Regular WB vs. EL/MAX for towing

LovinPSDs · Apr 7, 2020

So we are in the process of upgrading from our 2012 to something with an Ecoboost (2015+) to pull a travel trailer. The trailer itself is 26', 5150 Dry. We have two W/D hitches, and i'll be upgrading to LT tires, new bilsteins and maybe Sumo Springs on whatever truck we end up buying...

My real question, how much difference in stability will we feel between a regular WB and an EL/MAX?? The numbers I've looked up for wheel bases are below... Perhaps one of the biggest variables is I'd REALLY like the EL/Max's bigger fuel tank.

2015 - 2017 regular - 119"
2105 - 2017 EL - 131"
18+ regular - 122.5"
18+ MAX - 131.6"

Thoughts?

JExpedition07 · Apr 7, 2020

With 26’ I’d go with the EL or Max but it’s not an absolute necessity, the extra wheelbase doesn’t matter so much for weight...but when you are talking about a travel trailer at that length the things tend to be sails in wind, the extra 1 foot isn’t much but it helps. If your 2012 has the HD tow package it is rated to tow that trailer, my 2007 Expy EL with the 5.4 Triton and HD tow package is rated @9,000 lbs towing weight distributing. I’m not sure the specs of your current ride though.

In my experience the biggest limiting factor for the Expedition is the suspension, they squat. If you are looking at XLT models be on the look out for the oem 7 pin connector and 7 row tans cooler, you don’t want one that was just added after the fact.

The 34 gallon tank in my ‘07 EL is one of my favorite parts, filled up I get 520+ miles of range and can cruise the highway endlessly. Range goes up to insane levels if all highway, I do an even mix of city too though normally.

JExpedition07 · Apr 7, 2020

Also watch payload ratings carefully

JasonH · Apr 7, 2020

Extra wheelbase will help with stability. I tow 30 feet with an EL and would not want anything shorter. Regarding squat, proper weight distribution will mitigate this by distributing weight between axles. You can probably reduce sway by spending more on a hitch, and going with something like a Hensley or Arrow. I tow with a Husky Centerline and it works well enough for the price. We got an EL for the cargo space (and wheelbase), as two of my kids are in athletics and we need space for luggage, even when the 3rd row is in use. If this is your situation, I'd advise springing or the EL/Max.

LovinPSDs · Apr 8, 2020

JExpedition07 said:
With 26’ I’d go with the EL or Max but it’s not an absolute necessity, the extra wheelbase doesn’t matter so much for weight...but when you are talking about a travel trailer at that length the things tend to be sails in wind, the extra 1 foot isn’t much but it helps. If your 2012 has the HD tow package it is rated to tow that trailer, my 2007 Expy EL with the 5.4 Triton and HD tow package is rated @9,000 lbs towing weight distributing. I’m not sure the specs of your current ride though.

In my experience the biggest limiting factor for the Expedition is the suspension, they squat. If you are looking at XLT models be on the look out for the oem 7 pin connector and 7 row tans cooler, you don’t want one that was just added after the fact.

The 34 gallon tank in my ‘07 EL is one of my favorite parts, filled up I get 520+ miles of range and can cruise the highway endlessly. Range goes up to insane levels if all highway, I do an even mix of city too though normally.

Thanks for the feedback. Our current Expy does have the HD Tow Package, but I think it's got 3.31 gears (2wd as well). It's barely turning RPMs at 80 MPH on the highway. I thought about giving the trailer a shot with our current Expy.. I guess if I bought shocks, tires and Sumo Springs, I could swap the gear to the new EL/MAX if needed. I just hate the idea of putting money into the 2012 if we're going to upgrade. I really want an Ecoboost, I just love the look of that torque curve!

I think for the upgrade I'll just suck it up and hold out for an EL/MAX, if not for the larger fuel tank alone. It only makes sense, and really no negatives outside of trying to find a smoking deal on one...

LovinPSDs · Apr 8, 2020

JasonH said:
Extra wheelbase will help with stability. I tow 30 feet with an EL and would not want anything shorter. Regarding squat, proper weight distribution will mitigate this by distributing weight between axles. You can probably reduce sway by spending more on a hitch, and going with something like a Hensley or Arrow. I tow with a Husky Centerline and it works well enough for the price. We got an EL for the cargo space (and wheelbase), as two of my kids are in athletics and we need space for luggage, even when the 3rd row is in use. If this is your situation, I'd advise springing or the EL/Max.

The trailer came with a EAZ-Lift Recurve R3 setup, and I found a killer deal on a Blue Ox that's sitting in the garage...hopefully one of these do the trick, as much as I'd love a Hensley. I think the space and extra fual capacity will be helpful as well. I guess EL/Max it is.

Part of our "downsizing" project here was to go from a 5th wheel and 1-ton truck to our Mini Lite and an Expedition. Still have the 1-ton in the driveway, so we'll see. I think if I'm going from a 1-ton to an Expy I should go EL as I'm sure my expectations are high coming from a diesel and 5er.

Thanks again for the Feeback.. now just gotta find a smoking deal on an EL/Max

JasonH · Apr 8, 2020

Ian Gilmore said:
The trailer came with a EAZ-Lift Recurve R3 setup, and I found a killer deal on a Blue Ox that's sitting in the garage...hopefully one of these do the trick, as much as I'd love a Hensley. I think the space and extra fual capacity will be helpful as well. I guess EL/Max it is.

Part of our "downsizing" project here was to go from a 5th wheel and 1-ton truck to our Mini Lite and an Expedition. Still have the 1-ton in the driveway, so we'll see. I think if I'm going from a 1-ton to an Expy I should go EL as I'm sure my expectations are high coming from a diesel and 5er.

Thanks again for the Feeback.. now just gotta find a smoking deal on an EL/Max

Since you have the Blue Ox, it sounds like you're ready to go. The only other suggestion I have is to visit a scale and get your actual loaded trailer weight, and to purchase a tongue weight scale, as small shifts in the location of weight within the trailer can change the tongue weight substantially. Our tongue weight was much lower when we first purchased our trailer, because we had not put anything in it yet. Once we added an upgraded mattress, television, extra power cords, tools, etc, our tongue weight increased substantially.

Finding a deal on an Expedition EL/Max shouldn't be a problem. Many of these vehicles are used in rental fleets and there are many low mileage ones on the market. The depreciation on these vehicles is horrendous, which works in favor of the 2nd owner.

LovinPSDs · Apr 8, 2020

JasonH said:
Finding a deal on an Expedition EL/Max shouldn't be a problem. Many of these vehicles are used in rental fleets and there are many low mileage ones on the market. The depreciation on these vehicles is horrendous, which works in favor of the 2nd owner.

You comfortable buying one of these rental cars? I'm assuming most of these 3-4 yr old cars with 75-100K miles are all rentals.

Me... I beat on rentals lol. I'm not sure that's the used rig I want to buy yet.

JasonH · Apr 8, 2020

Ian Gilmore said:
You comfortable buying one of these rental cars? I'm assuming most of these 3-4 yr old cars with 75-100K miles are all rentals.

Me... I beat on rentals lol. I'm not sure that's the used rig I want to buy yet.

Rental and fleet vehicles undergo routine maintenance. As compared to an off-lease or other vehicle...who knows what, if any, maintenance was done, and what materials were used? I've put around 40K on my former rental Expedition. No issues yet, apart from the blower motor connector, which has nothing to do with the vehicle history. I am curious to see what my oil analysis will show. I have the oil changed using 5W30 or 10W30 Magnetec based on the oil life minder. My plan is to get rid of the vehicle when the extended warranty expires at 125K. Not because I anticipate issues, but because the Max models have some decent upgrades, such as 10 speed transmission, better 3rd row access, adaptive cruise, etc. Just waiting for prices to drop a bit more.

shane_th_ee · Apr 8, 2020

You will want the bigger fuel tank. Expect about 10mpg while towing.

Regular WB vs. EL/MAX for towing

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