Hi,
I recently got a VD RF97 Formula Continental. I have a 2022 Explorer ST that I was planning on using for towing. I stopped by a trailer dealer today to start looking. My limiting factor is towing capacity, my Explorer is rated at 5600 max with 500 lb tongue weight (might be a litter higher, I need to double check that).
I was looking at a 20' enclosed trailer with a 7700 GVWR. The dealer told me that technically it would be illegal to tow that with my Explorer because the GVWR of the trailer was higher than the capacity of my tow vehicle, even if it wasn't fully loaded. I've done some digging online and can't find any evidence to support that. Everything talks about the loaded weight of the trailer, not the capacity of the trailer.
I'd like to go bigger, say 24', but the weight of the empty trailer is of course more and is becoming more of a concern.
Anyone towed with an Explorer that can lend any advice?
Also, what size trailers are you guys getting away with on the small end. The car itself is 14' so a 20' trailer doesn't leave much room.
The 20' trailer weighs around 3300 lbs. So the car & trailer will be around 4200 to 4300 lbs. That leaves around 1300 lbs for additional gear if it's fully loaded, and of course I realize it's better to be a bit under capacity. I don't plan on taking extra engines or gear boxes to the track, if anything that big goes wrong I'll just call it a weekend. I'm figuring on 3 set of wheels & tires (probably putting transport wheels on the car), plus jacks, stands, tools, and some spares. Not sure what all this will weigh in at, but seems like I could (??) make it a little under 5600 lbs total.
There's also a 24' that weighs about 3800 lbs empty. That would be more comfortable size-wise, but the empty trailer weight leaves less room for stuff (from a weight perspective).
Anyone (or everyone w/o a dually) been through this before? Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks.