2021 Limited without tow package

[JWat]

Anyone towing a boat just under 5k with without the max tow package? I have a deal in place but I'm not sure if I should go through with it since the vehicle does not have the max tow. Ford's chart says 6k and the payload for this specific vehicle is 1,629, GVWR is 7400, front axle GAWR is 3375, rear axle is 4200.

 

[Deadman]

It'll be ok, but it will be a lazy turd towing with those gears compared to the tow pack with 3.73's. I drove them both empty and it was noticeable then, muchness with a load on it. It would be fine tho, but if you plan to tow more or often I'd hold out for a tow pack car.

 

[JWat]

Thanks for the reply. The boat is probably closer to 4600lbs with a full tank. Don't usually take it on the highway, only tow once a month.

 

[Zig10]

As long as you're past the 2-foot-itis stage of boat ownership you should be fine. However, if you have any inkling of moving up in size then you might want to wait for the tow package. I went from a 19' to a 22' to a 24' sled over a 5 year period, and ended up having to update the tow vehicle each time. My current is 7500 lbs on the trailer, and after a few mods to the rear suspension this Expy tows it as well as my 1500 Ram.

Good luck finding your new ride.

 

[sjwhiteley]

I have a non-tow package and have towed a TT at around 5klbs. It works fine (but haven’t towed recently). Do you plan on towing something bigger? Are you possibly going to tow more often? If so, then hold out for the tow package. If not, then based on what you are towing, duration, etc. looks like you will have no issues.

as zig10 said, as long as you are past that certain stage and aren’t likely to go bigger, you’ll be ok. There is an addiction that once you can do something, you want to go more!

 

[JWat]

Thanks for the info! I think we are good with 22' we have for awhile, especially the way pricing is down here in South Florida. Do you think I need a wdh or I should be fine without it?

 

[Zig10]

I have never seen a boat trailer company that recommends a WDH. Too much stress on the tongue due to how long it is, and if it bends it'll cause way more issues. Check your trailer manufacturers website, but most of the larger ones (Load Rite, Magic Tilt, Venture, etc) will tell you no more than 5-8% tongue weight, which should put you well within the 600lb tongue weight rating of the Expy.

Since I tow a lot on the interstate, I did the sumo springs, the sway bar/end link replacement, and then swapped the tires out for a set of XL rated ones and now it tows like a dream. I run about 7% on my tongue weight.

Good luck!

 

[JWat]

I have never seen a boat trailer company that recommends a WDH. Too much stress on the tongue due to how long it is, and if it bends it'll cause way more issues. Check your trailer manufacturers website, but most of the larger ones (Load Rite, Magic Tilt, Venture, etc) will tell you no more than 5-8% tongue weight, which should put you well within the 600lb tongue weight rating of the Expy.

Since I tow a lot on the interstate, I did the sumo springs, the sway bar/end link replacement, and then swapped the tires out for a set of XL rated ones and now it tows like a dream. I run about 7% on my tongue weight.

Good luck!

Thanks! I thought using a wdh was Ford's requirement to tow not the boat trailer company.

 

[Zig10]

It's a balancing act... Ford says you need to have a WDH for a tongue weight over 600 lbs (630 on a Max, I think), and their rule of thumb is no less than 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue. That rule works for a travel trailer, horse trailer, utility trailer, etc that has a short tongue. Boat trailers offer a lot more leverage torque to keep them steady because of the length of the tongue (torque arm). Here's a good link that explains it a bit.

How do I adjust my axles? - Venture Trailers

Adjusting the axles on your boat trailer can help with two key issues: Alignment: If the axles or suspension are out of alignment, adjusting them will correct this. Tongue Weight: Achieving the correct tongue weight is crucial for safe towing. The optimal tongue weight should be between 5% and...

www.venturetrailers.com

 

[JWat]

It's a balancing act... Ford says you need to have a WDH for a tongue weight over 600 lbs (630 on a Max, I think), and their rule of thumb is no less than 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue. That rule works for a travel trailer, horse trailer, utility trailer, etc that has a short tongue. Boat trailers offer a lot more leverage torque to keep them steady because of the length of the tongue (torque arm). Here's a good link that explains it a bit.

How do I adjust my axles? - Venture Trailers

Adjusting the axles on your boat trailer can help with two key issues: Alignment: If the axles or suspension are out of alignment, adjusting them will correct this. Tongue Weight: Achieving the correct tongue weight is crucial for safe towing. The optimal tongue weight should be between 5% and...

www.venturetrailers.com

Thank you. Honestly that makes me feel better about moving forward with the purchase. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[bring_em_on]

You'll be perfectly fine. I had an '05 XLT with 3.55's. It had the junk 5.4 motor (crappy HP and torque, crummy 6 spd transmission) and that junker pulled my 6000lb boat with no real issues. On steeper ramps, I would put it in 4 low and yank it right out of the water. But my '21 with the tow package pulls it like it's not even there.

 

[chuck s]

You ain't gonna need a WDH or different axles.

Motorboat trailers need half the weight on the ball as conventional trailers 'cuz much of the weight is at the aft end and so are the trailer wheels. 4000 pound boat needs 200 pounds (5%) to 300 pounds (7.5%) on the ball.

Forget the "need" for 3.73 axles. 3.31 works fine even with much heavier trailers.

But... To me buying an Expedition without HD Tow does not make any sense as it offers no upgrade potential regarding trailers.

-- Chuck

 

[JWat]

You ain't gonna need a WDH or different axles.

Motorboat trailers need half the weight on the ball as conventional trailers 'cuz much of the weight is at the aft end and so are the trailer wheels. 4000 pound boat needs 200 pounds (5%) to 300 pounds (7.5%) on the ball.

Forget the "need" for 3.73 axles. 3.31 works fine even with much heavier trailers.

But... To me buying an Expedition without HD Tow does not make any sense as it offers no upgrade potential regarding trailers.

-- Chuck

Thanks for the info. The Expedition will be more of a temporary towing vehicle so I'm not to worried about not being able to upgrade trailers in the future.

 

[chuck s]

I thought the Limited trim level included HD Tow. Got the round 7-pin connector? -- if you do you have HD Tow.

-- Chuck

 

[JWat]

I thought the Limited trim level included HD Tow. Got the round 7-pin connector? -- if you do you have HD Tow.

-- Chuck

I have the 7 pin connector but don't have the knob for trailering or the brake so no HD tow.

 

[Molaf]

I have the 7 pin connector but don't have the knob for trailering or the brake so no HD tow.

Easiest way to tell is the door sticker. If it doesn’t say 3L for the axle code, then you don’t have HD tow.

 

[chuck s]

According to the 2021 Towing Guide both the 4- and 7-pin connectors are now Standard on the Expedition so that long time clue no longer helps.

If the "upgraded rear axle" in Option 536 is code 3L (3.73 LS) then that's the only easy clue left. This axle was not part of HD Tow for many years though.

-- Chuck

 

[ShannonD]

Not a boat, but I tow my TT at about 6k lbs on the regular. Non-HD tow with 3.33 axle. I did install and program a oem brake control and upgraded the radiator. I also use a good WDH, and I yank around that trailer at 70-75 with no issues at all. Just got back from bout 4000 mile trip up in mountains in Colorado to Wyoming and back to Tulsa. Kept eyes on temps, trans got to 230 one time pulling a big hill. Engine never got hot once. Was very pleased.

 

[ShannonD]

 

[JWat]

Not a boat, but I tow my TT at about 6k lbs on the regular. Non-HD tow with 3.33 axle. I did install and program a oem brake control and upgraded the radiator. I also use a good WDH, and I yank around that trailer at 70-75 with no issues at all. Just got back from bout 4000 mile trip up in mountains in Colorado to Wyoming and back to Tulsa. Kept eyes on temps, trans got to 230 one time pulling a big hill. Engine never got hot once. Was very pleased.

Do you mind sharing info on the radiator you upgraded with?