# Trailer Towing with an Explorer **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** explorer, ford\ **Created:** [March 24, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579 "2010-03-24T17:32:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/21 "2010-03-25T03:45:38Z")
If the trailer has surge brakes, it won’t need a brake controller. Don’t forget, when considering GVWR and towing capacity, if you get a weight distribution hitch and a sway control device, you will need to consider the weight of this additional gear and add it to the trailer’s GVWR and tongue weight. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/22 "2010-03-25T03:48:14Z")
A trailer this large probably has more than one axle. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/23 "2010-03-25T05:04:57Z")
That V-6 would really be wheezing trying to pull that much weight up a 7% grade at high altitude and it’s not something I would want to do. A lot of people that are stacked up behind you will probably make various gestures and refer to you by colorful names when they finally get an opportunity to pass. 🙂 A V-8 gas or diesel rig is preferable. ---
**Author:** ![bellaruse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/838e76/32.png) [@bellaruse](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bellaruse)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/24 "2010-03-25T13:36:54Z")
Even with 2 axles, the tires tend to be small. You have to be meticulous with tire pressure. I bought a compressor to carry with me because the pressure would change depending on altitude and climate. Also its hard to find air on the road. If I were to RV again, I would go with a motor home or a fifth wheel with one of those big rig haulers. With about a 500 gallon gray water tank. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/25 "2010-03-25T13:48:58Z")
That’s great for you, but the rigs you would want would be a lot more expensive than what the OP is considering. What you are proposing would cost between $70,000 and $200,000. The trailer the OP wants probably costs between $8,000 and $20,000. ---
**Author:** ![amunoz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/amunoz/32/1782_2.png) [@amunoz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/amunoz)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/26 "2010-03-25T14:16:32Z")
All the responses have really helped me. I want to thank everybody that responded. One more thing, the saleman trying to sell me the trailer was more than willing to put me in a bad deal (truck to small for the trailer) just to earn his commission. I am happy that I investigated this matter more, something did not seem right to me. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![amunoz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/amunoz/32/1782_2.png) [@amunoz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/amunoz)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/27 "2010-03-25T14:24:33Z")
That 3225 lbs limit you mention makes sense based on what I have experienced so far. Currently I tow a pop-up trailer that weighs 3,000 lbs. I have often climbed a long steady mountain going west from Yuma Az to SD Ca and have noticed that even at this weigh it takes some work on the part of that V-6. But like I said, I am on a budget and I was hoping against hope. ---
**Author:** ![amunoz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/amunoz/32/1782_2.png) [@amunoz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/amunoz)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/28 "2010-03-25T14:30:11Z")
Thanks for the link to the hitch site. This info is great. Thanks you so much. ---
**Author:** ![bellaruse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/838e76/32.png) [@bellaruse](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bellaruse)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/29 "2010-03-25T17:17:26Z")
I just want to make the point that trailering is not as casual as it seems. After you see a few destroyed trailers along the freeway with folks belongings strewn about; after you’ve had a few blow-outs and near fires; after you’ve burned out a few trannies and rear axles, the added initial expense of a heavy duty unit seems like a deal. I think that is what sold me on the Hensley, because it added significant control over the rig, although it was bothersome to hitch and unhitch. ---
**Author:** ![bellaruse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/838e76/32.png) [@bellaruse](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bellaruse)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579/30 "2010-03-27T16:57:15Z")
You might seriously consider buying a small light weight trailer like a Casita. Not spacious but well appointed and your weight issues will vanish along with wear and tear and bad gas mileage. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trailer-towing-with-an-explorer/46579.md?page=1)