Ford Explorer Sport 2002 Owner's Manual page 120

Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
• Stay within your vehicle's load limits.
• Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer to Preparing to
tow in this chapter.
• Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer to Driving
while you tow in this chapter.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the scheduled maintenance guide.
• Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
• Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer
to Vehicle loading in this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded vehicle when figuring the total weight.
4x2 w/automatic transmission
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer weights
Rear
Engine axle
ratio
4.0L
All
SOHC
Notes: For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters
(1000 ft) elevation. For definition of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle's load, refer to Vehicle loading in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
Towing a trailer over 1588 kg (3500 lbs.) requires a weight distributing
hitch.
Trailer Weight
Maximum
Range-kg
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)
(lbs.)
0-Maximum
0-2395
4354 (9600)
(0-5280)
Driving
Maximum
frontal area of
2 2
trailer-m (ft )
4.64 (50)
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