Do I have the HD Tow package or not??

[TNTitan]

So my dad said he might need help towing his giant boat (6,000lbs) because his ancient F-150 wont start and I'm not sure if my 2013 Expedition 4X4 King Ranch can handle it. I think I have the heavy duty tow package from some threads I've read, but my tranny oil cooler doesn't look like some of the other pictures I've seen. Also I cant tell if I have the upgraded radiator or not... and the pillar sticker says I have the 3.31 Axle ratio, not the 3.73...

I know I have the 4 and 7-pin connectors, and the brake controller on the dash below the nav screen. I also have a class IV hitch and the wiring kit.

So whats the verdict? Is this the HD Tow Package or Standard Tow? Thanks in advance!

 

[1955moose]

Ford etis should be able to help you decipher what your vehicle has, at least the big things. You punch in your vin, and it tells you. The 331 gears are going to be a struggle right off the bat, especially pulling grades. Make sure all fluids are full, and not over service interval. Keep your temps down, and you'll be OK.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Flexpedition]

Every single 2013 King Ranch built had HD tow included as standard equipment. HD tow was only optional on XLTs in 2013.

ETIS is garbage, and so is suggesting a 3.31 is going to be a "struggle" - complete nonsense.

Your truck will do just fine pulling a 6K boat.

 

[TNTitan]

Ford etis should be able to help you decipher what your vehicle has, at least the big things. You punch in your vin, and it tells you. The 331 gears are going to be a struggle right off the bat, especially pulling grades. Make sure all fluids are full, and not over service interval. Keep your temps down, and you'll be OK.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

Hmm.. - all I could get out of FordEtis was the make model, engine and color. Probably user error.

Maybe this is a problem

 

[coolzzy]

No, it will struggle with 3.31 gears. The 5.4 should have only been paired with th the 3.73 rear, it is a substantial and very noticeable difference especially when towing. Don't get me wrong, it will pull it, but you'll know it's there and have to run in 3rd or 4th on the Highway tops.

 

[TNTitan]

Just to confirm - this means 3.31 right?

 

[Adieu]

The official limit is 9k for liability reasons, you can pull much higher in a pinch

6k should be a walk in the park, although the weight distributing thingie would be recommended since otherwise youre right at the limit

 

[Adieu]

Just to confirm - this means 3.31 right?

View attachment 25826

Where are you seeing that info???

 

[TNTitan]

Where are you seeing that info???

Driver side pillar sticker

 

[Adieu]

Driver side pillar sticker

No i mean which part there tells you about gearing?

 

[TNTitan]

I believe Axle code 15 means rear axle ratio of 3.31.

 

[coolzzy]

Yes, axle code 15 is for the 3.31 gears. 16 is for 3.73.

 

[TNTitan]

Every single 2013 King Ranch built had HD tow included as standard equipment. HD tow was only optional on XLTs in 2013.

ETIS is garbage, and so is suggesting a 3.31 is going to be a "struggle" - complete nonsense.

Your truck will do just fine pulling a 6K boat.

Many thanks for this advice. I had no idea that all King Ranches had HD Towing as standard equipment.

 

[Adieu]

Yes, axle code 15 is for the 3.31 gears. 16 is for 3.73.

So the one we like is Axle 16, yes???

 

[coolzzy]

Yes, 3.73 are the lowest factory offered gears in the expedition. In 17 you could get a limited slip differential out back as well, it was standard with HD tow for 17 only.

 

[rollavvti06]

You could always double check on the diff tag

 

[chuck s]

Don't sweat the 3.31 axles. I pull my similar weight travel trailer with this axle in my '17. '07 had the 3.73 axles. I don't notice any difference in pulling and I monitor transmission temps.

All the photos posted indicate HD Tow. The Class 5 receiver and round trailer connector are keys.

A 6000 pound boat will not need a WDH as you only want 7% to 10% on the ball. Boat trailer tongues are lighter than travel and car trailers due to the engines at the rear of the boat. Your tongue weight is probably under the permissible 6000 pounds. Easy enough to weigh it.

Hydralic-over-electric (or is it electric-over-hydralic?) brakes on the trailer are highly desirable and will work with the existing brake controller.

-- Chuck

 

[Tim Fuller]

I tow a 6000 lb camper with an EL Limited. Going up long hills at highway speeds it definitely struggles a bit. Sometimes hitting 3000 RPMs and I've only seen 6th gear going downhill. Granted, I also have my wife, 3 small boys, and a backend full of fishing gear. Aside from 8 MPG, you should be in good shape

 

[JExpedition07]

I tow a 6000 lb camper with an EL Limited. Going up long hills at highway speeds it definitely struggles a bit. Sometimes hitting 3000 RPMs and I've only seen 6th gear going downhill. Granted, I also have my wife, 3 small boys, and a backend full of fishing gear. Aside from 8 MPG, you should be in good shape

You don’t want to be towing in OverDrive (6th gear) it’s bad for the transmission and tow/haul mode or O/D off on earlier models will not allow the truck to go into overdrive. Too much heat is created when your in OD. 3,000 rpm isn’t per say struggling that’s just where peak torque is in the rpm band.

 

[chuck s]

As long as the gearbox isn't "hunting" for a gear it's fine.

180,000 miles on my '07 when she went to a good home. Drove and towed in Drive. The truck decided what gear she wanted to be in and could run across the PA Turnpike in 6th and 5th with an occasional drop to 4th and rarely to 3d. I monitored transmission and cylinder head temps and they stayed in the normal range. Transmission lock-up was positive and quick, no slippage.

The '17 tows the same trailer the same way. (Note the trailer is under 6000 pounds and there is HD Tow on both trucks.)

Fuel "economy" with the 5.4V8/3.73axle was abysmal. Planning was 9mpg. No data yet with the '17 and higher gear axle. Really not much better fuel use with my 2000 pound boat trailer. 16' cabin cruiser stuck up in the air stream quite a bit.

-- Chuck