2017 Keystone 189FLWE

[ebarton25]

Hello all,

New to the forum and RV'ing! I have a 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L with class III hitch package. The 189FLWE is near the weight limit per the specs of the Explorer.

I'm looking for feedback on whether I'll feel comfortable hauling this Keystone with the Explorer.

Thanks!!

[sourdough]

No! You won't, and shouldn't, be comfortable pulling that trailer. I just got rid of the same vehicle you have. I kept it for 11 months and hated it. It is not a towing vehicle and will put you and yours in jeopardy with that trailer.

The Explorer can pull a max of 5k with WDH (and I can tell you if you put that behind it you will end up in a ravine). The trailer gvw is right at 6000 lbs. Max tongue weight for the Explorer WITH WDH is 500 lbs. The trailer tongue weight is 455 DRY. It will be in the vicinity of 600+ loaded. GCWR is either 6900 or 9900 - either way you will exceed it.

All I can say, from experience with that vehicle, is DON'T. If you want to buy an RV, of any size, get a suitable tow vehicle; the Ford Explorer is not one.

[ebarton25]

Wow! Thanks sourdough. That's quite a descriptive and telling reply. Merely based on the LOOKS of the 189FLWE it's too big for the Explorer. Given you don't think an Explorer is good for any towing, is there any TT you can recommend with the Explorer?

[sourdough]

Personally I wouldn't recommend towing with the Explorer at all. They are just too twitchy, rough and the suspension is just not meant to tow - you will feel everything the trailer does right at the steering wheel....and there's no way to prevent it....other than buying an actual tow vehicle. If you were going to throw a little lawn tractor in a 16' flatbed trailer it might be OK; if you weren't going far.

There are probably some SMALL trailers; maybe a little Casita or something that wouldn't kill you right away behind the Explorer, but, if you have a family and kids......forget a trailer with that vehicle until you get a pickup, or large SUV, with a decent suspension. I hate to sound so negative, especially when you are wanting to get into RV camping, but you really have to have a decent tow vehicle for any kind of trailer and the Explorer is not meant for that IMHO.