Tow package for extra 4x4 worth it?

[JExpedition07]

That’s fine, but it’s power that isn’t translated to acceleration without that heavy towing lugging around that heavy graphite-iron block , a 7.3 will still leave you at a stop light. My Uncle has an F-450 King Ranch with the 6.7L, my dad has an F-250 Lariat Ultimate with the 6.2 gasser. They ran neck and neck when we played around with them. Now tune the diesel and game over!!! Hopefully the new 6.7 dominates when it’s pitted against the others towing.

 

[GC2019]

Sounds like you are entirely confused on the reason people buy an HD. Who buys a HD truck to drag race?
1/4 mile time slips?
Economy?
Cost?
Is red light racing an actual selling point on an 8,500 lb truck? But since you brought it up, I think you will see the stock 2020 psd 10 speed will probably be the quickest and fastest of the entire bunch.

 

[JExpedition07]

I don’t think I’m the confused one here. You said you never tow over 10k pounds, don’t plow, and use it as a grocery getter....you say you like the most power. I rebutted showing that power doesn’t show up materially without towing because of extra curb weight and showed the pluses of the new gas big block. Who buys a truck that size for racing? Probably the same people who don’t tow and use it as a daily driver to tow their boat once a year. You don’t need to prove anything, especially to me. I’m just a young college age guy who drives an Expedition Max around with a V8 and 4x4 because I like to. It’s capable and pulls my boat. I could drive a Honda Civic but choose not to. Just like people buy HD trucks and choose to red light race them lol. The diesel has its place, I like em but many are under-utilized and the gains aren’t realized.

 

[carymccarr]

We have certainly gone off the rails with this thread.

Hopefully @carymccarr isn't too offended.

Lol. I’ve been interneting for a long time. Never put anyone one ignore, never lost sleep and have never been offended. It’s the interwebs.

Derail away!! It’s all good.

 

[GC2019]

If everyone bought for strictly their needs, there would be no Mustangs, Corvettes, challengers, Jeeps, lambos etc. They may only be college age kids driving older Expeditions...
Some people choose to have 1,050 lbs of torque available at 1,600 RPM. Because they can...

BTW, my last Powerstroke couldn’t get out of its own way in stock form.. a little tuning..it would turn a sub 12 second 1/4 mile.. Just imagine what’s left in the new 2020 6.7L....
So yes, there are people out there who may take it to the next level because it’s fun.

 

[lurch]

Every thread here after page 5

 

[theoldwizard1]

IMHO (aren't almost ALL posts simply "opinions" ?) ...

4x4 and even AWD are not worth the "price of admission" let alone the decrease in fuel economy for almost all vehicles ! The exception is "work trucks". Trucks that get driven off of hard pavement at least 33% of the time.

The average driver living in snowy areas would be better served by 4 winter tires and the electronic differential lock. Winter tires are specifically design for hard packed snow and ice which is what drive encounter most often,

I like the HD Tow Package. At least in the past, it included a HD radiator and an auxiliary transmission cooler, both nice to have even when NOT towing.

 

[scottdm]

IMHO (aren't almost ALL posts simply "opinions" ?) ...

4x4 and even AWD are not worth the "price of admission" let alone the decrease in fuel economy for almost all vehicles ! The exception is "work trucks". Trucks that get driven off of hard pavement at least 33% of the time.

The average driver living in snowy areas would be better served by 4 winter tires and the electronic differential lock. Winter tires are specifically design for hard packed snow and ice which is what drive encounter most often,

I like the HD Tow Package. At least in the past, it included a HD radiator and an auxiliary transmission cooler, both nice to have even when NOT towing.

We have enough steep hills in my area that just snow tires and 2WD won't allow you to climb the hills when the roads are snowy. I still install snow tires on my Expy since 4x4 doesn't help you stop any better in snow. In flatter terrain, just snow tires would be fine I'm sure. Locking the rear diff in snow is the fastest way to end up with the rear end of the vehicle in the ditch on a steep hill since the crown of the road causes the rear end to slide towards the ditch with the rear diff locked (ask me how I know )

 

[gbosin]

Another way to think about it is that not too many people with the HD Tow package regret having the additional capability/feature content. Not sure the opposite is true though.

What he said

 

[cekkk]

We lived in the Rockies, 9000' and five miles and a thousand feet of rocky road above the highway for nearly 20 years. We had 4WD in four Expeditions and two pickups and engaged 4WD frequently. I don't recall ever using low range except to play a time or two.

Manual locking front hubs on my F-350 and my '87 Bronco were engaged sometimes to get me out of situations I'm guessing you might think low range would be needed. It wasn't.

A tow package with a 4WD vehicle is always a good idea IMO.

 

[theoldwizard1]

We lived in the Rockies, 9000' and five miles and a thousand feet of rocky road above the highway for nearly 20 years.
.
.
.
A tow package with a 4WD vehicle is always a good idea IMO.

For you, yes. For "Joe Average", it is a waste of money !

 

[carymccarr]

IMHO (aren't almost ALL posts simply "opinions" ?) ...

4x4 and even AWD are not worth the "price of admission" let alone the decrease in fuel economy for almost all vehicles ! The exception is "work trucks". Trucks that get driven off of hard pavement at least 33% of the time.

The average driver living in snowy areas would be better served by 4 winter tires and the electronic differential lock. Winter tires are specifically design for hard packed snow and ice which is what drive encounter most often,

I like the HD Tow Package. At least in the past, it included a HD radiator and an auxiliary transmission cooler, both nice to have even when NOT towing.

There is no way I’d have a rear wheel drive vehicle with in the winter. Driving through squalls, storms and up steep grades I watch AWD vehicles sliding off the road. Let alone a rear drive vehicle. I put snows on my 4x4 now and have had some pretty hairy situations.

 

[Congage]

It really depends on your use and most importantly your location. Your own situation will be what decides equipment. Without low I cant get up my driveway. Last week 6 inches snow on 12% grade. Good luck

 

[JExpedition07]

When I was at the cabin and we got lost as a closed seasonal use road turned into a narrow muddy trail 4x4 Low kept my Expedition moving through the mud. There was no turning around too late. Without it I would have been sunk. 4A reacted, but too slow. 4H throttle inputs caused some spinning albeit better than 4A. 4L was just right and pushed the truck right on through until we came out to a street again. No way would I go without low range just for the few times it saves you.

 

[Congage]

I can agree totally. I would rather have and not need it than not have and need it.

 

[Calidad]

I had the same issue. My reasoning was

#1 Other than the out dated Sequoia which I was replacing and the too small 4runner there are very few truck based 4x4 wagons left. Most now are tall AWD cars and most have lousy transmissions or very very limited power split capability.

If I bought in the full sized bracket I wanted real 4x4 capability. In my old Sequoia I used the center locker many times mostly because I had no Rear locker.

I bought end of last month there were lots of 2019 higher end Expeditions left. Rough numbers show that Ford averages 1 a month per Dealer sold. Thats super low volume for Ford.

The upper trim versions are getting heavily discounted. I bought a Platinum at the price of a loaded Limited.

And yes I got the heavy tow package and the added proper 4x4 equipment.

I might tow something in the 5000lb range or less in the future but I don’t have any interest in towing big heavy trailers. My camping rig is a 4x6 1500lb packed trailer. It traverses the wests long fast 70-80mph highways without so much as a hiccup. I’m sticking with the light, compact tows at any sane speed trailers. LOL

Resale doesn’t matter to me I keep my rigs a long time. By the I sell them they aren’t worth much.

 

[Scott Carden]

Ok here’s the deal. I have had 3 expeditions and one navigator. The 5.4 liter is best for towing. The preferred gear range is 3.73. Which did come stock on my 2014 EL king ranch. Tow package is definitely preferable as it has heavy duty sway bar, heavy rear shocks, trailer hitch with multi plug hookup and electric brake controller. Mine has 4x4 with a low range setting which is great for steep boat ramps or muddy camp grounds. Traction control is only a limited electronic helper that controls wheel spin. It is NOT a replacement for lock up or limited spin differential! For some reason for stopped putting in lock up rear ends in expedition. My 99, 2000, and 2001 all had it but my 2014 does not. However it can be added it. Ford makes the part or there is plenty of aftermarket products that are excellent. An electric lock up is preferable to me. Let’s look at what you really have without 4x4. You have only 2 traction wheels. If one looses grip then the computer cuts the engine power to eliminate the wheel spin. It does not apply power to the other wheel. So you really have one wheel drive.Anyone who has gotten stuck will tell you that to get the wheel to spin at all you have to turn off the traction control by the button on the dash. Traction control is designed to reign in the engine power on slippery roads so you don’t come around sideways by the rear end kicking out. Once you are sitting still and stuck it’s no help at all, actually it’s a hinderance and that’s why ford made a button to easily turn it off. It is in no way a replacement for 4x4 or a locking differential . Do yourself a big favor get a 4x4 expedition and have a locker put in the rear end. You will thank me for it, it’s a life saver.

 

[scottdm]

The HD Tow package and FX4 include an electronic rear locker with the 3:73 rear end.

 

[Calidad]

The Platinum has the locker also. As far as I could tell the Limited with towing package or the special versions FX, Texas one, or Blacked out etc.

Given I didn’t want the silly special packages and discounted Platinums are plenty so thats why I went Platinum they get all the toys. You can always swap in proper wheels and dump the 22’s lol. I will probably do that when these tires need to be replaced

 

[scottdm]

The Platinum has the locker also. As far as I could tell the Limited with towing package or the special versions FX, Texas one, or Blacked out etc.

Given I didn’t want the silly special packages and discounted Platinums are plenty so thats why I went Platinum they get all the toys. You can always swap in proper wheels and dump the 22’s lol. I will probably do that when these tires need to be replaced

The Platinum only has the locker if you select the HD Tow Package with 3:73 rear end.