Weight Distribution hitch or not for Ford Explorer

[RonNJ]

Have a 2004 Ford Explorer 4x4 automatic with 8 cyclinder engine and factory installed factory class 3 / 4 hitch. The Ford mamial says it's good to pull up to 7,000 lbs with weight distribution hitch and only 3500 without. Just got a 2200SD searay dry weight 4370. The new trailer is tandem axels and weighs 1480. Thats a total of 6,000 plus extras like gas etc. Trailer has surge disk brakes. Boat dealer says I do NOT need weight distribution on hitch, Ford says I do. Trailer mfg runs the other way but says the weight distribution will not lessen the brakes. One local truck hitch dealer refused to install a weight distribution because the trailer did not have electic brakes and said I would lose 80% trailer brakes with the weight distribution. What do I do? I'm getting conflicting advice?

[swo]

Maybe use an Equalizer hitch, which claims not to affect surge brakes? I'd go with what Ford says, since you're still under warranty.

[Coconuts]

Very few boaters mess with the load distribution hitch because of the brake issue. Plus I think they take a little more time to hook up.

The easiest and probably cheapest way to go is rip out the factory hitch and replace it with a class V. Many are just bolt on with no drilling required. That's what I plan on doing to my Suburban.

[dor]

I dont care what Ford says, the vehicle is very marginal for that load. I bet you end up screwing up the car. To tow that kind of weight on a regular basis buy a bigger Suv or truck.

[KeithS]

Yup what dor say's. I had a '91 explorer, bought new, and pulled a 25 ft camper with a dry weight of 4800#'s for about a yr. I put on load levellers and an anti-sway bar. The vehicle was rated for 5500#'s with the tow option, 373 rears, tranny cooler, frame mounted receiver hitch etc. It did the job but it didn't like it, large hills would slow us down to 45mph and before I put on the levellers and sway bar I would get pushed around especially by big rigs or evan vans and bounce around like crazy, not a real comfy feeling. I had electric brakes for that setup. Like stated above unless your just going a couple miles get a bigger rig.

[DOG HOUSE 2]

If you're pulling somthing that has enough tongue weight to require that type of hitch you probably need a truck with a larger stiffer platform than an Explorer. From my experience mid size SUVs just don't have the suspension stiffness, brake capacity, wheel base and stance to safely pull close to or at their "maximum tow rating" from the factory. It's like the "tail wagging the dog" on braking and at highway speeds. Yet with full size trucks I've pulled their max and beyond with no problem. If your just towing it short distance a few times a year you're probably OK.

[Koz]

Ron. I went through this a few months ago. The weight distribution hitch will let your front end ride on the road better. That will give you better handleing and stopping since most of that is done with the front wheels. Up to 3500lbs Ford believes the weight on the hitch won't screw up your steering and stopping too much but over that amount they want to play it safe.

Certain WD hitches like the Equalizer allow the trailer to slide on the sway arms allowing the brake actuator to work so you don't HAVE TO HAVE electric brakes. Other WD hitches lock onto the trailer frame.. Those types require electric brakes. Equalizer is not cheap.. Here is their site. They will send you a tape explaining how it works.. http://www.equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/

Now that's all the WD hitch will do. It's not going to give you any more power when pulling that boat. Since you already got the boat hook her up and see what it feels like. Squirelly steering look into the WD hitch. Grunting and growning of the truck due to lack of power.. look into a bigger truck.. When you said "Thats a total of 6,000 plus extras like gas etc." 50gal of gas and 10gal of water adds another 480lbs+-. Cooler of ice and drinks.. another 100lbs.. Your pushing every bit of what that Explorer is rated to do.

FWIW: I have a K2500 Diesel Suburban and I'm looking into a Dusky 233FAC.. I'm figuring it weighing around 6,600lbs going down the road and I'm concerned about my truck handeling the weight. I think your going to come up short with the Explorer.. Then again, I have to trailer close to 2hrs to get to my launch.. you might be a lot closer.. Good luck!

[Ranger Tim]

If you are dead-set on towing 6000+ lbs. with the Exploder you will definitely want a WD hitch. I use an Equalizer brand hitch and it works well with the surge brakes on my trailer. As for it being expensive? It is half the price of a comparable Reese hitch (which is not as compatible with surge brakes). Yes, it does take about five minutes extra to hook up, but it is well worth it- no sway, improved steering and braking, much better load distribution.

I tow about 5500-6000 lbs. with my F-150 5.4L Supercrew. This is the minimum vehicle I would consider for the type of towing I do (Interstate travel at 60 mph for two hours per tow). You may not be properly calculating/considering your Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW). Add the weight of the vehicle to the loaded trailer and you will probably find that you have little left for passengers and gear in the Explorer, if any. Your situation screams for a WD hitch. Ford is correct on this. The boat dealer washes his hands of the situation as soon as you drive it off the lot. I drove to the shopping center across the street, installed my Equalizer hitch in 30 minutes and never looked back. Be sure you have a socket to fit up into the ball-nut recess or secure it before-hand.

I have had to slam the brakes hard twice to avoid collisions in the past year. I am convinced the WD hitch saved my bacon both times. Big trucks blow by on the highway and I don't even feel them. However, when the F-150 dies I'll get an F-250 diesel and punt the WD hitch. A WD hitch doesn't make pulling the hills any easier.

[welder]

a] if an excursion is a f250 a.k.a. 3/4 ton
b]if anexpedition is a f150 a.k.a. 1/2 ton
c] whats an exploder


some times ya just gotta say.....what the f$%k and buy a real truck just to be SAFE not just for yourself but for the other people on the road

[Mumblerone]

"...whats an Explorer" Less...not rated that way!

[tightwads]

RonNJ - 6/16/2005 2:12 PM
Ford says I do. Trailer mfg runs the other way but says the weight distribution will not lessen the brakes. One local truck hitch dealer refused to install a weight distribution because the trailer did not have electic brakes and said I would lose 80% trailer brakes with the weight distribution. What do I do? I'm getting conflicting advice?

Sounds to me like unless you're just making short runs, you need a larger tow vehicle.... and if you'll look at my sig below, you'll see that I'm not quick to make a judgement like that.

Luis

[Seacat FL]

I had a similar problem with my 2003 V6 Explorer. It was rated for 5600 lbs and just not enough for my new boat.

I traded it for an '05 Dodge Durango Hemi with HD Tow package and 3.92 axle rated for 8850 lbs. Problem solved without having to buy a truck (I prefer an SUV) and it will fit in my garage.

[Koz]

Hey Ron.. I'm sure this is just what you had in mind.. Come up with the cash to buy a new boat and NOW have to find some more for a new truck..

[Onewolf]

Here's my $0.02. I had a Hydrasports 1850CC (heavy little boat!) which I towed with a '96 Explorer V8. The Explorer handled it fine. Upgraded to a Grady-White Strike 24. Explorer was not nearly enough of a tow vehicle (as expected). Got a '97 Expedition 5.4 which handled the Grady fine.

You will be much happier and safer (as well as the rest of us) with a full size tow vehicle.

Now if I could only figure what tow vehicle to get to tow my World Cat 270TE. Since neither my wife nor I like pickups it looks like the Excursion PS6.0 may be the only viable option. I sure wish GM would produce a Duramax Suburban....

Doug

[BobbyRay]

I tow my Aquasport 215 with a 2001 V8 Explorer using an Equalizer WD hitch setup for anything beyond the 20 min drive to our local lake. I have found that the Equalizer makes a big difference with how stable (re: sway) the rig runs - especially on the freeway with semi's and other big rigs blowing by. For the short runs, I installed an air shock system so I can keep the tandem axel trailer level (this is a must - tandems need to run level!). Explorers seem to squat anyway and with the air shocks I can pump up the rear end to the right height. If I had to do it all over again (and may do sooner rather than later $$) I would get at least an F-150 or Expedition, but preferably an F-250 or Excursion, or a 2500 in the Chev line. Regardless of the tow rating, which on paper is quite adequate, I think the Explorer is just plain overmatched by trailering rigs as big and heavy as ours. I've had some white knuckle experiences riding out trailer sway before I got the WD hitch (and before I adjusted the boat position on the trailer to put more weight on the tongue). Few things are worse than feeling the rear of your tow vehicle start to wag. BTW, you may find good info on general towing issues and tow vehicles at www.rv.net. I have heard that U-Haul will not rent trailers to you if you are going to tow with an Explorer?! Welder: I think the Explorer is a 1/4 ton based on the Ranger chassis

[physicistkev]

Something yet to be mentioned. What happens if you get in an accident with an over loaded hitch or truck? You are gonna get the blame for the accident. All the other guy has to say is "He overloaded his truck and was unable to control it." Your insurance, his insurance and possibly the police might agree. Is it worth risking you 30k car and 40k boat??????

[physicistkev]

dam dbl post

[stevec717]

This has been an informative thread though I'm almost afraid to mention that I bought an Explorer for towing. My boat, motor, trailer all in is about 3600lbs. I've towed it w/o the WD hitch and while it seems OK, I haven't gone over 40 miles and I will be towing 300 miles this Summer. While the vehicle seems comfortable at this load, after reading and checking out the Equal-i-zer website I have to say I'm really considering getting one of these. I'm not tail dragging, but the vehicle definitely does get pulled down a little. Anyone have a good source to get one mail order to install myself?

Thanks,
Steve

[Parthery]

stevec717 - 6/17/2005 10:44 PM This has been an informative thread though I'm almost afraid to mention that I bought an Explorer for towing. My boat, motor, trailer all in is about 3600lbs. I've towed it w/o the WD hitch and while it seems OK, I haven't gone over 40 miles and I will be towing 300 miles this Summer. While the vehicle seems comfortable at this load, after reading and checking out the Equal-i-zer website I have to say I'm really considering getting one of these. I'm not tail dragging, but the vehicle definitely does get pulled down a little. Anyone have a good source to get one mail order to install myself? Thanks, Steve

You might try www.etrailer.com

[Ranger Tim]

I picked up mine through RV Wholesalers dot com. It was a great price and they had free shipping at the time. The hitch package is one heavy mutha.

You can check out pics and a discussion of my towing rig at

http://home.earthlink.net/~streagle/Towing.html