

[7Gentex]

Ford doesn't appear to specifically require nor "prohibit" WD for the 2023 Explorer .........??

In the 2023 Towing guide, on P#44 it does not give WD specifications for the Explorer, (or the Ranger which is full frame I believe) which could be implied as a "No go", and on P#45, in the "Weight Distribution Correction Factor" (top right box) it states "Not required" (Same for the Ranger?)

Wonder what the basis for "Not required" is..........?

The Transit does state "Use not recommended"

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content...wing-Guide.pdf

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Beekeepers

......
How do you figure I am over on tongue weight. Just double checked and tongue weight for my model with Class IV hitch is actually 560 lbs.

My bad, I read #500 limit from your original post..........

[Centex]

Originally Posted by camp4528

There is a lot of confusion about the Payload rating on the door sticker. My understanding is that the Payload rating already assumes all tanks holding liquid are full (gas, oil, washer, coolant, etc). So your 100lb for the gas does not count against the payload number. However, the driver and all passengers, gear, hitch, tongue from the trailer all do count against the payload.

Hopefully I haven't muddied things further.

All above is correct - federal rule relating to the tire loading sticker mandates that the available 'payload' on the sticker already factor-in the weight of full OE fuel and fluids tanks for the specific VIN (if you have an optional 'oversize' OE tank, that's already considered).