showdogmom
New Jersey
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I heard today that 2011 Ford Explorer is having a dramatic change in both design and mechanics. We have Class A motorhome and flat tow our 2010 Ford Explorer behind it. Someone said the 2011 will not be able to be flat-towed, as it will have front wheel only. Does anyone have any information on this? I called a Ford dealer and they had no information.
Thanks for any help you can lend.
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Actually, it will have a 5000 lb towing rating, available intellegent 4wd, front wheel drive and no reason it can't be towed 4 down, as it is based on the Ford FWD/4WD chassis that the new Ford Taurus/Flex uses which is towable 4 down up to 65 mph.
Latest pictures and info 2011 Ford Explorer! My wife wants one...
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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showdogmom wrote:I heard today that 2011 Ford Explorer is having a dramatic change in both design and mechanics. We have Class A motorhome and flat tow our 2010 Ford Explorer behind it. Someone said the 2011 will not be able to be flat-towed, as it will have front wheel only. Does anyone have any information on this? I called a Ford dealer and they had no information.
Thanks for any help you can lend.
I believe someone gave you bad information.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
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BuckBarker
PSL, FL
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I think you need a new "someone".
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wandering1
Texas
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Email the Ford Motor Company website and ask.
HR
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Terryallan
Foothills NC
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Can't speak to the towed aspect, but, Actually it is being completely redesigned. It will no longer be a rear wheel based true 4x4. But instead will sit on a frame, much like the Taraus, with all Wheel Drive only, Or power take off from ther front axle to the rear axle. It appears Ford is giving up the Sport Utility market in any thing smaller than a Expedition, and going fully into the crossover sector, with the Edge, Escape, Flex, and now the Explorer.
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kjburns
Prescott, AZ
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Terryallan, I think you've got it backwards. The old Explorer was a body on frame design. The new version is a unibody. That doesn't necessarily mean that it's worthless off road. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is also a unibody design. The Explorer will have things like hill descent control like the Range Rover.
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Terryallan
Foothills NC
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kjburns wrote:Terryallan, I think you've got it backwards. The old Explorer was a body on frame design. The new version is a unibody. That doesn't necessarily mean that it's worthless off road. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is also a unibody design. The Explorer will have things like hill descent control like the Range Rover.
Not talking about the body. Talking about the running gear. The old Explorer is a rear wheel drive based, true 4x4, as is the Jeep. The new Explorer will be a front wheel drive based All Wheel Drive. Just like the Escape, And most other front wheel drive cross over vehicles, and from what I have read. It will use the same runnibg gear / drive line as the all wheel drive Taraus. And yes. That pretty much makes it a on road only vehicle. Not something you would want to take out on the beach in the heavy sand. Should be OK in snow. on the road. And in truth. That is what "most" people will use it for. Ford probable knows, Few people took the Explorer off road.
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driveby
Vancouver BC Canada
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while I know a few folks who go offroad I would hazard that 96% plus SUV owners never do more than speed bumps and snow. so true frame/4x4 requirements for most owners are not needed. Besides how many will take their $40K SUV into the bush and scratch and dent it up? not very many indeed! Sad but true.....
Exactly why I have my older Jeep. If it gets a bit scratched I won't cry  now a D90 hard top with Kayak racks.... 
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