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Posting a reply to: RE: Ford Explorer and towing

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[QUOTE]lambeau - 9/11/2006  11:41 AM

i pulled a boat that size with a '99 Ford Ranger 6cyl 4.0 and it worked just fine, with a few caveats.

the Ford Ranger and Ford Explorer are basically the same vehicle, same engine. i've actually owned both with the 6cyl and actually used them to tow boats; as well as my current tow vehicle, an F150 with a V8. all had factory installed tow packages.
my previous boat (Ranger 681T) was pretty close size/weight to a Tuffy Mag.

the Ranger pickup towed the boat fine, including on multiple extended trips to MN (8 hours each way), but had to run at around 3000rpms at highway speed (70mph), compared to running at 2000 rpms without the boat. that translated into using extra gas and more engine noise.
when i upgraded to an '02 Ford F150 with the big V8, my rpms with the same boat were 2000rpms while towing and 1800rpms without, and no engine noise. i really really like this truck - runs like a swiss watch, and pulls my Tuffy 1760 like it isn't even there.

my experience towing a boat that size with both the V6 and V8 Fords is that either will tow it fine, you're just putting more wear on the smaller engine, using more fuel, and you won't have as much reserve power as you have with the bigger motor. i also experienced the boat occassionally "pushing" the truck when stopping, so i'd encourage you to consider trailer brakes as previously mentioned if you get the Explorer as your tow vehicle.[/QUOTE]

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lambeau

Posted 9/11/2006 11:41 AM (#208689 - in reply to #208484)
Subject: RE: Ford Explorer and towing

i pulled a boat that size with a '99 Ford Ranger 6cyl 4.0 and it worked just fine, with a few caveats.

the Ford Ranger and Ford Explorer are basically the same vehicle, same engine. i've actually owned both with the 6cyl and actually used them to tow boats; as well as my current tow vehicle, an F150 with a V8. all had factory installed tow packages.
my previous boat (Ranger 681T) was pretty close size/weight to a Tuffy Mag.

the Ranger pickup towed the boat fine, including on multiple extended trips to MN (8 hours each way), but had to run at around 3000rpms at highway speed (70mph), compared to running at 2000 rpms without the boat. that translated into using extra gas and more engine noise.
when i upgraded to an '02 Ford F150 with the big V8, my rpms with the same boat were 2000rpms while towing and 1800rpms without, and no engine noise. i really really like this truck - runs like a swiss watch, and pulls my Tuffy 1760 like it isn't even there.

my experience towing a boat that size with both the V6 and V8 Fords is that either will tow it fine, you're just putting more wear on the smaller engine, using more fuel, and you won't have as much reserve power as you have with the bigger motor. i also experienced the boat occassionally "pushing" the truck when stopping, so i'd encourage you to consider trailer brakes as previously mentioned if you get the Explorer as your tow vehicle.