any opinions on ford explorer

[RAW21]

I am looking at buying a used 2001 ford explorer xlt
with the 5.0 v8. it has 16,500 miles on it.
it should have enough power to pull my 14 foot sylvan boat with 20 h.p. motor. just wondering if anyone has any opinions on this vehicle
good or bad? need to make a decision this week.
thanks.

[outdoor fanatic]

To me it would depend on how much it is. If you look around, you can usually find an Excursion for close to the amount that you would be paying for the Explorer and for me, I'd rather have the Excursion. But the price would be the determining factor for me. Just my 2 cents.

[punch1]

I bought a used 1995 Ford Exploroer a couple of years ago and we liked it so much we bought a used 1997 Explorer last year. I'm not sure if the V6 is really enough to tow my 17' boat without to much strain so that's why we went with the V8 last time around. Otherwise no complaints here and this is coming from a life-long Chevy fan!

Pat

[DeafAngler]

My brother in law has his 1999 Explorer and it has 5.0 V8. He tows his 16 ft boat with 50 hp, he always fish up north somewhere in Nissaw, Minnesota from Chaska. He didnt complaint about his suv. I have a 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan and it has 3.3 V6 tow my 1999 Tournamnent Pro 170 CS with 90 Hp. I added the oil tranny cooler, no problem for 3 years now. I think your suv should okay for towing your light boat. Enjoy your new truck if you purchase!

[sorenson]

We easily pulled my 16' Alumacraft with our '91 Explorer sport. They only had v-6s back then and I have no regrets owning it. We put 192,000 relatively trouble free miles on it and only sold it to upgrade to a 4-door model (family addition). Or new one (2000 Explorer) also has a v-6 and it pulls the same boat as easily (maybe better - the new engines are a bit snappier).

[Guest User]

No good opinions but since I am just a guest user I will not mention the problems for fear of being accused of nameless bashing. Good luck

[Tom]

hey mr guest user don,t worry about getting bashed the man asked for opinions so heres mine, they should put the campbells soup can lapel on it cause thats what they ride like, you couldn,t give me one, and thats just my opinion, BUT it will pull his boat.




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[bountyhunter]

WIFE has had several all good [evenhad one with those funny tires on it right front blue off did 9,000damage ] but runs great don't think ford is the problem .v8 has seen 23mpg on trips pulls fine .jim

[David/MN]

Hi,

I used my 1997 5.0 to pull my 20 foot Crestliner SportFish throughout Minnesota, and yearly trips to South Dakota will no problems. My friend bought it from me and it now has 123K miles on it still going strong. That 5.0 is a great motor!

I am now running a 99 Expedition another great tow rig.

Good Luck

dw

[CANADIAN GUY]

I agree Tom......they are not a truck and not a car. Their ground clearance sucks, their mileage is the pits and they are very poor in any off road situation. Without the rear aux. heater they can be very cold in the winter. Look at the Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyotas for an SUV. They are real SUVs. The boat you are pulling is light and pretty much any vehicle will tow it.

[Lund]

Had two and they are still going strong. The ride is rough as was stated earlier. Went to a Chevy Tahoe and could not believe the difference.I would stick to the larger longer wheelbase for a better ride and a more relaxing tow.

[RAW21]

Thanks for the opinions guys, if there are any more i'll take
them, and if there bad and you don't want bashed email me.
Tom you are right they are a little rough riding. I have this
vehicle home for the weekend to test drive it. my main concern was
with the 5.0 v-8 engine and i forgot to mention that it is all wheel
drive which i got to try out with this snow, we got today, i thought
it worked great but once again if anyone knows anything, please
let me know. Thanks again.
good fishing,
Ron

[water_wolf]

You mean Ford Exploder....Did test drive one once...suspension like an Army tank...that was several years ago dont know how they are now.
I dont care for Ford products all that much.


Rich Ferguson

[Nordicron]

Boy some of these guys are rough on ford. I have a 98 with the six and pull my 17ft targa with 90hp merc and t8 kicker. Motor has plenty of power although I think vehicle is a little light and wheel base to short to do any real towing. I am only getting around 15-16mpg with mostly city driving and when pulling the boat only get 10mpg. Have had this SUV for 2yrs and think this is a very comfortable vehicle. As for the guy that said get a pathfinder or 4runner, get real both vehicles have less power, are lighter and all around smaller and don't ride near as good.

[ebexp2000]

My dad's got a 2000 Ford Explorer with the SOHC V6. Pulls the 16.5 foot boat real well. Only had two problems. First was just after it was bought. There was a slight popping sound from the front-driver's side, but this was known to happen occasionally, and there was a TSB out on it. Fixed for free. Second problem was that the rear windsheild wiper would sometimes not kick in. Found that there was just a small short or something, and was fixed for free. Now has 40,000 miles on it, and runs just as good as the day it was bought.

I've driven the 5.0 L Explorer too, and it has alot more torque than the V6, so it's excellent for pulling. The AWD system on the V8 performs nicely. I've seen the V8's get over 20 mpg too.

With either engine, the Explorer is an excellent vehicle. The ride may be a little bouncy on rough terrain, but it isn't bone-jarring. The brakes are excellent, and can stop you and your trailer in a hurry. Auto 4X4 system works good (If you get a V8, it's AWD, unless you get a 2002 model). Both my Dad and I love the Explorer, and he or I wouldn't have anything else (except for a new Expedition or a big (Ford) truck). I will probably buy it from him in a few years.

[Kingfish.]

Hi. RAW 21. I'am on my second one, bought both of them new. I have almost 100,000K on this one. I just had ball joints, new shocks put in the front end. The thing is tight as the day I got it. "It's a 1994" No rattles, noises. Believe it or not, I still have the origional battery and have only just replaced the first light bulb in it. The engine sounds like a million bucks, as quiet as the day I bought it. I am in charge of purchasing new vehicles for my job position and it makes me sick to have to buy chevys because they always come in with the low bid. I know that before 40K hits them, we'll be putting in a tranny or the motor will be blowing blue smoke. It hasn't been just one. P.S.
I also drive a GM car but know it wouldn't last. But the wife liked it. Go for it! The Kingfish.

[mmillelacs]

i have the 97 explorer with the v8. it pulls my 1775 lund with absolutely no problem. The v8 comes standard with the transmission cooler and the oil cooler. Although the suspension is rough, i like it that way just fine. And as for the all wheel drive, (only available on the v8) there is NO better 4 wheel drive system on any vehicle. If you ever get stuck, all 4 of your wheels will spin as compared to conventional 4 wheel drive systems where opposite wheels will spin and the other 2 do nothing............IMHO

[205]

Make sure you dont run Firestone Tires!:7

[Peanut]

Bought a 1997 in 1999 - still have it - no real complaints. Got a new engine at 125,000 kms (about 70,000 miles), but it was a warranty-replacement, so no cost to me. New brakes, tires and shocks about a year ago, otherwise zero repair costs. They do not ride as smooth as some others - that is true, but they are the biggest in their class (Blazer, Pathfinder, Cherokee, etc.). Mine is the V6 - it pulls an 18' Alaskan okay, but not better than okay. With the 5.0 V8, it would have no problem (in fact, I bought a truck with this very engine to pull my boat).

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[DarrenB]

I've got the same size boat w/a 25 HP motor and my 2001 Explorer with the 4.0L v6 pulls it fine, stops quickly and accelerates decently. You hardly even know the boat is back there when driving on the highway or up and down a hill. The ride is somewhat bumpy and "trucklike" as mentioned, but overall it's not a bad ride. No need to go out and buy a bigger or more expensive tow vehicle.

[FJH1]

I've been towing my boats with Explorers since 1993. My 1993 Explorer is used daily and has 130,000 miles. I also have a 1998 SOHC V6 Explorer with 50,000. I like the vehicles. I now need more space, so my next vehicle will either be an Excursion deisel or Suburban diesel. Until then I'll stick with my Explorers. Oh, I tow a Lund 1800 Pro V SE with 175 Merc and kicker. My typical trip is up to our place in Minocqua, WI (5+ hours).

Best Regards,

FJH