Towing?

[OspreyVic]

I would like to continue the Ford line to this thread. If you do not need a pickup truck for work, or have other uses for a pickup, other than towing a boat, then I would suggest a Ford Explorer 4X4. For example, if you are going to Home Depot or the grocery store more often than towing the boat, the ease of turning and parking come into play.

I would not suggest any vehicle that is not a 4X4. If you have to load at low tide on a slippery slope, you will want those front tires digging.

The Explorer XLT Sport 4.6L SEFI V8 - 4 x 4 w/ 3.73-3.73 LS Axle would something to look at.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight 7,000
GCWR 11,600
GVWR 5,420
Explorer Length 189.5 in
Width 72.1 in
Height 71.4 in
Turning Diameter 41.8 ft
Tires 255/70R17

It’s the size of the vehicle and the turning diameter that will make life easy or hard.

As you can see above, it is rated to haul a lot more than a loaded 210CC. That extra makes me feel a lot better about using the Explorer as a tow vehicle as well as a family vehicle. This is just something else to think about. My son wanted the F150 SuperCrew 4X4.

Vic in Osprey FL

[mowerchaotic]

I initially towed my 210 chaos with a '99 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with TRD package. It's the same engine as the 4runner, but my truck was lighter and a manual shift. I had no problems. Pulled it out of the steepest ramps you will find anywhere. I could, however, tell I had a boat back there when braking. I was a bit worried that I'd need to buy a fullsize truck when I bought the boat, but I severly underestimated the Toyota. Looked kinda funny going down the road with a boat twice the size of my truck.

Having said that, I now tow with an '04 Ford Explorer xlt 4x4. I have the 6 cyl. engine because fuel cost was a concern and it has similar horsepower to the 8 cyl.

Bottom line: I actually enjoyed pulling more with my Tacoma, but enjoy braking more with the Explorer. Either one will do the job, and so should your 4 runner. An F-250, Dodge Hemi whatever is just overkill. You could tow your home to the coast with those bad boys.

[GreenpondEd]

Glad to hear about your success with the Tacoma. My 2000 4runner has the sport package with the large 16" tires and brakes. I think I could reasonably handle the 210 with a tandem trailer with surge brakes. I would not trailer it often, and then only on trips of 40 miles each way, in low traffic situations.

Thanks everyone for the valuable input.
Ed :wink: