Towing Capacity for 2014 Limited

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jdwarns

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Hello all. I'm looking to purchase a 2014 Expedition Limited, and have a question about the towing capacity. Upon initial look at Ford's trailer towing selector (below), I interpreted footnote (2) to mean that HD towing package provides 15k lbs GCWR --> 9k lbs max trailer weight for 4x4 Expedition (non EL):

upload_2018-8-18_20-5-6.png

But northamericanmotoring.com (NAM) seems to indicate a max towing capacity of 6k lbs for all VINs associated with Limited trim (which inherently includes HD towing). I've entered many VINs for Limited 2014s into Ford Etis (which unfortunately does not list GCWR) to confirm HD towing, and then entered the same VINs into NAM. NAM lists 12.1k GCWR / 6k lbs max tow cap for all. Example:

upload_2018-8-18_20-23-58.png

NAM does, however, show 9k lbs for 4x4 XLT trim with HD towing; which lent some credibility to their data.

So then I thought twice about my interpretation of the table and footnote. What it literally states is that 15k lbs GCWR (and subsequently 9k lbs tow cap) requires HD towing. It does NOT state that HD towing implies 15k lbs GCWR / 9k lbs tow cap. In other words... if you have 15k lbs GCWR, then you definitely have HD towing; but having HD towing does NOT necessarily mean you have 15k lbs GCWR / 9k lbs tow cap.

I've searched the internet, and this forum, high and low for an authoritative post that provides more confidence; but most of the postings follow my initial interpretation of the table, which I'm not so sure of anymore. Does NAM have a bug that lists the wrong tech specs for Limited trim, or is it possible to have HD towing without 15k lbs GCWR / 9k lbs tow cap?

Thanks for reading my novel...
 

DExpy17

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I just purchased a '17 EXPY XLT EL and ran into the same problems. What it is saying that if it has the factory installed HD towing package then it can handle the 9K. otherwise 6k is the max. The easy way to tell if it has the HD Tow package or tow prep package is by looking at the trailer connector. If it has a factory installed 7 pin then it is HD. If it has factory installed 4 pin then it is tow prep package. From what I can tell the Items need for HD towing are the 3.73 rear, HD radiator, and transmission cooler. Mine had everything except the brake controller and 7 pin being the EL and having Max payload package. Therefore I was able add brake controller and 7 pin. I towed my camper (7600LB) and 3 passengers over two 1000' changes in elevation with in 5 miles of each other and then 180 Miles with no problems with a WDH. I have 3.6L twin turbo ecoboost. Hope this helps.
 

DExpy17

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I dont think your axles are rated for the max towing. Looking at mine, the max payload packages increases my GVWR to 7760LB where yours is 7500. Your axles/ suspension may not be able to hand the distribution of weight by the WDH
 

JExpedition07

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I dont think your axles are rated for the max towing. Looking at mine, the max payload packages increases my GVWR to 7760LB where yours is 7500. Your axles/ suspension may not be able to hand the distribution of weight by the WDH

I’ve never heard of such a thing as a “max payload package” on the Expedition. They all use the same “axles”.
 

JExpedition07

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Hello all. I'm looking to purchase a 2014 Expedition Limited, and have a question about the towing capacity. Upon initial look at Ford's trailer towing selector (below), I interpreted footnote (2) to mean that HD towing package provides 15k lbs GCWR --> 9k lbs max trailer weight for 4x4 Expedition (non EL):

View attachment 26314

But northamericanmotoring.com (NAM) seems to indicate a max towing capacity of 6k lbs for all VINs associated with Limited trim (which inherently includes HD towing). I've entered many VINs for Limited 2014s into Ford Etis (which unfortunately does not list GCWR) to confirm HD towing, and then entered the same VINs into NAM. NAM lists 12.1k GCWR / 6k lbs max tow cap for all. Example:

View attachment 26315

NAM does, however, show 9k lbs for 4x4 XLT trim with HD towing; which lent some credibility to their data.

So then I thought twice about my interpretation of the table and footnote. What it literally states is that 15k lbs GCWR (and subsequently 9k lbs tow cap) requires HD towing. It does NOT state that HD towing implies 15k lbs GCWR / 9k lbs tow cap. In other words... if you have 15k lbs GCWR, then you definitely have HD towing; but having HD towing does NOT necessarily mean you have 15k lbs GCWR / 9k lbs tow cap.

I've searched the internet, and this forum, high and low for an authoritative post that provides more confidence; but most of the postings follow my initial interpretation of the table, which I'm not so sure of anymore. Does NAM have a bug that lists the wrong tech specs for Limited trim, or is it possible to have HD towing without 15k lbs GCWR / 9k lbs tow cap?

Thanks for reading my novel...

The Limited trim came standard with HD tow most years.
 

DExpy17

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Does it have the factory installed 7 pin connector and factory brake controller? If not, It does not have the HD Tow package whick allows for the 9k Tow capacity with a WDH.
 

DExpy17

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I’ve never heard of such a thing as a “max payload package” on the Expedition. They all use the same “axles”.


It lists as GVWR: 7760 LBS payload package/ 1600# Maximum payload. So far, only seen listed on a few El XLT models including mine that were fleet vehicles out of Kentucky plant. I have not been able to find exActly what it includes. Thru my research so far, I have found that i do have the larger radiator and trans cooler with out having the factory installed HD Max tow package. Not sure if it entails anything else as I do not have factory brake controller, Factory 7 pin, or back up assist. But lists as 15.3k Gross Combined weight.
 

jordanyte

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Just in case this helps. I bought a used 2014 Expedition EL XLT with a class IV factory tow package. Fortunately the label form the factory hasn't washed off! But if you are looking to purchase one of these with towing in mind, this is something to look at before test-driving the vehicle:View media item 7450
 
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