Is a 98 Ford Explorer capable of towing an 84 Soverign?

[fun2bethad]

Hate to ask the question since I have been towing this trailer (6,900 lbs) with this vehicle for about 2 and 1/2 years now. When I seat the trailer on the hitch it's definitely a squat. It is a V8 with the tow package and it has a 5.0 liter engine. Pickup is decent but I'm worried about the suspension. Suggestions?

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by fun2bethad

Hate to ask the question since I have been towing this trailer (6,900 lbs) with this vehicle for about 2 and 1/2 years now. When I seat the trailer on the hitch it's definitely a squat. It is a V8 with the tow package and it has a 5.0 liter engine. Pickup is decent but I'm worried about the suspension. Suggestions?

Check the info tag on the pillar of the driver's door panel. It will give the maximum trailer tow capacity and tongue weight. If you can't find it there, look in the owner's manual. For safety margin, multiply by 75-80%.

That is more trailer than my F-150 with 5.0 liter engine can comfortably handle (7,000# max tow).

I am almost certain you have way exceeded your SUV's tow capacity and may be damaging your transmission and facing significant braking risk with that much trailer behind that light weight of a vehicle. I'm no expert, but have been researching tow vehicles since we decided to purchase an Airstream two months ago.

[Tom Nugler]

Originally Posted by fun2bethad

Hate to ask the question since I have been towing this trailer (6,900 lbs) with this vehicle for about 2 and 1/2 years now. When I seat the trailer on the hitch it's definitely a squat. It is a V8 with the tow package and it has a 5.0 liter engine. Pickup is decent but I'm worried about the suspension. Suggestions?

Just took a quick look at Trailer Life's Tow ratings for 2000. Check the table to find your exact model. Ford tranmissions seem to be fairly robust when maintained, but overall you might be taxing things a bit.
Tom.
http://www.trailerlife.com/towratings/tr00_ford.cfm

[53flyingcloud]

From what information you gave (the weight), I'm guessing that your 84 Sovereign is atleast a 29' or 31'.. Right?
looking over the "dry weight" of both sizes, shows the weight to be, respectfully:
1)Sovereign 29'=5300 lbs
2)Sovereign 31'=5400 lbs
So, where are we getting 6,900 lbs from?
It would seem that you're carrying a large amount of weight un-necessarily~
You might want to look into trying to reduce that.
(Maybe you're picking up rocks along the way??lol)
I tow a 84 Sovereign, 29' with a 3/4 ton Suburban with a Hummer diesel engine and, personally..
IMHO..
I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable towing with a shorter wheelbase than that.
Good luck to you..
ciao
53FC