trailer tow prep pack

[HavasuMike]

My vehicle does not have the HD towing package. Mine has the Trailer Tow Prep Pack. Does anyone know what is included in this package? I can see a wire for a brake controller near the trailer plug, but don't know where the controller would plug in.

 

[JExpedition07]

My vehicle does not have the HD towing package. Mine has the Trailer Tow Prep Pack. Does anyone know what is included in this package? I can see a wire for a brake controller near the trailer plug, but don't know where the controller would plug in.

It includes hitch, four pin connector, and a separate tranny cooler over an integrated. You can upgrade it to HD tow by adding a HD trans cooler and oil cooler yourself. Also have to add seven pin connector. The brake controller you have to buy and it plugs in under the dash drivers side.

 

[gixer2000]

The controller plugs in behind the knee bolster closest to the center console. You would need to wire an aftermarket controller with the harness you found.

 

[HavasuMike]

Thanks very much for the info. Is the separate tranny cooler equal to the HD trans cooler?

 

[JExpedition07]

Thanks very much for the info. Is the separate tranny cooler equal to the HD trans cooler?

No. I'm pretty sure my facts are straight but these packages can be confusing. An expy with no trailer prep has an integrated tranny cooler, but is not rated to tow. The trailer tow prep adds a separate tranny cooler and allows you to tow 6,000 pounds. The HD tow has a larger separate tranny cooler. If you wish to tow more you should upgrade to the "Super Cooling" transmission radiator.

 

[HavasuMike]

I finally got the trans cooler installed. It took a couple of months to get all the parts. Everything seems the same but I haven't tried towing anything yet. I did not replace the radiator. The next step will be to add the 7-pin plug and the brake controller. I am going to stick with the Ford parts. Any other suggestions?

 

[Langer]

I finally got the trans cooler installed. It took a couple of months to get all the parts. Everything seems the same but I haven't tried towing anything yet. I did not replace the radiator. The next step will be to add the 7-pin plug and the brake controller. I am going to stick with the Ford parts. Any other suggestions?

for the auxiliary power in the 7-pin:

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/4-prong-to-7-prong.32359/page-3#post-267183

 

[Bigfishfin]

I finally got the trans cooler installed. It took a couple of months to get all the parts. Everything seems the same but I haven't tried towing anything yet. I did not replace the radiator. The next step will be to add the 7-pin plug and the brake controller. I am going to stick with the Ford parts. Any other suggestions?

Many discussions regarding the “heavy duty” radiator with the HD trailer package...No proof to date that such an animal exists...I tow a lot with exactly your setup, with my 7,000 pound rig...It is a towing demon!

 

[adamsdaddy]

I finally got the trans cooler installed. It took a couple of months to get all the parts. Everything seems the same but I haven't tried towing anything yet. I did not replace the radiator. The next step will be to add the 7-pin plug and the brake controller. I am going to stick with the Ford parts. Any other suggestions?

If you go with the Ford brake controller then you’ll need to enable it via Forscan (if I recall correctly from other posts). It fits right in the slot and looks nice.
I went with the Prodigy brake controller because of my past experience using it on other vehicles.
My recommendation is to go with the 4/7 pin connector so you never need to worry about having an adapter. Walmart stocks them.
It was very easy to run a new line back to the 7 pin to supply power to the trailer. See my previous posts which include pictures etc.
I didn’t look to see which year you have but if you have a 2015-2017 and get stuck then message me. I’m not on here very often but if you give me a heads up AND have an iPhone then I’d be willing to FaceTime with you and do a walkthrough around my Expy.

 

[chuck s]

The animal exists. I personally verified the HD radiator (radiator upgrade) existed on my 2007 with the HD Towing option #536. It was thicker and had a different part number sticker than the non-HD package. Only way to tell was to physically compare them. There remains the question if Ford ever fitted the non-HD radiator to many vehicles even it they didn't have option 536. Not much point in stocking two distinct radiators if most are getting the HD version. Still shows as part of the option though.

Trailer tow was never an option I'm aware of, they all came with it for about 6000 pounds towing capacity. (Fleet vehicles may be an exception). HD Tow was/is the option. Easily verified externally by the presence or lack of the round 7-pole Bargmann connector that's part of HD Tow fitted to the right of the towing receiver on the back of the truck. Buying my '07 I just walked down the row of parked trucks looking for the connector.

-- Chuck

 

[HavasuMike]

My 2016 shows trailer tow prep package. Never did find out what that meant. I have the 4 pin plug and was just going to add a 7-pin. My wifes 2011 has the HD tow and that's how it is set up (both plugs).
I'll go back and look up some of your posts(adamsdaddy). Thanks.

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

I finally got the trans cooler installed. It took a couple of months to get all the parts. Everything seems the same but I haven't tried towing anything yet. I did not replace the radiator. The next step will be to add the 7-pin plug and the brake controller. I am going to stick with the Ford parts. Any other suggestions?

I added the 7 pin harness and it was super easy using this step by step guide. Plugged in an aftermarket brake controller from etrailer.com and everything worked great.

https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-articles/installing-a-7-blade-rv-connector-on-a-ford-expedition/

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

I finally got the trans cooler installed. It took a couple of months to get all the parts. Everything seems the same but I haven't tried towing anything yet. I did not replace the radiator. The next step will be to add the 7-pin plug and the brake controller. I am going to stick with the Ford parts. Any other suggestions?

What year is yours and what part # did you order? Would like to do the upgrade on my '11.

 

[Bigfishfin]

The animal exists. I personally verified the HD radiator (radiator upgrade) existed on my 2007 with the HD Towing option #536. It was thicker and had a different part number sticker than the non-HD package. Only way to tell was to physically compare them. There remains the question if Ford ever fitted the non-HD radiator to many vehicles even it they didn't have option 536. Not much point in stocking two distinct radiators if most are getting the HD version. Still shows as part of the option though.

Trailer tow was never an option I'm aware of, they all came with it for about 6000 pounds towing capacity. (Fleet vehicles may be an exception). HD Tow was/is the option. Easily verified externally by the presence or lack of the round 7-pole Bargmann connector that's part of HD Tow fitted to the right of the towing receiver on the back of the truck. Buying my '07 I just walked down the row of parked trucks looking for the connector.

-- Chuck

Not to be argumentative, but you, like others, lose!...We are discussing, specifically, the HD radiator in an Ecoboost Expy...No one to date has proven that there is in fact a HD radiator option. But several, including myself have proven, by actual use, that the "stock, non trailer package Ecoboost Expy, with added auxiliary trans cooler" does just fantastic as a trailer puller!...So, if anybody has "actual specific knowledge" of this mysterious "Ecoboost HD radiator option", please feel free to share...

 

[HavasuMike]

Mine is a 2016. These are the parts I ordered. They are probably different for a 2011.
Part Number Part Name Price Quantity Total
BL3Z-7B028-C Lower Return Tube $28.98 1 $28.98
FL1Z-7C410-A Inlet Tube $21.74 1 $21.74
7L1Z-7A095-B Trans Cooler $77.19 1 $77.19

 

[chuck s]

Not to be argumentative, but you, like others, lose!...We are discussing, specifically, the HD radiator in an Ecoboost Expy...

-- Really.. How would anyone know this detail since EcoBoost is only mentioned in one post, your last one?

Speaking of losers...

-- Chuck

 

[Bigfishfin]

Hey Chuck...Referring to one who says "they know of something, when they are incorrect in their knowledge" that they they have lost an argument, is hardly calling them a "loser"...Get it?...The Reason I even ventured down this path is that for at least the last 3-4 years several folks have claimed that there is this "HD Ecoboost radiator", but nobody has ever produced evidence of it via any criteria: size, fin count, etc. If you would like to explore the various posts regarding what I am expressing, please so so. BTW "Ecoboost" is prominently displayed/discussed in those specific posts since there happens to be a little difference between pre/post 2015 Expy's, don't you agree???