Towing an Elite II w/2008 Ford Explorer 4.6L V8 rated at 6630# towing.

[dklueck]

My 2008 Ford Explorer is rated for towing 7130# - 500# for 2nd air conditioner (why?) = 6630#and the towing packageis installed.  I have routinely towed a 5000+ pound boat/trailer with no problems. A tag on the hitch mount states “a weight disributing hitch is required over 5000#”, so I would definitely install one.  Would this vehicle tow a loaded new Elite II? I would be traveling solo so the loaded vehicle weight would not be much, nor do I forsee any mountain (except the Appalchians) towing.

[BackofBeyond]

a weight disributing hitch is required over 5000#”, so I would definitely install one. Would this vehicle tow a loaded new Elite II?

 

When you order your Oliver, add the Anderson WD hitch system, it works well with the Oliver. From my perspective you will be at the upper limits of your vehicles tow limits. Try out your set up, if you like it, great, if not there are zillion choices out there for the TV. Take a look at the thread title 1/2 ton truck.

 

Welcome to the Oliver world.

 

RB

[John E Davies]

Welcome to the forum. A fully loaded Elite II is going to weigh around 5500 pounds with propane and nothing else. Since your 5000 lb boat pulled OK I suspect your Explorer will also be OK with an Ollie.... but just barely.

 

Try it out, take it over Newfound Gap and see how it does at 5000 feet and up steep grades. If it can deal with that you should be fine just about anywhere east of the High Plains. If you decide to come out West, where the altitude and heat are extreme, and it is often impractical to tow with empty tanks,  I am sure you will be an unhappy camper without significantly more truck.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[dklueck]

I’m feeling rather foolish because I am also considering an Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB which is rated at 6000# GVW and had assumed (we know what that means) the Elite II was rated at 6000#.  No one I have talked to can tell me why the Explorer is de-rated 500# with the rear air conditioner, I can only assume (there we go again) it is derated due to the engine power required to run the 2nd compressor.  But being solo, I never run it. Any other ideas, anyone?

[John E Davies]

I’m feeling rather foolish because I am also considering an Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB which is rated at 6000# GVW and had assumed (we know what that means) the Elite II was rated at 6000#. No one I have talked to can tell me why the Explorer is de-rated 500# with the rear air conditioner, I can only assume (there we go again) it is derated due to the engine power required to run the 2nd compressor. But being solo, I never run it. Any other ideas, anyone?

 

I imagine the extra air conditioning puts more heat into the condensor and radiator, making overheating more likely when towing at the max GVCWR. If you never use it, ignore that 500 lbs. If you worry that you might forget, pull the fuse for the rear fan or disconnect the harness there. I have never ever heard of two compressors, are you sure about that? Normally with rear air they just add a second evaporator and fan, and associated air ducts, in back, plus maybe have a larger single compressor. Two alternators, yes, Some larger trucks definitely run two of those.

 

The Elite II has a gross weight of 7000 pounds. It has quite a good payload compared to many other trailers including Airstreams. The Nest is a hoot, it can carry 600 pounds, theroetically,  but if both the fresh and waste tanks are full you can carry a whole 200. LOL. Talk about weight anxiety.... you really must read and understand the specs. Especially if you plan to add options.

 

https://www.ewaldsairstream.com/2019-airstream-nest-16fb-floorplan-specs.php

 

I could not find a page for the 23FB you mention, but I expect it has about a 1200 lb load capacity, with empty tanks.

 

Ollies can carry a bunch of stuff.... and they are built tough. If you bought a stripped Elite II and towed it dry, you could carry 2400 pounds of cargo. That is unheard of in a travel trailer of this size.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

 

 

 

 

[dklueck]

I believe you are correct about only one compressor, I’ve not seen a second one. However I now realize an Elite II is not in my future. Back when I bought my last boat I had to buy a new vehicle to tow it. I’ve since recalled that I did a lot of calculations, weighing the Explorer, boat, and then the boat connected to the Explorer. The GCWR forthe Explorer is 12,000# and the Explorer alone is 6,000#, which only allows me to tow 6,000#.  As I would be traveling 6 months/year and carrying a lot of clothes, supplies, etc. an Elite II would be too heavy. I don’t have a lot of miles on the Explorer, and I just could not bring myself to buy a new truck. I guess I have to go back and look at a Lance, which I believe is better quality than even an Airstream.  ☹️

[John E Davies]

Have you considered the Elite? Too small? It would tow beautifully behind your current TV, anywhere in the country.

 

Everybody’s needs are different, but I have to comment that settling for a lower quality high-volume trailer will probably not be a satisfying experience for you, especially in the long term. Many new trailers are sold as “ultra light” meaning they skimped on important specifications like frame strength to make them more appealing to owners of small TVs. Ultra light does not usually equate to good quality. Lance trailers are among the better ones out there but I have heard horror stories about their poor factory support, especially after the short warranty expires. Leaks and rot happen to Lance trailers as well as all the others.

 

You can definitely get a leak in an Ollie, you see a little puddle on the ground, say “darn, a leak!” and fix it easily and move on. No worries. There is nothing to rot... Are you aware that Ollies have a five year frame and lifetime hull warranty? Enough said.

 

Good luck on your quest.

 

John Davies

 

Spoakne WA

[BackofBeyond]

Lance, which I believe is better quality than even an Airstream. ☹️

 

No, I wouldn't agree, but then, quality is a subjective measurement to many. If one has truly gone through, with a keen eye for detail, several of the RV products touted as a quality product, most will prove to be cheaply made, thrown together, mass market representations of what a quality built RV would be, if it were an Oliver.  Airstreams demand a premium price, but the real world experiences of their customers seem less inclined to support the notion. Option for option, the Airstream can't touch the Oliver's. I'll grant you their interior fabrics and such are appealing. Airstreams do well in a park and play world. Lots of miles, in and out of off the beaten path campgrounds, boondocking, and the like, are not their design intent.

 

As far as your current TV, you are constrained by the vehicles specs. Can't get past them, real world,  most tandem axle trailers, loaded as you indicated, are going to be on the bubble. Unless you go with a light weight - ultra light- and watch what you put in the TV.  If as you say:

As I would be traveling 6 months/year and carrying a lot of clothes, supplies, etc. an Elite II would be too heavy.

I don't know how you get there, unless you go smaller, and as JD commented, the smaller Oliver would fit the bill. Physics is not a soft science.

 

Wish you well in your search.

 

RB