I have had no problems towing an 18 ft car hauler w/ my 91 Exploder which
has the towing package & no brake upgrades.
It stops very well in tandem w/ the elec trailer brakes. Towing a loaded car
hauler up hill is another matter, as is the fuel consumption.
"Big Bill" > wrote in message
...
> On 6 Mar 2005 15:24:54 -0800, wrote:
>
> >I've been searching this group and other Explorer resources on the
> >Internet but I haven't found much good advice on upgrading the brakes
> >on my Explorer.
> >
> >I have a 97 Limited, 4.0 SOHC, 4WD and I plan on pulling a trailer
> >cross country this summer (I'm guessing about 3,500 lbs but I'm not
> >sure). As far as I know most small trailers, such as UHauls, don't
> >have brakes so it is up to the towing vehicle to stop the trailer. I
> >found some Power Stop rotors at Summit Racing for $76 per front rotor,
> >the pads are an additional $30. Is this enough to stop an extra 2 tons
> >of weight? The front calipers are 2 piston calipers while the rears
> >are single piston. Should I sink money into high performance calipers
> >as well? Do I need to buy high performance rotors and pads for the
> >rear?
> >
> >As far as the rest of the truck goes, I plan on installing a trailer
> >hitch, I recently flushed and filled the coolant, it has a tranny
> >cooler with recently flushed and filled ATF Mercon V, power steering
> >cooler, I'm not sure but I think the rear axle is 3.55:1. Does anyone
> >have any other suggestions or advice on prepping or upgrading to safely
> >tow a trailer?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Dave Earle
>
> I'm a freak for towing safety. So taqke this in the spirit it's
> offered...
> If you're going to upgrade the brakes, upgrade them as though you mean
> it.
> A matched system that actually increases braking over stock isn't
> cheap, but it can be a life-saver. Something along the lines of a
> Brembo upgrade with bigger rotor (more swept area, more braking
> action, longer life, less fade) will do wonders.
> If you really don't want to spend that kind of money, you could switch
> to ceramic pads, for longer life, less fading.
>
> Your Explorer will already brake hard enough to activate your
> anti-lock system, so in reality, more won't do you much good, as far
> as that one emergency braking maneuver is concerned. What you are
> probably looking for is less fade over longer braking applications,
> like going down grades. Ceramic pads should handle that nicely,
> really. Just keep speeds lower where extended braking is expected, and
> don't worry about the idiots who want to go faster. Remember that
> downshifting (even shifting out of OD) will provide engine braking,
> often (on Interstates) eliminating the need to brake at all.
> Enjoy the trip!
>
> --
> Bill Funk
> Change "g" to "a"