Does the tow vehicle cut it?

[Cgouveia]

Hey all so we currently own a 2007 rockwood hw 258, and towing with our 2021 ford explorer st. Towing capacity on the st is 5600lbs which is no problem for the current trailer. We are looking into possibly purchasing a 2022 rockwood roo 233s which has a dry weight of 5100lbs not leaving much room for cargo and what not for adding weight. Just wondering what your opinions are on taking the chance with the explorer towing that new set up or maybe better off looking for a mid 2000’s 7 passenger suv with a v8 and higher towing capacity? (Don’t want to trade in the explorer st it’s too much fun to drive)

 

[johneliot]

I would not feel comfortable towing the 233 with that explorer.

 

[kcsa75]

I see an Expedition or Suburban in your future.

 

[jmkay1]

The number You really need to look at is the max payload for the vehicle and not so much the tow weight rating. Something many realize too late is you reach max payload long before you reach max tow weight. Check Out the tow vehicals payload and deduct the weight of the family and gear and the remaining is how much tongue weight your vehicle could handle. Do remember though as most campers only advertise the dry tongue weight so make sure you add enough weight to the dry number to account for full tanks, battery, and some gear.

 

[p]

A good rule of thumb regarding towing is…if you think you have too much, you probably have too much.

 

[BBQdave]

...2021 ford explorer st. Towing capacity on the st is 5600lbs...

...possibly purchasing a 2022 rockwood roo 233s which has a dry weight of 5100lbs...

Well... 500lbs of cargo in the trailer. And stay at or below payload in the explorer. Driving reasonable speed, what is recommended in your user manual for towing. You've definitely maxed the usage

I believe it comes down to speed and taxing brakes and transmission. IF you do not over heat, it's doable.

I've pulled at max, plus near max payload with a '95 Jeep (4cyl) Wrangler. No problems. But I was lucky to go 50mph

Fast forward many years, and I appreciate my truck and the breathing room for payload and towing.

 

[Annunzi]

There's no way i'd pull a trailer that big with your Explorer. The GVWR for that Roo is over 6,600 pounds, which well exceeds your tow limit. Here in BC, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to have a trailer with a GVWR that exceeds your tow rating. Would also likely void your insurance if you ever got in an accident.

 

[TurboWagen]

The number You really need to look at is the max payload for the vehicle and not so much the tow weight rating. Something many realize too late is you reach max payload long before you reach max tow weight. Check Out the tow vehicals payload and deduct the weight of the family and gear and the remaining is how much tongue weight your vehicle could handle. Do remember though as most campers only advertise the dry tongue weight so make sure you add enough weight to the dry number to account for full tanks, battery, and some gear.

I would say the height of the trailer is a significant factor, as well. Wind resistance is real... as well as side loads with cross winds.
We used to have a Ford Flex w/ Ecoboost v6, very comparable to an Explorer. It did fine with our 2007 Starcraft 3608 high wall in the relatively flat ground of Minnesota, but I wouldn't try anything taller/heavier.

 

[jwo1976]

The number You really need to look at is the max payload for the vehicle and not so much the tow weight rating. Something many realize too late is you reach max payload long before you reach max tow weight. Check Out the tow vehicals payload and deduct the weight of the family and gear and the remaining is how much tongue weight your vehicle could handle. Do remember though as most campers only advertise the dry tongue weight so make sure you add enough weight to the dry number to account for full tanks, battery, and some gear.

This^^^^^^
Its more about payload and tongue weight. Remember the capacities of your vehicle also assume only the driver in the car. Any passengers or gear subtract from that. Tongue weight of a trailer is usually 10%-15% of the weight. So assume fully loaded to GVWR at 6600 pounds that is 660-990 pounds of tongue weight. Looks like your vehicle can tote about 1,000 pounds of payload. So add in your passengers and gear and you'll quickly exceed the capacity. Curb weight of the vehicle is about 5,000 pounds. You need to upgrade your tow veicle before getting a trailer that heavy. Its not about can you pull it down the road, but can you stop it and keep it under control if/when it gets a little squirrely. Be safe!

 

[threebeachboys]

Yikes. That's a hard no. I have a JGC with the Hemi rated to tow 7,200 +/-. I'd be concerned about towing a Roo with the Jeep, though I think it would do it - but I would run all the numbers, including cargo/payload. And I'd definitely use a weight distribution hitch (if it is even compatible).

 

[Warfarin]

A good rule of thumb regarding towing is…if you think you have too much, you probably have too much.

AMEN!! Preach it brother/sister!

 

[BlackJackAlley]

Hey all so we currently own a 2007 rockwood hw 258, and towing with our 2021 ford explorer st. Towing capacity on the st is 5600lbs which is no problem for the current trailer. We are looking into possibly purchasing a 2022 rockwood roo 233s which has a dry weight of 5100lbs not leaving much room for cargo and what not for adding weight. Just wondering what your opinions are on taking the chance with the explorer towing that new set up or maybe better off looking for a mid 2000’s 7 passenger suv with a v8 and higher towing capacity? (Don’t want to trade in the explorer st it’s too much fun to drive)

Why even consider going to knife edge on load. It would be much safer to have a Tow Vehicle that has a safe margin over what you want. Running equipment at their max is only asking for headaches, repair costs, and potential safety issues.

 

[Sharpie]

Hey all so we currently own a 2007 rockwood hw 258, and towing with our 2021 ford explorer st. Towing capacity on the st is 5600lbs which is no problem for the current trailer. We are looking into possibly purchasing a 2022 rockwood roo 233s which has a dry weight of 5100lbs not leaving much room for cargo and what not for adding weight. Just wondering what your opinions are on taking the chance with the explorer towing that new set up or maybe better off looking for a mid 2000’s 7 passenger suv with a v8 and higher towing capacity? (Don’t want to trade in the explorer st it’s too much fun to drive)

Remember this just because the tow vehicle manufacture says you can tow 5600 lbs does not mean you should. The rule of thumb is 80% of gross towing weight of T.V. which means you need a bigger vehicle. We up graded to a Nissan Armada which carries 7 people and tows 8500 lbs. I would recommend looking at a full sized SUV like a Expidition, or Yukon.

 

[[email protected]]

Lots of good advice here. Check the yellow and white sticker on the drivers side door jam for your payload. Mind the tongue weight of the trailer. Agree that the current vehicle may need to be upgraded.

 

[davido]

No. That TV doesn't cut it.


5600 - 5100 - 400 (passengers) - 88 (battery and propane) - 300 (trailer and in-vehicle cargo) = -288. You'll be over, by 288 pounds, at very least. And nobody really should be towing right *at* capacity, let alone over capacity.

Then take tongue weight. What's the dry tongue weight of that trailer; 320? The Explorer's limit is 500. So here's the equation:

500 - 320 - (.85*88 [85% of the battery and propane's weight]) - 150 (stuff in the cargo area) - (.5*100 [50% of the weight of the cargo carried in the trailer]) = -94.8: You'll be 95 pounds over your maximum tongue weight, so the suspension will be sagging in back, lifting in front.

 

[Robmoo]

You have to factor into your tow capacity cargo inside the TV. This is not going to be a comfortable tow.

 

[Cgouveia]

I want to thank everyone for your input. I believe it was a little farfetched. I guess we will be looking into a full size suv like others have mentioned if we want to go the route we want to go. All the mid 2000’s full sized suvs here in Canada are honestly either rust buckets for cheap or going for 12-15 thousand with 300,000 plus kms.. ouch

 

[eprovenzano]

I want to thank everyone for your input. I believe it was a little farfetched. I guess we will be looking into a full size suv like others have mentioned if we want to go the route we want to go. All the mid 2000’s full sized suvs here in Canada are honestly either rust buckets for cheap or going for 12-15 thousand with 300,000 plus kms.. ouch

I understand your pain... May I ask why an SUV? I switched from an SUV to a 1/2 ton truck. I'm now on my 2nd truck... both have been crew cabs, with a bed cover.. I've not missed my SUV since getting a truck.

 

[Cgouveia]

Honestly it is the space, the explorer is a 7 passenger so it’s myself the wife our toddler and baby behind us and then our other two older boys in the very back. Might look into a pickup and wait on the purchase for a year or two hoping the other two older boys don’t care for camping anymore. The pop up is good for us for now just a wee bit tight!

 

[Annunzi]

If you're looking for a good value full-size SUV, check out the Nissan Armada or Infiniti QX56/80, they are both body on frame and can tow around 9,000 pounds. That's the tow capacity I'd want for towing something like the Roo.