How much weight are you towing with a “non” HD Expedition?

[Trey Salsbury]

I have a 2019 expedition without the heavy duty tow package. I’m still having a hard time believing that it can only tow 6000 pounds. My grand Cherokee that I recently got rid of towed 6600 pounds which is obviously a lot smaller vehicle with less power. I’ve seen a YouTube video of a guy towing a 24 foot enclosed trailer with race car inside for extended distance no problems. I guess I am trying to get a feel for what others are towing that do not on the heavy duty tow package?

 

[mwl001]

Your axle ratio is the biggest difference. I have HD tow so can’t speak to the difference.

 

[LokiWolf]

I have a 2019 expedition without the heavy duty tow package. I’m still having a hard time believing that it can only tow 6000 pounds. My grand Cherokee that I recently got rid of towed 6600 pounds which is obviously a lot smaller vehicle with less power. I’ve seen a YouTube video of a guy towing a 24 foot enclosed trailer with race car inside for extended distance no problems. I guess I am trying to get a feel for what others are towing that do not on the heavy duty tow package?

If you wanted to tow more than 6K, why didn’t you buy a HD Tow equipped one?

I just don’t understand these questions. They come up every now and then. If you are in a accident while towing beyond the rating of your vehicle and it is your fault, your insurance can choose to not pay, and leave you with all the bills. Not to mention the tickets for towing overweight.


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[Trey Salsbury]

I’m not saying I need to tow more than 6k I only tow a 3500lbs boat. My question was more of a curiosity if others out there were towing over the 6k capacity and could report back no problems? Again hard to believe it can ONLY Tow 6k, when a lot of mid size SUV’s are doing that or more.
I guess the axle ratio is the biggest reason but if you have a 10 speed transmission couldn’t it just drop down a gear or two to compensate? Again just curious what others think on the topic

 

[RussD89]

The problems will revolve very negatively around insurance coverage when an accident of any kind occurs. It's rated specifically for what it is. That simple. Just because it has the power doesn't mean the electronics or transmissions aren't tuned for the max being 6k, or some bracket is in a key place on the hd that isn't on the regular, or some other asinine thing missing that affects the safety of it. It could be 100% identical, but it's not rated for it. Interesting intellectual experiment to have the discussion, but completely not a good idea even if it can do it physically.

 

[Trey Salsbury]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not saying i will tow over 6000lbs just curious if anyone knows "why" there is a 50% difference on capacity? or if ford just wants to sell their silly back up assist for people that don't know how to tow.

 

[mwl001]

The problems will revolve very negatively around insurance coverage when an accident of any kind occurs. It's rated specifically for what it is. That simple. Just because it has the power doesn't mean the electronics or transmissions aren't tuned for the max being 6k, or some bracket is in a key place on the hd that isn't on the regular, or some other asinine thing missing that affects the safety of it. It could be 100% identical, but it's not rated for it. Interesting intellectual experiment to have the discussion, but completely not a good idea even if it can do it physically.

This is an excellent summation. Most people start at the question "can my engine pull it?" (I did too) and the further you dive into the world of towing requirements you learn all the other things in your vehicle that matter MORE for safety than HP/torque. Worst of all, tow ratings are mostly meaningless, everything flows from payload first, and for SUVs rear axle weight rating is also quite important.

 

[Deadman]

Think of mechanical advantage. Try to Lift a 200 Lb object with your arms at full extension, you simply can't do it. Then try lifting that same 200 lbs object right up tight against your body, you can easily lift it. Its all mechanical advantage, and the axle ratio is EXACTLY THAT. YOU have gears designed for efficiency and lower payloads, so you have highway gears. The Tow pack cars got the heavier payload 3.73 gears so its designed for the payload and strain.

Can your highway gears pull 9,000 lbs, sure they can. Are there going to be shortcomings from it, absolutely. Theres a limit to how much work you can do and how fast. The gearing gives your vehicle the mechanical advantage to accomplish these things, but then sacrifices fuel milage as a penalty.

Tow what you want, but just know what your limits are mechanically and legally as far as ratings go......

 

[sjwhiteley]

To answer the original question, I have a 4880lb travel trailer with a gross of 6600lbs (not loaded nearly anywhere that, probably 5500lb max). While I haven't had a chance for any long distances, last year, short trips worked fine, with surprisingly good acceleration.

 

[Trey Salsbury]

Thank you for your reply. Very interesting analogy. Definitely makes sense. Do you know what the total capacity is for these vehicles? I’ve seen some say 6000, and also have seen 6500? Thanks again