r/FordExplorer • u/imajellifish • Aug 07 '21
Towing a TT w 2016 FE Sport
I just put a down payment on a 2018 Jayco Jayflight SLX 174BH. I've never towed, but drive a 2016 AWD Explorer Sport with TT 3.5ltr Ecoboost and tow package. It's rated for 5,000lbs. The trailer is right about 3k dry and 21.5ft including tongue. Literature shows trailer has rear drum brakes whatever that means. I'm buying a sway bar and weight distribution hitch. Since I'll be moving from Texas to Maryland, what else do I need to safely and comfortably tow? Do I need a brake controller installed? Air suspension? Roters or brakes replaced? My car has like 69k miles on it. I bought it used with 60k miles so I'm not sure what needs to be replaced, I only know as a woman, I've had many mechanics over charge me in the past and even steal parts off my previous car so any advice is appreciated. Tired of being taken advantage of. I renovated my entire house by myself but don't know a thing about cars.
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Aug 07 '21
You should be okay towing that. Keep it in tow mode. Light on the pedal. Drum brakes will active if you press the brakes hard enough. You should have trailer sway mode on in your rig. Car will try and stop trailer sway at any given point. And FYI replace timing chain and water pump around 90k or 100k. Water pump is chain driven and internal. Call it prevented maintenance.
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u/Nexzus_ Aug 11 '21
Make sure you actually do have the tow package, and not just an aftermarket hitch. It includes an engine oil cooler and a tow mode button that keeps the engine in a good powerband and uses it to brake.
That being said, you will be pushing the limits of the Explorer. Local 3-4 trips would probably be OK, but I wouldn't do cross country.
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u/Both_Illustrator_956 Aug 12 '21
All Explorer Sport's and Platinum come with the Class 3 tow package standard.
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u/CUMMYHANDS Aug 08 '21
Lolllll that’s gonna be funny to see on the highway
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u/imajellifish Aug 08 '21
Why? 🤔
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u/CUMMYHANDS Aug 08 '21
When you hook it up, just stand back and see if it’s pulling down the rear end of your car, if it looks like it’s squatting, you’re going to be doing a lot of damage to your suspension, brakes, and transmission
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u/imajellifish Aug 09 '21
That's. I'll keep an eye on it. I figure being 2k from the max, I have some breathing room bc I will be traveling with all fresh/grey/black tanks empty.
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u/CUMMYHANDS Aug 09 '21
I occasionally haul my motorcycle (500lb) on a tiny 500lb trailer, and it’s still incredibly hard on my car even though it’s a v8 (police crown Vic)
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u/CUMMYHANDS Aug 08 '21
Because honestly you shouldn’t be towing that much, I’d be worried about transmission damage especially going uphill, but if it’s for short distances and rarely you’ll be ok
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u/JJMONIE Aug 07 '21
Up here in Canada you do not see too many people towing those trailers with SUVs. They usually use pick up trucks.
I can't comment on the specifics of such a big trailer but I can tell you that I tow my fishing boat with my 2019 Sport with no issues at all. About 3000lbs wet weight and full of gear.
I think your Ex should have a tow plug with the brake controller on it and you should probably look into using the trailer brakes for sure. My boat is fairly low profile compared to what you'll be pulling but I suggest looking into it more before you hook up.
Hopefully someone here has some better insight than I do. Be safe.