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I am looking at a used 1995 Ford Explorer for a tow vehicle for my Ranger 681C Fisherman. The Explorer has a 6 cylinder engine. Will this pull my boat? Thanks.
One of my friends at one time owned a 6 cyl Explorer to pull his Ranger fish and ski. He did not like the Explorer as a tow vehicle and only kept it a couple years before moving up to a full size van with a 350 V-8.
aurora
07-08-2000, 07:17 AM
i pull a 1800 ProV with a 1993 v-6 explorer. i wouldn't recommend it. it works ok for a very short distance but i certainly wouldn't want to pull it very far. good luck
is the problem with the 6 cylinder engine not having enough power or is the Explorer just to small and light for towing. Thanks
I tow my 1900 Pro-V/200HP Optimax with a 1998 Explorer. The engine is the SOHC V-6. The SOHC V-6 has 210 HP and the OHV V-6 is something like 180 HP. I don't think the SOHC version was available in 1995, not sure.
Anyway, I've towed my boat with this truck to Canada three times from Florida a total of 12,000 miles and not a single problem, except lousy gas mileage, about 13 MPG, but that comes with the territory.
I would highly recommend brakes on the trailer.
Later....
Al
aurora
07-08-2000, 03:53 PM
it's some of both. it really pulls the rear end down and if i'm goin up a steep hill i'll have to go down to 3rd (5 speed manual transmission). i do have the 3.73 gears too and if anything i think that should help. it works for short trips but if were going to pull over a couple hundered miles i would want more. it came down to, did I want to get a vehicle and then a couple years down the road get a boat or vice versa. i chose the boat first. my brother in law has a 1999 Explorer with the v-8 and that has plenty of power but the back end gets pulled down some too.
the 93 explorer has been a great vehicle, it's got 125,000 miles on it and doesn't use oil and I can drive 80 mph on the interstate and still get just 20 to 21 mph. hope this helps. later
Hawg Tracker
07-08-2000, 11:04 PM
Here's the answer from someone who pulls a 16' Bass boat with full gear and a 70 hp motor with a 2000 Ford Explorer.
The V6 used prior to the new overhead cam V6 is a underpowered dog!
The new V6 OHC motor is very strong...puts out 200 horses and with the right gear will pull my boat at 85mph all day long without grunting.
My last tow vehicle was a 96 Crown Victoria with the optional load levelers and the 4.6 litre V8
Loved it!
My next one will be an Explorer with the 4.6
Thanks to those who gave me information. This will help me make a more informed decisions.