There is a saying about the "tail wagging the dog". Long campers and short wheelbase are factors in that. When we upgrade from our pop up to a travel trailer we are going to be looking in the 25 foot or shorter range for our regular length wheelbase Expy.
Am I pushing payload capacity too much?
- Thread starter FryerTime
- Start date
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It's hard to recommend a length because there are so many variables (weight of the trailer, weight distribution hitch, your tolerance for movement on the road, etc). I think @JasonH had a great idea to rent one before you buy. I've rented from Outdoorsy before and had a great experience.
That is a great idea. You mention weight, if I went with say a trailer a few feet over 25 (found a 28Ft that I liked and would fit my needs) is a little bit heavier or lighter trailer better? I’m willing to buy what ever hitch is best to make it safest.
JasonH
Full Access Members
Lighter is better because payload is the towing limitation. More weight also means more inertia. You want the camper to be controlled by the tow vehicle, not the other way around. If you rent, proper hitch setup is essential to getting a good sense of the handling. Many people hook up campers and complain of white knuckle driving because they never get the hitch configured properly. There are many tutorials on YouTube.
Pawpaw
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Wife and I downsized to a couples travel trailer. 29-10 including the front part of the frame that holds the battery..propane tanks and coupler. 25 ft of inside space. Its a Keystone Cougar 25RDS and very popular for 2 and does have a dinette in the rear that can convert into a double bed. Probably loaded it would be pushing the limit on my FX4 with the max tow package. Hitch weight of around a thousand pounds is heavy. Using a 4 point Equalizer WDH and have 3.73 gearing and 10 ply BFG tires. We try to keep the load in the camper and the Expedition as light as possible. Have a payload of 1769 lbs so thats up there with many F-150's. I've been towing at 60 to 62 mph and its easy to handle except in high sidewinds. Get 9 to 10 mpg towing at that speed and it can go through the 23.5 gallon tank very quickly. Gross weight of the camper shows 8800 lbs but I keep it in the 7500 lb range. Do your homework before buying anything.
Pawpaw
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Took this after washing it last time out.
GlennSullivan
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My 2002 4X4 7.3 Diesel Excursion was rated at 11,000 towing capacity and came standard with Class 5 hitch. The other BIG difference was the truck was 8600 GVW and could carry alot more cargo while at the same time towing a heavy load.
I don’t have axle charts handy, but they were much higher than the Expy, allowing a 7000 trailer / race car out back along with 5 people, luggage, tools and spares.
My Expy rear axle is maxed out with a 6400 lb car / trailer, 2 people some luggage and cargo.
Do you pull this with the regular expedition or the max?
Pawpaw
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The regular length. It does a pretty good job but the max would probably do better plus the larger fuel tank.
Frank Swygert
Well-Known Member
I have an older Expy, 2005. Short wheelbase, HD tow package, 4x4, WDH for trailer. I towed a 26' 6200# camper with no issues. It did "wag" a little, especially in crosswinds and fast semis passing on the interstate. I keep towing speed down to 60-65 at the most. The first thing I did though was upgrade that ridiculously small rear sway bar! Stock is only 1/2" -- I got a 1.25" bar (might be 1.125"... I forget!). That made a world of difference! I then got a 30' 7200# camper. Yes, I'm pushing the weight rating, 300-500# over when loaded. I don't boondock, so no water in tanks or generator. I added Sumo spring helpers to it shortly after getting the bigger camper. Squats about an inch less... I think. I can't really tell any difference in handling, but I only take the camper out 3-4 times a year. Most trips are under three hours each way. Took it on a 4.5 hour trip to the NC mountains once and had some pretty long grades. Speed dropped to about 45 going up the longest, but it stayed in third gear (four speed auto) and didn't drop to second. Would have had I pushed it, but I was in no hurry. Engine temp stayed good, and there were no issues at all. I will add that I had the trans rebuilt a few years ago due to a failed snap ring (lost 3rd and 4th... OD). It was rebuilt with all the upgrades for towing. I haven't upgraded the factory trans cooler. If I were pulling more often, especially in the mountains, I would put a larger trans cooler on it. With the heavy load that's the only thing extra I'd do. I've investigated a "chip" for the engine, but the only reasonably priced ones (under $300) are "learning" types. Since I drive the thing more without the trailer than with, those would be pretty useless, as they all say they learn after 2-3 days of driving.
That said, I'll add that anything over 26' tows differently. I went from a 24' trailer to the 26' and noticed no difference. The longer 30' was VERY noticeable! Two more feet between hitch and first axle made a big difference in turning radius. The two extra feet behind the axles means a bit more swing, but that wasn't much of a problem. I've told my wife that the only way we get another camper is if it's 26" or less. Just took a little more to learn to maneuver it, but it does mean you need a lot more room to move it around. My 30' is a V-lite with three slides -- two opposing in rear, one for the bed in front.
That said, I'll add that anything over 26' tows differently. I went from a 24' trailer to the 26' and noticed no difference. The longer 30' was VERY noticeable! Two more feet between hitch and first axle made a big difference in turning radius. The two extra feet behind the axles means a bit more swing, but that wasn't much of a problem. I've told my wife that the only way we get another camper is if it's 26" or less. Just took a little more to learn to maneuver it, but it does mean you need a lot more room to move it around. My 30' is a V-lite with three slides -- two opposing in rear, one for the bed in front.
