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CANTRAIL
Starting Member
Canada
2 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 04 2009 : 9:15:48 PM
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Greetings,
New to trailers and RV world...just bought a rockwood 8298SS (33 ft) and was wondering if my 2010 Explorer Sport track V8 AWD with sway control can handle towing this unit. The truck is rated for classIII/IV with 7000 lbs towing capability.
The trailer UVW = 5700 lbs add 1000 lbs misc = 6700 < 7000 lbs truck's limit.
I have also installed a husky load distibutor and sway control.
What do you think ?
Regards
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CaLBar
Average Member
Canada
254 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2009 : 06:01:53 AM
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I have exactly the same trailer. Mine weighed at the scales comes in at 6200 lbs not the 5700 lbs in the brochure. I towed for about 2 years with a GMC sierra withe a 7400 lb tow rating. The truck did fine but I was within 200 lbs of the tow rating, wieghed. You might be short on wheel base though. Not sure if you have the 2 door version or the 4 door. I wouldn't pull a 33' trailer with the 2 door version. Wheel base is way too short and you will have the tail wagging the dog whenever trucks pass or a cross wind hits. My wheel base was 144" and it handled fine with the Reese Dual Cam setup but when it was not setup properly I could feel the trucks passing. I also had 295 HP and 235 lb/ft of torque and in a head wind the truck struggled. That said I did drive to Florida 3 times and from Ontario to BC and back through the Rockies. Head winds were the only pain.
You will be at or just over your limit but you should also check your GVWR. Mine was 7000 lbs with the truck weighing in at 5300 lbs with me and a full tank of gas. You might be over your GVWR when all loaded up.
Any other question PM me and I can give you more info. You will love the trailer but I am not sure about the Explorer. Assume you have kids with that model.
Rob
CaLBaR
2009 Toyota Tundra 5.7 4x4 TRD Crew Max
2007 8298SS
Reese HP DC |
Edited by - CaLBar on Jul 05 2009 06:06:08 AM |
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Capn Courage
Moderator
Canada
743 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2009 : 6:39:37 PM
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Cantrail, welcome to the forum. I would suggest you get an accurate weight on your unit by taking it to a truck scale and getting your axle weights and gross weight when loaded ready for camping. You need to be very careful that your not overloading the rear axle on your Explorer. Insurance companies can get very nasty if you are ever involved in an accident and they find out you are over on your GVWR and it could affect your warranty as well.
Norm
Capn & Mrs. C
Phoenix The Camping Sheltie
2002 GMC Safari
2004 Rockwood 2304
Eaz Lift WDH
Reese AntiSway
Nights Camped 2008 = 66
Nights Camped 2009 = 25
 
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catmom
Junior Member
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2009 : 9:04:32 PM
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I also would worry about the wheelbase. The Explorer is really too short to adequately handle that long a trailer. We're barely long enough with a 1/2 ton pickup to pull one that size. Make sure you have an EXCELLENT WD/sway control system and brake controller (Explorer brakes have never been much to write home about - this from personal experience with 2 of them.)
Good luck! I suspect you'll love the trailer, but will be trading for a bigger tow vehicle before too long. :)
2008 Flagstaff 831RLSS
2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 5.7L 4.30 axle |
Edited by - catmom on Jul 25 2009 9:05:12 PM |
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milzat
Administrator
USA
1119 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 08:21:28 AM
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CANTRAIL,
Welcome to RFS forums. Glad you could join us.
quote:
What do you think ?
4.6L SOHC V8/Automatic (AWD)
Axle Ratio 3.55
GCWR12,000
Max. Trailer Weight (lbs.) 6,990
Max. Payload (lbs.) 1,390
CANTRAIL, if you load your trailer(and Explorer) conservatively, you'll be AT, or very close to your MAX trailering capacities.
You asked, so IMHO, this question should have been posted BEFORE any purchase was made.
Drive carefully.
Enjoy the forums,
P.S. Try calculator. Fill in the YELLOW cells.
Mike
Site Founder |
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dezolen
Average Member
Canada
129 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 09:46:12 AM
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Welcome to forum. Had experience with Husky and if you have friction control via tightening set bolt system it is way to small for your unit. Dealer should be strung up if that is what he sold you, Need either Reese dual cam or Equalizer brand weight distr, and sway control. Hope your Explorer is 4 door version as 2 door will definitely have too short a wheelbase.
You may be ok as long as hitch is set up properly which can make all the difference.
Which part of Ontario are you from?
2008 Cardinal 30RKLE
2009 Ford F250 V10
formerly
2006 Rockwood 2607, Reese dual cam weight distr hitch, Prodigy Brake control
2005 Chevy Tahoe LT auto ride suspension 20" wheels
2002 Mini Schnauzer |
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Newbie needing help in tow calcs
