Qross Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 We have a 2008 Ford Edge and would like to know if there is anything that we can do to increase the towing capacity to pull our 3,600 lb, 24ft. boat? We have the towing package for 3,500 lb, but need more... any suggestions? Qross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ablb Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Greetings and welcome Legally…No there is nothing you can do. Ford says 3500 so that’s what you’re stuck with. Is 3600 loaded or unloaded? Gas weighs about 7 lbs a gallon. Skies, life jackets, fishing poles, diving gear, ice chest, etc weigh A LOT! I’m thinking your lightly loaded 24 footer will weigh as much or more than your Edge and it is not going to like it or survive very long. You didn’t say if you have an all wheel drive. Front wheel drive wouldn’t be my choice for getting any boat out of the water. Sorry for all the negative comments There are a few things you can do to help your Edge survive towing your boat. Does the towing package include a transmission cooler? Even if it does you’ll want a bigger one. Change the transmission fluid before every boating season. Keep the over drive turned off. Good luck ab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal3thousand Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Greetings and welcome Legally…No there is nothing you can do. Ford says 3500 so that's what you're stuck with. Is 3600 loaded or unloaded? Gas weighs about 7 lbs a gallon. Skies, life jackets, fishing poles, diving gear, ice chest, etc weigh A LOT! I'm thinking your lightly loaded 24 footer will weigh as much or more than your Edge and it is not going to like it or survive very long. You didn't say if you have an all wheel drive. Front wheel drive wouldn't be my choice for getting any boat out of the water. Sorry for all the negative comments There are a few things you can do to help your Edge survive towing your boat. Does the towing package include a transmission cooler? Even if it does you'll want a bigger one. Change the transmission fluid before every boating season. Keep the over drive turned off. Good luck ab Agreed. Additionally, if you are going to take that risk and over work you vehicle, make sure to take extreme care of the fluid levels and condition. I would change my engine oil every 2500 miles under those towing conditions and checking it 10 times as often. Tranny fluid should get swapped to some majorly awesome synthetic (if compatible) like Amsoil. Some water wetter might help your radiator cool down better as well... just don't run that stuff in the winter if you are in a freezing climate. Also, take it easy on the A/C especially if you run across hills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starflyr Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) We have a 2008 Ford Edge and would like to know if there is anything that we can do to increase the towing capacity to pull our 3,600 lb, 24ft. boat? We have the towing package for 3,500 lb, but need more... any suggestions? Qross For my 2¢, I would say forget about it with your present rig. Of course, there is boat towing and there's boat towing. If you're not going very far and it's just to dump the boat in for the season, I would think you could squeak by. If on the other hand, you will be towing the boat several times a year. get something else, especially if there are hills involved. I have a Flex ECO pulling a smaller boat (probably around 3000 lbs or more including the trailer) and it pulls the boat fine. However, I definitely think I would be better served IF I had electric trailer brakes. The trailer has inertia brakes which I question. If I have to stop quickly, I need plenty of room. More than once, my heart started beating faster when I wondered if I would be able to stop. So, I don't go too fast and try to leave plenty of room in front in case I do have to hit the binders. I don't know what kind of boat you have, but 3,600 lbs seems to be light for a 24' boat if the trailer is factored in. Then, there's the liability. If you did have an accident, you can bet if any lawyers are involved, the suitability of your tow vehicle will probably be brought up, especially if braking is an issue. I would also think with a 24' boat, the trailer would be at least 26'. That's a lot of length behind the relatively short Edge and I would think it would sway enough to make you hold your breath some times. IMHO, get another tow vehicle. Edited August 23, 2011 by Starflyr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal3thousand Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 For my 2¢, I would say forget about it with your present rig. Of course, there is boat towing and there's boat towing. If you're not going very far and it's just to dump the boat in for the season, I would think you could squeak by. If on the other hand, you will be towing the boat several times a year. get something else, especially if there are hills involved. I have a Flex ECO pulling a smaller boat (probably around 3000 lbs or more including the trailer) and it pulls the boat fine. However, I definitely think I would be better served IF I had electric trailer brakes. The trailer has inertia brakes which I question. If I have to stop quickly, I need plenty of room. More than once, my heart started beating faster when I wondered if I would be able to stop. So, I don't go too fast and try to leave plenty of room in front in case I do have to hit the binders. I don't know what kind of boat you have, but 3,600 lbs seems to be light for a 24' boat if the trailer is factored in. Then, there's the liability. If you did have an accident, you can bet if any lawyers are involved, the suitability of your tow vehicle will probably be brought up, especially if braking is an issue. I would also think with a 24' boat, the trailer would be at least 26'. That's a lot of length behind the relatively short Edge and I would think it would sway enough to make you hold your breath some times. IMHO, get another tow vehicle. That's solid logic and advice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railroad Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 If you are running the big rims, ie, 20", you can find some relief in going to something like 18" and keep the tires with a low profile, if the roads will allow. This is not a perfect solution, but will give you a little more umph. Also, be aware the speed o may not be accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claas900 Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I'd tow it and not think twice, just be smart about it. Trailer brakes would be a big plus. I'd probly turn off the OD if it keeps hunting for gears. I still wouldnt change my motor oil under 5k miles, tranny id do between 25k and 30k. Have a good trip!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal3thousand Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I'd tow it and not think twice, just be smart about it.... for some reason, I find this part of your comment amusing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamiewedmore1234 Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I tow a 19" commander all day long no issues it's about 3000 lbs loaded braking would be my only concern motor and trans are same in explorer and it's rating is 5000 invest in good trailer brakes and smart towing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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