How do I add trailer towing capacity?

[Machete]

This is for my wife’s 2016 EXPLORER. It’s a front wheel drive base model w normally aspirated V6 engine.

As it sits it tows 1500lbs but we’ve never used it for towing since I have the old 1st gen Expy.

If I add a transmission cooler and hitch is that all I need to increase towing capacity?

What weight will it tow by adding the cooler?

 

[mwl001]

Before you even think about trying to tow above capacity... how much above do you want to go and what do you want to tow and how far?

I used to own a Platinum Explorer 4wd and no matter the tow rating people on the forums hated towing with the standard v6 plus the tiny fuel tank. Add in FWD and that’s going to make for a very unpleasant experience.

Also as for the upgrades themselves none of them increase your legal tow rating, just your practical tow ability. Not everyone cares about the difference but it exists.

 

[byathread]

Well, you are posting this in the Expedition forum, so, forest thought is buy an expedition with tow package!

I towed at/slightly above capacity with my 2005 Tacoma a few times. Definitely beats the piss out of pretty much everything.

Some things to consider:

Trans cooler/aftermarket gauge to monitor temps
Lock out overdrive/1:1 or greater great ratios
Helper/sumo springs/air bags, not sure if IRS on that vintage explorer
Brake upgrade (calipers/rotors, etc)
Extra cooling capacity/radiator upgrade
Upgraded tires
Probably more, but what a PITA all of that would be.

Another huge one (why you shouldn't do any of this) is just to not exceed manufacturer GCWR or GVWR on the Explorer. The axles/engine/trans can only take and we only rated to take so much!

Also to consider, depending what happens while you're doing it, you may be found criminally negligent if any issues/hurt/kill someone knowing/unknowingly exceeding vehicle capability...

If you do it, just take it extremely easy and no super long trips...

 

[byathread]

Wait, I just re-read FWD? They built FWD only explorers? [emoji23]

Just buy a vehicle that exceeds the max weight you're intending to pull...

Right tool for the job and all that...

 

[Machete]

I believe in my op I mentioned that we’ve never towed w her explorer because I have a 1st gen expy.

Reason I was thinking about this project was to be able to tow 3500-5000lbs as do explorers that have the trailer towing package.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[mwl001]

If you’re still on the fence read through this thread. I suspect there was nothing wrong with OPs Explorer.

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/19-explorer-issues-towing-at-highway-speed.480055/

 

[Machete]

If you’re still on the fence read through this thread. I suspect there was nothing wrong with OPs Explorer.

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/19-explorer-issues-towing-at-highway-speed.480055/

Thanks for that thread. I don’t believe that guy knows what he has. There is no “class III towing package “ on these Explorers. There is a class III tow hitch. There’s a “trailer tow package “ that has different rear differential, oil and transmission cooler.

I bet that dude is trying to tow 5000lbs w a 1500lbs tow rating that the NA 3.5 has. He just got the hitch and thinks he’s done. Hehehe.

 

[mwl001]

It’s crazy but you could absolutely buy an Explorer rated to tow 5k with the NA v6. He just assumed that meant he could easily tow something below that limit but the math does not check out.

 

[Machete]

Yes you could. But it has to be 4WD AND have the factory package not just the hitch which you can get without the towing package.

I verified at Ford dealer yesterday.

 

[mwl001]

Sounds right.