Greetings from a new member. I am currently looking for a new SUV and have a 20ft., single axle camper I need to tow. I have narrowed my choice to the Explorer ST and Durango R/T. Can anyone tell me why the ST makes considerably more HP and torque (400/415) vs. the R/T (360/390) yet is rated to tow less - 5600 vs. 7400 lbs.? Thanks!
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Towing w/ the ST
- Thread starter SR412
- Start date
transmission, differentials, gearing, brake size, cooling ability, etc... all play a roll. Without knowing the differences in the Durango and Explorer in those areas its hard to know. I'm GUESSING the ecoboost is harder to keep cool vs. the Hemi with the turbo's adding to the heat load.
The 10R60 has a rating of 600nm or about 440 ft. lbs. of torque.
The 8HP70 has a rating of 700nm or about 516 ft. lbs. of torque.
The AWD system in both could also be limiting unless you are looking at the R/T rear wheel drive. The PTU(transfer case) in the Explorer uses a clutch setup to regulate power transmission. Im not sure what the limit on that is, but im sure somebody on here has exceeded it LOL.
The 10R60 has a rating of 600nm or about 440 ft. lbs. of torque.
The 8HP70 has a rating of 700nm or about 516 ft. lbs. of torque.
The AWD system in both could also be limiting unless you are looking at the R/T rear wheel drive. The PTU(transfer case) in the Explorer uses a clutch setup to regulate power transmission. Im not sure what the limit on that is, but im sure somebody on here has exceeded it LOL.
electric trailer brakes? Weight distributing hitch?
The explorer is supposedly wired for them, just got to get the correct adapter for the brake controller. I know a few people here have them.
Im looking at buying a boat that will be pretty close to the max tow rating, but, beyond wherever I buy it from, I wont be towing more than 1/2 mile to the boat ramp from my house. Im unconcerned. I know the brakes and engine are up to it. The trans should be, in theory. Like was said before the main limit appears to be a Class III hitch(6k lb limit) vs. a Class IV hitch(120000lb limit) because the Aviator and Explorer arent THAT different.
The explorer is supposedly wired for them, just got to get the correct adapter for the brake controller. I know a few people here have them.
Im looking at buying a boat that will be pretty close to the max tow rating, but, beyond wherever I buy it from, I wont be towing more than 1/2 mile to the boat ramp from my house. Im unconcerned. I know the brakes and engine are up to it. The trans should be, in theory. Like was said before the main limit appears to be a Class III hitch(6k lb limit) vs. a Class IV hitch(120000lb limit) because the Aviator and Explorer arent THAT different.
Thread Starter
#14
Have both trailer brakes and a weight distribution hitch, We travel the New England states so some trips are 3 hours.
Currently towing with a 2009 Honda Pilot (134k miles) which struggles on hills and gets brutal gas mileage. The Pilot has had a tranny flush, has a tranny cooler and air lift suspension in the rear - about the best I can do with this model.
Looking at both the ST and the Durango R/T. Like the ST better just want to do my homework.
Currently towing with a 2009 Honda Pilot (134k miles) which struggles on hills and gets brutal gas mileage. The Pilot has had a tranny flush, has a tranny cooler and air lift suspension in the rear - about the best I can do with this model.
Looking at both the ST and the Durango R/T. Like the ST better just want to do my homework.
Not true, both have the same 10R60 tranny. The Hybrid Aviator and Explorer are only the only one's equipped with a 10R80MHT I believe tranny, which is slight different from the Mustang's 10R80 tranny.
The new 2022 Explorer's can be equipped with a Class 4 hitch, more than likely it'll have the same tow rating as the Aviator, 6,800 lbs.
The new 2022 Explorer's can be equipped with a Class 4 hitch, more than likely it'll have the same tow rating as the Aviator, 6,800 lbs.
I tow an 18' Whaler with the ST. Between 3.5K and 4K lbs, boat, trailer, and gear. Single axle trailer, no brakes. No issues whatsoever. My previous 3 vehicles were 5.7L Hemi Grand Cherokees with 7,200 lb towing capacity. I think the ST tows my setup just as well.
I also towed my cousin's new 22' boat, dual axle trailer, no brakes, about 1/2 mile to a ramp. Probably pretty close to the ST's max capacity. It's not so much the towing as it is the stopping. I'm not sure I'd want to do any extended towing with ANY vehicle at or close to max capacity.
I also towed my cousin's new 22' boat, dual axle trailer, no brakes, about 1/2 mile to a ramp. Probably pretty close to the ST's max capacity. It's not so much the towing as it is the stopping. I'm not sure I'd want to do any extended towing with ANY vehicle at or close to max capacity.
I have a 2020 ST and pull a 27’ travel trailer (23’ box) with a dual axle weighing 4,200 lbs dry with a weight distribution hitch and electronic trailer brake controller. We’ve taken it on 5 camping trips this year, 2 of which were 1000 mi round trips in tow. These 2 trips took us through the mountains (Smoky’s and Pisgah Nat Parks).
It pulls very well for its size but like someone said earlier that it’s not the pulling but the stopping which is most important. I had one white knuckle experience going down a mountain highway when a driver in front of me decided to stop when I was building speed on wet pavement. I didn’t hit anything but I did lose traction. More than anything it was a learning experience. The tow mode works really well, especially on hills. Once you plug in the 7pin it pops up on the screen that a trailer is connected and asks for the length so that the blind spot warning is extended (based on the total length of the trailer and truck) as well as disabling cross traffic when backing up. Depending on terrain I average between 9-11 mpg’s assuming approx 4,800-5.000 lbs w supplies and empty (white, gray and black) holding tanks.
It pulls very well for its size but like someone said earlier that it’s not the pulling but the stopping which is most important. I had one white knuckle experience going down a mountain highway when a driver in front of me decided to stop when I was building speed on wet pavement. I didn’t hit anything but I did lose traction. More than anything it was a learning experience. The tow mode works really well, especially on hills. Once you plug in the 7pin it pops up on the screen that a trailer is connected and asks for the length so that the blind spot warning is extended (based on the total length of the trailer and truck) as well as disabling cross traffic when backing up. Depending on terrain I average between 9-11 mpg’s assuming approx 4,800-5.000 lbs w supplies and empty (white, gray and black) holding tanks.
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