27 replies to this topic

[Kev077]

I sold an Acura RSX type S, and bought a 2001 Ford Explorer with the V6 and towing package to tow a 2006 Speedster I am getting ready to purchase. My friend uses his 2000 explorer with the V6 to tow a 21' glastron with wakeboard tower and does not have any problem. I would rather have something with a V8 but could not afford anything else at the time. Got a great deal on the explorer from a friend. My question is, is anyone here towing with an explorer or have any experiences towing with one. I think I will add some helper springs to it, but may not need them. Going to have to wait for the boat and see if it makes the truck squat any. Thanks for any info.

[thumper]

good luck with the doo - most boat trailers are set up so that the weight on the tow ball is less than 100kg so i would imagine the explorer will cope with that just fine - it may drop a tad but you wont notice it too much - i have a toyota hilux with a 4inch lifting kit on it with stiff rear springs and that still drops a little.

[kvoman]

Check the gearing on the Explorer. That model year has at least 2 different gear ratios (3.36 and 3.73). I think on the base model it even has 3.03. If you have 3.73 and yours is the SOHC then you should be fine. Next is to make sure your brakes are up to par, get new rotors and pads if you have too, it's cheap insurance, and very cheap if you do it at home. I did the brakes on both my '91 and '01 Explorers and it was less than $100 for the rotors and pads for each truck.

If you decide to keep the Explorer as a tow vehicle, consider swapping to a lower gear like 4.10. It will give you more towing capability but the trade off is a slight drop in gas mileage.

[Kev077]

I am not sure what gearing it has, as I was wondering that myself. It does have the factory tow package (trans cooler, power steering cooler, and already has the factory plug for lights). It does not have a hitch yet, as my friend told me they bought it because they liked the vehicle but didn't want the hitch. I am going to be installing a hitch soon. I called the dealer here in which is Lake Norman Powersports to find out when my boat will be in. They are going to E mail and find out exactly when it will be in. The boat show here starts Feb. 1 and I am ready to go. Also another question for anyone. I am looking to install some helper springs anyway, but wondering if the kits the are at the auto stores will work well. They are just generic kits, and are cheap like 25 bucks, but I took one out of the store and it will fit. I was also looking into the Timbren rubber stops, and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them. Thanks again.

[Kev077]

I also just did the brakes on it. When I got it my friend told me that the brakes were just done. He had someone he knew do it. Well he was kinda right, they put new pads on, but the back right rear rotor was chewed up, so I put new rotors on, and some ceramic pads. I know the trailer that comes with the speedster doesn't have brakes, and will probably end up puting brakes on it.

[stevenh]

I also just did the brakes on it. When I got it my friend told me that the brakes were just done. He had someone he knew do it. Well he was kinda right, they put new pads on, but the back right rear rotor was chewed up, so I put new rotors on, and some ceramic pads. I know the trailer that comes with the speedster doesn't have brakes, and will probably end up puting brakes on it.

FYI, My '05 S200's trailer has brakes. They work great. I tow with a '04 Honda Pilot and have had no problems.

Steve

[Kev077]

I may have to double check about the brakes. I believe the trailer is a Karavan trailer. What kind of brakes does your trailer have surge brakes?

[stevenh]

I may have to double check about the brakes. I believe the trailer is a Karavan trailer. What kind of brakes does your trailer have surge brakes?

I have a galvanized Karivan trailer. Yes, it has surge breaks. The breaks are tied to a piston in the tounge. The only time I have had any issues is when I have to back up an incline (parking the trailer). In that case I have to block the tounge with a key that came with the trailer to disable the surge breaks. I also have to spray WD40 into the area where the tounge teliscopes to keep it from squeeking.

Steve

[rickster]

I may have to double check about the brakes.  I believe the trailer is a Karavan trailer.  What kind of brakes does your trailer have surge brakes?

I have a galvanized Karivan trailer. Yes, it has surge breaks. The breaks are tied to a piston in the tounge. The only time I have had any issues is when I have to back up an incline (parking the trailer). In that case I have to block the tounge with a key that came with the trailer to disable the surge breaks. I also have to spray WD40 into the area where the tounge teliscopes to keep it from squeeking.

Steve

I tow my Utopia 205 with a 2003 Pilot as well. I thinking of only adding heavy duty power steering and heavy duty trans fluid, as the manual says. Trailer has no brakes, but I've had no problems...

[Kevin Leclair]

I pull my 2000 Speedster 160 with a V6 Tacoma, never had any problems. The Tacoma is rated at a 5,000 lb. towing capicity. Of course, my boat is no where near as heavy as the S200 or the Utopia so I don't have trailer brakes either.

[kvoman]

You probably have the 3.73, the code should be on the driver's door and the owner's manual should have the code's description.

You could also add a leaf to help with the load, there are many options but I'd wait until you get your Speedster and tow it a few times with gears, fluid, people, etc. to see what you really need to improve on your truck.

[Kev077]

Glad to hear all of the replys. I am going this weekend to get buy my hitch. Found the best deal at Uhaul. 119.00 for the round tube design. I am looking into getting one of the cushioned recievers as well and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them. They say the help to protect drivetrain and other components from the jerks of pulling a trailer. I think they are about 50.00. Nice looking speedster and Tacoma. My wife has a 2003 CRV right now that we pull the Waverunners with, but she is wanting a Pilot, but just can't afford that right now. Talk to you all later. Thanks for all of the info, it has been of great help.

[dexterdoo]

Glad to hear all of the replys. I am going this weekend to get buy my hitch. Found the best deal at Uhaul. 119.00 for the round tube design. I am looking into getting one of the cushioned recievers as well and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them. They say the help to protect drivetrain and other components from the jerks of pulling a trailer. I think they are about 50.00. Nice looking speedster and Tacoma. My wife has a 2003 CRV right now that we pull the Waverunners with, but she is wanting a Pilot, but just can't afford that right now. Talk to you all later. Thanks for all of the info, it has been of great help.

I think most suv's have a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. I have the sporster 4-tec and trailer and pull it with my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. I had the class III, trailer set up put on at my local dealership, its hidden well , and seems to have no problems pulling the boat and trailer. The ball and hitch seem to make a little bounce and grind, but believe its the normal stresses of towing. good luck

[cAn'T sWim]

Too Funny.. not trying to be mean, but a Honda Pilot is not an SUV. Its a Minivan made to look like an SUV.

In my mind it needs to have a min. of 5k lbs towing Capacity before I would even consider it to be an SUV.

Sorry, I had to say it.

[kvoman]

Ouch on the Pilot comment, be careful or you'll be run over in the new Honda Ridgeline TRUCK.

Kidding aside, we also looked at the Pilot but it just didn't have the oomphh for us. We got a Titan crewcab instead.

[cAn'T sWim]

Ouch on the Pilot comment, be careful or you'll be run over in the new Honda Ridgeline TRUCK.

Kidding aside, we also looked at the Pilot but it just didn't have the oomphh for us. We got a Titan crewcab instead.

Nice Choice, don't think you will have too many problems towing with that Beauty.

PS. they had the Honda Ridgeline on Car & Driver the other day. They experienced some problems towing with it.....I can't remember what it was, I just remember the comment being made. It might have been a wheel base thing......

[rickster]

Too Funny.. not trying to be mean, but a Honda Pilot is not an SUV. Its a Minivan made to look like an SUV.

In my mind it needs to have a min. of 5k lbs towing Capacity before I would even consider it to be an SUV.

Sorry, I had to say it.

The Pilot does have 5,000 pounds towing capacity...

[Kevin Leclair]

4500 w/ 4WD

http://automobiles.h...ilot&Category=2

Towing Capacity (lbs., 2WD / 4WD) 3500 / 4500*

*Towing requires installation of power steering fluid- and automatic tranmission fluid-cooler, both available exclusively from your Honda dealer.Premuim unleaded fuel is recommended when towing above 3500 lbs. Capacity of 4500 lbs. is for boat trailers and 3500 lbs. for all other trailers. Refer to the owner's manual for additional towing information.

[rickster]

4500 w/ 4WD

http://automobiles.h...ilot&Category=2

Towing Capacity (lbs., 2WD / 4WD) 3500 / 4500*

*Towing requires installation of power steering fluid- and automatic tranmission fluid-cooler, both available exclusively from your Honda dealer.Premuim unleaded fuel is recommended when towing above 3500 lbs. Capacity of 4500 lbs. is for boat trailers and 3500 lbs. for all other trailers. Refer to the owner's manual for additional towing information.

I guess I stand corrected (and my Owners Manual also)!!!

Anyway, I know you guys are just trying to get back at me for having a year long summer down in Puerto Rico...

[kvoman]

Actually no, weather here is sunny and 70 degrees, so we're good to go here as well!!!

Taking it out this weekend for some fun and fishing.

And thanks Can't Swim - we knew we'll be loading the vehicle to the grill with people, gear, and equipment so anything small and not having enough power to carry and haul everything just wouldn't do it and be able to cruise effortlessly was important also. The Titan crew cab fits the bill for us. Like most cars/trucks, it has some issues also but all have been taken care of by Nissan under warranty.