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Old 06-03-2019, 12:11 PM   #1
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Tow with an Expedition?

Hi all!
Does anyone tow their trailer with an Expedition? If so, what is your trailer weight loaded and how is your Expedition equipped? Considering getting one for pulling our new Rockwood Ultralite 2902WS.

Thanks!
Ilka
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Old 06-03-2019, 12:26 PM   #2
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I used to tow with a 1998 expedition, 4x2, 5.4L, tow package and 3.55LS rear axle. towed upwards of 4000 lbs without issue (rated for around 9000lbs). what year expedition are you looking at and what trim level? the platinum, limited, and king ranch models do have lower payload capacity.
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Old 06-03-2019, 03:10 PM   #3
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WAY too much trailer for your Expy.
That trailer would need an Excursion or Suburban 2500, if it had to be a SUV for a tow vehicle.
But you don't have year and specs for your Expy.
You need to look for a smaller and lighter TT, if you're adamant about using your Expy.
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Old 06-03-2019, 03:14 PM   #4
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That trailer is only a little over 7k gvwr. It will probably be a bit much for an older expedition but a properly equipped half ton would handle it no problem.

Heck. A brand new expedition with the 3.5L can be spec"d to tow up to 9300#.
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Old 06-03-2019, 03:39 PM   #5
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We don't have one yet, Expedition, trying to research to see if it is capable for this trailer if equipped properly. Rear end ratio, towing package, tranny cooler etc. Looking at either a 2017 or 2018.
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Old 06-03-2019, 03:47 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Evil4U View Post
That trailer is only a little over 7k gvwr.
You're incorrectly posting the fantasy DRY/UVW weight, not the GVWR.
GVWR is 9570lbs.
Loaded tongue weight will easily be around 1000lbs.
1/2 SUVs often have much lower payload capacities, compared to a 1/2 truck's and have softer suspensions.
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Old 06-03-2019, 03:50 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by ilkadvm View Post
We don't have one yet, Expedition, trying to research to see if it is capable for this trailer if equipped properly. Rear end ratio, towing package, tranny cooler etc. Looking at either a 2017 or 2018.
Do you need a SUV? Because a comparable crew cab truck is a much better and capable tow vehicle.
Check the payload capacity sticker on the driver's door. You'll usually see much lower numbers on SUVs.
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
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4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 06-03-2019, 04:36 PM   #8
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Whether you get an Expedition or not, I'd get the long wheelbase "Max" version.
Long wheelbase is good for stability..but the added weight of the LWB might cut into payload.
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Old 06-03-2019, 04:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
You're incorrectly posting the fantasy DRY/UVW weight, not the GVWR.
GVWR is 9570lbs.
Loaded tongue weight will easily be around 1000lbs.
1/2 SUVs often have much lower payload capacities, compared to a 1/2 truck's and have softer suspensions.
My bad. For some reason I read uvwr as ultimate rather than unloaded. 9500 is a fair bit much for an expedition.
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Old 06-03-2019, 07:54 PM   #10
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I have the sister vehicle Navigator. We tow a beautiful 23IKSS at about 6K lbs full. We have the TT 3.5 EB with tow package and 4.10 gears in the rear. We love it. I am right up against my vehicle cargo capacity however. 4 people, two dogs and trailer tounge weight eat up the 1,500 lb limit.
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Old 06-03-2019, 10:44 PM   #11
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I towed a similar weight tt with a 5.4 Expedition. I changed to a 3.5EB F150.

It’s a night and day difference. Much better power and the Expedition coils are just too bouncy.

If you must have an Expedition, get a 3.5EB EL with the best tow rating possible.
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Old 06-04-2019, 12:53 PM   #12
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Towing with Expecition

We have a 2010 Exp Limited with tow package. The factory package included air suspension. We have a 2016 2604 ws with a Husky TS Centerline. So far we have over 22,000 miles with this combo. No issues. We have traveled the western US and some pretty good passes, including Vail. Going back to Yellowstone soon for our 5th time. This is our 4th RV in 28 years. All of our tow vehicles have been 3/4 ton trucks and a 1 ton Ford diesel for our last 5 th wheel. The only upgrade I did was to put General XL ( extra load) tires on. I’m happy with the Expedition. I was initially cautious. It’s the perfect tow vehicle for us and transporting our dogs in their kennels. The engine is the 5.4L. It is rated for 9200 lbs. I don’t want the tail wagging the dog and that is one of the reasons we purchased the Rockwood. Scales indicate the trailer weight at a little over 7100lbs when loaded for a long trip. Hope this helps.
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Old 06-04-2019, 03:51 PM   #13
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We tow with a 2014 Expedition Limited 4x4 with the 5.4L V8 and 3.31 axle ratio and factory HD trailer tow package including HD aux trans oil cooler, HD radiator, and integrated trailer brake controller. Towing capacity 9000 lbs. Andersen WDH.
We tow a 2019 Rockwood MiniLite 2506S. The trailer has a loaded certified scale weight of 5780 lbs. We have had no trouble with towing this rig.
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Old 06-04-2019, 04:41 PM   #14
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Just a few more reasons to keep my Excursion in good running order.
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Old 06-04-2019, 05:56 PM   #15
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Used to have a 2003 Eddie Bauer Expedition, towed a 26ft Shasta TT with "Equalizer" weight equalizing hitch. Did that for 10 years and loved the Expedition. Trailer was about 6000 lbs, didn't even know it was there. I'd notice I was up to 70+ and slow down, LOL!

This was the 2nd gen Expedition... I agree that the original release, in 1998 or thereabouts, was too bouncy. We passed on that one and kept our Explorer for a few more years.

Having said that... we were well within payload/tongue weight /towing weight with our setup. If you're pushing it, then you will have to pay attention to how close you're getting to any one, or all three, of the parameters. But man, we still miss the Expedition for trips and towing a small TT!
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Old 06-04-2019, 06:12 PM   #16
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Thank you for all the input. We are going to fill water, propane, supplies etc next week and go visit a scale with the 2902WS. Vehicle hunting on hold until then. Good advice - we want to be safe for travel - both towing and for the dogs.

I'll let you know what we decide on!

Ilka
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:17 PM   #17
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I do believe they have 2 different state of tunes for the 3.5 motor. I believe the HO is for the platinum edition so weigh that before purchasing
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:47 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ilkadvm View Post
Hi all!
Does anyone tow their trailer with an Expedition? If so, what is your trailer weight loaded and how is your Expedition equipped? Considering getting one for pulling our new Rockwood Ultralite 2902WS.

Thanks!
Ilka
We tow our V-lite 30WKISS 2014 with ease, with our 2005 Expedition 5.4. We have a factory tow package and it handles great as long as you have your load with load leveler bars is set up correctly. We had a lot of trial and error to set up, as we were 1st timers to towing a camper. We traveled in Kentucky and Tennessee and had no problems with the mountains. I will pass this on to my better half and he can give you the facts. I usually ride shotgun, but have learned to maneuver our rig. Backing up is still not my forte!
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:54 PM   #19
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The new 2018 aluminum one would be good. 1750 pound payload, about 9000 pound tow rating. 930 pound max tounge weight. The 3.5 EcoBoost and 10 speed automatic are up to much more in a F150 but they probably limit the Expedition with a softer suspension for the average SUV buyer. A 2500 Suburban is the only SUV that is rated higher in payload and trailer weight but they stopped making them in 2013 or so.
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Old 06-05-2019, 11:19 AM   #20
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We tow our V-lite 30WKISS 2014 with ease, with our 2005 Expedition 5.4. We have a factory tow package and it handles great as long as you have your load with load leveler bars is set up correctly. We had a lot of trial and error to set up, as we were 1st timers to towing a camper. We traveled in Kentucky and Tennessee and had no problems with the mountains. I will pass this on to my better half and he can give you the facts. I usually ride shotgun, but have learned to maneuver our rig. Backing up is still not my forte!
The Trans-Go transmission shift kit really make a difference in towing performance. We added a GTE Stage 1 Performance Chip that just plugs into the OBDII port. 30 Horsepower gain and 3 MPG increase. A recent trip of about 300 miles averaged 12.8 MPG. Our V-Lite 30WIKSS is heavy, about 8000# loaded. I replaced the May-Pop trailer tires with Carlisle ST 225/75R15 E/10 10 ply from Walmart. These tires stop all the wallowing and side sway caused by tire flex. I love the turning radius of the standard WB Expedition. I can maneuver this 36 foot long + trailer better than anyone.
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