Intro and Question about payload and towing packages

[cvbrewer]

Hi Guys,

My name is Chris, and I'm driving an 04 Honda Pilot. I'm looking hard at G3 Expeditions. I am interested in having max towing ability, but that really limits my choices in the used market.

I understand that there is significant overlap between the max payload and max towing packages.

Given an G3 Expedition with max payload package, could it be made into max towing configuration by changing simple things like harnesses and mirrors?

Thanks,
CV

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

CV Welcome to the Forum. What gives you the Max Tow capability is the HD tow package, it adds a larger radiator, a transmission cooler, in most cases a 3.73 rear end, a class IV hitch, (I believe that is the right class,) and a 7 pin connector. All of that stuff can be added aftermarket but it could be pretty pricey to do it that way.

I'm not sure about the older Gen 3 Expeditions, by my 17 has a max tow capability of 9,000 Lbs with 4WD the 2WD models have 9,100 lbs towing capacity.

 

[cvbrewer]

Gotcha. What I was wondering is if the cooler, radiator, and axle ratio for the tow package overlapped with the max payload package.

 

[Bedrck47]

What will limit your Max tow rating is payload Just because the expy is rated to tow 9000# or 9100# doesn't mean that you can safely tow that much.

Read the attached as it may give you a better insight as to how much you can safely tow

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f37/how-to-weigh-your-tv-tt-3871.html#post24549

 

[07xln]

There is no such thing as a "max payload package" only an HD towing package.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

Combined Gross Vehicle Weight is one of the most important factors imho.

 

[cvbrewer]

There is no such thing as a "max payload package" only an HD towing package.

I see. Dealers are advertising 7760#payload package or 7760#GVWR package. What do they mean?

 

[07xln]

I'm not sure. Ive never seen them advertise a "payload package". Where are you seeing this? Also what year model and trim are you looking at? Not sure why there would be a max payload package and it not have a towing package accompany it. I have a 17 EL and according to the sticker inside the door the GVWR is 7520#. That number will differ a little between trims and years.

Again without knowing exactly which model you're looking at its hard to give an educated answer. If you're going to be doing any towing then find one with a towing package and call it a day

 

[cvbrewer]

Understood. Thanks.

 

[JollyRoger]

Google "2010 Ford Expedition Towing Capacity", (insert whatever year you are looking at), and you should be able to find the official Ford document. For example, this is for my 2010, which is set up for 8900 lbs because it has the tow package. 4x2's are 9200 lbs. Scroll down to the second and third pages for details.

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/10FLMrvEXPEDITIONsep09.pdf

But as stated above, this doesn't mean you want to be pulling anything close to this. Just from experience, once you get to 5-6,000 lb trailer, you should probably be looking at an F250, etc. That's just me. Keep in mind that everything is dependent on GVWR. How many people and how much luggage do you have in the truck, etc. And anything over 6,000 requires a weight distributing hitch.

Good luck!