R-pod Owners Forum : Towing with Explorer http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Towing with Explorer Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 19:04:34 +0000 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:16:17 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=6905 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Towing with Explorer : Yes, I usually like to keep it... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65528#65528 Author: NMJohn
Subject: 6905
Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 3:16pm

Yes, I usually like to keep it about at 3000 rpm and will take your advice and keep the OD off.  I always watch the temperature gauge and with this vehicle it has never been even remotely near over heating.  I do have a WDH w/Swat Control.]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:16:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65528#65528 Towing with Explorer : I live down from Lake Tahoe in... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65521#65521 Author: funks
Subject: 6905
Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 1:42pm

I live down from Lake Tahoe in the High Sierra Mt. I used a 1999 ford explorer 5.0 v8 the first year as a TV.
I pulled a 179 with the overdrive OFF.  When diving up a grade I would shift down to third and stay at 3000rpm (45mph).  I think you will be fine just don't push it. Keep the overdrive OFF. Take it slow. 
Good luck happy camping. I also used a WD with sway-bar.
]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:42:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65521#65521 Towing with Explorer : Yes, trucks and 4x4 are often... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65520#65520 Author: NMJohn
Subject: 6905
Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 1:33pm

Yes, trucks and 4x4 are often needed by the Navajos and Zunis because of so many unpaved roads on and near the reservation.  With heavy rains the mud is terrible.  Two days ago two women and children escaped a flowing ditch with water (arroyo) after a downpour--just a few miles outside of Gallup's city limits.  ]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:33:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65520#65520 Towing with Explorer : On our 03 Jeep, the book recommends... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65518#65518 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 6905
Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 12:54pm

On our 03 Jeep, the book recommends towing with OD off.  But the problem with it is the coil springs in the back.  The 07 Dodge truck has leaf springs and is a much better TV.   Did I read somewhere that Gallup NM has more trucks/capita than any where else?]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:54:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65518#65518 Towing with Explorer : John in Idaho, I don't have... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65517#65517 Author: NMJohn
Subject: 6905
Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 11:24am

John in Idaho, I don't have a transmission selector but wish I did.  I can switch in and out of OD (overdrive) manually on the transmission lever and when the transmission is seeking where it should be, I help it manually.  

This transmission has had its design problems since we bought the car new.  It started with a repair in the first month and had to wait for it to get fixed while a "redesigned" part was getting produced.  So I baby the transmission and get the transmission fluid changed frequently.  

We now use this vehicle almost exclusively as a TV in hopes of making it "last".  We'll see if that's compatible with living in the Rockies mountain region and towing a 179.  

Easy does it is my towing theme.

John in NM
]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:24:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65517#65517 Towing with Explorer : If you have a selector on the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65516#65516 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 6905
Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 10:59am

If you have a selector on the transmission for Tow-Haul mode, be sure to use it.  I t changes the shift points and allows the speed to drop a little on hills on cruise control without a sudden rpm surge while downshifting.]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:59:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65516#65516 Towing with Explorer : Be interested to here how the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65511#65511 Author: Pilot
Subject: 6905
Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 8:34am

Be interested to here how the mountain part works out The V8 should help.]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:34:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65511#65511 Towing with Explorer : We picked up our 179 last week... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65498#65498 Author: NMJohn
Subject: 6905
Posted: 02 Sep 2015 at 7:43pm

We picked up our 179 last week with our 2006 Explorer with the V8 w/towing package.  Mileage on the level was 12 mpg but went down to 10 going up some small hills.  We'll be testing it out on larger hills in the next 6 weeks, pulling it to Durango, CO (from Gallup, NM) and then to the Phoenix area after that.  I'm a little edgy on how it will go but it's our only tow vehicle and so I'll take it slow and easy.  if I had your F150 I'd take it, too.  

I've pulled a trailer half the size with an engine smaller than half the size.  A lot of it involves taking it easy and just shifting gears and watching the RPMs.  Hope this works again.
]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2015 19:43:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65498#65498 Towing with Explorer : Just got back from a little camping... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65496#65496 Author: Pilot
Subject: 6905
Posted: 02 Sep 2015 at 6:32pm

Just got back from a little camping trip to Ludington State Park in Mi. from Pinckney Mi.
Our 2014 Explorer has the towing package and I added a proportional Draw Tite brake module. The braking was very smooth. Usually we get right around 24 mpg but with the trailer we were down to 12.5 to 13.5 mpg.
As we accelerated on I96 to highway speed of 63-65 there was a small amount of sway. Stopped at the first rest area and put the spare tire (that was in car) and about 40 more pounds in the dinette area. That did the trick.
It was nice to have the Explorer to run around with in the area but I think the F150 is a better choice. My truck usually gets about 17 mpg and with the trailer about 14-15. It has the big V8 motor in it while the Explorer has the V6.
I don't think the Explorer would be a good choice in mountainous terrains. On the small hills that we encountered it was shifting back to third to stay on speed control.
In Michigan the Explorer is fine but on trips to WV or out west I will be taking the 150.
The new module is much better than the Hopkins (dial a braking number) I have in the truck, so I will be switching that one back and forth.

]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2015 18:32:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6905&PID=65496#65496