2015-2017 Gear ratios and towing

[Ilka Wagner]

Hi everyone,
We are looking at purchasing a 2015-2017 Expedition for towing our travel trailer. Empty weight is 7100#, so loaded up will be around 8200# or so. As I research these Expeditions, I am learning that just because it has the HD towing package (regardless of XLT, Limited or Platinum) that does not necessarily mean it has the 3.73 gears. Seems to only be in the 4x4? Would we need this or would the 3.31 or 3.15 rear end be sufficient? I found a Platinum but it only had a highway 3.15. Seems that the 7 pin or integrated brake controller does not mean the differential is upgraded. I just don't want to over work the vehicle. Will likely tow the camper about 4-6 times a year. Thanks so much in advance. Having trouble determining which vehicles have the upgraded differential and most sales people seem a bit clueless on it as well. I've only found one where 3.73 was actually listed on the window sticker, was a 4x4. Which is fine, I can do 4x2 or 4x4, doesn't matter to us.

 

[JExpedition07]

IMO You need to pay more attention to the payload on each expy more than the gears as you may be cutting it close with 800+ pounds on the hitch.

Most Limited, Platinum and King Ranch vehicles will have significantly less payload than an XLT especially in EL models. Max towing isn’t achievable unless the truck is empty remember. Keep in mind if payload is 1,600 pounds and you have 900 on the hitch that only leaves you with 700 pounds of wiggle room for people and supplies.

My previous expy was an XLT standard wheelbase and payload was just shy of 1,800 pounds. I now have an EL Eddie Bauer and with the extras my payload is less at 1,570 pounds. Food for thought.

 

[Ilka Wagner]

Ok, good point. I will pay attention to that. It would likely be carrying two adults and three dogs at most so I'll make the calculation on that. So I shouldn't discount a vehicle from a towing standpoint if it just has 3.15 gear ratio but does have the upgraded towing package?
Where do I find the payload for the vehicles I am looking at? Isn't that usually on a door sticker as GVWR?

 

[JExpedition07]

Ok, good point. I will pay attention to that. It would likely be carrying two adults and three dogs at most so I'll make the calculation on that. So I shouldn't discount a vehicle from a towing standpoint if it just has 3.15 gear ratio but does have the upgraded towing package?
Where do I find the payload for the vehicles I am looking at? Isn't that usually on a door sticker as GVWR?

Yes, It’s the yellow and red sticker next to the VIN sticker. Here is an example:

 

[Ilka Wagner]

Perfect. Thank you.
So the 3.15 gear ratio should not deter me from a vehicle assuming I stay in the correct payload range?

 

[JExpedition07]

According to the 2015 brochure 3.15s are only on 4x2 vehicles if that helps. I’d look for a 3.31 or 3.73 myself.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Ford/Expedition/Ford_US Expedition_2015.pdf

 

[Ilka Wagner]

That was our thought as well. I found a 2017 4x4 Limited but the payload is only 1382#
Been doing tons of research, what a learning curve to find the right one and be safe. Thank you. A truck would be easier, but we carry 2 or 3 big dogs with us so that won't work.

 

[Black]

Get an El 4x4 they all came with 3.73 LSD. Not sure why you would want any other rear end in these things anyway.

 

[Ilka Wagner]

I would gladly if I could find one here!

 

[LokiWolf]

Get an El 4x4 they all came with 3.73 LSD. Not sure why you would want any other rear end in these things anyway.

2015 4x4 EL’s were open 3.73 by default, not LSD by default. 2017’s, all EL 4X4’s are LSD 3.73. Not sure about 2016.


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[chuck s]

My '17 XLT has a 1416 maximum cargo capacity. Nothing to be concerned about if you have "only" 1382, I know I could stand to lose 34 pounds.

After transitioning from the 3.73 axles in my '07 to 3.31 in my '17 and towing several trailers I see no reason to spend any time searching for either axle. To be perfectly honest I didn't realize I had the 3.31 axles for several months and towing several trailers and only noticed when I was reading the build data on my truck. No performance issues towing for what passes for mountains here in Pennsylvania and the Virginias (we max out a tad over 5500 feet).

-- Chuck

 

[Black]

2015 4x4 EL’s were open 3.73 by default, not LSD by default. 2017’s, all EL 4X4’s are LSD 3.73. Not sure about 2016.


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Interesting, 16s are LSD guess I figured the 15s were too.

 

[JExpedition07]

Interesting, 16s are LSD guess I figured the 15s were too.

2015 was open diff as LokiWolf said, According to ford literature limited slip wasn’t available for US market in 2015 but it was available in Canadian market.

 

[LokiWolf]

2015 was open diff as LokiWolf said, According to ford literature limited slip wasn’t available for US market in 2015 but it was available in Canadian market.

Which is where our original 15 came from. It was a Max not EL. Figured out I wasn’t crazy!


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[Boostedbus]

I would definitely go with the 3.73 gears for a vehicle that’s purposely bought for a tow vehicle. Ford offers 3.73 for the purpose of towing. Not to say the other higher ratios won’t get the job done, but they offer it to help reduce the strain of pulling weight off of powertrain and drivetrain components. Let gear reduction do the work.

 

[MuddySpokes]

Some thoughts from somebody who tows near combined weight limits with the Expedition.

To answer the original questions:
Gear ratio is a secondary consideration compared to watching the weight. To answer the question though, 3.73's are a good choice toward managing speed on downhill grades as 2nd gear at 55 mph is fairly good at controlling the descent without burning the brakes. Taller gears will translate into either higher speeds to wind-up the motor for effective resistance, or significantly more brake use.

To find out actual build codes for the vehicle in question, consider paying a service like compnine <dot> com. This will give details on the vehicle's actual build including the gear ratio.

Personally, I'd stay away from the Platinum trim as it tends to come with an active suspension. This is nice for passenger ride comfort, but is known for making it difficult to properly set-up the WD hitch.

IIRC, you are going to need the long body and 4WD as this provides the maximum weight capacity. Bonus is that the long body should come with a larger fuel tank, but this in turn eats into the payload.




Am with the others in terms of overall weight. Think hard about this vehicle. Running at the combined weight limit will work the vehicle fairly hard. Understand about the three dogs, but they if they can travel just as well in the back seat and there is no true need for 3rd row seating capacity, consider a full size pickup.

If the focus remains on an Expedition, before making any purchase, consider taking the RV to a certified scale and get real numbers with a full fresh water tank and cabinets stocked for a trip. Un-hitch the RV and get it weighed by itself. The key measurements are from the jack stand (elevated to the correct towing height) and total weight. Total weight counts toward the Expeditions total capacity. Jack stand weight counts toward the Expedition's payload. These are two distinct numbers to watch and consider whether the Expedition is the best fit and appetite for risk if either of the numbers are above the published limits.

From the descriptions so far, cannot tell whether y'all are already pulling the RV with something. If so, chances are good that the Expedition will feel like a step backward in terms of stability. Not helping is that there is no competition in the SUV market for pulling a 8K# RV. Also, from what I can tell, there is nothing available to firm-up the rear, so it is what it is.

The EcoBoost motor and 6 speed transmission are a good combination for pulling, although the small displacement motor takes more work to keep downgrade speed under control compared to a V8.

In terms of maintenance, am finding that Ford's schedule is rather optimistic as useful lives are much less than what the manual states or computer calculates. Do some searching on this as there are plenty of discussions about more frequent service intervals than what Ford states. At a minimum, plan on oil changes at the earlier of 4K miles or when the computer indicates 50% remaining life left.

 

[coolzzy]

If you want an expedition, the bottom line for towing is 3.73 rear end with HD tow package (integrated brake controller) and 4x4. This was a very common order package on the 17 expedition which has standard LSD and 3.73 gears in the 4x4 EL trim. Find an XLT with the 202a order package, it will include sync, nav, leather, heated and cooled front seats, and HD tow package. Many "fleet" expeditions were ordered this way for rental car companies and high end shuttle services, which typically swap out vehicles just before the 36k mile mark. Big name Ford dealerships snap them up at auction because they can sell them CPO with warranty. I hate to say it, but a big Ford dealer is going to be your best bet to find one of these rigs. The smaller independant dealerships are left to fight over scraps at auctions that have defects or higher mileage that the big dealers pass over.

 

[Ilka Wagner]

Found a 2016 Expedition Platinum, 1640 Payload, 3.73 rear end. Verified rear end via sticker. Although sticker shows 1311# payload capacity. Dealership said payload was 1640, need to find out why the difference, perhaps an upgrade? Going to go see it tomorrow and ask questions. Have gotten some really neg feedback from folks on other sites that are disappointed with the towing capacity of the Expedition, even when upgraded, towing anything over 6000#.

 

[MuddySpokes]

The Expedition is a clear trade-off. The EcoBoost powertrain is strong and definitely capable of pulling up to its rated capacity. In going with a car chassis, the focus is on passenger comfort with an ability to tow. End result is less stability when pulling in the upper range of capacity. It is not enough for white knuckle driving, but it has less solid ride when compared to a 3/4 ton truck or 3/4 ton SUV.

 

[Ilka Wagner]

I appreciate all of this info! It has helped a great deal, as I don't want to make a decision we will regret. Right now we are using a 1 ton van to pull it, no problem at all. Just would be nice to have our second vehicle be able to pull it as well,esp on longer trips as the van is not as comfortable, and a truck is not an option right now. I'm not feeling too encouraged though that the Expedition is the right choice. Will keep digging...and I will look up on the website compninedot.com to learn more about each vehicle.
Where would we do all this research without the internet nowadays! LOL