New guy with 09 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer

[essness]

Hi folks,
I just picked up my Grey Wolf 21RR. I did a ton of research prior to buying our TV, a 2009 Ford Expedition. The tow rating for the specific model I purchased is said to be 9000 lbs, (Although, the salesman of course tried to convince me it was more like 11k) The data only supports the 9k number.
It has the complete tow package on it, but I don’t know for sure what that means about the final drive ratio? It appears the choices are 3.31, or 3.73. Will this make a huge difference?

My big question is, I am preparing to tow the loaded trailer (best generous guess would be about 6000 to 6500 lbs) down to South Carolina. My wife and I top out at 300lbs total (I’m fat, she’s real small ). I will have to cross the Smokey’s at some point, (mapped route is via I-40) Should I be real concerned about grades on this route? Is there any tips you would give to someone who would be new to towing a TT on grades?

I should also mention that I have a Reese Pro Series WD with sway control.
Thanks for any help.

[dretired]

Welcome !! Call a Ford dealer service dept. Tell them your VIN # for your Expedition they should be able to tell you which rear gear you have . And check online for a Ford towing guide. Good luck !!

[essness]

Originally Posted by dretired

Welcome !! Call a Ford dealer service dept. Tell them your VIN # for your Expedition they should be able to tell you which rear gear you have . And check online for a Ford towing guide. Good luck !!

My neighbor just showed me how to get that I have the 3.31 axel.

[MtnGuy]

If the Expy has the optional heavy duty tow package, it is rated to tow between 8700 and 9200 lbs., depending on whether it is the standard model, the EL, and whether it is 2 or 4 wheel drive.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...rtTracEs09.pdf

Without the optional heavy duty tow package, it is rated to tow 6000 lbs.

Regardless of the final drive ratios, looks like Ford rates them both the same.... weird.

[essness]

Thanks for the info Mtnguy! It seems everytime I turn around there is some data out there that is contrary to the data I previously had This link says I'm at 9000 lbs rather than 9200. Oh well, I'm still 2500 to 3k short of the max.

Thanks again,
Scot

[DF5.4]

I have an 07 Expedition but I have the 3.73 gears. You should pull it fine. You will probably need to lock out the overdrive on anything other than interstates.

[lbrjet]

Seems like if you really have the 'optional heavy duty tow package' that you would also have 3.73 gears. You should do more research on exactly what tow package is on your truck. Salesman will say ANYTHING to make a buck.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

Seems like if you really have the 'optional heavy duty tow package' that you would also have 3.73 gears. You should do more research on exactly what tow package is on your truck. Salesman will say ANYTHING to make a buck.

The link I have in my #4 post shows that the "optional heavy duty tow package" is available for the 3.31 or 3.73 final drive ratio.

[DF5.4]

To the OP, do you have both the 4 pin and round 7pin factory connectors?

[prof_fate]

I've got an 01 expy with the 3.55 rear gearing, HD tow package (which is included with the eddie bauer option at least in 01).

My setup is similar to yours and my trailer is about the same weight and a bit longer. Horsepower drops with mileage as things wear so at 231k I'm sure I'm down 30% from new in the power dept.

My trailer tows beautifully - no sway, no bucking, no issues. Powerwise, since that is your question, is adequate. Now we had the trailer (5465 factory weight on the door sticker) with mebbe 800 lbs of cargo, if that - I kept things light on purpose (and I'm sure it won't stay that way ) and in the truck we had 600lbs of people/pets and 100 or so in cargo. The hitch isn't light. I'm guessing we're right at the 12,500 GCWR the book says I'm allowed (for a 4x4, 3.55 and 17" rims).

We towed it ~80 miles from near the ohio line on the PA turnpike into the allegheny mountains and while i'd love to say we had plenty of power, based on towing smaller loads in the past, I'd say we had adequate power. I'm used to barely knowing there is a trailer back there and with our Grey Wolf you know you're not alone.

What that means is there were a couple of hills where I had the pedal to the floor and the truck was shifting into 2nd. Now I never fell below 50 mph and when held to the floor we'd always accelerate back up to 60-65, and I did pass a couple of cars on one up hill grade.

How 3.31 gears would affect this situation I'm not sure, but if you've got a lot fewer miles you'll have more power so it may balance out.

As long as you're not trying to beat the clock I'd say you'll do fine - there really is no sure way to know until you do it, and you're threshold for speed/power may be higher or lower than mine or any other posters here.

[kamp k]

If it helps at all, I found this in the Trailer Life tow rate guide from 2009:

Expedition 2WD/4WD 5.4L V-8 6,000 (all)
Expedition 2WD 5.4L V-8 9,200 (t)
Expedition 4WD 5.4L V-8 9,000 (t)
Expedition EL 2WD/4WD 5.4L V-8 6,000 (all)
Expedition EL 2WD 5.4L V-8 8,900 (t)

Expedition EL 4WD 5.4L V-8 8,700 (t)

Key to Ford Section

*F-250/350 models with 5.4-liter
V-8 and manual transmission are
rated to tow 1,000 lb less. Ratings
for 6.8-liter V-10 and 6.4-liter V-8
turbodiesel models are the same as
automatic-transmission ratings.
a = Automatic Transmission
a4 = Automatic Transmission, four
speed
a6 = Auto Transmission, six speed
m = Manual Transmission
b = 3.15:1 axle ratio
c = 3.31:1 axle ratio
d = 3.55:1 axle ratio
e = 3.73:1 axle ratio
f = 4.10:1 axle ratio
g = 4.30:1 axle ratio
all = All available gear ratios apply
AWD = All Wheel Drive
CC = Crew Cab
SC = SuperCab
LB = 8-foot bed
Shortbed = 5

1⁄2-foot bed
Std. Bed = 61⁄2-foot bed
SRW = Single Rear Wheel
DRW = Dual Rear Wheels
2V = Two valves per cylinder
3V = Three valves per cylinder
TD = Turbodiesel

t = Tow package required

[prof_fate]

Those tow guides are way too general.

According to them I should be able to to a lot more - once I got the owners manual I got the details...

You have the tow figure but also a GCWR figure and you need to consider both - as the max tow assumes a nearly empty TV, so as you add passengers, cargo, the hitch you can eat up 1000lbs of your tow capacity.

One figure I came across says my truck can tow 9000 lbs, but the GCWR is 12,500 (it's 13,500 for a 2wd with 16" rims). Take 12,500 less the ~5800 the truck weights and you get a max tow capacity of 6700lbs. WAY different than 9000! And it's something you dont' find out until you own the truck.

4x4 costs tow capacity as do options on the vehicle as these things reduce the GCWR. The 17" rims on my truck cost 500lbs in GCWR over 16" rims. Not sure the reasons for it - more weight or a change in gearing or something else. I assume, but cannot find for sure, if the third row bench seat is included in the vehicle's ratings. Mine is removable and and it's out so that cuts 75lbs or so off my load. There is also a note in my manual about the max frontal area of a trailer as well (60 or 64 sf as I recall).

So the 9000 rating gets small fast. I added up the trailer (5400lbs) the truck (5800), people (600), batt/propane/hitch (200) and I'm at 12,000 lbs. Add in food/clothing/cargo and I"m no doubt at the 12,500 gcwr with only a 5400lb trailer!

[DF5.4]

Those numbers are for 07 up Expeditions.

For the 07 up(?) the GCWR 4x2 no HD tow package = 11,800 with a tow rating of 6000lbs. The 4x4 is 12,100lbs with the 6000lbs tow rating. The HD tow package raises the GCWR to 15,000lbs for the 4x2 and 4x4. The tow ratings go to 9200 for the 4x2 and 9000 for the 4x4. The EL adds another twist. Check your owners manual for your truck. I got my numbers from my owners manual.

[essness]

Originally Posted by DF5.4

To the OP, do you have both the 4 pin and round 7pin factory connectors?

Yes I have both.

[DF5.4]

Originally Posted by essness

Yes I have both.

Then you have the GCWR of 15,000lbs. Here's what is included.

Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package — Includes Class IV hitch
receiver, 4-pin and 7-pin connectors, heavy-duty auxiliary
transmission oil cooler, heavy-duty radiator and electronic
brake wiring kit

I could never figure out why they don't include "towing" gears with the towing package.