Towing a JD2520 with a 2011 Explorer?

BethesdaEC · May 30, 2011

I just bought a new Explorer on Saturday with the tow package which includes the class III hitch rated to 5000lbs, transmission cooler and a larger radiator. If I bought an 18' Aluma tandem trailer it would weight 1100 lbs, my JD2520 with BH weights about 3500 lbs. This should leave me with about 400 lbs to spare for some tools and a good weight distributing hitch and tie down chains.

What do you think? Any concerns?

The Explorer is a Limited with all the options, I am thrilled with it so far, but I will say the MyFord Touch is a little sluggish at times. A new update is coming out soon, hopefully it will be a little more snappy. The adaptive cruise control is amazing, set the speed for 65 and if you hit a traffic slow down it applies the brakes and tails the car in front as the specified gap until things start to move again.

radman1 · May 30, 2011

You will be fine with the Explorer and the setup you have. Electric brakes on the trailer is more important than anything else in your situation. Give yourself extra time to stop, don't follow anyone closely, balance the load properly and take it slower down the road and you will do fine.
I have a Ford F250 with farm plates and can legally haul up to 26,000 lbs total weight. Truck is not rated for that much weight. It is not often that I do that much weight but on occassion I have.

Diamondpilot · May 30, 2011

It will do it but be right at the edge. Do you have FEL? Make sure you are getting accurate weights before dumping a bunch of money into something that is not going to work.

Chris

BethesdaEC · May 30, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
It will do it but be right at the edge. Do you have FEL? Make sure you are getting accurate weights before dumping a bunch of money into something that is not going to work.

Chris

I do have the FEL, a JD2520 with a backhoe and no FEL would be dangerously unstable. According to the JD ballast calculation spreadsheet the JD 2520 comes in at 3,400 lbs but I have a toothbar and a toolbox so 3,500 lbs seems like a good starting point. An 18 foot trailer should give me enough play to adjust the balance of the trailer.

Will_C · May 30, 2011

You will be right at the edge, but you can do it-I think occasionally that combination will do. Your trailer weight is correct- my 18' aluminum trailer with wood floor weighs 1205 lbs (on a scale), so that weight for the Aluma with an aluminum floor is spot on. I would be tempted to have your tractor weighed to make sure.

An 18' trailer is a good choice-mine allows me to balance my Kubota and an implement properly.

Will

Snaker · May 31, 2011

I assume the Explorer still has the full frame? They used to be fairly cushy on the suspension. You might need to stiffen up the rear end if it wasn't addressed in the tow package.

Patches · May 31, 2011

I'm thinking the "Explorer" has an independent rear suspension, and I question it's ability to tow anything of consequence

BethesdaEC · May 31, 2011

Patches said:
I'm thinking the "Explorer" has an independent rear suspension, and I question it's ability to tow anything of consequence

It is a beefed up unibody like the modern Grand Cherokee with an independent rear suspension. I don't see the independent vs solid axle as an issue as long as it is engineered properly. Remember the new Dodge RAM 1500 is also a rear independent setup as well.

The world is changing, the top towing F-150 is the 3.5 Ecoboost which completely spanks the 5.0 V8.