Towing 2013 Ford Explorer

[dant56258]

Is anyone towing the 2013 Explorer? Owners manual just says put it in neutral-nothing about key position or fuses. Any suggestions?

[rhino]

Just looked at the 2013 Explorer today. I think there was something about the key position in the owners manual. Might want to review that.

[dstansel]

I am looking at the 3013 Explorer. Understand that only the 6 cyl auto is towable. anyone doing it??

[rorr1821]

I would go back and re-read the owners manual again. If the manual does not specifically talk about towing behind a motorhome with all four wheels down then I would walk away from that model. I would not take the word of a salesman. I believe after you do your research you will find that there are exceptions to which Explorer models are "four wheel down towable". Front wheel drive verse four wheel drive is one exception that comes to mind. Ford publishes a towing guide for each model year, but it may be a little early for the 2013 model year. I have known people to purchase vehicles based on salesman's answer and found out later it was not towable 4 wheels down. One example that comes to mind concerned a $58,000 Chevy Avalanche 4 WD, which in that year model had two different transmissions, one was towable and one was not. In that case the dealer took the vehicle back and reordered the vehicle with the correct transmission. He was lucky!

Ray

[marchuckb@aol.com]

Hi.

Had a problem with 2011 Explore front drive. After many trips to the dealer and with Ford ex off they finally admitted that they could not repair the problem. That was, that if you towed for the 5 hours like the book says you must start the engine and run for 5 min to lube the trans. This may also be true but you are also charging the battery!!!

If you are on the road and stop for an hour and the finish the towing interval of 5 hours it has been 6 hours and the battery will be dead. The solution to this problem is to remove fuse # 86. It is 7.5 amp. You must stop after 5 hours and lube trans but the battery will not be dead if you are on the road for longer. If at night you connect the car and put it in the tow position by am the battery will be dead if you do not remove this fuse!

This is my third Explore and this is the only problem I have had. Great car and very dependable.

marchuckbaol.com

[wolfe10]

Sorry, are you towing an EXPLORER or ESCAPE-- not familiar with a Ford Explore.

[frankdt]

I'd like to tow just a bit above 65mph, is there a system to monitor the trans temp from the MH?

Here is what it says in the owners manual for 3.5L:

Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L Engine
Note: Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle. See the Climate
Control chapter.
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing, such
as towing your vehicle behind a motorhome or truck. We designed these
guidelines to prevent damage to your vehicle after it is hooked-up to the
recreational vehicle or tow dolly.
You can tow your front-wheel drive vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly.
If you are using a tow dolly, follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
see the following instructions.
You can tow your all-wheel drive vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport
trailer. Do not tow your all-wheel drive vehicle with the front wheels off
the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground.
This causes damage to your all-wheel drive system. If you are using a
vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
see the following instructions.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
• Tow only in the forward direction.
• Release the parking brake.
• Place the transmission in position N.
• Place the ignition in the accessory position. See the Starting and
Stopping the Engine chapter.
• Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).
• Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running
and your foot on the brake, shift into position D and then into
position R before shifting back into position N.
Towing 303
2013 Explorer (exp)
Owners Guide gf, 4th Printi