2005-2007 Ford Tow Vehicles

[the7thdream]

Hello Everyone!

Could really use some straight forward answers to our dilemma.

We just bought a 2015 Jayco White Hawk Summit Edition 27DSLR 30ft TT....Dry Weight is 6000...Total GVW is 7500

Problem is we have a 1999 Ford F150 SuperCab XLT with only a 4.6 Triton/4 sp auto/3.55 axles and it does have the HD towing pack.
The GCVW though is only 11,500.

We know we will not be able to tow this trailer with this truck so we are trying to find in the next 4 weeks an acceptable replacement.

My first question is this: Can a 2005-07 Ford Expedition (XLT/Eddie Bauer) tow this TT with a 3.73 axle and a 3-valve SOHC 5.4 Triton V8 (rated at 300 HP)? We are really on a budget and can't spend more than $8500.

If not, could we buy another Ford Truck/SUV in the 2005-07 year range (F150/250) that could tow this trailer safely and through the Baker Grade, Siskiyou Mountains and Cascades? We really need help!

I have gotten so many different grey areas looking online at other forums and websites and now we are even more confused. Any help or your own experiences towing a 7000 pound TT and a 5.4 engine would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You So Much! Stephan & Sally

[Hutch333id]

My first TT was a Jayco feather lite 25 LTE. The dry weight and GVW was about 500lbs less than yours but I pulled it without any problem using a 2007 Expedition Ltd Max . Most of the time you wouldn't notice the trailer was even there.

As much as anything the length of the trailer might affect your towing. I calculated that for my expedition, the suggested maximum length was 28'. In late 2012 we bought an Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8315BSS which had a much heavier tongue weight (905lbs) and GVW (8500lbs). The expedition pulled the trailer fine but the heavier tongue weight did give me some light steering until I added a new WDH with a higher rating.


Richard & Diane
2014 Cedar Creek 38FL
With a F350 dually
2014 26 nights and 3120km

[the7thdream]

Hello Richard & Diane,

Thank You for your response....You are still using your 07 Expedition to tow the Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8315BSS? The "dry weight" alone states it is 6,843 lbs (roughly)....How is your pull when you are going up/down grades? I would think that 5.4 would be screaming and the tranny would be running super hot?

Even though I have done a little research on the Expeditions, everything points to it doesn't have the horsepower to pull that weight on hills/mountains?

Is this true?

Also, what gear ratio do you have in your axle - 3.55 or 3.73?

Again Thank You for your input and information.

The Crawfords, Sally & Stephan

[Hutch333id]

Hi Sally & Stephan,

I'm not near the Expedition right now so I couldn't tell you the ratio but I will take a look tomorrow when I'm home.

We towed the 8315BSS up and down several mountainous areas and it wasn't a problem for the engine or brakes. Having said that, I wasn't gunning the vehicle either, just took everything nice and steady.
Since the start of this season we have been towing a Cedar Creek 5th wheel with an F350. Not because there was any problem with what we had but we got a steal of a deal on the 5er and due to an unfortunate accident with our minivan, had the opportunity to replace it with the truck.

Once I can check the numbers on the Expedition I'll get back to you.


Richard & Diane
2014 Cedar Creek 38FL
With a F350 dually
201429nights and 3300km.......so far

[KMP44]

For what its worth - our trailer is about 6,000 lbs fully loaded. We pull it with an '05 F-150. Tows nice, but when I took it to the scale, the tongue was about 800lbs, and that had us within 50lbs of the max GVWR for the truck with minimal cargo in the bed. With battery, propane, the WDH itself, and a typical 600-800 pounds of gear in the tt, the tongue weight can be well over the dry tongue weight in the brochure.

I don't think that Triton 5.4L engine or something similiar is the concern. Its going to come down to exceeding max payload of the tow vehicle and wear/tear on the tranny and suspension with an F-150 or Expy especially if its already a few years old. An F-250 is probably a better match if its an option.

Good luck in your search, and enjoy the new tt!

[B and B]

Stephan and Sally,

I towed a 32 Ft Rockwood TT running 8,000 lbs with a F150 Super Crew 9,000 lb tow rating with a Triton 5.4 V8 3.73 rear end and a 4 speed transmission. So long as you use tow/haul mode it had no issues is some hilly terrain. I am not sure the mountain you are describing so I also am not sure grade or height as well. As Hutch has said a proper hitch is important. I had Reese 800 lb bars that where too lite for the tongue weight of the 2703SS which was around 900 lbs,

Best of luck finding the right TV for available budget. I used a 8 yr old Grand Marquis once to tow, lost the van in an accident and was given the car. It worked, went slow.

Brian

[stealthWA2313]

You might be able to find a F250/350 with a V10 or possibly a V10 Excursion that would comfortably handle your trailer.

Like this:

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-...sting=88201542

[Bunkfamily]

Towing Guides | fleet.ford.com


these are the real deal, no opinions, no guessing what the ratings are

take a look... you will not be dissapointed


for instance a 2007 expedition with 3.73 gears can tow 6000# or 9000# if it has the tow package

[Bunkfamily]

I have also towed an 18 ft enclosed trailer over 8000# daily with a 5.4 f250 as well as an 11k 5er before we got the real big one and stepped to the v-10 and diesel. All I can say is that it never wouldnt pull a grade or get us there.... it night have been slow but because of our budget it did wonderful 99% of the time and got by when we needed it to

[thebrakeman]

Expedition with tow package has 9000 lbs max tow rating. This would be a good match for your trailer, which will probably weight 7000 lbs once loaded.

Do yourself a favor, and get no older than 2007. That's when Ford started using the 6-speed transmission, and other upgrade to the vehicle. My dad bought an '07 Expy EL last year and loves it.

[the7thdream]

We are looking into an Excursion with a V10.....Just have to find one in good shape.
Thanks

Originally Posted by stealthWA2313

You might be able to find a F250/350 with a V10 or possibly a V10 Excursion that would comfortably handle your trailer.

Like this:

Used Ford Excursion For Sale in the United States - CarGurus

[BigJohnD]

I sure wish Ford would've kept making the Excursion. I'd sure have one of those instead of the Expedition my wife has now. Hopefully you might can find one in good shape, maybe even with the 7.3 diesel. They're getting harder to find now. That would be a heck of a tow vehicle.

[Bunkfamily]

If you are looking at excursions. Try and get a mid 04 tru 06 with the coil spring front, the ride is soooo much better plus the torqueshift tranny beets the pants off the 4r100. We were going to get one in place of the expedition but it is my wifes commuter car and the 13mpg would have put us in the poor house so the expedition with the heavy tow package suits our needs with a nicer ride and much better fuel economy

[the7thdream]

UPDATE:

This is getting ridiculous...But...

Looked at Excursion's over the last week....Either; A) They "lifted" them 4-6" and I wouldn't tow anything with it.... B) Everyone is asking outrageous prices for them...everything from the 5.4 (really? In an Excursion?) to the 6.8 & the 7.3)....C) Most of them were beat to heck anyways...One dealership...want $10,000 for an "00"(80,000 V-10)...and it looked nice online....When we got there, the pass. side had damage, the a/c blew hot air, the PWR door locks didn't work and the front end shimmered and pulled drastically to the left (braking or not)...I looked and you could see damage to the tie rod./suspension....And then he only wanted to give us $2000 for our 1999 F150 SC XLT 4.6 with a matching canopy..that is in EXCELLENT condition/low miles.....Like yeah that's gonna happen...NOT!...

So NOW, we are looking for a 00-03 Navigator...with a 5.4 DOHC or SHOC (300HP) and a GCWR of up to 14,500....They are out there and cheap...but we have to be extra careful to check them out completely...they have air bag suspension and even though they say they can pull a 8000-8900 TT...I am not sure about the factory receiver (Class III?)....And of course all the Hispanics and African American's seem to want to low ride them and put 20-24" rims on them....WTH?...So...we will try to keep you all updated on our search for a halfway decent used TV....We have 3 weeks to sell our F150 and find the "almost" perfect SUV....We are running out of time!

[kho6658]

Originally Posted by the7thdream

UPDATE:

This is getting ridiculous...But...

Looked at Excursion's over the last week....Either; A) They "lifted" them 4-6" and I wouldn't tow anything with it.... B) Everyone is asking outrageous prices for them...everything from the 5.4 (really? In an Excursion?) to the 6.8 & the 7.3)....C) Most of them were beat to heck anyways...One dealership...want $10,000 for an "00"(80,000 V-10)...and it looked nice online....When we got there, the pass. side had damage, the a/c blew hot air, the PWR door locks didn't work and the front end shimmered and pulled drastically to the left (braking or not)...I looked and you could see damage to the tie rod./suspension....And then he only wanted to give us $2000 for our 1999 F150 SC XLT 4.6 with a matching canopy..that is in EXCELLENT condition/low miles.....Like yeah that's gonna happen...NOT!...

So NOW, we are looking for a 00-03 Navigator...with a 5.4 DOHC or SHOC (300HP) and a GCWR of up to 14,500....They are out there and cheap...but we have to be extra careful to check them out completely...they have air bag suspension and even though they say they can pull a 8000-8900 TT...I am not sure about the factory receiver (Class III?)....And of course all the Hispanics and African American's seem to want to low ride them and put 20-24" rims on them....WTH?...So...we will try to keep you all updated on our search for a halfway decent used TV....We have 3 weeks to sell our F150 and find the "almost" perfect SUV....We are running out of time!

I wouldn't say "ALL" I dont own a Navigator, I have never lowered a vehicle, and nothing I own has 24 inch rims on it.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[the7thdream]

Wasn't try to offend anyone..."I wouldn't say "ALL" I dont own a Navigator, I have never lowered a vehicle, and nothing I own has 24 inch rims on it.".....and sorry some people take it that way...I should have quoted MOST have...We would say 8 out of the 10 vehicles in this area we have called on or looked at have done that to the Expeditions, Explorers, Navigators and other brands of SUV's. Of course we are talking Las Vegas here...Where it is the norm to take a perfectly good SUV....and change it's purpose to something that will not perform the way they were intended to.

[thebrakeman]

A well-optioned Expedition is going to function the same as a Navigator (Expy clone, both made at the Michigan Truck Plant. They are the same U22x platform vehicle.

Limiting yourself to the Lincoln Navigator, and not including the Ford Expedition (clone) is going to make your search very difficult. I'm not saying you shouldn't look at the Lincoln. But I would look at the Ford as well.

[the7thdream]

Hi Everyone,

UPDATE: Well we had to opt out for a 1999 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition that has the 5.4 and the 3.73 axle. It has 103,000 miles on it and was a one owner vehicle. Ford says it was in damn good shape for its age......It does have the 7 pin tow package and we took it into Ford and had them go through the whole vehicle...including checking the tranny, new spark plugs and tune-up, radiator flush and new tires....The label on the receiver states it is 8800 max (WDH) but I know that the max trailer for the Expy is 8300. The rear axle is rated at 4128....The GCWR is 13,500 with the setup listed above.

The RV center is adding a dual sway bar friction WDH and the trailer "door label" from the factory states the GWR is 5995 (not sure if that is with full Propane tanks and batteries?) and the GVWR is 7500. We are not putting anything in the trailer except maybe a few tools and the basics as far as site setup (blocks, hoses, power supply, etc.) maybe about 200# at the most.

So now the challenge will be to see how she does on the open road....and then on the mountain grades going through the desert on the California Baker grade, I-15 South (960 ft. to 4200 ft.), the Siskiyou Mountains on I-5 (anywhere from 1000 to 4300 ft) on 6% grades....and then the hills of Oregon and Washington.

So...Wish us luck....And...Safe RVing to All!!

Stephan & Sally

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by the7thdream

Hi Everyone,


The RV center is adding a dual sway bar friction WDH and the trailer "door label" from the factory states the GWR is 5995 (not sure if that is with full Propane tanks and batteries?) and the GVWR is 7500. We are not putting anything in the trailer except maybe a few tools and the basics as far as site setup (blocks, hoses, power supply, etc.) maybe about 200# at the most.


So...Wish us luck....And...Safe RVing to All!!

Stephan & Sally

Some advice you didn't ask for; Don't go with the dual friction bars. Dealers LOVE to sell the chain type WDH and slap some friction bars on because it is EASY for them and they can make more money. My advice is to get an Equalizer 4 point. It has built in sway control that will perform better, is much stronger, and is much easier to hookup and use. The initial setup is more time consuming, but it is worth it IMHO.

[the7thdream]

Thank you for the advice and we will consider this very seriously.....Happy RVing!

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Some advice you didn't ask for; Don't go with the dual friction bars. Dealers LOVE to sell the chain type WDH and slap some friction bars on because it is EASY for them and they can make more money. My advice is to get an Equalizer 4 point. It has built in sway control that will perform better, is much stronger, and is much easier to hookup and use. The initial setup is more time consuming, but it is worth it IMHO.