Towing
[LAdams] Vince,
In my opinion, you have too much trailer for too little truck...
The Explorer even though equipped with the 302 V8 is a pretty short wheel base... That size trailer can easily start the Explorer to whipping (swaying) under a variety of conditions...
Even with a premium hitch such as the Hensley, the brakes and frame of the Explorer are pretty light for that size trailer...
By comparison, I tow a 27' Nomad that weighs #6300 loaded (#5150 empty)... My truck is an 2000 F-250 SuperDuty 4X4 Off Road, SWB (142") that weighs #7400 fully loaded... The F-250SD does well towing this with a V10 and 3:73 rear axle and 4 speed automatic OD trans...
In my opinion, the Explorer is too small a truck to tow this much trailer... Not only motor wise, but wheel base, brakes and frame as well...
Best Regards,
Les