Towing Capacity on Used Expeditions

[Sdhoefler]

What is the quickest/easiest but definitive way to determine if a 2015-2017 Expedition or Expedition EL has the Heavy duty trailer/tow package?

When buying used or online, I would like to find a way to determine this that is the easiest way even if the current owner has never towed and/or doesn't necessarily know what they have.

 

[Adieu]

Ask how many pins the trailer hookup has and whether there's a brake controller to the right of the steering wheel?

 

[Flexpedition]

The quickest and easiest way is to know, by year, on what trim levels that HD tow is included as standard equipment.

On a 2015 XLT for example, HD tow is optional with equipment group 201A, but included with 202A. You won't find a 2015 Limited, King Ranch, or Platinum that didn't come equipped with HD tow.

Do a little research (ie: sales brochure, order guide, etc) on 2016/2017 as even though these trucks look the same year over year, there are lots of differences.

https://cdn.dealereprocess.net/cdn/brochures/ford/2015-expedition.pdf

https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/ford/ca/2016-expedition.pdf

https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=Expedition&year=2017&postalCode=54914


Hope these help

 

[coolzzy]

Also, all 2015-17 EL expeditions had 3.73 gears standard. If there are both a 7 and 4 pin trailer connectors on the hitch, it has HD tow and will also have the integrated brake controller. The Ford controller can be added easily and programmed with forscan, as well as adding the 7 pin connector if needed. I also believe all the ecoboost ELs also have the transmission cooler regardless of the HD tow option or not but don't quote me on that one. The short wheelbase was available with a 3.31 axle and many ex rentals have that configuration. Avoid if possible.

 

[chuck s]

3.31 axles and HD tow are just fine in my experience. No need for 3.73 unless you're towing every day.

-- Chuck

 

[mschiap]

I looked up my truck's VIN here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php?vin=1FMJU1G50AEB49315

It indicates 3.73 axle ratios.

 

[coolzzy]

For nearly zero difference in mpg, always side with 3.73 gears. You'll never wish you had less pulling power.

 

[jjuscg]

I looked up my truck's VIN here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php?vin=1FMJU1G50AEB49315

It indicates 3.73 axle ratios.

Thanks, mschiap! That's a great reference site. It shows my 2006 has what I THOUGHT I had, 3.73 axle and towing package - good confirmation! It will be most helpful when I shop for my next EXPY (or F-150). I'm towing a 7,000 lb Travel Trailer and have been very pleased with its performance.
JJ

 

[bobmbx]

Thanks, mschiap! That's a great reference site. It shows my 2006 has what I THOUGHT I had, 3.73 axle and towing package - good confirmation! It will be most helpful when I shop for my next EXPY (or F-150). I'm towing a 7,000 lb Travel Trailer and have been very pleased with its performance.
JJ

That site does not provide the details of your specific vehicle. A lot of the information about my Expy that comes up on the site is wrong, or missing, like all of my option packages.

 

[Fasttimes]

Just buy a Limited or above trim level in those years and you will have the HD tow package included. Unless you really want cloth seats and less amenities.

 

[LRNAD90]

Also, all 2015-17 EL expeditions had 3.73 gears standard. If there are both a 7 and 4 pin trailer connectors on the hitch, it has HD tow and will also have the integrated brake controller. The Ford controller can be added easily and programmed with forscan, as well as adding the 7 pin connector if needed. I also believe all the ecoboost ELs also have the transmission cooler regardless of the HD tow option or not but don't quote me on that one. The short wheelbase was available with a 3.31 axle and many ex rentals have that configuration. Avoid if possible.

From what I am seeing, almost all of the '15-'17 Expeditions XLT's I find are axle Code '15', or 3.31 ratio, Non-Limited Slip. It appears, from the Ford Towing Guide documentation, that all 3.73 Axles are also limited slips, making this an even more appealing option to look for, but so far I almost never see the '3L' axle code, unless its an EL (or a limited)..

Edit: Forgot to say, most of the the 202a package XLTs have the '3.31 axle ratio as well, from what I've seen, even though they have the Heavy Duty Tow Package as part of the 202a equipment group..

 

[chuck s]

I think it's more important to buy or order the HD Tow package than worry about the axle ratios.

I've not yet dragged a heavy boat out of the water on a slimy ramp with my '17 but I'm led to believe the various traction controls on the recent Expeditions coupled with HD tow enhancements pretty much negate the need for limited slip differentials. Operational verb is "believe." Anyway towing my maybe-6000 to 7000 pound camper with the 3.31 gearing in my '17 is every bit as good as the 3.73 in my '07. Both with HD tow. Different engines, of course.

I was prepared to think the Ford brake controller package wound be sub-standard compared to my Prodigy controllers but was very wrong. It seems it can be fitted to any Expedition by just plugging it in and changing a couple of bytes of code in the ECU.

-- Chuck

 

[JExpedition07]

I think it's more important to buy or order the HD Tow package than worry about the axle ratios.

I've not yet dragged a heavy boat out of the water on a slimy ramp with my '17 but I'm led to believe the various traction controls on the recent Expeditions coupled with HD tow enhancements pretty much negate the need for limited slip differentials. Operational verb is "believe." Anyway towing my maybe-6000 to 7000 pound camper with the 3.31 gearing in my '17 is every bit as good as the 3.73 in my '07. Both with HD tow. Different engines, of course.

I was prepared to think the Ford brake controller package wound be sub-standard compared to my Prodigy controllers but was very wrong. It seems it can be fitted to any Expedition by just plugging it in and changing a couple of bytes of code in the ECU.

-- Chuck

Ford replaced the optional limited slip in the 2007 model year with advance trac. Previous to that you could get one or the other but not together. They brought it back so some software change to the TC system must have been made so they don’t interrupt operation of each other.

I’ve had mine off road several times and the control trac system functions flawlessly both the front and rear axles act as if they are limited slip with ABS braking application. Its been in some decently messy stuff and it’s always pulled right through. As you described these trucks don’t act like they have conventional open diffs.

 

[LRNAD90]

Probably more important if you plan a bump in tire size, then in ultimate towing ability as you say, and Ford Seems to agree, given that the Max tow ratings don't vary by Axle Ratio. As someone else mentioned, I doubt you would ever regret getting the lower final drive ratio, but you probably won't regret it if you can't find one with them either..