Travel Trailers

[Chris_H]

I have an 8000lb GVWR trailer. I had a 2009 Expy Limited with the tow package. Towing the trailer could best be described as scary. At the scales, with no cargo, I was within 50lbs of the Expys GVWR. I traded the expy for a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 with the Duramax and I couldn’t be happier. We did a trip to Yellowstone this spring, and I put on 3000miles, mostly towing. The final leg of the trip it was 102°F with 28mph winds, and my transmission temp never got hotter than 185°F. The truck was more stable in those conditions than the Expy was at 55mph with no wind and a flat road. The Expedition is a nice vehicle, but it is not appropriate for towing large trailers based solely on the max tow ratings. I challenge any of you towing large travel trailers to post your Cat Scale readings with numbers that aren’t exceeding your vehicles weight capacities. I’m not looking for an argument. This is my actual experience with this and buying a trailer “the Expedition should be able to tow”. I went down this road and made mistakes. Don’t overestimate the abilities of a tow vehicle. It will catch up to you eventually.

 

[Bedrck47]

I have an 8000lb GVWR trailer. I had a 2009 Expy Limited with the tow package. Towing the trailer could best be described as scary. At the scales, with no cargo, I was within 50lbs of the Expys GVWR. I traded the expy for a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 with the Duramax and I couldn’t be happier. We did a trip to Yellowstone this spring, and I put on 3000miles, mostly towing. The final leg of the trip it was 102°F with 28mph winds, and my transmission temp never got hotter than 185°F. The truck was more stable in those conditions than the Expy was at 55mph with no wind and a flat road. The Expedition is a nice vehicle, but it is not appropriate for towing large trailers based solely on the max tow ratings. I challenge any of you towing large travel trailers to post your Cat Scale readings with numbers that aren’t exceeding your vehicles weight capacities. I’m not looking for an argument. This is my actual experience with this and buying a trailer “the Expedition should be able to tow”. I went down this road and made mistakes. Don’t overestimate the abilities of a tow vehicle. It will catch up to you eventually.

Thanks for your honesty

 

[07xln]

I have an 8000lb GVWR trailer. I had a 2009 Expy Limited with the tow package. Towing the trailer could best be described as scary. At the scales, with no cargo, I was within 50lbs of the Expys GVWR. I traded the expy for a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 with the Duramax and I couldn’t be happier. We did a trip to Yellowstone this spring, and I put on 3000miles, mostly towing. The final leg of the trip it was 102°F with 28mph winds, and my transmission temp never got hotter than 185°F. The truck was more stable in those conditions than the Expy was at 55mph with no wind and a flat road. The Expedition is a nice vehicle, but it is not appropriate for towing large trailers based solely on the max tow ratings. I challenge any of you towing large travel trailers to post your Cat Scale readings with numbers that aren’t exceeding your vehicles weight capacities. I’m not looking for an argument. This is my actual experience with this and buying a trailer “the Expedition should be able to tow”. I went down this road and made mistakes. Don’t overestimate the abilities of a tow vehicle. It will catch up to you eventually.

An example like yours is why I posted earlier about SWB Expeditions should stay with smaller trailers. My buddy had the exact same situation as yours. He had a 14 SWB Expy with a trailer around the same size as yours and said it was a nightmare pulling it. He traded it after only owning it a few months for a 2011 I think Chevy 2500 gasser and said it is much better. Again I think wheelbase makes a huge difference.

I know what I can tow and I know what I feel safe/comfortable towing. This thread is turning into the weight police jumping on everybody and if people start posting numbers an argument is exactly what will happen. Pretty much the reason I don't frequent RV.net anymore. You cant ask about a trailer over there without folks gaining up on you about weight

Either way you guys that are out there towing, be safe

 

[J_82]

I don’t mind the arguments, discussions, opinions, feedback. I like to hear everyone’s comments and weed out the good and bad. At the end of the day we all do what we think is better for ourselves.

I think we all rather have discussions and or arguments than accidents.

 

[B-McD]

Like Chuck said in an earlier post - stay within 85% of the rated capacity and you'll be fine. In this litigious society of today, I have got to think Ford and others have built themselves a bit of cushion in their "published" numbers as well. Have fun!

 

[cullinan18]

I just checked Ford's website and plugged in my VIN. My GCWR is 15,200#s and door sticker says 7,500#s GVWR / 1,382#s cargo (which suggests a wet vehicle weight of 6,118#s). Based on my math, it would seem a 7,500# trailer would fall within safety spec. If a top WDH is used, it appears to be plenty safe, as long as the driver uses intelligence when towing.

I am looking at an Open Range 2802BHS (with an Andersen No Sway WDH), which on paper, is well within spec.

 

[Greg S]

We have a 2008 Ford Expy Eddie Bauer 2WD SWB, 5.4L Triton V8, no factory tow package and 3.31 gears, so ours is rated to tow 6,000 pounds max. I added a TBC and trans oil cooler to protect the tranny. Our travel trailer is a 2018 Keystone Bullet Ultra Lite 243BHS (27 feet long) that has a dry weight of about 4,700 pounds...havent taken it to the scale but estimate it to be around 5,500 fully loaded. I pull it with a Husky WDH with built in sway control, and opted for the 800-1200# tongue weight model. Our Expy pulls the trailer very well, especially for not having the factory tow package. Takes off and stops great, although I feel the weight a bit on acceleration. The trailer feels very stable on the road at highway speeds, but the WDH is a must. I usually run between 60-65 when towing and get around 10MPG. Next upgrade will probably be tow mirrors.

I do agree that a bigger SD truck with longer wheelbase would be an optimal tow vehicle, but for the 6-8 times a year we tow our trailer, and all of the room and versatility our Expy gives us, I would take the Expy over a pickup any day (I’ve had several F150s and an F250 and the Expy is such a better vehicle for our needs for everyday use - my wife and I and our two young kids so interior space and comfort is critical). And I am very happy with the way it tows.

I know this started out to be about the 2015-2017 Expy and ours is a 2008, but if I can comfortably tow our TT with our Expy, a newer model with the trailer package would more than get the job done.

Best of luck and enjoy your upcoming purchase!

 

[Benf84]

Did the pickup have the 4.6L or the 5.4L Triton?

5.4L

 

[JExpedition07]

5.4L

The 6 speed makes quite the difference performance wise on the 5.4, really woke it up.

 

[tom_vegas]

I RV travel full time towing a Lance 2385 (24') travel trailer with my 2007 Ford Expedition 4WD XLT Short WB. The Lance 2385 weighs 4,700 lbs empty, rated 6,300 lbs max. If I towed the trailer at the max weight of 6,300 lbs (which I don't) + 6,000 lbs max weight of the 2007 Ford Expedition = 12,300 lbs total combined weight which is almost 20% less than the total truck and trailer combined weight rating of 15,000 lbs.

In order to control the trailer and track straight and smooth, I made the following mods to my 2007 Ford Expedition:

• Blue Ox WD Hitch with 10,000 lb tow bars
• Rancho Quicklift Coil Over Shocks with 7 point adjustment. Eliminates the front end rake, levels the truck and straightens the truck - hitch - trailer level. No hitch sag.
• Gibson Side Swept exhaust to increase HP
• K & N cold air filter to increase HP
• Tekonsha Brake Controller
• Toyo LT265/70R17 Open Country AT II 10ply
• Aero Force Enforcer Gauge for constant Transmission Temp and Coolant Temp Monitoring
• Hellwig Anti-Sway bars front and back on the Ford Expedition
• 3.73 Gears

I would not tow a travel trailer longer than 24' with a short WB Ford Expedition. I drive conservatively when I am towing not exceeding 60mph. Recently completed a 8,000 mile trip through the Pacific Northwest with no problems. Even drove with 35mph cross winds and the truck and trailer tracked straight.

If you would like more details on my traveling experience towing a travel trailer, please visit my travel BLOG at TomOrd.com. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Chris_H]

I just checked Ford's website and plugged in my VIN. My GCWR is 15,200#s and door sticker says 7,500#s GVWR / 1,382#s cargo (which suggests a wet vehicle weight of 6,118#s). Based on my math, it would seem a 7,500# trailer would fall within safety spec. If a top WDH is used, it appears to be plenty safe, as long as the driver uses intelligence when towing.

I am looking at an Open Range 2802BHS (with an Andersen No Sway WDH), which on paper, is well within spec.

If you are going by the numbers, you’ll hit the GVWR of the Expedition long before you hit the GCWR. Tongue weights are usually 12-15% of trailer weight, and the published numbers are dry. No propane, no batteries. Don’t forget the weight of the hitch. I think our trailer has a 550lb listed tongue weight and we are much closer to 700lbs. That tongue weight comes right off of the GVWR. In this example, 1382-700=682lbs Add four people at 150lbs ea and you have 82lbs of capacity remaining. If I had to tow with an Expedition, I’d target trailers in the 5000-5500GVWR range. YMMV but if you are talking yourself into something based on the numbers, pick the other numbers.

 

[joey13olive]

Well you asked for others opinions and I can only share my experiences. I have a 2008 Expedition EL 5.4L and towing trailers can be a tough learning experience. I owned a 24' Featherlight 5500 lbs loaded. My package included stabilizing bars and it towed "ok". Over the last 5 years I rent once a year and towed up to 28' trailer at about 6500lbs. I was a little nervous at times and stayed off the highway and it towed fine at 60mph. Did not like hills of any nature. I am always amazed by the pick up trucks blowing by on the highway at 80 mph. With all that said, I love the vehicle. We have a famly of 5 and the kids always want a friend to tag along. None of my pick ups could haul 6 - 8 people, plus camper.

 

[chuck s]

(responding to Chris noting all the tongue weight in on the truck.)

That's fine for weight bearing towing like a Uhaul on the back. A properly setup weight distributing hitch puts a percentage of that tongue weight back onto the trailer's axles not on the tow vehicle's axles. I've seen guesstimates of 33% of tongue weight gets put back onto the trailer's axles and each of the vehicle axles. Perfect distribution looks like 2/3 of the tongue weight is borne by the truck, not 100% as in a weight bearing setup. 10%-15% of a conventional trailer's gross weight should be on the ball for proper control. Motorboat trailers need 5%-7.5%.

Try this on-line calculator. Or just take the while rig to a CAT scale and see what's on each axle.

-- Chuck

 

[cekkk]

I have an 8000lb GVWR trailer. I had a 2009 Expy Limited with the tow package. Towing the trailer could best be described as scary. At the scales, with no cargo, I was within 50lbs of the Expys GVWR. I traded the expy for a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 with the Duramax and I couldn’t be happier. We did a trip to Yellowstone this spring, and I put on 3000miles, mostly towing. The final leg of the trip it was 102°F with 28mph winds, and my transmission temp never got hotter than 185°F. The truck was more stable in those conditions than the Expy was at 55mph with no wind and a flat road. The Expedition is a nice vehicle, but it is not appropriate for towing large trailers based solely on the max tow ratings. I challenge any of you towing large travel trailers to post your Cat Scale readings with numbers that aren’t exceeding your vehicles weight capacities. I’m not looking for an argument. This is my actual experience with this and buying a trailer “the Expedition should be able to tow”. I went down this road and made mistakes. Don’t overestimate the abilities of a tow vehicle. It will catch up to you eventually.

Well said.

 

[Chris_H]

(responding to Chris noting all the tongue weight in on the truck.)

That's fine for weight bearing towing like a Uhaul on the back. A properly setup weight distributing hitch puts a percentage of that tongue weight back onto the trailer's axles not on the tow vehicle's axles. I've seen guesstimates of 33% of tongue weight gets put back onto the trailer's axles and each of the vehicle axles. Perfect distribution looks like 2/3 of the tongue weight is borne by the truck, not 100% as in a weight bearing setup. 10%-15% of a conventional trailer's gross weight should be on the ball for proper control. Motorboat trailers need 5%-7.5%.

Try this on-line calculator. Or just take the while rig to a CAT scale and see what's on each axle.

-- Chuck

I went to the CAT scale and bought a 3/4 ton diesel.

 

[chuck s]

My camper is under 6000 pounds and is 23 feet long. It's a hybrid that opens to about 30' on site. Expedition handles it easily. I forget the tongue weight (I have a tongue scale) but it stays well within limits. Not sure I want anything heavier behind this truck and I ain't ready for a F250 just yet.

--Chuck

 

[Muddy Bean]

Not a travel trailer, I know, but I just recently towed this all over Michigan for several days in a snowstorm too. After scaling it the load was almost 8400 lbs. Truck had the power to tow it confidently. Truck brake gain controller and trailer brakes worked well in concert with each other to ensure confident stops. The rub came when driving I-69 through flint on concrete that was frost heaved...it got a little scary pretty darn quick even at the 65mph speed I was driving. Had to switch to the left lane and slow way down to keep everything from bouncing and jouncing down the hwy. Any kind of evasive maneuvering would have been on the scary side too. I’m sure my tongue weight was much too high so that’s partly my fault but what I’m trying to say is that my truck could confidently tow and brake but handling was a little wonky when you’re up near it’s tow raging at least in my case. After towing for several days like this, I was extremely happy to dump the trailer and have my truck back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[B-McD]

Muddy - You can be perfectly loaded and balanced and hit a stretch of highway that feels like a suspension test track. There is a stretch like that heading into Door County, WI where I thought I was going to vomit. You hit the right combo of truck, trailer, and road going up and down just right and there's not much you can do but ride it out. That's quite a tractor you have there, BTW!

 

[JExpedition07]

Not a travel trailer, I know, but I just recently towed this all over Michigan for several days in a snowstorm too. After scaling it the load was almost 8400 lbs. Truck had the power to tow it confidently. Truck brake gain controller and trailer brakes worked well in concert with each other to ensure confident stops. The rub came when driving I-69 through flint on concrete that was frost heaved...it got a little scary pretty darn quick even at the 65mph speed I was driving. Had to switch to the left lane and slow way down to keep everything from bouncing and jouncing down the hwy. Any kind of evasive maneuvering would have been on the scary side too. I’m sure my tongue weight was much too high so that’s partly my fault but what I’m trying to say is that my truck could confidently tow and brake but handling was a little wonky when you’re up near it’s tow raging at least in my case. After towing for several days like this, I was extremely happy to dump the trailer and have my truck back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

What you describe is exactly why tow ratings are what they are. Sure a 5.4 or 3.5 will pull anything you put behind it even upwards of 13,000 pounds. Heck a Toyota Tundra pulled a plane. It’s not about what it can pull, but how the truck handles and controls that weight at speed. They may be able to accelerate the weight but that’s only a quarter of the battle, seems like lots of people don’t understand just because your power plant will pull it, doesn’t mean the truck can control it. Once things get wonky as you say you know your getting up there on the weight.

 

[07xln]

You guys are a riot. Yall are talking about getting bigger trucks and here I went and downsized. I traded this in for my 17 EL and don't have any regrets. Well one, the 250 was paid for lol! The Expedition pulls my trailer just as well. Maybe not as much grunt from a stop as the Superduty but once its up and going it pulls it fine and IMO better because the ride is better. I would have liked to keep the F250 but my family was growing and I needed more room especially with 3 kids. We take a lot of road trips and a lifted 250 just wasn't gonna cut it in the comfort department.