2008 Expedition Limited tow question

[bighert3rd]

My brother needs me to tow his Crew Cab F150 which I believe weighs about 6,000 lbs. My Expedition can tow 9,000 so his truck plus the weight of a dual axle aluminum trailer (not enclosed) would put me at or very close to my max towing capacity. Should I be cautious towing this amount of weight? Like the title says I have a 2008 Expedition Limited 4x4.

Also has anyone with an Expedition towed this amount of weight without any trailer brakes? The trailer I will be using has electric brakes but I do not have a brake controller installed. I got the heavy duty tow package on my truck from the dealer but never seen anything on the options about there being a brake controller...could it be possible that there is one but I just don't know it? Where and what do I look for to see if there is one installed? I know that quick stops would be an issue but could the stock brakes handle stopping this much weight or is this just a BAD idea.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Stoned06]

I regularly tow 6000 lbs in the summer which puts me at the limit of our 2006 without a weight distribution hitch. With the proper hitch it can tow 8600 lbs. If you don't have the proper hitch you'll be sagging, and most likely swaying down the road. Look in your manual for the capacity without a WDH (most likely 6000 too). You'll be somwhere around 7500-8000 lbs I would imagine. I would also HIGHLY recommend you get a controller for that much weight! Better to pay $100 for the controller rather than your deductible (or more) for a wreck.

 

[tonydiv]

I agree. The controler is a must. Some air bag helper springs would also be good too, especially if you don't have a W-D hitch setup.

Just keep an eye on your temp gauge, the vehicle's ability to keep cool is one of the main limitations that manufacturer's consider when they estabilsh max towing capacity.

 

[Stoned06]

You should be prewired for the controller up under the dash. Older Expys and F150's came with a harness and relay that needed to be plugged in order for the controller to be hooked up correctly. I'm not sure if the newer ones need that or not.

 

[rick chitown]

How would I find the wiring harness for electronic brakes under the dash? I suppose i could read the manual, but that's too easy. on my '05 I needed to have an electronic controller hanging from the dash, would like to avoid that with this new one. Please advise...

 

[JUST4FUN]

how far are you going to tow this truck?

 

[Stoned06]

How would I find the wiring harness for electronic brakes under the dash? I suppose i could read the manual, but that's too easy. on my '05 I needed to have an electronic controller hanging from the dash, would like to avoid that with this new one. Please advise...

I'm not sure about the new Expy's, but the Gen 1 had a gray plug under the driver side dash that the harness plugged into. My '06 has a similar plug, but I am uncertain if that is for the e-brake controller as I do not have a harness to test, and my trailer has surge brakes so I do not need it.

 

[bighert3rd]

how far are you going to tow this truck?

A little over 400 miles.

 

[KWT2000]

i would get the brake controller nevermind the legalitys of it the safety is well worth the $100 for a decent controller... im sure your expy will handle the weight. the only thing i tow with the expy is a 4 place sled trailer and that squats it enough, anything heavier the powerstroke handles much better and better mileage