Am I crazy ?
11-20-2015, 06:38 PM
#11
Senior Member
I bought a 2016 Ford Explorer Limited this summer to tow a single axle travel trailer, 4400 lbs loaded. The Limited cannot get the 3.5 EB engine. I got the Limited as I insisted on Lane Keeping, YES this single option was required by me (scary story/history). I put a few coolers in back of Explorer and as best as CAT scales indicate, I am fully loaded about 300 lbs below GCWR. When dragging the trailer up mountains, around 60mph, it seems I have only 3rd gear (2800rpm) and 4th gear (4200 rpm) in TOW mode.
I don't like the 4200rpm as it seems the engine is straining. Next fall I intend to replace trailer with 6000lb dry unit.
I want an F150 Lariat with 502a and technology to address the GCWR and rpm issues while keeping all the technology I now have. I am NOT considering an F250 or above; I simply don't want the mpg issues and lack of technology. I will have to get the F150 to handle next trailer, but the trade-in on Explorer is a $10k hit.
Am I nuts ? Do I trade-in and upgrade ? Anyone offer me $43k for Explorer ? Anyone have suggestion ??
I don't like the 4200rpm as it seems the engine is straining. Next fall I intend to replace trailer with 6000lb dry unit.
I want an F150 Lariat with 502a and technology to address the GCWR and rpm issues while keeping all the technology I now have. I am NOT considering an F250 or above; I simply don't want the mpg issues and lack of technology. I will have to get the F150 to handle next trailer, but the trade-in on Explorer is a $10k hit.
Am I nuts ? Do I trade-in and upgrade ? Anyone offer me $43k for Explorer ? Anyone have suggestion ??
The RPM issue is a non issue. Absolutely not hurting a thing. That naturally aspirated engine is designed to turn higher rpms when you are working it. That is where it develops its power. You are not hurting or "straining" it. I may sound like it because you are not used to hearing it but its all good I promise. You are nowhere near the rev limiter.
All of that said if you are going to substantially exceed the GVWR of the vehicle then a trade seems to be in order if you wanna be legal. If you get the ecoboost I'm sure you will be able to pull the hills at lower RPM because the eco makes peak torque a lot lower in the power band. Doesn't necessarily mean its easier on the engine, just that it makes more torque at lower rpm. The work still has to be done whatever the RPM.
As long as you are within the designed operating parameters of the engine and its not overheating just drive it and be safe and don't worry about it. You are more afraid of the RPM's than the engine is.
11-20-2015, 06:43 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I was all set to look for a 2016 F-150 this spring, but then the 2017 Super Duty came along. We could really use a higher payload for our kayaks, bikes, and firewood that usually go with us. The 2017 is getting the F-150 cab and most of the tech features too. Don't know what the price is going to be, but on '16's and F-250 with the 6.2 is about the same price as a similarly equipped F-150. Not sure if I want to take the hits in mileage and ride quality - plus I would expect the 6.2 would still rev fairly high on the hills. I figure I'll at least wait and take a look in the summer when the details come out. If we stay with the F-150, it should still work fine, but will need to continue watching what we bring along.
11-20-2015, 06:48 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
11-20-2015, 06:59 PM
#14
Senior Member
Comforting thoughts, thank you. How do I know if I am within these parameters. I don't know how to get the tranny temp, I cannot find it within TorqueLITE. I have never thought of this engine being designed for revs. I also need to figure how to measure the axle loads. Perhaps going back to the scale is in order; just not sure of procedure.
To stay within parameters basically just use tow mode and watch you coolant temp. If its overheating you will know it. If you notice a lot of up shifting and downshifting going on you are better off to just lock it in the lower gear and let the engine turn the higher rpms the whole time until you get to a flatter section. The coolant system is more efficient at higher rpms. Excessive shifting and torque converter slippage are what make the trans fluid hot. So selecting the next lower gear and just staying there is easier on everything. You could always buy an edge monitor that plugs into you OBD port if you really want to monitor trans temp.
How to measure the axle loads depends on how the scale is set up. Ideally you would be able to just have one axle on the scale at a time and get separate weights for each.
11-20-2015, 09:18 PM
#15
Senior Member
2016 Optional Class III Trailer Tow Package---
Configuration Axle Ratio GCWR Max Loaded Trailer Weight
3.5L TiVCT V6 FWD 3.39 9980 5000
3.5L TiVCT V6 4WD 3.65 10160 5000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.36 6830 2000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.51 6830 2000
3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD 3.16 10400 5000
If you have the 2.3 Liter engine, 2000 pounds is max loaded trailer weight.
Configuration Axle Ratio GCWR Max Loaded Trailer Weight
3.5L TiVCT V6 FWD 3.39 9980 5000
3.5L TiVCT V6 4WD 3.65 10160 5000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.36 6830 2000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.51 6830 2000
3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD 3.16 10400 5000
If you have the 2.3 Liter engine, 2000 pounds is max loaded trailer weight.
Last edited by Velosprout; 11-20-2015 at 09:23 PM.
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Wudwork (11-21-2015)
11-21-2015, 09:32 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I have 3.5L TiVCT 4WD with 3.65 rear and the Tow Package.
2016 Optional Class III Trailer Tow Package---
Configuration Axle Ratio GCWR Max Loaded Trailer Weight
3.5L TiVCT V6 FWD 3.39 9980 5000
3.5L TiVCT V6 4WD 3.65 10160 5000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.36 6830 2000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.51 6830 2000
3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD 3.16 10400 5000
If you have the 2.3 Liter engine, 2000 pounds is max loaded trailer weight.
Configuration Axle Ratio GCWR Max Loaded Trailer Weight
3.5L TiVCT V6 FWD 3.39 9980 5000
3.5L TiVCT V6 4WD 3.65 10160 5000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.36 6830 2000
2.3L TiVCT I4 FWD 3.51 6830 2000
3.5L EcoBoost V6 4WD 3.16 10400 5000
If you have the 2.3 Liter engine, 2000 pounds is max loaded trailer weight.
11-21-2015, 09:55 AM
#17
I was in the same boat, had a 2014 pathfinder fully loaded that we bought in Aug of 2013 to pull our 4200lb trailer, wanted to upgrade the trailer to something bigger so had to trade her in last month for a 15 lariat sport 502a, don't regret it one bit. It aslo helped that we got a good money for our pathfinder. Paid $44k in 2013 for 2014 model and still got $36k for it, mind you our pathfinder had 16k on it which is pretty low mileage.
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Wudwork (11-21-2015)
11-21-2015, 10:03 AM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
This is all about weight, and trailer front surface area. What actual weight trailer did you end up getting ?
I was in the same boat, had a 2014 pathfinder fully loaded that we bought in Aug of 2013 to pull our 4200lb trailer, wanted to upgrade the trailer to something bigger so had to trade her in last month for a 15 lariat sport 502a, don't regret it one bit. It aslo helped that we got a good money for our pathfinder. Paid $44k in 2013 for 2014 model and still got $36k for it, mind you our pathfinder had 16k on it which is pretty low mileage.
11-21-2015, 11:56 PM
#20
Senior Member
Agreed with the 250 comment, especially if you want to get a 6.2L that isn't fully loaded, those can come at some pretty good deals...I almost pulled the trigger on one.
On my 3.5L Ecoboost in signature and my wife's 3.5L Ecoboost Lincoln MKT towing from Vegas to Idaho a few summer's ago I got a warning climbing a few of the hills - something about "Powering down/Limiting Power due to high temps" From memory I still climbed those hills over 55 mph, but I couldn't do the 75-80 mph I was doing before, so there is built in logic...wish I could say for sure if it was coolant temp or trans temp, suspect coolant on both...
I used Torque Pro and from memory I was able to monitor trans temps as well.
On my 3.5L Ecoboost in signature and my wife's 3.5L Ecoboost Lincoln MKT towing from Vegas to Idaho a few summer's ago I got a warning climbing a few of the hills - something about "Powering down/Limiting Power due to high temps" From memory I still climbed those hills over 55 mph, but I couldn't do the 75-80 mph I was doing before, so there is built in logic...wish I could say for sure if it was coolant temp or trans temp, suspect coolant on both...
I used Torque Pro and from memory I was able to monitor trans temps as well.