Rear Shock Recommendations for 2013 Expedition?

mrlynn · Jun 14, 2022

Did about 3,000 miles of towing our newly-acquired lightweight travel trailer (a 2019 molded-fiberglass Escape 21) recently, using a Fastway E2 weight-distributing hitch. Trailer tows well, no sway at all, but there's a noticeable amount of rear pitching, which I suspect better rear shocks would alleviate. Those on our 2013 EL are original.

Am I right in my suspicion? If so, any suggestions for brands? Or should I be looking elsewhere?

mjp2 · Jun 14, 2022

The stock shocks definitely wear out. Bilstein heavy duty or 5100s will give you a great ride both empty and when towing. Internally they're identical but the 5100s give you the option running stock height or adjustable lift.

Note that both will require you to disassemble your stock rear shocks to scrounge the coils and spring seats.

JasonH · Jun 14, 2022

You didn't say how many miles were on the struts. When mine were bad, I felt it even without the camper hooked up. There was insufficient rebound control. Passengers were bounced out of their seats on sharp dips. I suggest visiting a scale to make sure your axle loads are correct, then looking into mechanical failures. Also, make sure you're using max pressure on your tires (if you have Load range C) when towing. Load "E" tires firm up the handling and make towing much more stable. I put KYB struts on the rear because the stock ones were blown, as mentioned above.

rollinstone · Jun 20, 2022

I’m interested in this as well. I also use a WDH that was installed using specific measurements related to existing hitch height. Would new struts affect those measurements requiring reinstalling the WDH?

Adieu · Jun 22, 2022

Monroe ride best

Unreplaced stock shocks on trucks more than several years old are GUARANTEED to be screwed if you have ride issues.

sjwelds · Jun 22, 2022

I wouldn't go Monroe.

I have my eye on kyb strut plus units but the rears are out of stock everywhere right now.

Adieu · Jun 23, 2022

sjwelds said:
I wouldn't go Monroe.

I have my eye on kyb strut plus units but the rears are out of stock everywhere right now.

I used to have a truck on Monroes (Navigator L = mechanically identical to Expedition EL) and it rode a lot smoother than Expedition on Motorcraft or Rancho... some of it might have been the L/EL thing, but the difference was pretty huge

mrlynn · Jun 23, 2022

JasonH said:
You didn't say how many miles were on the struts. When mine were bad, I felt it even without the camper hooked up. There was insufficient rebound control. Passengers were bounced out of their seats on sharp dips. I suggest visiting a scale to make sure your axle loads are correct, then looking into mechanical failures. Also, make sure you're using max pressure on your tires (if you have Load range C) when towing. Load "E" tires firm up the handling and make towing much more stable. I put KYB struts on the rear because the stock ones were blown, as mentioned above.

Mileage is currently only 84k. Tires are General Grabbers, "standard load" (doesn't say C or D). Tires say max air is 44 lbs, but Ford sticker says 35. Been running 36; OK to run higher? No idea where I can find scales around here where I can spend time making various weight measurements.

Shock recommendations above for Billstein, Monroe, KYB. How to choose? Shop will get whatever I want. Says labor saving installing whole 'strut' (springs plus shocks) may offset increased cost of doing shocks alone.

JasonH · Jun 23, 2022

Run max pressure when towing. Load D or E tires will improve stability.

Bilstein > KYB > Monroe

Rear Shock Recommendations for 2013 Expedition?

mrlynn

Active Member

mjp2

Full Access Members

JasonH

Full Access Members

rollinstone

Full Access Members

Adieu

Full Access Members

sjwelds

Full Access Members

Adieu

Full Access Members

mrlynn

Active Member

JasonH

Full Access Members

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page