towing frustration

[Shellsllama]

Two years ago, we traded in our car for a 2018 Ford Expy XLT (not MAX, no HD tow). Little did I know that the standard tow pkg maxes out at 6k. I have yet to find a trailer, that will sleep 8, (double bunks a must) with a slide that I can pull. Now I'm stuck trading it in again for one with a HD tow. A 250 would be great if it sat more than five. I'm so angry for not looking into this further before buying.
However I do love my Expy.

 

[Fasttimes]

Two years ago, we traded in our car for a 2018 Ford Expy XLT (not MAX, no HD tow). Little did I know that the standard tow pkg maxes out at 6k. I have yet to find a trailer, that will sleep 8, (double bunks a must) with a slide that I can pull. Now I'm stuck trading it in again for one with a HD tow. A 250 would be great if it sat more than five. I'm so angry for not looking into this further before buying.
However I do love my Expy.

Unfortunately it sounds like what you have in mind will not work with any Expy. If you are traveling with 8 there is no way an Expy can pull a trailer for 8 plus 8 in the tow vehicle without being severely over the payload limit of the Expy. HD tow or not. That is F250/2500 class and up realm and as you said a pickup only fits 5.

A second vehicle traveling with half the crew would probably be the best option. Or you could get something like a high-wall pop-up to pull with your current Expy, like a Fleetwood Niagra as an example, and that would officially sleep 6. But if you have little ones you could probably get away with squeezing them in. Or take a pop-up and a small tent for 2 as overflow.

 

[mwl001]

Two years ago, we traded in our car for a 2018 Ford Expy XLT (not MAX, no HD tow). Little did I know that the standard tow pkg maxes out at 6k. I have yet to find a trailer, that will sleep 8, (double bunks a must) with a slide that I can pull. Now I'm stuck trading it in again for one with a HD tow. A 250 would be great if it sat more than five. I'm so angry for not looking into this further before buying.
However I do love my Expy.

Good on you for researching before buying. Lots of good info on YouTube regarding how to tow safely. Key characteristics: wheelbase, payload, torque, and trailer length. You’ll find that as far as travel trailers go tow capacity won’t be relevant.

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

Two years ago, we traded in our car for a 2018 Ford Expy XLT (not MAX, no HD tow). Little did I know that the standard tow pkg maxes out at 6k. I have yet to find a trailer, that will sleep 8, (double bunks a must) with a slide that I can pull. Now I'm stuck trading it in again for one with a HD tow. A 250 would be great if it sat more than five. I'm so angry for not looking into this further before buying.
However I do love my Expy.

We got a 2010 KZ Coyote 23cfk and it lists it sleeps 10. 3 queen fold out bed and 2 convertibles with a slide out. 4165 dry, 6000 max (which we'll never reach just because of how we pack). Maybe hard finding a new one that will work but maybe something used in good shape would work. I also have standard tow package.

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Upside is used car/truck values are up.

 

[shane_th_ee]

What’s wrong with an Apex Nano 208BHS?

 

[Fasttimes]

What’s wrong with an Apex Nano 208BHS?

I think the issue for the OP would be not the weight of the trailer, it's the payload of carrying 8 passengers plus tongue weight on an Expy.

 

[shane_th_ee]

I think the issue for the OP would be not the weight of the trailer, it's the payload of carrying 8 passengers plus tongue weight on an Expy.

The OP didn’t list that as a concern. I suspect you’re correct, but an Expedition with the HD tow package isn’t likely to solve the payload/rear axle weight issue. If payload for people is the problem, the best solution is probably a full size van like a Nissan NV3500 or GMC Savannah.

 

[JasonH]

The OP didn’t list that as a concern. I suspect you’re correct, but an Expedition with the HD tow package isn’t likely to solve the payload/rear axle weight issue. If payload for people is the problem, the best solution is probably a full size van like a Nissan NV3500 or GMC Savannah.

The Chevy Express, which I think is a twin of the Savannah, has ample payload as well.

 

[CaptOchs]

I looked into new Expys a couple years ago. While the old '03 XLT had HD tow, that was mostly removed from newer trucks unless you get a Limited or better. Key word.. 'limited.' They were hard to find and more expensive. The EL limited has the 3.73 gears for 15-17 which is what I was looking for. They were sold within a couple days of listing. None of the salesmen really understood trucks or towing capacities. One told me it had HD tow because it had a hitch. The 4-pin connector gave that away. I searched within 100 mile radius, but ultimately couldn't really find what I was looking for. The market was full of Expys without HD tow. Not trading in my 33ft TT for a popup! Lol.

 

[cullinan18]

I have yet to find a trailer, that will sleep 8, (double bunks a must) with a slide that I can pull.

Have you looked at hybrid trailers? Jayco and Rockwood, for example, make 3 bed models with slides. Your likely payload will be exceeded if you are traveling with 8 people + camper. You'll need two vehicles to travel.

 

[Frank Swygert]

You need to read up on tow weight. A 6k limit doesn't mean you can tow a 6k trailer. The limit includes the weight of passengers and cargo in the vehicle and camper. I usually say you need a trailer a minimum of 1k UNDER the tow rate, but with 6+ people you better go 1.5k under. Even then you're going to be at or slightly over the recommended tow weight. Shouldn't be a problem, but you probably need to max your speed at 60-65. In hilly terrain you won't be able to keep that. My 03 with HD tow struggles a bit in the NC mountains up steep grades with a 7k trailer (8.3k tow rating, just two of us and a 50# dog). I'm maxed on weight. It slowed to 40-45 mph up the steepest grades, but stayed in third gear and the engine temp didn't get above normal, so it was working hard but not overly stressed. I could have forced a down-shift to second by putting my foot to the floor, but didn't want to do that. Wouldn't have helped much, might have picked up 5 mph but strained engine further.

 

[shane_th_ee]

In hilly terrain you won't be able to keep that. My 03 with HD tow struggles a bit in the NC mountains up steep grades with a 7k trailer (8.3k tow rating, just two of us and a 50# dog). I'm maxed on weight. It slowed to 40-45 mph up the steepest grades, but stayed in third gear and the engine temp didn't get above normal, so it was working hard but not overly stressed. I could have forced a down-shift to second by putting my foot to the floor, but didn't want to do that. Wouldn't have helped much, might have picked up 5 mph but strained engine further.

OP has a 4th Gen with the Ecoboost and 10 speed. My trailer is about 6k. I don’t have any trouble maintaining 70mph* over the mountain passes out here in the west. And that’s with the wife and four kids in the truck and 2 kayaks on top**. (I will pay at the pump...). If you do a lot of towing, you really should consider a 2015+
*Trailer has Goodyear Endurance tires, rated to 87mph.
**Yes, I have weighed it at the CAT scales and no, we don’t exceed any weight limits. We’re not large people.

 

[LG_123]

Don’t worry too much about payload and towing numbers. Check out Can-Am RV in Ontario who has done a ton of research on towing.

we used to tow a 34’ airstream with a Ford Flex with no issues before we upgraded to an expedition.

The expedition has load of power, a very long wheelbase, and is one of the best tow vehicles on the planet. Automakers are notoriously conservative with their towing numbers.