First big RV towing trip and stranded in Midland TX

[skydiver]

My 2019 Expedition XLT with the Class IV towing packed was performing well all the way from Austin to S New Mexico and all the way to Albuquerque with my rented 25ft RV trailer.
On the final leg back to Austin, I was set on cruise control at 65mph and then pressed the gas to accelerate to pass another vehicle when the transmission chattered at about 2200rpm.
It recovered once then it did it again at 50mph and about at 2000rpm. The engine light is now one and I limped at 40mph to an RV park near a Ford dealership. Even at 40mph, the engine would refuse to accelerate, and I would have to lift on the gas and coast to s stop until the engine would accelerate again to around 40mph.
I have had ALL service bulletin software updates. I am trying to figure out how I am going to get home with w 5000 pound rented trailer due back on Sunday. Has anyone has similar transmission issue and what was the underlying issue?

 

[skydiver]

Has anyone else experienced this type of issue with the transmission chattering and inability to drive and especially tow?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Has anyone else experienced this type of issue with the transmission chattering and inability to drive and especially tow?

The transmission recently failed in my 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 - purchased new with the HD towing package, but NEVER used for towing.

I realize it is a different year and has a different transmission.

The vehicle began bucking and shuddering when attempting to lightly accelerate on level ground, from about 40 mph. When going up a grade (not mountainous), it would also shudder severely when trying to accelerate.

The vehicle had 92,*** miles on it - and the dealer had changed the transmission fluid and filter at 75,*** miles (not a flush). The vehicle is used strictly for passenger use.

I made an appointment with my Ford dealer and when the technician was driving the vehicle to diagnose it, the transmission failed and went into limp-mode.

It took the Ford dealer 42 days (after diagnosis) to repair the transmission due to lack of parts from Ford.

 

[X BRONCO OWNER]

That’s terrible hopefully ford will put you in a loaner that you can tow that trailer back with.

 

[Fastcar]

The trans is electronic as is the whole damn truck. I'd disconnect the battery for a bit and hope like hell things reset.

 

[duneslider]

There seems to be a small handful of people who have had transmission issues but it isn't too terribly common. Dealer is probably the best place to look at your issue though. I hope they can figure it out fast or get you in a loaner to get you home while the issue is resolved. Towing with my expedition has been a great experience.

 

[Hectorsvt]

Good luck, I live in odessa right next door and both dealerships are backed up and take a while to get "looked" at

 

[BMW2FORD]

I’d do like Fastcar said and disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes to see if whatever fault is set in the trans will un set so at least you can get going. May or may not work but worth a try in the situation your in with the trailer. Unfortunately when you get it to a dealer, that might erase codes and they may not be happy to fix it but at least you can drive. If you start driving and it happens again, try to pay attention to what gear it’s happening in and use manual mode and don’t shift into it anymore. Good luck and man that sucks!

 

[JasonH]

Very sorry to hear you broke down. I've broken down in the middle of nowhere twice during road trips (not with my Expedition). If there is a check engine light you can get an OBD reader and pull the code to get a sense of what the problem may be. The vehicle also stores codes that don't throw a check engine light, but can be read via Forscan using a laptop and OBD reader. You can purchase a reader at most auto parts stores or Walmart.

 

[mr_dave]

Just curious, do you have "HD tow" package? Or just a class IV hitch? Reason I ask is because HD tow comes with a transmission cooler.

If you don't have the cooler it's likely the transmission was overheated and will need to be rebuilt or replaced.

Either way, it's probably not possible to get it back up and running any time soon, unfortunately. I'd recommend getting a rental vehicle to get the trailer back.

 

[5280tunage]

Also, I've had some similar issues, not while towing though. The codes mine threw had nothing to do with tranny, in fact it was with emissions control junk. And literally I was at about the same RPM as the OP, trying to accelerate up a hill in CO. Went into limp mode and shook the whole rig multiple times.

This is why I now travel with at least one device that can pull and reset codes (both my tuner and a cheap Amazon sourced OBD scanner). I pulled over, read the codes, reset the codes and bam, was able to drive to my destination fine. These things seem to be incredibly touchy! I would have assumed that if the tranny was overheating, the gauge cluster would have notified the driver of that condition, as it doesn't happen instantly, it would have been a condition that would have progressed over a period.

 

[mr_dave]

I would have assumed that if the tranny was overheating, the gauge cluster would have notified the driver of that condition,

You're right, I forget how much better the instrumentation is on the newer vehicles.

 

[duneslider]

Just curious but what OBD reader do you use and is one compatible with an iphone? I have an obd reader I keep in my jeep as well as an old android phone to use the torque app with it. Haven't tried it on the ford yet and haven't used forscan.

 

[JasonH]

Just curious but what OBD reader do you use and is one compatible with an iphone? I have an obd reader I keep in my jeep as well as an old android phone to use the torque app with it. Haven't tried it on the ford yet and haven't used forscan.

I dont think your question was directed to me, but I use a generic Bluetooth ELM327 adapter with Torque app on Android. This one is configured for driving. I also have a USB OBDLink EX for use with FORScan.

 

[skydiver]

So an update:
- Rogers Ford sucks and I am going to give a detailed feedback on yelp. DO NOT GO TO THIS Dealer
- Sewel Ford in Odessa listended to my situation and after getting refused to be allowed to even talk to a service manager at Rogers Ford, Michael Fabbri at Sewel not only got my truck in right away, but got a service tech working on it while I was there. They determined it is my tank mounted Fuel pump and they ordered the part yesterday (THU) coming from Dallas.

They called me at 9a today and they are going to have it installed and ready to go this afternoon (FRI). I cant say enough about how great the service at Sewel Ford in Odessa has been. They drove me to the RV park after getting my truck in and are going to send a car to come and get me when it is ready,


mr_dave I attached my window sticker here. I have confirmed I have the 3.73 rear differential from the rocker sticker I also have the 7 pin trailer hitch which is indicative of what Ford calls the Class IV Heavy Duty Tow package even though is it listed as just Calss IV Tow package on the windows sticker. I would like to confirm this but Fors ETIS doesn't appear to work for listing all functional features any longer.

If anyone can assist with definitive confirmation, it would be most appreciated.
My next call to Lombard Ford is going to see if I can add-on loaner vehicle to my ESP program coverage

 

[AJ82]

So an update:
- Rogers Ford sucks and I am going to give a detailed feedback on yelp. DO NOT GO TO THIS Dealer
- Sewel Ford in Odessa listended to my situation and after getting refused to be allowed to even talk to a service manager at Rogers Ford, Michael Fabbri at Sewel not only got my truck in right away, but got a service tech working on it while I was there. They determined it is my tank mounted Fuel pump and they ordered the part yesterday (THU) coming from Dallas.

They called me at 9a today and they are going to have it installed and ready to go this afternoon (FRI). I cant say enough about how great the service at Sewel Ford in Odessa has been. They drove me to the RV park after getting my truck in and are going to send a car to come and get me when it is ready,


mr_dave I attached my window sticker here. I have confirmed I have the 3.73 rear differential from the rocker sticker I also have the 7 pin trailer hitch which is indicative of what Ford calls the Class IV Heavy Duty Tow package even though is it listed as just Calss IV Tow package on the windows sticker. I would like to confirm this but Fors ETIS doesn't appear to work for listing all functional features any longer.

If anyone can assist with definitive confirmation, it would be most appreciated.
My next call to Lombard Ford is going to see if I can add-on loaner vehicle to my ESP program coverage

I believe all Expeditions come with the Class IV towing package which is 7 pin and hitch. The heavy duty tow package would be listed under the options on the lower left of the window sticker. It appears you don't have it. An easy way to tell if you have the heavy duty towing package is if you have the Pro Trailer Backup assist knob and brake controller on your dash. If they are there you do, if they aren't there you don't. I'm not sure how you can have the 3.73 without it from the factory. I think the Max has that but you don't have a Max from that sticker. Perhaps someone else on here can speak to that.

 

[AJ82]

Here is a picture:

 

[mrmustang]

So an update:
- Rogers Ford sucks and I am going to give a detailed feedback on yelp. DO NOT GO TO THIS Dealer
- Sewel Ford in Odessa listended to my situation and after getting refused to be allowed to even talk to a service manager at Rogers Ford, Michael Fabbri at Sewel not only got my truck in right away, but got a service tech working on it while I was there. They determined it is my tank mounted Fuel pump and they ordered the part yesterday (THU) coming from Dallas.

They called me at 9a today and they are going to have it installed and ready to go this afternoon (FRI). I cant say enough about how great the service at Sewel Ford in Odessa has been. They drove me to the RV park after getting my truck in and are going to send a car to come and get me when it is ready,


mr_dave I attached my window sticker here. I have confirmed I have the 3.73 rear differential from the rocker sticker I also have the 7 pin trailer hitch which is indicative of what Ford calls the Class IV Heavy Duty Tow package even though is it listed as just Calss IV Tow package on the windows sticker. I would like to confirm this but Fors ETIS doesn't appear to work for listing all functional features any longer.

If anyone can assist with definitive confirmation, it would be most appreciated.
My next call to Lombard Ford is going to see if I can add-on loaner vehicle to my ESP program coverage

You have the standard Class IV towing package, but under your options on your window sticker, you are missing the Free Standing Package "536" for the HD towing package. I'm also betting your door data tag shows "X15" which is the standard 4x4 3:31 rear gear set and not the HD tow package equipped-X3L 3:73" gear set you believe it to be.

As equipped, your truck is rated to tow 5,800-6,000lbs with a properly balanced class IV trailer hitch.
If you had the HD towing package, which again, your window sticker shows you do not, it would have been 9,200lbs

Post a picture of your door data tag and we can go from there.

Bill

PS: Regardless of what you have read online, having a 7 Pin trailer connection does not mean you have the HD towing package.

 

[mr_dave]

mr_dave I attached my window sticker here. I have confirmed I have the 3.73 rear differential from the rocker sticker I also have the 7 pin trailer hitch which is indicative of what Ford calls the Class IV Heavy Duty Tow package even though is it listed as just Calss IV Tow package on the windows sticker. I would like to confirm this but Fors ETIS doesn't appear to work for listing all functional features any longer.

As others have mentioned you do not appear to have HD Tow package, which would limit you to 6000lb trailer weight and 55sqft trailer frontal area, which I'm assuming you are pushing with the current trailer.

That being said, very glad you found a good dealer who was quickly able to diagnose a relatively benign problem!

 

[mr_dave]

PS: Regardless of what you have read online, having a 7 Pin trailer connection does not mean you have the HD towing package.

The HD Tow package has been very confusing since it keeps changing based on model years. For some older years, the 7pin connector was a good indicator. Newer vehicles seem to have it standard.