Towing and fuel economy report

[sjwhiteley]

For those who might be interested in the capability, here’s a quick topping report. First long trip while towing (max 4wd, w/o tow) something substantial: a 2-horse trailer and 2 small horses. Approximately 3300lbs there and 4400lbs back. Used a WDH. There is occasional slight vibration, but with more load and not coasting, it went away (I get this vibration pulling a light trailer).

Over 800 miles total, mileage was 12.2mpg. Depending hills, dropped to 11am, and up to 13, then slowly evened out. From western KY, through TN to Virginia and back.

Speeds were at speed limit plus/minus (I.e. 65 to 75 in a 70). There were no problems maintaining speed or accelerating to pass. Left it in auto and tow mode. Gears used were 7, 8 and 9. Mostly in 8th.

Engine temp was between 210 and 220. Transmission temp was around 206 to 210. Ambient was upper 60s. Tires got warm. With a 38psi cold, they heated up to 45 front and 47/48 rear.

I would definitely say this is a capable long distance tow vehicle.

 

[ryanpe]

I just finished a 3010 mile trip with my 2021 Limited w/HD towing pkg hauling my Lance 23' trailer with a WDH. Total CGVW was 12,500. I towed it through CO,UT,NV,AZ,CA always in tow mode. After 27 days, my total trip average was 10.3 mpg. I stayed at the posted speed limits and never exceeded 70. The Expedition and towing experience was outstanding. Great comfort and power.

 

[KFordEx8]

I only wished it had a higher payload capacity.

 

[keny01998]

I tow my 3000 lbs boat and 1000 lbs trailer in summer time and my mpg was around 11 for a 20 miles trip

 

[Gstan]

Can't wait till my Limited with hd towing gets in. A 120 more hp and 200 ft lb of torque than my 14 Durango is going to make a big difference towing a 22 ft about 4500 lbs loaded boat. Normally get about 10-12 in the Durango.

 

[maxxplatinum9137]

Can't wait till my Limited with hd towing gets in. A 120 more hp and 200 ft lb of torque than my 14 Durango is going to make a big difference towing a 22 ft about 4500 lbs loaded boat. Normally get about 10-12 in the Durango.View attachment 72499

Hate to burst your bubble but You will still get that with the limited bc you’ll constantly be in boost with that much weight

 

[rd618]

Can't wait till my Limited with hd towing gets in. A 120 more hp and 200 ft lb of torque than my 14 Durango is going to make a big difference towing a 22 ft about 4500 lbs loaded boat. Normally get about 10-12 in the Durango.

Should be a noticeable difference. Gas mileage won't change but launching the boat will easier!

 

[PNWExpy]

Can't wait till my Limited with hd towing gets in. A 120 more hp and 200 ft lb of torque than my 14 Durango is going to make a big difference towing a 22 ft about 4500 lbs loaded boat. Normally get about 10-12 in the Durango.View attachment 72499

I’ve towed my 4500lb travel trailer a bit and the new expy pulls great. More than enough power for that. The 2007 expedition struggled and wasn’t enjoyable but I was pleasantly surprised with the new one.
Mpg was about 12 but I also have bigger tires.

 

[Gstan]

Should be a noticeable difference. Gas mileage won't change but launching the boat will easier!

Hate to burst your bubble but You will still get that with the limited bc you’ll constantly be in boost with that much weight

If it stays in that 10-12 range which others have mentioned that's about what they get along with the much easier pulling I will be happy. The v6 Durgano does ok but I really have to watch the weight and it's a bit sluggish. Once I get it in who knows how long I'll report back.

 

[maxxplatinum9137]

If it stays in that 10-12 range which others have mentioned that's about what they get along with the much easier pulling I will be happy. The v6 Durgano does ok but I really have to watch the weight and it's a bit sluggish. Once I get it in who knows how long I'll report back.

Get it tuned and it’ll tow even better

 

[apex96]

Get it tuned and it’ll tow even better

It won't tow any better tuned but it will feel sportier doing so...

 

[maxxplatinum9137]

It won't tow any better tuned but it will feel sportier doing so...

Lol ok. Are you running a tow tune that’s been revised 3 or 4 times? @apex96

 

[maxxplatinum9137]

It won't tow any better tuned but it will feel sportier doing so...

i know guys with tow tunes from 5 Star that datalog the tunes WHILE TOWING and their revisions they receive from 5 Star have helped them optimize power and efficiency and they can get 14-16mpg towing 4500lbs

 

[apex96]

i know guys with tow tunes from 5 Star that datalog the tunes WHILE TOWING and their revisions they receive from 5 Star have helped them optimize power and efficiency and they can get 14-16mpg towing 4500lbs

I've used 5-Star on previous Ford vehicles, adding power doesn't make it tow better, just adds more power plus changes shift points and firmness. The vehicle can only tow so much before it doesn't feel adequate for the load... This is why I mentioned it will feel sportier with a tune, I know, I've tuned prior vehicles and yes that seat of the pants feel is awesome. But a tune doesn't change the vehicles towing dynamics or its load carrying capacities... Pulling a 30-34 ft camper that weighs between 7,000-9,000 lbs with one of these is still going to be a choir, regardless of the added power from a tune.

A tune can certainly net you more mpg, but the same can be said for not exceeding posted speed limits or going faster than the speed rating of your trailers tires... Being smooth and linear with the throttle and using tow haul mode will net you similar mpg on the stock mapping.

I have no qualms with tuning but don't just throw out that tuning will make it tow better... That's just not true, there are too many variables at play.

 

[maxxplatinum9137]

I've used 5-Star on previous Ford vehicles, adding power doesn't make it tow better, just adds more power plus changes shift points and firmness. The vehicle can only tow so much before it doesn't feel adequate for the load... This is why I mentioned it will feel sportier with a tune, I know, I've tuned prior vehicles and yes that seat of the pants feel is awesome. But a tune doesn't change the vehicles towing dynamics or its load carrying capacities... Pulling a 30-34 ft camper that weighs between 7,000-9,000 lbs with one of these is still going to be a choir, regardless of the added power from a tune.

A tune can certainly net you more mpg, but the same can be said for not exceeding posted speed limits or going faster than the speed rating of your trailers tires... Being smooth and linear with the throttle and using tow haul mode will net you similar mpg on the stock mapping.

I have no qualms with tuning but don't just throw out that tuning will make it tow better... That's just not true, there are too many variables at play.

It will and it does when the tune is revised while towing. And we aren’t talking about performance tunes. We are talking about tow tunes. And yes everyone knows that it’s not about power but when that power is in the correct area of the curve, it will effortlessly move the weight compared to a stock tune where you’re pegging 16psi and your rpms are sky high just trying to get the thing to move. You sound like a novice when it comes to tunes thinking all you get is power, shift firmness and adjusted shift points. It’s way more than that. You probably never datalogged either. Nobody ever said it changes load capacities. Those are what they are, but I will tell you a tune that is written specifically for towing and is revised (which you probably have no clue what that means) with the trailer attached to the truck I guarantee will outperform in MPG over any other stock setup. These guys are talking about MPG on here, not performance. I’m done talking to you about this on here bc I can see it’s gonna be a downhill battle for you If you wanna talk privately DM me. You are just making yourself look bad publicly saying a specific tow tune won’t help tow more efficiently over the stock file

 

[apex96]

It will and it does when the tune is revised while towing. And we aren’t talking about performance tunes. We are talking about tow tunes. And yes everyone knows that it’s not about power but when that power is in the correct area of the curve, it will effortlessly move the weight compared to a stock tune where you’re pegging 16psi and your rpms are sky high just trying to get the thing to move. You sound like a novice when it comes to tunes thinking all you get is power, shift firmness and adjusted shift points. It’s way more than that. You probably never datalogged either. Nobody ever said it changes load capacities. Those are what they are, but I will tell you a tune that is written specifically for towing and is revised (which you probably have no clue what that means) with the trailer attached to the truck I guarantee will outperform in MPG over any other stock setup. These guys are talking about MPG on here, not performance. I’m done talking to you about this on here bc I can see it’s gonna be a downhill battle for you If you wanna talk privately DM me. You are just making yourself look bad publicly saying a specific tow tune won’t help tow more efficiently over the stock file

Seems you got your ******* all wound up over my thoughts... Believe what you want about me lol. I've done all the above before and seen no appreciable gains in mpg, just better power delivery and smoother running... Besides belittling me and throwing insults because I didn't agree with your statement only makes YOU look bad. Enjoy your vehicle and don't take everything on the forums so personally.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I would have expected better gas mileage. My '11 EL gets in the low 14s with a similar load. It doesn't drop into the abysmally low single digits (8s) until I load it up with 7k+ lbs.

 

[apex96]

I would have expected better gas mileage. My '11 EL gets in the low 14s with a similar load. It doesn't drop into the abysmally low single digits (8s) until I load it up with 7k+ lbs.

It’s just the nature of a boosted smaller displacement engine. These motors are great on gas unloaded vs a 5.4L V8. The 5.4 should get equal or slightly better mpgs under load vs the 3.5 which will be in boost.

 

[Zig10]

My boat is about 7500 lbs on the trailer. I average about 8-8.5 MPG on the highway (long, flat tows of 500+ miles). Not really a record breaker there. Going to be fun this summer with $5.00/gallon gas.

 

[mrmustang]

Seems you got your ******* all wound up over my thoughts... Believe what you want about me lol. I've done all the above before and seen no appreciable gains in mpg, just better power delivery and smoother running... Besides belittling me and throwing insults because I didn't agree with your statement only makes YOU look bad. Enjoy your vehicle and don't take everything on the forums so personally.

Ignore the troll you responded to, not sure why he is a troll, feel free to look at his other posts on the forum. It's clear he has no first hand knowledge.

Bill