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Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | Looking to make my first boat purchase this coming spring (hopefully). I'm sick of the boat whore routine. Probably an esox mag tiller. Anyway right now I need some new wheels. Looking at an 03 Explorer 4.0L 6CYL 4x4. Anyone know of any issues towing with this ride? Thanks! |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | if its got a tow package it should be fine..though I might reccomend getting a trailer with trailer brakes possibly as you will be right about where its reccomended you need them I think... I tow a Tuffy Rampage tiller with a jeep cherokee with a straight 6 and that thing can feel a bit iffy under hard stopping.. explorer is a slightly bigger SUV I think, so maybe should be better... |
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Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | Thanks for the input Kevin. Anyone else? What if I decide to get crazy with the $ and pick up a ranger 618? Could I handle it with this ride? |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Yeah, I'd also recommend the towing package, be sure to get a Reese hitch and not just the bumper ball. My buddy Gene tows his Ranger with his Explorer, seems to do fine. Personally, I prefer towing with a truck, better view out the back, but that's just my handicap; if you can back up good with mirrors you'll do just fine. m |
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Posts: 5874
| You should be good to go with the Explorer. Better if it has the factory towing package. If not, I suggest you add a tranny cooler. |
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Posts: 138
| I cooked the tranny in my Explorer at 130,000 miles towing my Crestliner 1750 fishhawk.
It was outfitted with a tow package (trans cooler, oil cooler and drawtite hitch)
I must admit that I wasn't very kind to the Explorer, I would do 75 mph and sometimes 80 while towing.
But for the most part the Explorer was like a timex watch (took a lickin and kept on ticking)
Just traded it in on an '06 F250 Diesel Lariet, they gave me $3000 for it with 170,000 miles.
If I didn't want a truck so bad I would have bought another Explorer.
Jeff |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would not suggest pulling that boat with a v-6.
Get a v-8 with a tow package.
You will save in the long run. |
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The Esox Magnum package weighs in at considerably less than half the towing capacity of the Explorer of that vintage with a V6 engine, in fact, almost 1/3 of the '04 ratings listed by Ford. Contrary to Mike's post above, no problem pulling the Esox Magnum tiller with a V6 powered Explorer. |
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| 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. |
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Posts: 5874
| Dorazio pulled his Esox Mag with a Jeep Liberty. Pretty sure that is a smaller vehicle than the Explorer. The Esox Mag does not weigh much, especially the tiller. Hardly could tell it was back there.
Would it be better to tow with a bigger truck and a V8? Sure. But by that same reasoning, you should get a 3/4 ton with a diesel. No wear and tear, and better mileage yet.
Go ahead and pull it with an Explorer. As I said, add a tranny cooler if you don't have one. |
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| I would recommend finding out what the tow weight rating is first on your year of Explorer. Then find the boat that fits. Adding a trans cooler is not the answer. And it depends on the speed and distance you plan on going on most of your trips. |
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | As I said, the towing capacity of that SUV is more than twice the weight of the Esox Magnum T rig. Here's a link to a 6 cylinder Ford Explorer Sport package description.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2003/2003_explorersport.html
Thye Magnum T rigged with a 60 4 stroke weighs lees than half the listed towing capacity amount loaded up. That's with a full fuel tank and livewell, too. So even with a lesser package, the rig will weigh at LEAST 1000 pounds under the towing capacity. SHould be just fine!
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Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | Yeah, I found the same info as you Steve. I'm confident I will be fine. Thanks for the input everyone, I appreciate it! |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | One thing I recommend to everyone getting a new rig is to get trailer breaks. Any truck can get a load going, but stopping is the most important part.
Having said that, my brakes are out on my trailer and I'm hating it! |
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Posts: 1769
Location: Algonquin, ILL | With my 2001 Explorer I tow a Lund Mr.Pike 16 with a 90 Horse 4-stroke on the back and have had no problems at all towing, even trips to Canada went smoothly and getting up the hill in Duluth can be a challenge for some trucks, however as treats and others have said Trailer Brakes would be a big help
Edited by JohnMD 9/12/2006 11:20 AM
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | I towed an Tuffy Esox Ltd with a 1999 6 cyl Explorer for 4 years. I never had an issue stopping or starting. |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I towed my 16ft Lakeland which is basically the same hull design and weight of an Esox Mag. I towed it for four years with a 3.0 V6 Ranger, not great acceleration but at higway speed it was great and I still got better gas milage than a V-8. |
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Posts: 3908
| I have a 98 Explorer with the 4.0 V6. About 138,000 miles right now. I have zero problem pulling a very light 14' alum boat. I get around 24 miles to the gallon, too.
I used to have a 98 F150 Extended Cab 4X4 with a decent sized V8, and man I loved that truck. I liked it lots more than my Explorer. But I sold it 2 years ago because it's gas guzzling ways, like 14 miles to the gallon. I see lots and lots of the F150's with the V8's for sale right now and I bet increased gas prices are a common reason why folks are dumping them.
Explorers and Cherokees are big bargins right now because there's an oversupply of them, especially the mid to latter 90's. I paid something like $4,200 for my Explorer (purchased from private individual), it's got all the bells and whistles, leather, sunroof, big CD changer, etc. It had high miles, though, like 120K.
Be aware that the 90's Explorers (and maybe the early 2000's?) have a track record of the front ball joints going out around 100K(?) and that's a very expensive fix, like $750+. Mine needed the fix when I bought it and I figured it out 15K later, when I noticed my front tires were suddenly totally shot. So $750 ball joints plus another $700 for the killer BFGoodrich All Terrains. Ouch. The sellers were aware of the needed fix, I suspect, because now I know that they moved the damaged front tires (from the bad ball joints) to the rear just as they put the Explorer out for sale.
Shop around. |
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Posts: 61
Location: Avilla, IN | I have an 01 Explorer V-6 that puts out 190hp, I believe it is the same engine that you are looking at. I tow an Alumacraft that weighs in at approx. 2500# loaded with gear, motor, batteries etc. I have no problem towing this rig, and have made multiple 1000 mile round trips. Strains a little going up hills, but overall you should be fine. |
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Posts: 1188
Location: Iowa | What about a 4.2L V-6 Trialblazer with 4 wheel drive capabilities...I might be getting a new car and would like to know how this one sizes up to the tuffy boats weight along with maybe lund boat...
Big Perc |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Actually, with the TrailBlazer the 4.2L engine is NOT a V-6 engine at all... the 4.2 is a Purpose Built I-6(inline) made for towing and is better for towing then most V-8's. I would reccomend getting it with the 3.73 if you plan on doing a decent amount of towing, the 4.10 if its a lot of towing but not far distances and the 3.42 if you are concerned about gas and/or plan on occasionally towing.. The SS Trailblazer is onty available with the 4.10 gears and the 6.0L V-8... Thye 4.2 is more then enough to handle a Tuffy esox mag |
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Posts: 5874
| I think the new Blazer is an I-5. Same platform as the H3, if anyone cares. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Trailblazer is possibly same platform as the New H3... The Chevy Blazer is no longer made, final year of production was 2005, the I-5 was never an option on that one.. Blazer was replaced by the Equinox which has a 3.4L V-6 available.. Only vehicle Chevy has with the I-5 engine is the Chevy Colorado Pickup, the engine is a option on the 1LT, and standard on the 2LT and 3LT. The Trailbalzer has the 4.2L I-6(inline 6) standard on the LS and LT models.. |
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Posts: 5874
| You are correct. It was the Colorado that is the same platform as the H3. Sorry for the confusion.
Edited by Shep 9/20/2006 8:28 AM
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Posts: 1188
Location: Iowa | Well I bought a new car yesterday...I got a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer LT with the trade off of my 2001 Tahoe LT...made for a hell of a deal with low payments...I am pretty excited about it...I'll post a picture when I pick it up on monday afternoon...
Big Perc |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Let us know how it tows when you take her out BP.... |
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Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | Thanks for all the replies! I should be leaving a dealer this week on the new wheels. I am going with the Explorer, just need to shop around a little. I just received a promotion at work so I may be pulling the trigger on the boat at the same time. Hopefully in time to get out a few times yet this fall. I can't believe the fiance is letting me run with this!  |
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Posts: 3908
| Folks who want to buy quality used trucks - wait a couple months, the prices are going to drop a bunch real fast. |
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