Here we go for round 2....

[MonkeyBrains]

Configured the same as my Limited Max 4x4. Have everything on it except the couple Platinum-only features and no RSE. Tows great. The CCD suspension works fine with the HD Tow — all Platinums come with CCD anyway. It does squat a bit more than I’d like, but seems to be the nature of the beast. GM has the same squatty issue with their MagRide suspension (same suspension setup as CCD). If you had gone with the non-CCD regular suspension, it’s easy to add load leveling as an aftermarket option. Not so simple with CCD. There are supposedly some aftermarket air kits that work well with the CCD, but have not fully investigated, that’s just what I was told by the guys at one of my local performance truck accessory places. Not sure if I’ll go that route, I’m more looking for some skid plates and to swap out my wheels from 22” to 20” with some more aggressive or AT tires since I keep taking it camping and such. Scuffed one of my 22” rims, but I did that backing into a tight space at my daughter’s high school, so that figures.

 

[powerboatr]

I hate to argue, but the trailer was professional setup buy the boat manufacturer. It is "perfectly placed on the trailer. The tongue weight is between 10-15% of the overall weight of the boat/trailer combo.

To answer the questions about is the boat bow heavy. The boat isn't any heavier in the bow than most other boats.

I have had this boat for 12 years. Any vehicle without rear load leveling suspension sags.

My GL550 didn't sag in the rear because it had load leveling suspension.

View attachment 26505

not to argue, or get into a battle or words. but the tongue is to heavy, or your loaded wrong and mfgr screw up trailers every day.
what is the weight of the boat and trailer? what is your axle weight? i am saying 5500 lbs empty that is 500 to 825 on the ball, that is huge seeing as the rating for the dead weight is 500 or 750 ? but i bet your boat and trailer is closer to 6000 lbs or more
if you move the boat back a few inches it will transfer weight back to the axles and relieve some of the squish. but what you have is not good, your losing weight off the front steer tires, either get a wd hitch or adjust the ball wt to be safer, thats all
CCD has zero to do with rear squat, it only controls the damping of the shocks to make the ride firmer or smoother or plush.
i would just say as one boat guy to the next.
go weigh your boat, weight the truck hooked up with the boat, but boat trailer axles not on scale, then un hook and weigh the truck again, then weight one more time for just the front axle and this will give you the numbers you need to see whats on the rear axle
take the unhooked weight and subtract the front axle wt. this gives you the rear axle wt.
then take the weight of the truck with the bot hitched and subtract your rear axle wt, now you have the real hitch wt.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

not to argue, or get into a battle or words. but the tongue is to heavy, or your loaded wrong and mfgr screw up trailers every day.
what is the weight of the boat and trailer? what is your axle weight? i am saying 5500 lbs empty that is 500 to 825 on the ball, that is huge seeing as the rating for the dead weight is 500 or 750 ? but i bet your boat and trailer is closer to 6000 lbs or more
if you move the boat back a few inches it will transfer weight back to the axles and relieve some of the squish. but what you have is not good, your losing weight off the front steer tires, either get a wd hitch or adjust the ball wt to be safer, thats all
CCD has zero to do with rear squat, it only controls the damping of the shocks to make the ride firmer or smoother or plush.
i would just say as one boat guy to the next.
go weigh your boat, weight the truck hooked up with the boat, but boat trailer axles not on scale, then un hook and weigh the truck again, then weight one more time for just the front axle and this will give you the numbers you need to see whats on the rear axle
take the unhooked weight and subtract the front axle wt. this gives you the rear axle wt.
then take the weight of the truck with the bot hitched and subtract your rear axle wt, now you have the real hitch wt.

No war of words... Truly appreciate the advice. Being able to tow the boat safely is the primary goal. Will give your advice merit and move the boat back a few inches on the trailer and see if I can get let tongue weight...

 

[tim mcleod]

great looking vehicle.
also great pricing.
do you mind telling me the dealer you worked with ?
have been pricing units via the internet.
thanks
tim

 

[rumline]

i would just say as one boat guy to the next. go weigh your boat

This. It's well worth the $30 and little time to get your rig weighed twice to determine tongue weight and ensure proper balance/loading. A weight distributing hitch also works wonders, even if you don't "NEED" one.

I was intimidated to use a CAT scale at a truck stop at first but there's really nothing to it. They have videos on YouTube and instructions on www.WeighMyTruck.com

 

[Atticus Mabrry]

I hate to argue, but the trailer was professional setup buy the boat manufacturer. It is "perfectly placed on the trailer. The tongue weight is between 10-15% of the overall weight of the boat/trailer combo.

To answer the questions about is the boat bow heavy. The boat isn't any heavier in the bow than most other boats.

I have had this boat for 12 years. Any vehicle without rear load leveling suspension sags.

My GL550 didn't sag in the rear because it had load leveling suspension.

View attachment 26505

Randy,

Do you like the Expedition better than the GLS? Thoughts? Wife wants something a little less daunting to drive and she liked the ride/drive feel of the GLS (No, I'm not giving up my new 2018 Expy!).

 

[Randy Schmidt]

Randy,

Do you like the Expedition better than the GLS? Thoughts? Wife wants something a little less daunting to drive and she liked the ride/drive feel of the GLS (No, I'm not giving up my new 2018 Expy!).

They are two completely different vehicles. The GLS 550 has a much stiffer ride than does the Expedition. I am sure if one were to go with the GLS450, the ride might be more similar to the Expedition. To my surprise, the Ford is actually quieter inside than the Mercedes. Tech on the Expedition is much better than the Mercedes. Expedition is a much better tow vehicle if that is a consideration. HD Tow package with that back up "thing" is sweet. Mercedes doesn't have anything like that. I had Weathertech matts in both SUV's and the fit for the Ford was much better that it was on the Mercedes.

One thing that the Ford will never have over the Mercedes, is that it isn't a Mercedes and everything that goes along with that. GLS does have load leveling, so when towing the rear doesn't sag. Stereo on Mercedes sounds better, at least the bass does. Probably because I have the Max Expedition and with all that additional interior space, that bass is lacking in the Ford. Service Department at Mercedes is 1000 times better than any other Ford Dealership I have ever experienced. I did have a hard times getting over the elevated status I felt when driving the Mercedes compared to the Ford. (took a couple of months to put that in the rear view mirror... hahahaha)

Overall, I like the Expedition better than my GL550 at this stage in my life. Kids sports, dogs, towing a boat. And the Expedition just fit better.

Hope this helps...

 

[Adieu]

Status vs. Merc issues?

Y'all know that FoMoCo has a "baller" brand with its own take on the Expy just for that, right??

They call it a Lincoln Navigator... and it's both geometrically taller and socially higher than an Explorer-sized Merc...

 

[Atticus Mabrry]

They are two completely different vehicles. The GLS 550 has a much stiffer ride than does the Expedition. I am sure if one were to go with the GLS450, the ride might be more similar to the Expedition. To my surprise, the Ford is actually quieter inside than the Mercedes. Tech on the Expedition is much better than the Mercedes. Expedition is a much better tow vehicle if that is a consideration. HD Tow package with that back up "thing" is sweet. Mercedes doesn't have anything like that. I had Weathertech matts in both SUV's and the fit for the Ford was much better that it was on the Mercedes.

One thing that the Ford will never have over the Mercedes, is that it isn't a Mercedes and everything that goes along with that. GLS does have load leveling, so when towing the rear doesn't sag. Stereo on Mercedes sounds better, at least the bass does. Probably because I have the Max Expedition and with all that additional interior space, that bass is lacking in the Ford. Service Department at Mercedes is 1000 times better than any other Ford Dealership I have ever experienced. I did have a hard times getting over the elevated status I felt when driving the Mercedes compared to the Ford. (took a couple of months to put that in the rear view mirror... hahahaha)

Overall, I like the Expedition better than my GL550 at this stage in my life. Kids sports, dogs, towing a boat. And the Expedition just fit better.

Hope this helps...

Good to know! YES!! This is the biggest issue I have with Ford is that service is...lacking! My family has had Mercedes vehicles and they definitely do service right! Thanks again for the insight!

 

[Atticus Mabrry]

Well. Service has failed me again! They fixed my back hatch...broke all the door locks in the process. I think I am done with Ford. Now you can't remote lock/unlock or use the touch points on the door handles. This really just takes the cake! Drove 1.5 hours to the service place...3 hour round trip.