2011-2013 Ford Explorer - Anyone have one?
 

We're getting the wife a new car and shopping only models that have a Class 3 or higher tow rating.

We're really interested in the current generation Explorer.

Anyone have one?

We looked at the Explorer when Sarah was looking at getting an SUV. We ended up going with the Edge just because we didn't need the side. We looked at it again when I wanted an SUV but I ended up getting a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. Couldn't beat the interior and it had the towing power BUT doesn't have a 3rd row if that's important

Yeah, the wife has vetoed the Jeep, unfortunately.

We WANT something with a turbodiesel in it, but since the only options there are basically luxury European brands, it puts it out of our price range.

There's one decent Touareg TDI around here but it's about 5-6 grand more than the Explorer, and it's used rather than new.

go for a highlander. better resale too

Sorry, won't touch another Toyota product.

Edit: And resale is a non issue. My wife drives her cars into the ground. Her trade in is a 7 year old Hyundai and she's only getting rid of it because she wants something that can tow the Z. She's a good wife. :)

The 2014 Grand Cherokee that was just announced as a diesel

And they're only offering it in Overland and up, which is over what we want to spend, lol.

Car companies treat diesels like high end premium engine options, I really don't understand it.

So what's wrong with the non diesel jeep then?

towing a z with a v6 SUV is borderline at best. I had the same dilemma when we bought our Lexus. MDX tows 5000lbs too. I skipped on it because it has no remote key door access

Does the explorer only come in a V6?

You CAN get the Hemi V8 in the Jeep which can tow a lot but have fun with Gas

The V6 is rated for 5,000 lbs and the V8 at 7,200 lbs

See emphasis..

And you can only get a V8 in an overland and above too.

The Explorer is rated or 5,000 lbs as well

Yes... And I'm trying to understand the "unfortunately" portion.

That she refuses to even consider a Jeep?

It was my top choice if we couldn't find a TDI.

New explorer is a killer car.


Not sure whether I'd want to tow the Z with it though

Well that sucks.

Your kind of limited... Pickup out of the question?

What lbs rating would be want to look for Dan?

Yeah pickups are out at this point as well.

5000lbs should be plenty. My car is well under 3000, the trailer well under 2000 (probably under 1000).

I know it isn't an "optimal" setup, believe me, but it'll be enough for the short hauls I will want to do. I'm not driving cross country or anything. If I need to do that, I'll rent something to pull it with.

What about the new nissan pathfinder? I haven't really looked into it before. It's rated for 5000lbs as well.

That's the other contender, but I don't see how it is any better suited to towing than the Explorer, plus it hasn't got the creature comforts (at the 30-32k level) that the Explorer has.

And it's a CVT, which gives me the willies.

I love Sarah's Edge. Great truck. The nav system puts mine to shame. The quality seems great. She has about 15,000km's on it and no issues at all. I wouldn't have a problem buying another ford

Saw one on lunch. What about a Dodge Durango?

No to the Ford Explorer,resale is crap.

My pick is the 2013 Pathfinder.

No to the Durango.

Or if you go slightly used a Escalade.2010+

Ummm...I'm not sure about that one. I drove a customer's Escalade on Thursday. I've never driven such a p.o.s. in my life. It was a 2011 with 20k kms on it. God is that thing junk.

The Pathfinder is the most promising on your list. Looks really nice.

Got a chance to tow with the new Explorer today, although it was with less than 3K behind it.

Got 13 mpg driving through a fairly hilly part of the country. Pretty solid, all things considered.

I think you'd be fine just about anywhere with up to ~4200. I certainly would not attempt to tow 5K through the mountains.

not sure about the Explorer; however, my Dad is fond of the new Escape, for some reason.

Thanks for the info!

I have no plans to use the thing to tow the car cross-country or into the mountains haha. It would just be to get it to local events, or at most, the 3-4 hour trip down to Austin/College Station. No hills or mountains involved.

The goal is to get an aluminum trailer to get the trailer weight as close to 1000 or below as possible, plus the car will only be around 2800-2900 tops, so that gives a decent buffer.

We'd of gotten the deal done on Saturday if I hadn't been called in to work all day. Gotta love being on call! Still don't understand why dealerships are closed on Sunday...

Have the Explorer a good look this weekend at the Auto Show. If its not out of budget the Sport version is amazing!

Very nice! Same colour as Sarah's Edge. Love it

Already scopin out wheels for it.

Going to pick up the K&N intake for it next week. Magnaflow makes an exhaust too..

What motor?

It's the 3.5L V6.

Nice. Didn't want to try out the Ecoboost eh?

Good engine though. Sarah has that in her edge and I had that in my Sport Fusion

The ecoboost 2.0 can't tow, and isn't enough power, IMO.

Hell the MZR in my MS3 is a lot more powerful and it wouldn't be enough in the Explorer either..

The 3.5 in the Explorer is the 290HP version. It feels mighty strong.

I also get to install oil and transmission coolers on this brand new truck.. haha.

Probably an upgraded radiator too.

Very nice. Ya that V6 is pushing more power.

Is it the same engine? They are both 3.5 V6's

I think they have different heads and intake/exhaust.

I dunno why they don't just consolidate and put the 3.7 in everything... There's no huge difference between them, just a little more displacement and slightly higher compression ratio.

I looked into the Ford Explorer as well and really like it. I even rented one for a week. Overall, I was impressed but I ended up going thru USAA to get a 2013 Durango R/T.