I'm an idiot...

[Greg Neal]

Yup.

Here goes. I bought a 2017 Expy EL a month ago thinking this will handle my family of 6 and our rv.

After researching this to exhaustion...I've made a horrible mistake, haven't I?

The Expy has a payload of 1460, curb weight of 6300lbs and gvwr of 7760.

My RV is 7250dry, 9000 GVW and a tongue of 844.

Okay, so I'll trade the RV, right?

Not having ANY luck finding anything local (Maine) that can sleep all 6 of us (me, wife, 14yr old, 12, 8, 5 - total 850lbs) without going over payload...

The hybrids up here are more $ than the enclosed trailers...and the biggest small trailer that would fit us all is a 2019 KeyStone Bullet UltraLight 277BHS (or similiar style) which all have a tongue of 600 +, 7600 GVW.

UGH!

So...either suck it up and trade for an F250/GMC 2500 or be "that guy" and tow at or over payload.....

The reason for the long, boring post....how many of you are "at" payload on your expy's...

I've been towing for a little over 2 decades, not a long time compared to some, but I understand the risk vs reward of real life scenarios. I've got the WD hitch, 2 of them actually (one chains, one Husky TS Centerline)

Why would Ford release an 8 seater SUV...that can't even haul 5/6 200lb adults and their golf clubs....

Gosh I miss my Excursion...

 

[Adieu]

Ignore that crap, or upgrade shocks and get LT tires if worried

Same engine F150 magically has a tow rating of 12.5k

As to payload... I've stuffed 2,500-3000 lbs of crap and people into it before. On multiple occasions

It's probably for tax or regulatory purposes anyway. You can DEFINITELY put whoever fits into the seats and however much luggage fits in the trunk without it magically turning into a pumpkin (it'll sag a couple inches, but actually handle better than empty)

PS if you put all your crap in your trailer, you're not even over anything... 850 tongue + 850 occupants ain't pushing it, payload difference vs. spec is a joke, especially since it's numbers for cheap P-spec highway tires

 

[Mad Oshea]

Ditto!

 

[shane_th_ee]

Have you weighed it/them? If the answer is “no”, do that first. Use the 3 pass method. A WDH should put 25% of the tongue weight back on the trailer wheels. That’ll give you net 633lb against payload... plus people is 1483, so close enough. Now if that’s dry tongue weight, aka 844 plus propane and batteries you might be hurting. But for the $15 it’ll cost you to have it weighed... And with 4 kids and an 18’ box/22’3” trailer , I’ll bet you can find something smaller, if it really is too heavy.

 

[MyExpedition2016]

Have you looked at Jayco X23B. It’s a hybrid that sleeps 8 and only 5,500 GVW. That’s what I have for my family of 7 and I’m right at payload of 1489. I weighed it all so I know where I’m at. The other option for more payload is get a 2018-2019 with limited options. I’ve seen base models with 1900 lbs of payload capacity so that will certainly get you closer. I don’t agree with just overloading. A 100 lbs or so I wouldn’t worry but 100s of pounds over would make me be very concerned about stopping, rear axle, and other wear and tear and safety concerns.

 

[Adieu]

Have you looked at Jayco X23B. It’s a hybrid that sleeps 8 and only 5,500 GVW. That’s what I have for my family of 7 and I’m right at payload of 1489. I weighed it all so I know where I’m at. The other option for more payload is get a 2018-2019 with limited options. I’ve seen base models with 1900 lbs of payload capacity so that will certainly get you closer. I don’t agree with just overloading. A 100 lbs or so I wouldn’t worry but 100s of pounds over would make me be very concerned about stopping, rear axle, and other wear and tear and safety concerns.

200 lbs is a whopping 3% of the weight of a 3 ton truck...

You could run half-tanks of gas or something if you're really worried lol

 

[JohnnyFort]

I tow a 7000lbs loaded TT with wy 2017 EL Limited and it's way better than my previous 2016 F150 lariat was.

Went at the scale and I'm right at the rear axle limit. Total weight in the Expy is somewhere around 650lbs but my tongue weight is arround 1000lbs.

The tongue weight is the important factor. Mine is 620lbs in the brochure.... But nearly 1000lbs when loaded, no water in the tank. If yours is 844 in the book... plus 850lbs in the truck, you will be way over the rear axle limit.

 

[johnboneske]

I'm towing a 2018 Keystone Outback 293UBH with a 2003 Expy, the old 5.4 2 valve and it tows just fine. Usually myself, wife and daughter. I know I am over payload, but also have been towing for years... I have a Equalizer E4 hitch and Prodigy Brake controller. Have never once felt unsafe.

 

[johnboneske]

Yup.

Here goes. I bought a 2017 Expy EL a month ago thinking this will handle my family of 6 and our rv.



After researching this to exhaustion...I've made a horrible mistake, haven't I?

The Expy has a payload of 1460, curb weight of 6300lbs and gvwr of 7760.

My RV is 7250dry, 9000 GVW and a tongue of 844.

Okay, so I'll trade the RV, right?

Not having ANY luck finding anything local (Maine) that can sleep all 6 of us (me, wife, 14yr old, 12, 8, 5 - total 850lbs) without going over payload...

The hybrids up here are more $ than the enclosed trailers...and the biggest small trailer that would fit us all is a 2019 KeyStone Bullet UltraLight 277BHS (or similiar style) which all have a tongue of 600 +, 7600 GVW.

UGH!

So...either suck it up and trade for an F250/GMC 2500 or be "that guy" and tow at or over payload.....

The reason for the long, boring post....how many of you are "at" payload on your expy's...

I've been towing for a little over 2 decades, not a long time compared to some, but I understand the risk vs reward of real life scenarios. I've got the WD hitch, 2 of them actually (one chains, one Husky TS Centerline)

Why would Ford release an 8 seater SUV...that can't even haul 5/6 200lb adults and their golf clubs....

Gosh I miss my Excursion...

Yours only handles 7760? I thought the new Expeditions towed 9200?

 

[coolzzy]

I'm towing a 6200 pound GVWR ultra light trailer (26ft box, single slide, aluminum and fiberglass frame) with my 17 XLT EL with family of 5 on board. We also usually have inflatable paddle boards, firewood and sometimes a generator in the back as well. Your trailer is a bit heavier but not grossly so. I camp exclusively in the mountains of Idaho and the expy pulls like a freight train. With the husky centerline setup correctly, I'm level with no sag when I'm hooked up and I often tow with full fresh water tank.

The weight ratings are less than the pickups because you have IRS which is pretty soft. Get LT tires, make sure your trailer brakes work well, don't drive like a maniac and you'll be fine. Also worth noting, if you were camping every weekend year round, a bigger tow vehicle might be a good idea but for casual seasonal use, the Expedition is a great tow vehicle and comfortable people hauler in the off season. The same can't be said for a 1 ton pickup. I've seen some pretty shady tow vehicle setups that are obviously grossly overloaded (like a 30ft trailer being pulled by a platinum F150 with a big ATV in the bed) and I give them a wide berth. There is some safety margin engineered into everything, but wear items like axles and bearings may show accelerated wear most owners wouldn't think of. Which is also why I won't buy used vehicles that have obviously been used for towing, no idea if it was done correctly or within load limits.

 

[Adieu]

I'm towing a 6200 pound GVWR ultra light trailer (26ft box, single slide, aluminum and fiberglass frame) with my 17 XLT EL with family of 5 on board. We also usually have inflatable paddle boards, firewood and sometimes a generator in the back as well. Your trailer is a bit heavier but not grossly so. I camp exclusively in the mountains of Idaho and the expy pulls like a freight train. With the husky centerline setup correctly, I'm level with no sag when I'm hooked up and I often tow with full fresh water tank.

The weight ratings are less than the pickups because you have IRS which is pretty soft. Get LT tires, make sure your trailer brakes work well, don't drive like a maniac and you'll be fine. Also worth noting, if you were camping every weekend year round, a bigger tow vehicle might be a good idea but for casual seasonal use, the Expedition is a great tow vehicle and comfortable people hauler in the off season. The same can't be said for a 1 ton pickup. I've seen some pretty shady tow vehicle setups that are obviously grossly overloaded (like a 30ft trailer being pulled by a platinum F150 with a big ATV in the bed) and I give them a wide berth. There is some safety margin engineered into everything, but wear items like axles and bearings may show accelerated wear most owners wouldn't think of. Which is also why I won't buy used vehicles that have obviously been used for towing, no idea if it was done correctly or within load limits.

How can you tell something has been obviously used for towing?

 

[Flexpedition]

How can you tell something has been obviously used for towing?

Bouncing and swaying indicates rear leafs are worn, consistent with towing when age/mileage considered.
Sagging rear of vehicle when unloaded.
An aftermarket brake controller installed.
Repairs made on trailer wiring, connectors.
Uhaul, Reece, etc. hitch installed.
Overload leafs or helper airbags installed.
LT tires on the rear of a vehicle that otherwise normally would have passenger tires.
Aftermarket tow mirrors installed.
Scratches on hitch where safety chains attach.
Stick-on spot mirrors installed.
Damage to rear bumper area consistent with trailer hook-up.

 

[grumpyoleman]

How can you tell something has been obviously used for towing?

Look inside the receiver hitch for wear...if it was used for occasional towing, there will be light wear, heavy wear will be obvious..freshly painted = concern.
Look at electrical connector - same visual cues but not as obvious sometimes.
Look for an added brake controller. Used to be any brake controller was a tip off, but now they are coming from the factory with brake controllers. but if it has been added = clue
For a pickup - look in bed for mounting hardware for a 5th wheel hitch that has been removed.

I too will not buy a used vehicle with signs of moderate to heavy trailering, or anything with more than minor performance modifications...

 

[Greg Neal]

Thanks all for the insights and real world experience.

I dumped the Heartland trailer and am taking delivery of a 2018 Grand Design 2800BH - GVW 7495 / Tongue 575.

Same exact layout of my "old" one, but much lighter. I'll just have to be cautious of my load / balance. We typically only go out a couple times a summer, about 150mi round trip, no mountains, no interstate.

Again, appreciate the input and the real world scenarios!!

Greg

 

[johnboneske]

A GVWR of 7495 will be nothing for your Expy. You will be just fine...

 

[Plati]

Thanks all for the insights and real world experience.

I dumped the Heartland trailer and am taking delivery of a 2018 Grand Design 2800BH - GVW 7495 / Tongue 575.

Same exact layout of my "old" one, but much lighter. I'll just have to be cautious of my load / balance. We typically only go out a couple times a summer, about 150mi round trip, no mountains, no interstate.

Again, appreciate the input and the real world scenarios!!

Greg

Where's a good place to camp for a week in Maine?
I guess you gotta get there early (like now) or late in the summer to avoid buggy?

Moosehead Lake area?
I'm getting a Jackson fishing kayak so I can get out on the water.

 

[Greg Neal]

Where's a good place to camp for a week in Maine?
I guess you gotta get there early (like now) or late in the summer to avoid buggy?

Moosehead Lake area?
I'm getting a Jackson fishing kayak so I can get out on the water.

The blackfly's are HUGE this year..and still going strong. Recommend waiting until 3rd week of June'ish. Balsam Woods in Abbot is nice (closer to Greenville), as well as Moosehead Trail Campground in Newport (closer to I95). I personally have never stayed at either, but have relatives that have and reported good things. Our favorite campground here in NE is Green Meadow Campground just over the border into NH. It's small and close to StoryLand for the kiddo's

 

[retired_chemist]

The big question is "What do you like to do?" For sightseeing along the coast, Chewonki Campground is expensive but centrally located. Acadia NP campgrounds are less expensive but don't offer many amenities. North Maine Woods campsites are on dirt roads in northern Maine but offer a wilderness experience. Get a AAA Northern New England guide to help you plan. The bugs go away in late August!

 

[JasonH]

Yup.

Here goes. I bought a 2017 Expy EL a month ago thinking this will handle my family of 6 and our rv.

After researching this to exhaustion...I've made a horrible mistake, haven't I?

The Expy has a payload of 1460, curb weight of 6300lbs and gvwr of 7760.

My RV is 7250dry, 9000 GVW and a tongue of 844.

Okay, so I'll trade the RV, right?

Not having ANY luck finding anything local (Maine) that can sleep all 6 of us (me, wife, 14yr old, 12, 8, 5 - total 850lbs) without going over payload...

The hybrids up here are more $ than the enclosed trailers...and the biggest small trailer that would fit us all is a 2019 KeyStone Bullet UltraLight 277BHS (or similiar style) which all have a tongue of 600 +, 7600 GVW.

UGH!

So...either suck it up and trade for an F250/GMC 2500 or be "that guy" and tow at or over payload.....

The reason for the long, boring post....how many of you are "at" payload on your expy's...[/QUOTE

Yup.

Here goes. I bought a 2017 Expy EL a month ago thinking this will handle my family of 6 and our rv.

After researching this to exhaustion...I've made a horrible mistake, haven't I?

The Expy has a payload of 1460, curb weight of 6300lbs and gvwr of 7760.

My RV is 7250dry, 9000 GVW and a tongue of 844.

Okay, so I'll trade the RV, right?

Not having ANY luck finding anything local (Maine) that can sleep all 6 of us (me, wife, 14yr old, 12, 8, 5 - total 850lbs) without going over payload...

The hybrids up here are more $ than the enclosed trailers...and the biggest small trailer that would fit us all is a 2019 KeyStone Bullet UltraLight 277BHS (or similiar style) which all have a tongue of 600 +, 7600 GVW.

UGH!

So...either suck it up and trade for an F250/GMC 2500 or be "that guy" and tow at or over payload.....

The reason for the long, boring post....how many of you are "at" payload on your expy's...

I'm near payload limt. Forest River Salem Cruise Lite T282QBXL. We usually travel with 4 - 6. Expedition pulls fine. Rear axle is overweight if not loaded properly.