Towing Advice Please - Considering Aftermarket Modifications

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Hey guys, Looking for some feedback and advice from experienced towers and gear-heads on a route I'm considering.

I bought a '19 XLT 4x4 202a (no HD tow package) last December on a great deal from the local dealer ($12k off msrp and 0% for 72mo).

I didn't think much about the towing because the boat I have is only about 25' 5k lbs fully loaded. I have towed it up and down a mountain already and it was worry-free.

We are now looking at a travel trailer, and the 6k lbs tow rating seems to be the difference between getting something a little too small, and something with enough space that we know we won't grow out of it quickly.

I checked with the dealer and they don't have the same specials on an expy with the tow package, and they won't give me anything for my 10mo old XLT. So it got me considering a couple modifications to my vehicle to make sure I can safely tow what I'm looking for. Since (from what I understand) there is not a difference in engine tuning, brake size, or tire rating, I figure it wouldn't require crazy modifications to get my 6k tow rating closer to the HD tow package rating.

Trailer I am considering: 7521lb Gross Weight (5380lb Dry, 2241lb cargo capacity), Hitch weight 621lb

This is what I'm considering doing as my own "HD tow package":
1. Researching changing differential gears to the same as the tow package: 3.73
2. Air Lift helper springs for towing
3. Trailer Brake Controller
4. Potentially adding heavier duty Radiator and a transmission cooler

I just started researching the details, and so far nobody has gears available for the '19 Expedition. I called a shop that sells gear sets for F-150's and they said they haven't had a chance to modify an expedition yet so they couldn't offer any advice.
 

shane_th_ee

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You'll be waiting a while for that 3.73 gear swap kit. The 3.73 in the Expedition is very different than the 3.73 in the F-150. The one in the Expedition is a hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled variable limited slip rear differential with locking function*. So it requires a hydraulic pump, a wiring harness and additional software to let the truck's stability control system make use of it.

You will want the upgraded radiator. The careful reader will note that the 4th gen expeditions do not get a separate transmission cooler even with the tow package...

*Yes, this sort of thing is what makes an Expedition more expensive than just an F-150 with a hard shell over the back and some extra seats. But it means you can just hand the keys to the wife or teenager and tell them to put the drive mode in snow instead of trying to explain all the intracacies of a locking the center diff, the rear diff, when to use low mode, etc, etc. It's also supposed to give you the capability of a limited slip rear differential and the capabilities of a locker.
 

duneslider

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The easier route may be looking for a totaled expedition with HD tow and pulling the front and rear diffs and the transfer case and anything else associated with the system that is needed. I had to do that on my jeep commander to get the "lockers" that weren't there when I bought the model that didn't have what I really wanted/needed.
 

flying68

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Just remember if you are in an accident with it your insurance will not cover you if you are exceeding your max tow rating and/or GCWR. You will probably be alright from a payload perspective. Also you won't have warranty coverage on anything that fails due to towing over the rated amount.
 

Deadman

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By the time you get all the glitches figured out with the 3.73 swap, I think you will wish you just traded it in. Its going to be a possible nightmare and it might freak out the ABS, stability control, etc and have error codes that you dealer is unable to fix.

Good luck trying it, but I have a feeling it will get ugly. If you have lots of time and ability then try it.

Remember the 3.73 gets an electronic locker that yours does not have, so you need to figure that out as well.
 

2019 Plat Exp

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Hey guys, Looking for some feedback and advice from experienced towers and gear-heads on a route I'm considering.

I bought a '19 XLT 4x4 202a (no HD tow package) last December on a great deal from the local dealer ($12k off msrp and 0% for 72mo).

I didn't think much about the towing because the boat I have is only about 25' 5k lbs fully loaded. I have towed it up and down a mountain already and it was worry-free.

We are now looking at a travel trailer, and the 6k lbs tow rating seems to be the difference between getting something a little too small, and something with enough space that we know we won't grow out of it quickly.

I checked with the dealer and they don't have the same specials on an expy with the tow package, and they won't give me anything for my 10mo old XLT. So it got me considering a couple modifications to my vehicle to make sure I can safely tow what I'm looking for. Since (from what I understand) there is not a difference in engine tuning, brake size, or tire rating, I figure it wouldn't require crazy modifications to get my 6k tow rating closer to the HD tow package rating.

Trailer I am considering: 7521lb Gross Weight (5380lb Dry, 2241lb cargo capacity), Hitch weight 621lb

This is what I'm considering doing as my own "HD tow package":
1. Researching changing differential gears to the same as the tow package: 3.73
2. Air Lift helper springs for towing
3. Trailer Brake Controller
4. Potentially adding heavier duty Radiator and a transmission cooler

I just started researching the details, and so far nobody has gears available for the '19 Expedition. I called a shop that sells gear sets for F-150's and they said they haven't had a chance to modify an expedition yet so they couldn't offer any advice.


Have you looked into the hybrid options? Might not be ideal but they weigh a lot less and sleep a bunch of people with popup style queen beds. Jayco Jay Feather hybrids is one example.
 

Dice Roll

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This is exactly why I always post in buying threads about the necessity of getting the tow pack. You just can’t project your future needs well enough to decide a standard rig will do. Nevertheless, we have people that will argue that point.

good luck with the swap. I second the notion that trading is the best option.
 

LovinPSDs

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Copy and paste from the towing section...

1. Going to the 3.73s is a whole beast of a move from what I've seen. It's an entirely different rear dif, programming, ect, not just the gears. That being said, a handful of people here have commented that the 3.55s (is that what you have?) work just fine... I've seen someone toss out $5-7K for the 3.73s with no promise it will actually work if I'm remembering.
2. I don't believe there are any air lift systems that will help you without being very custom. Remember this is an independent rear suspense car. Now what you could do is order a set of the HD springs that come on the FX4 or HD Tow package vehicles. In addition to this, many have had great luck with the sumo spring inserts to help stiffen up the rear end a bit.
3. Don't tow without a brake controller. You can add the factory DIY or the dealer should be able to do it for somewhere in the $2-400 range. Keep in mind, you do need Forescan to active the brake controller if you DIY it.
4. I would first watch your temps and see if this is needed before spending the money. Much is dependent on your location, ambient temps, pulls you make etc. Note the Gen 2 EB runs pretty warm compared to "traditional thinking". If you do decide it's needed, just spend the money on a high end aftermarket like Mishimoto or Full Race.

That's all I got...

Except, be aware this still may not make you "Legal" depending on weights.. simply makes the TV more capable.
 
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@CarlzExpedition I am in the same boat as you. I got a deal before Covid on a 2019 without HD tow. 4K off MSRP and 0% for 84 months.

I tow a 19' Wellcraft @3500 pounds and a pop up camper@2400 pounds. The Boat Trailer has no brakes, its too old, but the camper as electric brakes.
I am using the Curt Bluetooth Brake Controller for the camper here: https://www.amazon.com/CURT-51180-Controller-Bluetooth-Enabled-Proportional/dp/B07JQ99SDD
It works very well, and you can control the brakes with your phone, adjust gain, emergency brake. I adjusted mine and have not touched it since. With this setup DIY is as simple as plugging it in! There is a forum on coil spring adapters that disables two coils, that might work just as well as upgrading the springs.
 

Ed Fogle

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Have you looked into the hybrid options? Might not be ideal but they weigh a lot less and sleep a bunch of people with popup style queen beds. Jayco Jay Feather hybrids is one example.
I had a hybrid travel trailer before going to a motorhome. Really liked it. Combines benefits of a travel trailer and pop-up. Like sleeping in a tent so more like camping but all the amenities of a trailer. Look at Forest River Rockwood Roo or Shamrock. They have deeper slides than a Jayco.
 

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