Hello, im looking into getting a used truck/suv to tow my boat. I have a 1985 four winns 20ft on a single axle trailer. I really would like to get a late 90's ford explorer v8 but not sure if that's going to be powerful enough?

To me it depends on where you fish/boat. I live less than 5 miles from the two lakes I fish regularly so a gingle cab s-10 with a v-6 would work just fine for me. But the other lake I fish a lot is 70 miles one way, wouldn't do that.

Honestly most of the 1/2 ton gas v-8 pickups are capable of getting the same fuel mileage and much more capable in the load carrying and towing department. There are a whole lot of things I would pick before a 90's model ford explorer.

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Any particular reason your wanting a 90's explorer? Like the others said there are a lot of other vehicles I'd choose before that one.

To me stopping power of a vehicle is just as, if not more, important to towing than pulling power. Estimate the typical weight of your boat loaded and full fuel tank and make sure what ever vehicle you choose is capable of handling it, not just pulling it.

Look that vehicle will tow just fine. I have been towing my ZX180 Skeeter with a V6 blazer/jimmy since it was new. I have towed this boat all across the country with said truck 2wd or 4wd makes no difference. Jimmy was 2 wd the blazer is 4wd both 2 doors. Will the combo stop on a dime no it will not it takes extra stopping distance. There are guys here that will tell you that their rig will stop on a dime doing 80mph not true. My blazer has 1/2 ton rotors and calipers up front 1/2 ton shoes and drums rear came factory that way being sport 4x4. I do not have trailer breaks on boat trailer. You just have to drive accordingly. One more thing The 190 hp 225 ft lbs of torque of the vortech V6 towed as well as my 2005 Z71 5.3 both stopped the same V6 got lots better mpg.

Single axle trailer tow vehicle:

You may have the same brakes and calipers but what you don't have is a heavy enough tow vehicle to stop it as fast as a full size. The tires will lock up for sure, breaks doing their job, but the boat will push the vehicle.

And saying a 190 hp 225 ft lb v-6 towed as well as the 5.3 is comical at best! Maybe wrapping the v-6 out ot 3000 rpm gave you as much towing power as the v-8 had at 1700 or 2000 rpm, but the truck has a lower gear as well.

The Blazer has anti lockk breaks so no real locking of breaks. I believe I posted drive accordingly. Look up the torque and HP of the 5.3 then compare don't get too depressed. Hell I remember when 5.7's had the same torque and HP as the 4.3 before it was a vortech. Another funny fact in late 60's early 70's not sure which GM quit manufacturing the 4.8/283 and the 5.3/327 and only offered the 5.7/350 until 30 years later. Now all of a sudden the 5.3/327 is a torque monster is laughable even though it has more displacement than Ford's 5.0/302 they are not even close. Tow vehicle weight is 4000 boat weight is 2000 that is 2 to 1 the Blazer is a Z02 not full size and not the standard one it's somewhere in between.

Ive spent a considerable amount of time in a chevy 1500, chevy blazer, and s-10 pickup with the 4.3 in it to know how they run. Good little motors and will put up with a lot if you treat them right, but they don't compare to a v-8. I just sold a 5.3 and am well aware they are no torque monster, but a far cry better than the 4.3.

I had a double cab 2wd chevy with a 350 brother had a single cab with the 4.3 same gears in both and there was no comparison.

The '05 5.3 was rated at 295 hp and 335 lb ft of torque... over 100 more hp and over 100 lb feet more torque, that's a 55% increase in horsepower and 48% increase in torque. Again I know the 5.3 is no powerhouse, but it easily beats a 4.3 at anything but mileage.

save your keystrokes redchevy. the little guy always thinks he is just as fast or just as strong as the bigger boys. lol as far as the original question, I would purchase a full size truck with a v8 and not look back or if you are wanting the explorer because you like suv's better then get a suburban. I say this because I would always prefer to have more truck than not enough especially when my family is in the vehicle. Yes you smaller rig/smaller engine and may save a whopping $10 bucks in gas woo hoo, but you gonna spend that on something anyway. A lot of vehicles can move a load but there are other factors in towing. Mainly can you stop the load, then what about hills/grades, not just pulling but slowing down on the other side. Is it going to overheat. Going off road any, weather conditions that get slippery? Also the way people drive now you never know what obstacles you may encounter. So I hate to sound like the safety patrol but why take a chance with a rig that is at it's limits. But whatever you decide invest some money in it if it is going to be your tow rig. Tires, good brakes, stout hitch, lighting in the rear, good cooling system etc...

I used to pull a 18ft phantom II tri hull with a V-6 Tacoma 5 speed.

It pulled it ok, didn't stop worth a chit. It was a fairly heavy boat

I would pass on getting a smaller truck for a tow rig and get an appropriate half ton truck with a tow package.

It will benefit you in the long run

I gave rear wheel HP and Torque numbers not powerhead numbers. To get rear wheel numbers in the 300 HP range it takes at least an LS1 350/5.7 ya know the corvette motor. It is a known fact that 40% of powerhead torque and horsepower is lost getting it to the rear wheels period. So what you are saying is that 5.3 is 400 HP at the power head I call BS on that.

I tow a 20ft fish/ski dual axle trailer with my 4.2l trailblazer, 275 hp 275 lb ft of torque. I've never weighed it but the hull alone is 1850lbs. No problems towing at all, just went to Fork over the 4th. A v8 explorer is more than enough to tow a boat.

Just keep in mind pulling a boat and pulling a boat up a steep wet ramp is two different things!