Can Engine Oil Cooler be Installed in 2018 Ford Explorer

Updated 03/12/2019 | Published 03/10/2019

Question:

I have a 2018 Ford Explorer base model with V6 3.5l engine. I wanted to tow a trailer roughly 3500lbs. I don’t have the tow package that would allow me to pull up to 5000 lbs unless I installed the class 3 tow package which include the engine oil cooler. I was told the engine oil cooler is only installed at the factory so I can’t install it aftermarket so according to ford manual my maximum trailer weight is 2000 lbs and maximum GCWR is 6900 lbs. Is their anything I can do to tow up to 3500lbs or more at least more? Can you buy aftermarket engine oil cooler and have it installed? Do I really need engine oil cooler?

asked by: Robert

Expert Reply:

To answer your first question the towing capacity is set by the lowest-rated component, which is the 2,000 lb trailer weight as stated by your owner's manual. For example, even if you added the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch # 76034, which has a 4,500 lb towing capacity and fits your '18 Explorer, you would still need to abide by the 2,000 lb capacity your owner's manual states.

There is not an aftermarket part you can add which increases your capacity so if you wanted to tow a trailer that is rated higher you would have to go to the Ford dealer and find out if adding the trailer tow package after the fact will increase your vehicle's capacity.

As for an aftermarket engine oil cooler or a transmission cooler (or both), they can absolutely be installed. The Derale Combination Transmission and Engine Oil Cooler # D15902 will give you a combination of coolers for maximum efficiency.

I have added a link to a video of this being installed for you as an example as well as a couple help articles on coolers which I recommend taking a look at.

expert reply by: Kyle S