Towing with a Ford Flex

[Lhardware]

I'm in the market to trade my 04 Ford Explorer V8 with 50K miles. The vehicle is in excellent condition but it's my philosophy to trade at least every 3 to 4 years (I'm already a little late on this process). I like the looks of the new Ford Flex but the towing capacity is 4500 pounds and I'm not sure I will be pleased with that after towing with the Explorer with a 8000 pound capacity. Maybe I am a little too cautious. I only tow to the coast a couple of times a year (400 to 800 miles round trip depending on where I go) pulling a 218 DLV on a tandem Wesco (3000 pounds). The Explorer currently gets 9 to 10 mpg on the highway towing but I can pull the Wesco at 75 mph with no problem. Anyone own a Flex? Maybe I just need to go with another Explorer - it's a great time to buy an SUV - the discounts are unbelievable. By the way I do live in western North Carolina and it is a little hilly. Other than my trips to the coast my towing is a couple of miles to the lake where I live. I will be buying a Ford because my best friend is a Ford dealer and I can buy on the "X" plan due to my previous employer.

[Shakespeare]

Ford Flex:

Drive type Front-Wheel Drive (std.) Active All-Wheel Drive (opt.)
Engine type 3.5L V6 Duratec 35 Engine
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Final drive ratio 3.16 (Front-Wheel Drive) 3.39 (All-Wheel Drive)
Fuel economy (EPA-estimated) FWD: 17 city/24 highway / AWD: 16 city/22 highway
Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm) 262 @ 6,250
Torque (lb.-ft @ rpm) 248 @ 4,500
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Valve lifters Direct acting mechanical bucket
Fuel delivery Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection
Exhaust Single, stainless steel with two catalytic converters
Engine block type Cast aluminum
Cylinder head material Cast aluminum

http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/flex/features/specs/

Ford Explorer:

Engine type 4.0L V6 SOHC 4.6L SOHC 24V V8
Engine electronics EEC-V electronic engine controls with integrated EDIS EEC-V electronic engine controls with integrated EDIS
Displacement 4.0L (245 cu. in.) 4.6L (281 cu. in.)
Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) 210@5,100 292 @ 5,750
Torque (lb. ft. @ rpm) 254@3,700 300 @ 3950
Compression ratio 9.7:1 9.8:1
Bore x stroke (in.) 3.95 x 3.32 3.55 x 3.54
Main bearings 4 5
Valve lifters Hydraulic lash adjuster with roller follower Hydraulic with roller finger followers
Fuel delivery Sequential multi port electronic fuel injection Sequential multi port electronic fuel injection
Recommended fuel Unleaded regular Unleaded regular
Exhaust manifold Cast iron Cast iron
Fuel economy EPA est. mpg 4x2:
14 city/20 hwy EPA est. mpg 4x2:
13 city/20 hwy
Transmission type 5-speed automatic O/D 6-speed automatic
Engine block material Cast iron Cast iron
Cylinder head material Aluminum Aluminum

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/features/specs/


Looking at the specs, they both have about the same amount of torque... which is what I look at in a towing vehicle. The Flex does get better milage but cast aluminum vs. cast iron block. Wow... tough decision. *006*

[MartyJ16]

I'm guessing the Explorer is based on a truck (F150?) ladder frame chassis, and the flex is from a car platform since front wheel drive is the standard. Seems like a lot less to go wrong in the Explorer drivetrain, and that is a pretty big boat you got there!

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Had an expedition with the 4.6 and the towing was only 5000 lbs. How the explorer(smaller truck) has 8000 lbs towing?