Can you tell if Expy has tow package based off VIN?

i just looked at a 2017 Expedition Limited that had the 7 pin connector and the brake assist on the dash but the VIN indicated the GCWR was 12300. For the 9200# tow capacity, that GCWR should be 14900#. Could the VIN be incorrect? What is the final decider; VIN or some of the features that seem to indicate an HD tow package?

If this thread is active?! Capt, did ya get your Expy? What year? What trim? I have been shopping an El for months. I wanted an 2017 w/ HD tow. But when I find one, it’s ride quality is not as good as my 2017 f-150? Plus I can get a 2018 ( w/ HD tow)at what some dealers want for 2017?
The 2018’s are so much quieter and better ride than my truck!
But to buy a 2018 w/ HD is priced out of my budget.
I understand what is added to. Ford to make it a HD Tow, why or why not can I/we not just add the brake controller, oil, transmission and radiator coolers. I did not want to hijack this tread, but I’m on topic and hope to add to the dialog. Thanks Tomm

10sne1 said:

If this thread is active?! Capt, did ya get your Expy? What year? What trim? I have been shopping an El for months. I wanted an 2017 w/ HD tow. But when I find one, it’s ride quality is not as good as my 2017 f-150? Plus I can get a 2018 ( w/ HD tow)at what some dealers want for 2017?
The 2018’s are so much quieter and better ride than my truck!
But to buy a 2018 w/ HD is priced out of my budget.
I understand what is added to. Ford to make it a HD Tow, why or why not can I/we not just add the brake controller, oil, transmission and radiator coolers. I did not want to hijack this tread, but I’m on topic and hope to add to the dialog. Thanks Tomm

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I was searching hard for a 2015-2017 EL with Limited trim (for HD tow) but I couldn't find anything. The 2018s were priced too high. It's not a house for crying out loud. I remember buying my 2003 for $13k used because gas was $4 a gallon. lol. Anyhow, I was searching dealers 100 miles away. I had a couple that were sold pretty much as soon as they were listed. I test drove some non-ELs just to gauge handling and power. They were all nothing like my old big blue (2003 XLT.) The power was fine (at least from what I could tell without towing) but the handling was bad. It seemed didn't seem as smooth and it seemed very top heavy especially around curves as compared to my 2003. When I was done with the test drive I did the same drive with the same speed with my 2003. It was a night and day difference. So IDK what Ford was thinking with that suspension.

My camper is 7000 lbs empty. Although big blue towed it, it didn't tow great because loaded it was probably near the 8600 tow capacity. Towing near max tow is asking a lot for a 16-17 year old vehicle. The hitch was very rusty and the truck needed like $2k in repairs. I ended up giving it to my sister in law because she had a large family and needed a new car. She put the $2k in repairs in and it's been fine since. As for me, even with the newer Expy higher tow capacity (9200) I still didn't think it was enough. I really wish they still made the 3/4 ton Excursion. I bought a RAM 1500 Big Horn. It's a half ton, but it has the 3.92 gears. It's a towing beast. It handles the weight so much better. Not like 6 months after buying it my wife hit me with news of a new baby. So the Expy would have been better from that aspect. We all fit though.

I didn't give it much thought of trying to make a standard Expy to HD tow, because I don't think you could be certain every nut and bolt is the same. There could be differences in software too that you have no way of knowing. Probably best to get HD tow from the start. I couldn't wait a year or two for the 2018's to come down in price. I really don't like buying cars in their first year of a refresh anyway. Maybe in another 5-10 years I'll be back in the Expy club.

CaptOchs said:

Not like 6 months after buying it my wife hit me with news of a new baby. So the Expy would have been better from that aspect. We all fit though.

I didn't give it much thought of trying to make a standard Expy to HD tow, because I don't think you could be certain every nut and bolt is the same. There could be differences in software too that you have no way of knowing. Probably best to get HD tow from the start. I couldn't wait a year or two for the 2018's to come down in price. I really don't like buying cars in their first year of a refresh anyway. Maybe in another 5-10 years I'll be back in the Expy club.

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Oh, like you weren't' there when it happened, LOL.

Congrats on the purchase. Ram really made Ford step up its game with the interior. GM slacking, as usual. Curious to see if everyone brings out full hybrid 1/2 tons and SUVs now that Powerboost has changed the game.

My 2017 hasn't had any major mechanical issues. In contrast, I've seen lots of complaints of 2018s have issues with struts and timing tensioners. Perhaps it's the last vs first model year thing, in which case it would be prudent to wait until the newer model comes out.

Good note Capt. Funny, we tow our 7000lb. Travel Trailer with my wife’s 2016 Ram, i enjoy towing with it, too!
The Expy I’m shopping for is for boat towing, 5000lbs. Also able to store rods in the back with fishing tackle and such. But, as with you my 2008 expy el was a comfy ride compared to the 2017. Not sure what I will do. Another first world problem. Thanks for the thread.

I believe the easiest way to tell is the axle code on the vin sticker. If it's a 3L or 2L, it has a 3.73 rear end which is what the HD tow comes with. 2L denotes non-LSD and 3L is eLSD.

DavidU said:

For the 9200# tow capacity, that GCWR should be 14900#. Could the VIN be incorrect? What is the final decider; VIN or som

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Molaf said:

I believe the easiest way to tell is the axle code on the vin sticker. If it's a 3L or 2L, it has a 3.73 rear end which is what the HD tow comes with. 2L denotes non-LSD and 3L is eLSD.

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For 2015 through 2017, the 4x2 had 3.31 gears. Mine is a 2017 Limited with HD Tow and 3.31. It tows fine, it's only 10% difference and probably several hundred lbs less than the 4x4, which has 3.73. I have plenty of power to keep up with traffic. For the 3rd gens, everything Limited and above had HD Tow.

JasonH said:

For 2015 through 2017, the 4x2 had 3.31 gears. Mine is a 2017 Limited with HD Tow and 3.31. It tows fine, it's only 10% difference and probably several hundred lbs less than the 4x4, which has 3.73. I have plenty of power to keep up with traffic. For the 3rd gens, everything Limited and above had HD Tow.

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I didn’t realize that this was the towing and hauling forum. Should have been more specific to the 4th Gen having those codes.

Can someone tell me if my 2017 XLT has the HD towing package. I have the door sticker attached.

I thought yes because i had the 7 pin connector and trailer break controller, but according to the door sticker it has axle code of 15 which corresponds to 3.31 Gear Ratio and someone mentioned that HD comes with 3.71. Any clarification would be appreciated.

VIN is 1FMJU1JT4HEA67301

If it has the brake controller and 7 pin connector it has HD Tow. For 2017 4x2 with HD Tow had 3.31 gears.