Towing U-Haul with Explorer

"The Avenging Angel" <PopUlist349.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161481505.684765.326610@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> A couple of years ago, I tried to rent a 5X8 enclosed U-Haul trailer.
> When I told the U-Haul dealer I was towing it with a 2004 Explorer, he
> would not rent the trailer to me -- said it was U-Haul policy not to
> rent trailers to be hauled by Explorers. I ended up hauling the
> trailer with a 1989 Nissan pickup -- 2WD, 4 cylinder -- seems to me the
> heavier, more powerful Explorer was a lot safer.
>
> Last year I bought a 5X8 flat utility trailer which I have towed all
> over hell and back with the Explorer without a problem.
>
Perhaps because the explorer flips worse than any other SUV out there,
and U-Haul doesn't want to open themselves to the liability?
And there is a big difference between 5X8 flat bed, and an enclosed
5x8 trailer, especially in a cross wind.

Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

Whitelightning wrote:
> "The Avenging Angel" <PopUlist349.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1161481505.684765.326610@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>> A couple of years ago, I tried to rent a 5X8 enclosed U-Haul trailer.
>> When I told the U-Haul dealer I was towing it with a 2004 Explorer, he
>> would not rent the trailer to me -- said it was U-Haul policy not to
>> rent trailers to be hauled by Explorers. I ended up hauling the
>> trailer with a 1989 Nissan pickup -- 2WD, 4 cylinder -- seems to me the
>> heavier, more powerful Explorer was a lot safer.
>>
>> Last year I bought a 5X8 flat utility trailer which I have towed all
>> over hell and back with the Explorer without a problem.
>>
> Perhaps because the explorer flips worse than any other SUV out there,
> and U-Haul doesn't want to open themselves to the liability?
> And there is a big difference between 5X8 flat bed, and an enclosed
> 5x8 trailer, especially in a cross wind.
>
> Whitelightning

the '04 is one of the most stable sport utes out there. You're confusing
it with the old '95 to 99 model. It would have been much safer to pull
it with the Explorer.
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

"JimV" <jv9999 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:id6dnY8BK45pTqfYnZ2dnUVZ_qCdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Whitelightning wrote:
>> "The Avenging Angel" <PopUlist349 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1161481505.684765.326610@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>>> A couple of years ago, I tried to rent a 5X8 enclosed U-Haul trailer.
>>> When I told the U-Haul dealer I was towing it with a 2004 Explorer, he
>>> would not rent the trailer to me -- said it was U-Haul policy not to
>>> rent trailers to be hauled by Explorers. I ended up hauling the
>>> trailer with a 1989 Nissan pickup -- 2WD, 4 cylinder -- seems to me the
>>> heavier, more powerful Explorer was a lot safer.
>>>
>>> Last year I bought a 5X8 flat utility trailer which I have towed all
>>> over hell and back with the Explorer without a problem.
>>>
>> Perhaps because the explorer flips worse than any other SUV out there,
>> and U-Haul doesn't want to open themselves to the liability?
>> And there is a big difference between 5X8 flat bed, and an enclosed
>> 5x8 trailer, especially in a cross wind.
>>
>> Whitelightning
>
> the '04 is one of the most stable sport utes out there. You're confusing
> it with the old '95 to 99 model. It would have been much safer to pull it
> with the Explorer.
>

It's the legacy that is the problem.
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

"JimV" <jv9999.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:id6dnY8BK45pTqfYnZ2dnUVZ_qCdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Whitelightning wrote:
>> > Perhaps because the explorer flips worse than any other SUV out there,
> > and U-Haul doesn't want to open themselves to the liability?
> > And there is a big difference between 5X8 flat bed, and an enclosed
> > 5x8 trailer, especially in a cross wind.
> >
> > Whitelightning
>
> the '04 is one of the most stable sport utes out there. You're confusing
> it with the old '95 to 99 model. It would have been much safer to pull
> it with the Explorer.
>
That maybe, but if the 99 model owner sees the 2004 model owner leave
pulling one then its "why him and not me" And sadly to say a jury, isn't
going to make the distinction ether. So U-Haul says no go. Is it fair,
what has fair got to do with anything. In the 80's 60 minutes did there
slanted exposé on Jeeps, specifically
the CJ5 flipping easy. Over night my insurance rates went through the
ceiling, IF I
could find someone to insure my jeep, which was J-20 pickup, one of the most
stable
pick ups I have ever driven in standard cab because it had a longer wheel
base and a wider track then the rest. Down side to that was it got center
hung easier off road..

Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

The Avenging Angel wrote:
> A couple of years ago, I tried to rent a 5X8 enclosed U-Haul trailer.
> When I told the U-Haul dealer I was towing it with a 2004 Explorer, he
> would not rent the trailer to me -- said it was U-Haul policy not to
> rent trailers to be hauled by Explorers. I ended up hauling the
> trailer with a 1989 Nissan pickup -- 2WD, 4 cylinder -- seems to me the
> heavier, more powerful Explorer was a lot safer.
>
> Last year I bought a 5X8 flat utility trailer which I have towed all
> over hell and back with the Explorer without a problem.
>
> Anyone encountered this with U-Haul? If this is a U-Haul policy, why??
>
> Thanks.

I get the same stuff from our local U-haul place. No matter what I am
driving, it's never right for pulling their trailers. They just want
to rent you one of their tow vehicles.

Mark
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

"Whitelightning" <white.lightning2.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:dgA_g.9424$A27.4713@trnddc08...
>
> "The Avenging Angel" <PopUlist349.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1161481505.684765.326610@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>> A couple of years ago, I tried to rent a 5X8 enclosed U-Haul trailer.
>> When I told the U-Haul dealer I was towing it with a 2004 Explorer, he
>> would not rent the trailer to me -- said it was U-Haul policy not to
>> rent trailers to be hauled by Explorers. I ended up hauling the
>> trailer with a 1989 Nissan pickup -- 2WD, 4 cylinder -- seems to me the
>> heavier, more powerful Explorer was a lot safer.
>>
>> Last year I bought a 5X8 flat utility trailer which I have towed all
>> over hell and back with the Explorer without a problem.
>>
> Perhaps because the explorer flips worse than any other SUV out there,
> and U-Haul doesn't want to open themselves to the liability?
> And there is a big difference between 5X8 flat bed, and an enclosed
> 5x8 trailer, especially in a cross wind.

This was strictly because of perception, not reality. U-Haul will rent to
people who want to tow trailers with Mercury Mountaineers (which are really
the same vehicle as an Explorer in any meaningful way related to towing).

As for your statement "explorer flips worse than any other SUV." This was
never true, and since the Firestone tries were replaced, the rollover
accident rate for Explorers has dropped to almost nil. Even at the height of
the mania, Explorer never rolled over at a rate even close to Toyota
4Runners. 4Runenrs (before the latest refresh) had a much higher rollover
rate than Explorers, but the press never mentioned this fact. I wonder why?
And finally, the Explorers built since 2001 have almost no relationship to
the Explorers that were supposed to be so dangerous (but weren't). The
2001 - up 4 Door Explorers are completely different vehicles than the older
models. The U-Haul folks just got tired of fighting off the shark lawyers
that seem to circle around any hint of a problem (real or imagined).

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

Whitelightning wrote:
I dont trust the independent rear suspension design on newer
> models, too many bad memories of M151 series jeeps., and on the older
> models, I always figured the problem was the lousy twin I-beam front axles,
> a giant lever darn near the width of the vehicle.
>
> Whitelightning

I must note that, since the whole mania of Ford Explorer Rollovers,
this is the absolute FIRST time I've seen anyone mention WHY this is
(or could be). Since 1999 or so, I've seen no data on track widths,
wheelbase comparisons or center of gravity differences between it and
other SUVs. Just a lot of parroting about "Teh Exploder Is A Rollover
Hazard OMGWTFBBQ!!!"...

I was beginning to think that the unwashed masses had simply drank the
mass media kool-aid and were ignoring everything they learned in their
Junior High Physics class. Anything that sits that high off the ground
will *NOT* corner like a sedan in any capacity. On the road I see too
many people apparently ignoring this, and when driving their SUV as if
it were a GT-40 lands it upside down in some farmer's field, will they
blame themselves, or will they look for someone else to pay?

my $0.50


-phaeton
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

"C. E. White" <cewhite3.RemoveThis@removemindspring.com> wrote in message
news:453cadfb@kcnews01...
> > 5x8 trailer, especially in a cross wind.
>
>
> As for your statement "explorer flips worse than any other SUV." This was
> never true, and since the Firestone tries were replaced, the rollover
> accident rate for Explorers has dropped to almost nil. Even at the height
of
> the mania, Explorer never rolled over at a rate even close to Toyota
> 4Runners. 4Runenrs (before the latest refresh) had a much higher rollover
> rate than Explorers, but the press never mentioned this fact. I wonder
why?
>
For the same reason you never hear about all the rice rocket recalls ether.
I've got some
ford models near and dear to my heart. Loved the 68-69 mustang, my 67 ford
falcon
van that I drove all over europe while stationed in Germany. The original
Bronco, and fast back Torinos . But I'm sorry I see more Explorers sitting
on their roofs in accidents than any other brand down here in Florida. As
to the tires , a blow out or flat shouldn't cause a vehicle to end up on its
roof In the past the only one I saw that way more often was the origninal
Suzuki Samuri. I dont trust the independent rear suspension design on newer
models, too many bad memories of M151 series jeeps., and on the older
models, I always figured the problem was the lousy twin I-beam front axles,
a giant lever darn near the width of the vehicle.

Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

"Whitelightning" <white.lightning2 RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:Zr4%g.80294$073.10975@trnddc01...
> Suzuki Samuri. I dont trust the independent rear suspension design on
> newer
> models, too many bad memories of M151 series jeeps., and on the older
> models, I always figured the problem was the lousy twin I-beam front
> axles,
> a giant lever darn near the width of the vehicle.

They did away with the twin I-beams for the 1995 models. Most of the ones
that were alleged to be rollover prone were built after that date. The
reason you might see more Explorer rolled over than other models is because
there were more of them than any other models. Combine this with hot
temperatures and substandard Firestone tires, and I can see why Florida
might be a "hot spot" for Explorer rollovers. The IIHS gave the 1995-2001
Explorers an acceptable rating (current models are good). Current Explorers
have a much better than average injury loss rating. This was also the case
for the prior version (1995 to 2001). Claims that Explorers are dangerous
vehicles are simply false and mostly encouraged by liability lawyers.

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

"phaeton" <blahbleh666.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161616515.590831.103570@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> I must note that, since the whole mania of Ford Explorer Rollovers,
> this is the absolute FIRST time I've seen anyone mention WHY this is
> (or could be). Since 1999 or so, I've seen no data on track widths,
> wheelbase comparisons or center of gravity differences between it and
> other SUVs. Just a lot of parroting about "Teh Exploder Is A Rollover
> Hazard OMGWTFBBQ!!!"...
>
> I was beginning to think that the unwashed masses had simply drank the
> mass media kool-aid and were ignoring everything they learned in their
> Junior High Physics class. Anything that sits that high off the ground
> will *NOT* corner like a sedan in any capacity. On the road I see too
> many people apparently ignoring this, and when driving their SUV as if
> it were a GT-40 lands it upside down in some farmer's field, will they
> blame themselves, or will they look for someone else to pay?
>
> my $0.50

Explorers never had a particularly high rollover rate (rollover per 1000
vehicles or rollover per 100,000 miles traveled) even before the Firestone
tire recall. In absolute terms there were a lot more Explorer rollovers than
4Runner Rollovers, but then were (and are) many many more Explorers on the
road than 4Runners. The media never compared the rate of 4 door Explorer
rollovers to the rate of rollovers for competitive vehicles. The truth is,
that within its class, the 4 door Explorer had one of the lowest rollover
rates, even before the Firestone tire recall. 2 Door Explorers were
considerably worse than 4 door Explorers (shorter wheelbase being a risk
factor, plus the sort of drivers who wanted a 2 door SUV being another).
Insurance industry statistics show the 4 door Explorer to have a much better
than average injury loss rating (even for the original pre-1995 twin I-beam
design 4 door). The whole "Explorers are death traps" frenzy was a media
driven smear campaign. It was never true. I am still waiting for someone to
go back and state the actual facts.

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

"C. E. White" <cewhite3 DeleteThis @removemindspring.com> wrote in message
news:453cd7d4@kcnews01...
>
>
> They did away with the twin I-beams for the 1995 models. Most of the ones
> that were alleged to be rollover prone were built after that date. The
> reason you might see more Explorer rolled over than other models is
because
> there were more of them than any other models. Combine this with hot
> temperatures and substandard Firestone tires, and I can see why Florida
> might be a "hot spot" for Explorer rollovers. The IIHS gave the 1995-2001
> Explorers an acceptable rating (current models are good). Current
Explorers
> have a much better than average injury loss rating. This was also the case
> for the prior version (1995 to 2001). Claims that Explorers are dangerous
> vehicles are simply false and mostly encouraged by liability lawyers.
>

As a layman, the problem is not knowing what happened in the accident, what
were the chain of events. I do know that about 3/4 of the ones I pass after
an accident do not appear to have any blown out tires, it looks more like
some sort of collision happened first. A few I have witnessed around the
country (I drove truck for a living for a number of years) still follow
those numbers, 3/4 did not involve blow outs. Of those that did not, about
half looked like the driver over reacted, and then it got away from them.
If they got smacked on a corner, it seemed like they went over too easy. If
a trailer started "wagging the dog" and the driver didn't get the speed of
quick, they didn't do well at all. What's always struck me as strange is
the Ranger didn't seem to have these issues. And while yes I know they are
different platforms, they where very similar in design. Sadly down here the
Toyotas and Lexus far out number the Explorers, and Pathfinders about equal,
since the demise of the S-10 Blazer. And I never ever believe anything a
lawyer says, they are like their brothers the politicians and their sisters
the journalists, if their lips are moving its a 90% sure bet its a lie.
I look at the rear suspension design on the new ones, and it just looks weak
to me, like I could put a lower control arm in a vice and bend them by hand,
they just look wimpy, so what happens if you slide a wheel into a curb, or
into a rut on a dirt track at speed? (another reason I don't like rack and
pinion steering on a 4X4)

Whitelightning
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

Ford has a history of cover-ups. They covered up so many times, right
back to the pinto.The pinto had the same problem as the Gremlin.. They
liked to blow up on rear impact. Reason being, a solid tube from the
gas tank to the exterior of the vehicle, on impact, would be forced
into the tank causing rupture, and spark. Ford knew about it and did
not recall its vehicles. Each "fix" would cost under 6 dollars per car
at the time. amc did recall their problem model, and fixed them. You
never did hear of a exploding amc gremlin. A few did, the problem was
noticed, and was addressed. FoMoCo does bury problems. It is in their
history.
Sorry to ruffle feathers. The tire recall was forced by lawsuits.

My 2 cents.
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer 

Bingo-
There are several interesting gee wiz facts from the explorer/firestone
fiasco; but the most interesting one to me was the exact same tire was put
on another suv from the factory (Toyota or Nissan I believe) and had a "0%"
blowout and "0%" rollover rate due to tires.
Hmmmmm

--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm




"djdave" <noname.DeleteThis@fake.com> wrote in message
news:040rj25mg4sum5qe29p9ob19euqsruimaa@4ax.com...
> Ford has a history of cover-ups. They covered up so many times, right
> back to the pinto.The pinto had the same problem as the Gremlin.. They
> liked to blow up on rear impact. Reason being, a solid tube from the
> gas tank to the exterior of the vehicle, on impact, would be forced
> into the tank causing rupture, and spark. Ford knew about it and did
> not recall its vehicles. Each "fix" would cost under 6 dollars per car
> at the time. amc did recall their problem model, and fixed them. You
> never did hear of a exploding amc gremlin. A few did, the problem was
> noticed, and was addressed. FoMoCo does bury problems. It is in their
> history.
> Sorry to ruffle feathers. The tire recall was forced by lawsuits.
>
> My 2 cents.
 >> Stay informed about: Towing U-Haul with Explorer