Tow Vehicle: 2010-2013 Ford Explorer V6 (non-ecoboost) towing 22ve

[low23]

Hey guys, probably selling my boat soon and if I were to ever get another I'd be looking at most likely a 22ve. Those are rated at 4300 pounds. I saw on another thread where someone said their 22ve loaded with twin axles weighed around 5500-6000 lbs. I'm also looking at replacing our vehicle soon and strongly considering a 2010-newer Ford Explorer which are rated at 5000 pounds towing. I think we can all agree that towing capacities are bogus for the most part. Generally, yes, that does go for things being rated too high but still.... Does anyone have any experience using a Ford Explorer, with 4wd, to pull their boats around the weights I have listed? For long distances, over a mile, I would rely on using someone elses truck, but for short distances, less than a mile and pulling it out of the water, I would use the Explorer. We would keep the boat very close to the ramp. So, in saying that does anyone have any experience with these?

[Timmy!]

I wouldn't recommend going over the stated capacity but clarify your situation. How often would you be towing? What distance? What kind of terrain? If you are towing every weekend or twice every weekend and for any kind of distance, definitely don't do it. If you are 3 miles from the ramp and it's 35 mph, sure, why not? Those tow ratings are there for a reason...and some may be overstated rather than understated and that's why there is a push to get the Manufacturers on board with the J2807 towing standard.
More info: http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/what-i...cks-1593305929

[boardman74]

22VE is a big boat. I would say you're looking at a solid 6000 lbs in lake form full of fuel on the trailer. Its not going to be less, the RZR (20 footer with narrower beam) weighs 5000 lbs on the trailer…I have personally weighed it.

So most would agree that a 5000 lb rated vehicle pulling a 6000 lb+ boat is very unsafe. Most sources say not to regularly exceed 80% of tow capacity so at that you are 2000 lbs(25%) beyond a safe level. With that said if you're just pulling it out of the water and driving a mile or less slowly you will probably be OK. I had a mid size SUV with a 5000 lb tow capacity years ago pulling a 21 foot open bow Direct Drive and it struggled. Couldn't imagine pulling a 22VE with one. I have towed a 08 22VE with my 1/2 ton Chevy and you could definitely feel it back there. Bottom line is its really way to much, but if your basically just using it like a tractor to pull out/ launch you should be OK.

[sandm]

remember that it's not so much it's ability to tow, but the ability of the tow vehicle to stop in a panic situation.

personally, in this litigious society that we live in, should you ever be involved in a wreck with that setup, it would not take much digging for the others insurance company to start pointing fault at you no matter who was really at fault for towing beyond the manufacturers stated limits.

all my .02..

[Smcqueen]

Less than a mile as you mentioned should not be too hard on the driveline. 4wd should get you up the ramp. Stay off the highway.

[nmriordan]

I'd personally consider other vehicles. I tow a 20v with an Expedition (tow rating of 8,900 lbs) and in hilly areas round our lakes I absolutely need the extra brawn. I've always used a rule of 2/3 when it comes to tow capacity and (loaded) boat weights.

My father-in-law has the Explorer you mention and he's hooked it up just to see how it would handle our boat (which is only 3,800 dry, no trailer) and there's no way I'd tow in Missouri's hilly terrain with it over anything but a few miles without hills. That said, I probably am a little conservative when it comes to towing... was a passenger in a Suburban when the brakes on the 24 ft I/O trailer went out and watched the trailer/boat almost swing beside us coming down a hill... luckily all worked out in the long run other than wasting a perfectly good pair of boxers.

Yes, the V-8's are going to suck a lot more gas, but it's a worthwhile tradeoff for the added comfort in my opinion.

[Captainkurk72]

Pulling in and out of the lake shouldn't be a problem if you are 4wd Low and the grade of the ramp is low. I have a 05 22V and used a 2000 Durango 4.7 (5000lb TC) and pulled it once to the gas station. It was not fun and had to borrow father-in-law truck. I quickly purchased a 2014 1500 Ram Crew 5.7 8spd with the lower gears (9800 TC). A world of difference and don't have to borrow and get 12mpg towing (17mpg city and 22.7 best on highway).
I have a friend with the new Explorer 4wd and he has a 26' pontoon. He tows back and forth 2hours each way and says it is not a pleasurable experience. He too is now shopping for a truck.
My recommendaiton is to buy Crew Cab truck with at least >9000 towing capacity. You won't regret it. My only regret was not doing it sooner.

[Timmy!]

Ever read a post and then forget that they put the info in there that you were looking for? He put right in there that he was only going to tow a mile and use someone else's truck for longer distances yet my brain just skipped over all of that. I think for 1 mile, you will probably be just fine!

[IDBoating]

Biggest issue for me in this thread is the legal exposure. Short distance, going slowly, on surface streets - probably OK. But be darned careful. If you get into an accident I can guaran-dang-tee you the other guy's insurance policy will be using that overweight towing as an excuse for everything, and they have way more lawyers than you can ever afford. Plus, your own insurance company will bail instantly once they find out you were towing overweight. And there you'll be, all alone, just you and your bank account against the other guy's insurance company. Not a friendly situation.

It's sad that we've come to this point in America, but it's the reality. Today it's much less about "what can your equipment actually do" and more about "can someone find a weakness in your legal position". I wouldn't make it easy for them.

[BurnMac42]

Biggest issue for me in this thread is the legal exposure. Short distance, going slowly, on surface streets - probably OK. But be darned careful. If you get into an accident I can guaran-dang-tee you the other guy's insurance policy will be using that overweight towing as an excuse for everything, and they have way more lawyers than you can ever afford. Plus, your own insurance company will bail instantly once they find out you were towing overweight. And there you'll be, all alone, just you and your bank account against the other guy's insurance company. Not a friendly situation.

It's sad that we've come to this point in America, but it's the reality. Today it's much less about "what can your equipment actually do" and more about "can someone find a weakness in your legal position". I wouldn't make it easy for them.

Nailed it...

If you don't want to pay for a newer Ford any of the half tons 2006ish+ will have plenty high tow capacity.....

My 2007 Tundra is rated for 10.5k....Some states actually require it to be registered as a 3/4 ton because of it's weight and rear axle ;-)

[IDBoating]

If you don't want to pay for a newer Ford any of the half tons 2006ish+ will have plenty high tow capacity.....

That's a good idea that's come up here before. If your tow distances are short anyway, buy somebody's old beater truck and use it solely as your tow vehicle. Ripped upholstery, rusted body, as long as the drivetrain is OK who cares? Then you can buy the everyday vehicle you WANT, rather than forcing the boat's weight to decide for you.

[Ewok]

Another option would be to find a nice used 4runner with a V-8, my 2008 was rated to tow 7,000. I also put my RZ2 on a scale at a truck stop, disconnected it from the tow vehicle and with a full tank of gas, all the gear for the lake, and a full cooler it weighed 6,400 lbs. The RZ2 was a little heavier than the 22ve I think, but you're still going to be quite a bit over the Explorer tow weight. The newest generation 4runner does not have a V-8 option so you have to look for something pre-2010, but they are real body on frame trucks with a solid rear axle.

[c_hotshot]

Just remember that the new/current generation Explorer is built off the current Tarus platform. Personally, I would not think about towing it even for short distances.

[BCRider]

Last fall my wife had taken (as she always does) our truck to work and left me our 2010 Ecoboost Flex. It was a sunny dry day and I wanted to take the boat to storage while the weather was good. My Flex is rated for 5500 lbs. Obviously the 22ve is over this. I actually found my flex pulled my boat better off the line then my 05 f150 but the truck could definitely stop the boat faster with having bigger brakes. I didn't have to go far and would never use my flex to tow other then this day but I was still amazed at how well it did.

[IDBoating]

You don't want to be this guy (action starts at 0:15 into the video)....