Upgrade towing

[MrMnNice]

I have a 2018 Expedition Max Limited without the heavy duty towing package. This summer, we would like to buy a travel trailer for the Expedition to haul. The issue is that every travel trailer that would be best for our family is within a hundred pounds of the max towing capacity. I'm concerned this will put strain on the transmission and cause too much heat, especially through a mountain pass or something.

I was thinking of upgrading to the heavy duty radiator with the transmission oil cooler to ease the strain on it. Curious to see if that is a logical and/or smart thing to do. It would run about $1500 to upgrade. I still wouldn't have the brake assist, the 3.73 rear axle and electronic slip dif that the heavy duty towing package has. Questions are:

- smart??
- would it help the transmission if I was close to the max towing?
- other options I should consider?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and suggestions!!

 

[John I]

You might find this helpful. https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/changing-2018-from-3-31-to-3-73.42754/

 

[byathread]

I have a 2018 Expedition Max Limited without the heavy duty towing package. This summer, we would like to buy a travel trailer for the Expedition to haul. The issue is that every travel trailer that would be best for our family is within a hundred pounds of the max towing capacity. I'm concerned this will put strain on the transmission and cause too much heat, especially through a mountain pass or something.

I was thinking of upgrading to the heavy duty radiator with the transmission oil cooler to ease the strain on it. Curious to see if that is a logical and/or smart thing to do. It would run about $1500 to upgrade. I still wouldn't have the brake assist, the 3.73 rear axle and electronic slip dif that the heavy duty towing package has. Questions are:

- smart??
- would it help the transmission if I was close to the max towing?
- other options I should consider?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and suggestions!!

If you are towing a TT, you'll need to wire in an aftermarket brake controller at bare minimum. The TT will have brakes, the truck needs to actuate them to tow safely... Good idea what you're already considering around beefing up cooling. It would only help... I recommend mirror extensions as well.

Or other option is just trade it in for one with the HD tow package! [emoji12]

 

[sjwhiteley]

As already noted, a brake controller. You can have the Ford OEM one fitted. Of course, you'll be using a proper weight distribution hitch. Changing gear ratio and adding the bigger radiator is an expense which probably exceeds the cost of the HD towing package. While you say you are at max capacity, it is designed to tow that.

Actual results? I've seen videos, even with HD package of overheating engines, and videos without the tow package working just fine with a heavy load.

My trailer is at around 5500lbs. Not towed it, yet, but don't expect any issues on a non HD XLT.

 

[MrMnNice]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Very helpful! I am looking at a travel trailer that is 5700 lbs, so good with the weight, BUT the hitch weight is 715 lbs. When I pulled up the ford towing chart, I think I'm over the limit, right? I might not be reading it correctly though. Thoughts?

 

[sjwhiteley]

There's a couple of things going on, here: Trailer weight and tongue weight. Trailer weight is limited by vehicle capability. Tongue weight based on the hitch setup.

Non HD tow package, you are 'limited' to around 6000lbs (based on MAX and 4wd configuration) trailer weight. If you have a weight distribution hitch (which you should have at anything above a couple of thousand pounds) The tongue weight can be up to 900 lbs.

So, based on your trailer weight, and tongue weight you have noted, you are within specification for the truck.

As a side note: is 5700lbs dry weight or loaded? I'm guessing dry. That means you are (again) limited to adding 300lbs of cargo to the trailer (you will eat that up quite quickly). Loading up gear, bikes, etc. will, theoretically, will put you over the recommended towing capacity. In addition, you will be loaded up in the vehicle, too, which theoretically reduces the maximum tongue weight for the trailer.

This comes down to the difference between the HD package and the non HD package: the difference is (and someone may correct me if I'm wrong) is the engine cooling and rear differential gear ratio. I don't have an answer, but my best guess is that you will not be able to travel cross country at 90 miles per hour, but at a more sedate pace, putting less strain on the engine.

I'll reiterate, though: a correctly rigged tow hitch, and balanced load in the trailer will provide a much more suitable, comfortable and safe towing experience. Full disclosure: I don't tow as much as some, but when I do, I try to do it right. I've also made mistakes, but nothing horrendous.

Oh, extra note: since we have coil over shocks in the back, adding air bags inside the springs isn't possible. However, there are sumosprings: rubberized inserts that go between the coils which help support the back end when loaded, and have minimal impact when unloaded. It looks like they have good reviews and experiences.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

The hitch itself is no different on HD tow and non-HD tow. So, technically, those numbers are correct. With a WDH, you can increase the tongue weight safely to 900 pounds.

The HD tow package add additional components to minimize the wear and tear of the tranny and rad. Also, adds the better gear ratio for towing (3.73).

The reason some people have successfuly towed a heavier trailer without the HD tow is maybe because they don't use it in mountainous areas or go on real long trips in a given timeframe (Drive 8 hours straight, of example).

Just make sure you fully understand the numbers when it comes to towing. The cargo that you put in the Expy does take away from the towing capacity. In most cases, especially with pick-up trucks, you will surpass the payload number before the towing capacity of the vehicle. I have not yet with my new vehicle, but you should make a fully loaded trip to a CAT scale and make sure you are within your limits. This can also help determine if your weight distribution hitch is set up properly.

Good luck and happy camping!

 

[shane_th_ee]

The 3.73 also has a 180lbs higher axle rating vs the 3.23. And you’re probably going to run out of RAWR before you run out of payload or towing capacity...

 

[duneslider]

The 3.73 also has a 180lbs higher axle rating vs the 3.23. And you’re probably going to run out of RAWR before you run out of payload or towing capacity...

Where did you get this info? I haven't seen that posted anywhere, just curious? Probably somewhere really obvious though...

 

[byathread]

Where did you get this info? I haven't seen that posted anywhere, just curious? Probably somewhere really obvious though...

My door sticker (2019 max 4x4 HD tow package says:
GVWR 7720#
FRONT GAWR 3550#
REAR GAWR 4380#

Curb weight (all fluids for normal operation and 90% full of fuel, so 27 gallons) is 5794#

Leaves you with 1926# payload in the expy.

It'll get eaten up in a hurry towing a TT for a camping trip!

FWIW, my camper has 1680# in payload. If I filled water tank full, I'd be right near max for sure...
Need to hit the cat scales to know for sure. That'll be in the spring here...

 

[shane_th_ee]

Where did you get this info? I haven't seen that posted anywhere, just curious? Probably somewhere really obvious though...

Google images. Some dealers include payload and GVWR stickers in their listings...

 

[Tripinbillie]

My door sticker (2019 max 4x4 HD tow package says:
GVWR 7720#
FRONT GAWR 3550#
REAR GAWR 4380#

Curb weight (all fluids for normal operation and 90% full of fuel, so 27 gallons) is 5794#

Leaves you with 1926# payload in the expy.

It'll get eaten up in a hurry towing a TT for a camping trip!

FWIW, my camper has 1680# in payload. If I filled water tank full, I'd be right near max for sure...
Need to hit the cat scales to know for sure. That'll be in the spring here...

I’d be surprised if your payload was 1926. What’s the yellow sticker say? Thats the actual payload from factory.

For the OP, Expedition’s will run out of Payload before trailer weight. You have to consider what is added to the Expedition and any persons, animals, or items added in your payload calculation. The yellow sticker on the Drivers side has the factory payload number. That only includes full tank of gas, nothing else.

I have an 2019 XLT, with 1670 Payload. I tow a TT thats empty weight was 5050 when purchased. Trailer is about 850 of that. With family, dog, gear, WDH, etc, I only have about 100 pound of payload left.

 

[AKentPhoto]

How you load things matter... One option is load the trailer with as much gear as possible. and towards the middle/rear of the trailer is best. Keeps weight off the tongue yet balanced.

A trailer brake controller is an absolute must. No questions asked, before the cooling etc. You could get a dedicated transcooler and that would work better than the factory one (if it is built into the radiator.) You could also look into upgrading the intercooler which cools the air going into the engine.

 

[duneslider]

How you load things matter... One option is load the trailer with as much gear as possible. and towards the middle/rear of the trailer is best. Keeps weight off the tongue yet balanced.

A trailer brake controller is an absolute must. No questions asked, before the cooling etc. You could get a dedicated transcooler and that would work better than the factory one (if it is built into the radiator.) You could also look into upgrading the intercooler which cools the air going into the engine.

Based on my experience, I think the transcooler is the biggest towing weakness on the expedition. I am not an automatic transmission expert but the temps always seem higher to me than I think it good. I would love to hear from someone more expert in auto transmissions and what ideal temps would be on the ford 10spd. Even without load it seems to run hotter than I am used to with other vehicles I have. This leads me to believe that the transmission is programmed to keep the temp a little higher. The "normal" temp on my expedition seems about 10deg warmer than the "normal" temp on my jeep.

 

[AKentPhoto]

Totally agree with @duneslider . I have always viewed trans coolers as cheap insurance. Adds a bit more capacity and drasitcaly upgrades cooling capacity. Being in the deep South I will take all the cooling I can put my hands on. Especially when dealing with forced induction heat.

 

[Diverdown]

Totally agree with @duneslider . I have always viewed trans coolers as cheap insurance. Adds a bit more capacity and drasitcaly upgrades cooling capacity. Being in the deep South I will take all the cooling I can put my hands on. Especially when dealing with forced induction heat.

Yup, me too


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RustyOval]

I’d be surprised if your payload was 1926. What’s the yellow sticker say? Thats the actual payload from factory.

For the OP, Expedition’s will run out of Payload before trailer weight. You have to consider what is added to the Expedition and any persons, animals, or items added in your payload calculation. The yellow sticker on the Drivers side has the factory payload number. That only includes full tank of gas, nothing else.

I have an 2019 XLT, with 1670 Payload. I tow a TT thats empty weight was 5050 when purchased. Trailer is about 850 of that. With family, dog, gear, WDH, etc, I only have about 100 pound of payload left.

Agreed, there is NO WAY an Expy has a 1926# payload. The yellow sticker on the driver door jamb tells it all. As stated before, payload will be maxed out WAY before the mythical max towing rating. An XLT will likely have a higher payload than a Platinum everything else being equal because there are fewer "goodies" loading down the vehicle.

 

[RustyOval]

How you load things matter... One option is load the trailer with as much gear as possible. and towards the middle/rear of the trailer is best. Keeps weight off the tongue yet balanced

How things are loaded does matter, but about 13% of the trailer weight (camper) needs to be on the tongue or sway will be more likely to occur. There are good videos on YouTube that demonstrate this.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a 2018 Expedition Max Limited without the heavy duty towing package. This summer, we would like to buy a travel trailer for the Expedition to haul. The issue is that every travel trailer that would be best for our family is within a hundred pounds of the max towing capacity. I'm concerned this will put strain on the transmission and cause too much heat, especially through a mountain pass or something.

My daughter's family was in the same situation. They did exactly what you suggested (upgraded the radiator and added the trans cooler). I believe it was less than $1,000. They did add an external brake controller, but did not change the rear axle ratio. They towed a +7,500 lbs trailer from MI to Disney World with no issues.

When towing in hilly areas, actively downshift before the engine speed drops off too much and you should be okay.

 

[duneslider]

I haven't seen that anyone has added an additional transcooler on their expedition. I haven't looked really close at locations where this could be added, or which lines to tap into for it. I added one to my jeep years ago and it made a big difference. I really should look into adding one on this but haven't had time to look into it. If anyone goes for it please share what you decide to do and where you put it.

I have wondered if a Derale Heatsink style cooler would be good enough as an adder then it wouldn't have to be put in the front air flow area and block cooling air for everything already there? I haven't used this kind before but I have known a few jeep guys who did use them and seemed to have good luck with them.