Can A 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Tow A 5th Wheel Trailer

Published 01/06/2018

Question:

Is an 01 Explorer Sport Trac capable of towing a fifth wheel with the fifth wheel plate hitch installed in the bed? Thank you for your time.

asked by: Stormie C

Expert Reply:

I did some research and and the 2001 Explorer Sport Trac is not designed for fifth wheel trailer towing. Your Sport Trac has a very short bed which would cause clearance issues with a fifth wheel and it does not have the towing capacity that would be needed. A full-sized truck with a larger bed is recommended for fifth wheel towing.

According to the owner's manual, you can tow with a rear bumper/frame mounted hitch. The towing capacity of your 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is going to depend on which Sport Trac you have and the hitch. For example, if you have a Class III frame mounted hitch like the Draw-Tite Class III Max Frame Hitch, Item # 75112, you can tow 5,000 lbs with a tongue weight of 500 lbs. However, it is important to know what the maximum capacity of your hitch is because the lowest capacity of your vehicle or the hitch is going to be your actual towing capacity.

Before doing any towing, check your owner's manual for suggestions and recommendations.

Contact me if you have any other questions or want a more specific recommendation.

expert reply by: Brint H