'(@ Eddie....Can it do it?

I used to drive tractor/ trailer rigs for a living, just so you know I
know how to drive towing a vehicle. My concern was the limits of the
equipment, and the class III brings that safely within my comfort zone and
safe handling limits of the vehicle.
I was asking because I am making this trip on a shoe string, no other
vehicle options available, no funds to play with, nothing. So, being able to
make it happen with what I have is the only option. *Now* my biggest concern
is gas mileage. I am wondering what it will use. I calculated at 12 MPG, 19
gallons per tank, $2.35 per gallon, ad 11 tanks of fuel. It ought to be
darned close.

"Ulysses" > wrote in message
...
|
| "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| ...
| > Well, I will be going down with an empty trailer, but I'll be coming
| > back with about 1,000 pounds of horse. What you are telling me is/was my
| gut
| > feeling, so I figured I could haul it with the bumper hitch, it was the
| > loaded trailer I had queezy feelings about. The class III I installed
says
| > it's rated for 500 pounds tongue weight and 5,000 towing weight (6,000
if
| I
| > were to use a weight distributing hitch which I don't have ). I figure
| that
| > ought to safely haul it.
|
| My experience with towing trailers is that just because you can doesn't
| necessarily mean you should. I was towing a 22 foot travel trailer with
an
| Astro Van. It was well within the limits of the van but my knuckles were
| always white and I was nervous as hell driving the rig. I bought an old
| F350 (maybe a little overkill) and from then on it I had to remember that
I
| had a trailer behind me and my adventures became fun again. Towing right
at
| the limit of the tow vehicle can be fine as long as nothing goes wrong,
but
| there's always some bonehead who wants to merge between your tow vehicle
and
| your trailer or some idiot who cuts in front of you and hits the brakes.
| In your case I would be especially cautious because you will have a living
| being back there.
|
| Before I started towing I used to drive "one car length for every 10 mph"
| behind the car in front of me. Now, even when I'm not towing, I follow
| about one quarter mile behind. I usually follow a big truck because most
| people don't want to be behind trucks so it greatly reduces the number of
| cars cutting in front of me.
|
| One more thing I just want to mention is sometimes a little more than 10%
on
| the hitch can improve handling of the tow vehicle and trailer (assuming
you
| can do this without exceeding the limit of your hitch). I adjusted all
the
| stuff in my boat to get it around 15% and it just felt better driving it.
| Of course you would need to get your horse to cooperate ;-) Also, is it
| possible to get one horse in the middle of a two-horse trailer? It may
| improve handling if you don't have all the weight on one side.
| >
| >
| > "Ulysses" > wrote in message
| > ...
| > |
| > | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| > | ...
| > | > That was kinda what I thought. Why would you think anyone asking
| > such
| > | a
| > | > question was a troll? It's a good question. I personally prefer a
| class
| > | III
| > | > receiver hitch, but I am still trying to understand ford's thinking
on
| > | > putting only class II hitches on the Explorers.
| > |
| > | It just sounded like the kind of question a troll might post, or right
| on
| > | the verge thereof.
| > |
| > | But seriously if the trailer is empty then you might be able to get
away
| > | with it. If you look around you will probably not see any horses
being
| > | pulled by anything less than a GMC 2500 or F250. I'm no expert on
horse
| > | trailers but all the one's I've noticed had gooseneck hitches. Are
you
| > just
| > | trying to move an empty horse trailer or do you plan to have something
| in
| > | it?
| > |
| > | I have towed a boat on a trailer with a total weight of about 3500
| pounds
| > | with my Explorer with no problem but that was with a Class III hitch.
| > OTOH
| > | I pulled the same boat and trailer with an '82 Toyota 3/4 ton pickup
| with
| > a
| > | bumper hitch (ball installed in the bumper). It was OK but I never
| tried
| > | taking up any mountain roads. The Explorer, of course, has a lot more
| > | power.
| > |
| > | Generally you should distribute your load so you get about ten percent
| of
| > | the weight on your hitch. So if your trailer/load weighs 3000 pounds
| you
| > | should have about 300 pounds on the hitch. That seems like that's
| > probably
| > | about at the limit (what does the owner's manual say?) for a bumper
| hitch.
| > | I think it's around 500 pounds for a Class III.
| > |
| > | >
| > | > "Ulysses" > wrote in message
| > | > ...
| > | > | If you weren't a regular poster here I'd think you were a troll.
| > | > |
| > | > | As long as the two horses aren't in it...
| > | > |
| > | > |
| > | > |
| > | > | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| > | > | news:1118721002.94eef2b0df2df625eedee8822fe83267@b ubbanews...
| > | > | > I apparently have to make an emergency drive from Nebraska
to
| > | > Florida
| > | > | to
| > | > | > pick up my horse. Since I have a '92 EB and it only has the
| factory
| > | > bumper
| > | > | > hitch, will that be safe enough to pull a two horse trailer 2400
| > | miles?
| > | > I
| > | > | > dragged my old Bronco II behind me farther than that with no
| > problems,
| > | > but
| > | > | > that was using a tow bar, so not tongue weight.
| > | > | > I need answers pretty quick guys.
| > | > | >
| > | > | > Thanks
| > |
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|

I didn't mean to insult your intelligence or anything--just wanted to cover
everything just in case.


"John Riggs" > wrote in message
news:1118938280.f60ee0516feae03f8652ad1da91b90c8@b ubbanews...
> I used to drive tractor/ trailer rigs for a living, just so you know I
> know how to drive towing a vehicle. My concern was the limits of the
> equipment, and the class III brings that safely within my comfort zone and
> safe handling limits of the vehicle.
> I was asking because I am making this trip on a shoe string, no other
> vehicle options available, no funds to play with, nothing. So, being able
to
> make it happen with what I have is the only option. *Now* my biggest
concern
> is gas mileage. I am wondering what it will use. I calculated at 12 MPG,
19
> gallons per tank, $2.35 per gallon, ad 11 tanks of fuel. It ought to be
> darned close.
>
> "Ulysses" > wrote in message
> ...
> |
> | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
> | ...
> | > Well, I will be going down with an empty trailer, but I'll be
coming
> | > back with about 1,000 pounds of horse. What you are telling me is/was
my
> | gut
> | > feeling, so I figured I could haul it with the bumper hitch, it was
the
> | > loaded trailer I had queezy feelings about. The class III I installed
> says
> | > it's rated for 500 pounds tongue weight and 5,000 towing weight (6,000
> if
> | I
> | > were to use a weight distributing hitch which I don't have ). I
figure
> | that
> | > ought to safely haul it.
> |
> | My experience with towing trailers is that just because you can doesn't
> | necessarily mean you should. I was towing a 22 foot travel trailer with
> an
> | Astro Van. It was well within the limits of the van but my knuckles
were
> | always white and I was nervous as hell driving the rig. I bought an old
> | F350 (maybe a little overkill) and from then on it I had to remember
that
> I
> | had a trailer behind me and my adventures became fun again. Towing
right
> at
> | the limit of the tow vehicle can be fine as long as nothing goes wrong,
> but
> | there's always some bonehead who wants to merge between your tow vehicle
> and
> | your trailer or some idiot who cuts in front of you and hits the
brakes.
> | In your case I would be especially cautious because you will have a
living
> | being back there.
> |
> | Before I started towing I used to drive "one car length for every 10
mph"
> | behind the car in front of me. Now, even when I'm not towing, I follow
> | about one quarter mile behind. I usually follow a big truck because
most
> | people don't want to be behind trucks so it greatly reduces the number
of
> | cars cutting in front of me.
> |
> | One more thing I just want to mention is sometimes a little more than
10%
> on
> | the hitch can improve handling of the tow vehicle and trailer (assuming
> you
> | can do this without exceeding the limit of your hitch). I adjusted all
> the
> | stuff in my boat to get it around 15% and it just felt better driving
it.
> | Of course you would need to get your horse to cooperate ;-) Also, is it
> | possible to get one horse in the middle of a two-horse trailer? It may
> | improve handling if you don't have all the weight on one side.
> | >
> | >
> | > "Ulysses" > wrote in message
> | > ...
> | > |
> | > | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
> | > | ...
> | > | > That was kinda what I thought. Why would you think anyone
asking
> | > such
> | > | a
> | > | > question was a troll? It's a good question. I personally prefer a
> | class
> | > | III
> | > | > receiver hitch, but I am still trying to understand ford's
thinking
> on
> | > | > putting only class II hitches on the Explorers.
> | > |
> | > | It just sounded like the kind of question a troll might post, or
right
> | on
> | > | the verge thereof.
> | > |
> | > | But seriously if the trailer is empty then you might be able to get
> away
> | > | with it. If you look around you will probably not see any horses
> being
> | > | pulled by anything less than a GMC 2500 or F250. I'm no expert on
> horse
> | > | trailers but all the one's I've noticed had gooseneck hitches. Are
> you
> | > just
> | > | trying to move an empty horse trailer or do you plan to have
something
> | in
> | > | it?
> | > |
> | > | I have towed a boat on a trailer with a total weight of about 3500
> | pounds
> | > | with my Explorer with no problem but that was with a Class III
hitch.
> | > OTOH
> | > | I pulled the same boat and trailer with an '82 Toyota 3/4 ton pickup
> | with
> | > a
> | > | bumper hitch (ball installed in the bumper). It was OK but I never
> | tried
> | > | taking up any mountain roads. The Explorer, of course, has a lot
more
> | > | power.
> | > |
> | > | Generally you should distribute your load so you get about ten
percent
> | of
> | > | the weight on your hitch. So if your trailer/load weighs 3000
pounds
> | you
> | > | should have about 300 pounds on the hitch. That seems like that's
> | > probably
> | > | about at the limit (what does the owner's manual say?) for a bumper
> | hitch.
> | > | I think it's around 500 pounds for a Class III.
> | > |
> | > | >
> | > | > "Ulysses" > wrote in message
> | > | > ...
> | > | > | If you weren't a regular poster here I'd think you were a troll.
> | > | > |
> | > | > | As long as the two horses aren't in it...
> | > | > |
> | > | > |
> | > | > |
> | > | > | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
> | > | > | news:1118721002.94eef2b0df2df625eedee8822fe83267@b ubbanews...
> | > | > | > I apparently have to make an emergency drive from Nebraska
> to
> | > | > Florida
> | > | > | to
> | > | > | > pick up my horse. Since I have a '92 EB and it only has the
> | factory
> | > | > bumper
> | > | > | > hitch, will that be safe enough to pull a two horse trailer
2400
> | > | miles?
> | > | > I
> | > | > | > dragged my old Bronco II behind me farther than that with no
> | > problems,
> | > | > but
> | > | > | > that was using a tow bar, so not tongue weight.
> | > | > | > I need answers pretty quick guys.
> | > | > | >
> | > | > | > Thanks
> | > |
> | > |
> | > |
> | >
> | >
> |
> |
>
>

How do you suppose the mileage will be? Did I get it close, or do you
suppose I will get worse mileage. Is 12 MPG just about right for you and
others? Too much, too little?. It's going to be my first trip pulling a
trailer and not another vehicle.

"Ulysses" > wrote in message
...
|I didn't mean to insult your intelligence or anything--just wanted to cover
| everything just in case.
|
|
| "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| news:1118938280.f60ee0516feae03f8652ad1da91b90c8@b ubbanews...
| > I used to drive tractor/ trailer rigs for a living, just so you know
I
| > know how to drive towing a vehicle. My concern was the limits of the
| > equipment, and the class III brings that safely within my comfort zone
and
| > safe handling limits of the vehicle.
| > I was asking because I am making this trip on a shoe string, no
other
| > vehicle options available, no funds to play with, nothing. So, being
able
| to
| > make it happen with what I have is the only option. *Now* my biggest
| concern
| > is gas mileage. I am wondering what it will use. I calculated at 12 MPG,
| 19
| > gallons per tank, $2.35 per gallon, ad 11 tanks of fuel. It ought to be
| > darned close.
| >
| > "Ulysses" > wrote in message
| > ...
| > |
| > | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| > | ...
| > | > Well, I will be going down with an empty trailer, but I'll be
| coming
| > | > back with about 1,000 pounds of horse. What you are telling me
is/was
| my
| > | gut
| > | > feeling, so I figured I could haul it with the bumper hitch, it was
| the
| > | > loaded trailer I had queezy feelings about. The class III I
installed
| > says
| > | > it's rated for 500 pounds tongue weight and 5,000 towing weight
(6,000
| > if
| > | I
| > | > were to use a weight distributing hitch which I don't have ). I
| figure
| > | that
| > | > ought to safely haul it.
| > |
| > | My experience with towing trailers is that just because you can
doesn't
| > | necessarily mean you should. I was towing a 22 foot travel trailer
with
| > an
| > | Astro Van. It was well within the limits of the van but my knuckles
| were
| > | always white and I was nervous as hell driving the rig. I bought an
old
| > | F350 (maybe a little overkill) and from then on it I had to remember
| that
| > I
| > | had a trailer behind me and my adventures became fun again. Towing
| right
| > at
| > | the limit of the tow vehicle can be fine as long as nothing goes
wrong,
| > but
| > | there's always some bonehead who wants to merge between your tow
vehicle
| > and
| > | your trailer or some idiot who cuts in front of you and hits the
| brakes.
| > | In your case I would be especially cautious because you will have a
| living
| > | being back there.
| > |
| > | Before I started towing I used to drive "one car length for every 10
| mph"
| > | behind the car in front of me. Now, even when I'm not towing, I
follow
| > | about one quarter mile behind. I usually follow a big truck because
| most
| > | people don't want to be behind trucks so it greatly reduces the number
| of
| > | cars cutting in front of me.
| > |
| > | One more thing I just want to mention is sometimes a little more than
| 10%
| > on
| > | the hitch can improve handling of the tow vehicle and trailer
(assuming
| > you
| > | can do this without exceeding the limit of your hitch). I adjusted
all
| > the
| > | stuff in my boat to get it around 15% and it just felt better driving
| it.
| > | Of course you would need to get your horse to cooperate ;-) Also, is
it
| > | possible to get one horse in the middle of a two-horse trailer? It
may
| > | improve handling if you don't have all the weight on one side.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > "Ulysses" > wrote in message
| > | > ...
| > | > |
| > | > | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| > | > | ...
| > | > | > That was kinda what I thought. Why would you think anyone
| asking
| > | > such
| > | > | a
| > | > | > question was a troll? It's a good question. I personally prefer
a
| > | class
| > | > | III
| > | > | > receiver hitch, but I am still trying to understand ford's
| thinking
| > on
| > | > | > putting only class II hitches on the Explorers.
| > | > |
| > | > | It just sounded like the kind of question a troll might post, or
| right
| > | on
| > | > | the verge thereof.
| > | > |
| > | > | But seriously if the trailer is empty then you might be able to
get
| > away
| > | > | with it. If you look around you will probably not see any horses
| > being
| > | > | pulled by anything less than a GMC 2500 or F250. I'm no expert on
| > horse
| > | > | trailers but all the one's I've noticed had gooseneck hitches.
Are
| > you
| > | > just
| > | > | trying to move an empty horse trailer or do you plan to have
| something
| > | in
| > | > | it?
| > | > |
| > | > | I have towed a boat on a trailer with a total weight of about 3500
| > | pounds
| > | > | with my Explorer with no problem but that was with a Class III
| hitch.
| > | > OTOH
| > | > | I pulled the same boat and trailer with an '82 Toyota 3/4 ton
pickup
| > | with
| > | > a
| > | > | bumper hitch (ball installed in the bumper). It was OK but I
never
| > | tried
| > | > | taking up any mountain roads. The Explorer, of course, has a lot
| more
| > | > | power.
| > | > |
| > | > | Generally you should distribute your load so you get about ten
| percent
| > | of
| > | > | the weight on your hitch. So if your trailer/load weighs 3000
| pounds
| > | you
| > | > | should have about 300 pounds on the hitch. That seems like that's
| > | > probably
| > | > | about at the limit (what does the owner's manual say?) for a
bumper
| > | hitch.
| > | > | I think it's around 500 pounds for a Class III.
| > | > |
| > | > | >
| > | > | > "Ulysses" > wrote in message
| > | > | > ...
| > | > | > | If you weren't a regular poster here I'd think you were a
troll.
| > | > | > |
| > | > | > | As long as the two horses aren't in it...
| > | > | > |
| > | > | > |
| > | > | > |
| > | > | > | "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| > | > | > | news:1118721002.94eef2b0df2df625eedee8822fe83267@b ubbanews...
| > | > | > | > I apparently have to make an emergency drive from
Nebraska
| > to
| > | > | > Florida
| > | > | > | to
| > | > | > | > pick up my horse. Since I have a '92 EB and it only has the
| > | factory
| > | > | > bumper
| > | > | > | > hitch, will that be safe enough to pull a two horse trailer
| 2400
| > | > | miles?
| > | > | > I
| > | > | > | > dragged my old Bronco II behind me farther than that with no
| > | > problems,
| > | > | > but
| > | > | > | > that was using a tow bar, so not tongue weight.
| > | > | > | > I need answers pretty quick guys.
| > | > | > | >
| > | > | > | > Thanks
| > | > |
| > | > |
| > | > |
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|

"John Riggs" > wrote in message
...
> How do you suppose the mileage will be? Did I get it close, or do you
> suppose I will get worse mileage. Is 12 MPG just about right for you and
> others? Too much, too little?. It's going to be my first trip pulling a
> trailer and not another vehicle.

I can't help ya there. I never check my gas mileage--too depressing. I'm
only sure that it's lower when I use 4WD a lot.

>

:-) Yeah, I know.


"Ulysses" > wrote in message
...
|
| "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| ...
| > How do you suppose the mileage will be? Did I get it close, or do
you
| > suppose I will get worse mileage. Is 12 MPG just about right for you and
| > others? Too much, too little?. It's going to be my first trip pulling a
| > trailer and not another vehicle.
|
| I can't help ya there. I never check my gas mileage--too depressing. I'm
| only sure that it's lower when I use 4WD a lot.
|
| >
|
|

Just got back on Thursday. Boy, did my mileage suck. I got a maximum of
150 miles to a tank of fuel.

Aside from the front seal of the tranny coming loose at 2AM halfway back
home ( what's up with the seal coming loose from the transmission? ) the
trip went off without a hitch ....so to speak. Considering that the trailer
ended up weighing over 4,000 pounds, I'd say it did a damned good job of
hauling the load. After the first few miles, I'd never know the trailer was
there, except for the sucky mileage and poor acceleration. I was able to
make 70 MPH for most of the return trip ad no stability issues.

Overall, I was pretty pleased with how it performed. Now I have to ask
if later model Explorers would do as well. I wonder if a small diesel would
fit in these trucks.


"Ulysses" > wrote in message
...
|
| "John Riggs" > wrote in message
| ...
| > How do you suppose the mileage will be? Did I get it close, or do
you
| > suppose I will get worse mileage. Is 12 MPG just about right for you and
| > others? Too much, too little?. It's going to be my first trip pulling a
| > trailer and not another vehicle.
|
| I can't help ya there. I never check my gas mileage--too depressing. I'm
| only sure that it's lower when I use 4WD a lot.
|
| >
|
|