2015 Explorer Limited a good tow vehicle?
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Topic: 2015 Explorer Limited a good tow vehicle?
Posted By: rpodbend
Subject: 2015 Explorer Limited a good tow vehicle?
Date Posted: 19 May 2015 at 10:23pm
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Hello friends...... We are looking at buying a 2015 Explorer Limited (just the V6 not the Ecoboost) and wondering if anyone has had any experience using one of these for towing an R Pod (we have the 178)? I think the engine will be 290 hp and it looks like the torque is about 300 or so. Whatcha think? thanks a lot ------------- Loren and Sally and Bear Rpod 178 2015 Bend Oregon |
Replies:
Posted By: MeeshyPod
Date Posted: 19 May 2015 at 10:27pm
We have the 2015 Explorer Sport, which does have the Ecoboost, but we looked at the Limited's when we were shopping and there's only about a 500 lb tow-difference between the two cars, so you should have no problem with the Limited  The 178 should still only be at around 60-65% of your tow capacity, so that gives you a big enough buffer to be fine. ------------- Michelle & Curtis Nolting 2015 Rpod 179 (MeeshyPod) 2015 Ford Explorer Sport 
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 19 May 2015 at 10:27pm
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Looks like it has a 5000lb tow rating with the tow package. Should do fine. I think Explorers are unibody now, something to take into consideration if you want to use a WDH..
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Posted By: MeeshyPod
Date Posted: 19 May 2015 at 10:30pm
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We don't use a WDH hitch when we're towing our 179 with our Explorer Sport, and it does just fine. Sometimes if it's especially gusty or if we push it to 65+ mph we might feel a bit more sway, but for the most part, we barely notice the Pod is there. We DO use a sway bar. ------------- Michelle & Curtis Nolting 2015 Rpod 179 (MeeshyPod) 2015 Ford Explorer Sport
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Posted By: rpodbend
Date Posted: 19 May 2015 at 10:34pm
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Wow that was quick! Thanks a lot! So Furpod, I have a WDH on my F150 now and would plan on using it on the Explorer...... Does it being a unibody make any difference? Thank you a lot and thanks too Meeshypod. ------------- Loren and Sally and Bear Rpod 178 2015 Bend Oregon |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 7:56am
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Most unibody SUV owners manuals recommend not using one since they don't have a "frame" to transfer the load. Now, I will say, we have owners doing it. Something you may need to decide on for your self. We have towed with, and without, and honestly, feel the pod/truck combo rides better with the WDH on. And we have plenty of truck. ------------- |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 10:38am
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I have a 2013 Pathfinder with tow package (5000#), and is unibody.
There is nothing in my manual regarding the use of a WDH. That said, if you are like me and load the back of your SUV with all the accessories that will not fit in the TT (folding picnic table, folding bikes, and other large items) you will want to use a WDH. |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 11:02am
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We chose the 3.5 Eco boost in out f150, that's 365 hp and 420 ft pounds tq. The dealer let me tow the 174 prod and there is quite a lot of difference. We don't have to slow down on hills and the power is there when needed. Tow mpg is about 12-14 mpg. 20.5 mpg not towing Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 4:30pm
| I was sitting behind an Explorer a while back at a stop light, and noticed that there was about 4" of ground clearance on the back axle. Not much for a 4WD vehicle in the mountains. |
Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 6:05pm
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Page # 285 of the owners manual of my 2014 Explorer includes a line that reads " For towing trailers up to 3500 pounds (1588 kilograms), use a weight-carrying hitch and ball, which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through your vehicle's underbody structure. For towing trailers over 3500 pounds (1588 kilograms), up to the maximum trailer weight, we recommend you use a weight-distributing hitch to increase front axle load while towing." ------------- Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!" |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 May 2015 at 6:59pm
Excellent. ------------- |