2011-2013 Explorer for tow vehicle?

[zsqure]

Rumor is that the Durango shares a Mercedes platform. Maybe someone can shed some light on this. It is very nice.

[ccelia]

I believe that it shares the same platform as the mercedes M-class. I have the new Grand Cherokee, which I believe is the same platform as the Durango just a few inches longer, and it is a great vehicle - very smooth and comfortable ride.

[GoneBoatN]

You say you need the 3rd seat. I had an Explorer a few years back. I found that the rear seat was only good for kids as it was kind of tight. I believe the 3rd seat is only a 2-seater. The other issue was that when you used the rear seat it left very little cargo room behind it. For those reasons it drove me to a larger size vehicle with a v8.

[H2OSKEE]

I second the Durango, those new ones are nice.

[bnixon]

I have the Durango with the Hemi. You will not know the boat is back there! Pulls great! averaged about 18 mpg highway and about 12 with the boat.

Great SUV!


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[CCAnderson]

We pull our 209 with a Toyota Highlander rated at 5000# towing which is the same drive line layout as the Exploder. I have not weighed the boat and trailer but it is all that the Highlander wants I estimate that boat and trailer are more then 4000#. At 75 mph you do not drive with your knee. I have never found a reason to use 4 low for pulling a boat up the ramp so don't get too wound up about that feature.

The 79 should not weigh anywhere near my 209 and I think the Exploder would be fine. I used to tow a lot with an old S-10 blazer. and it did the job fine.

Based on previous experience don't go with Pathfinder. it may be a true 4 wheel drive but when I yanked around the Nautique 206 it was always hitting the limits in the suspension.

If you can find an older Exploder they were rated at 8000# towing. Ford dropped that capability because less than 0.5% of owners used it.

[MC209]

if you plan on keepin the s&s you should be fine.. but if their is even a chance of change. plan on changing your rig also.

[MC209]

your 209 dry is around 2850lbs, plus gear and trailer. you get up to a 5000lb limit pretty quick.

Originally Posted by CCAnderson

We pull our 209 with a Toyota Highlander rated at 5000# towing which is the same drive line layout as the Exploder. I have not weighed the boat and trailer but it is all that the Highlander wants I estimate that boat and trailer are more then 4000#. At 75 mph you do not drive with your knee. I have never found a reason to use 4 low for pulling a boat up the ramp so don't get too wound up about that feature.

The 79 should not weigh anywhere near my 209 and I think the Exploder would be fine. I used to tow a lot with an old S-10 blazer. and it did the job fine.

Based on previous experience don't go with Pathfinder. it may be a true 4 wheel drive but when I yanked around the Nautique 206 it was always hitting the limits in the suspension.

If you can find an older Exploder they were rated at 8000# towing. Ford dropped that capability because less than 0.5% of owners used it.

[CCAnderson]

2850# dry plus 860# for single axle trailer plus 35 gallons fuel @ 7# per gallon and I'm at 3955. Throw in the tower, boom, skis, anchor, cooler etc and easily over 4K

Like I said. it is all that the Highlander wants

[CC2MC]

I have an 06 4runner with the V8. It tows my PS 205 fine, but I do wish it had a little more. I towed it for the first time from TN down to AL and in the hills of TN, the truck had to shift down a couple gears to get up the mountains, but all in all did a good job. I averaged about 13 mpg, which strangely enough I averaged about the same pulling my Sea Doo Speedster 150 as well, which is a much lighter boat. I would not, however recommend it for a good third row vehicle as the 4runner has a live rear axle and you really would not have sufficient room in the back for more than a couple small children and little to no luggage. Tahoe would be my choice for my next tow vehicle or possibly the Sequoia with the 5.7.