2022 Limited Max - can’t handle the bumps?

[Savage Pancake]

Hi all. Renting an almost new 2022 Expedition Max limited for a family trip. First time driving a full size SUV, and since I’m considering one in the near future, this 7 day trial period is perfect.

Pros- space (we have 7 in our party, and the Max is probably overkill!), power (never lacking, I even like the sound it makes) brakes feel great, infotainment screen is crisp and fast (wireless CarPlay a nice touch), cabin is hushed (I can hear all my passengers at highway speeds), looks (big and imposing, love the front end refresh). Wish it had captain chairs but the tilt away seat access is very clever.

Cons- the ride. It feels like it “crashes” over imperfections, and every little bump gets felt through the wheel and seats. Very noticeable. An example: second row passenger talking while going over road imperfections at moderate speeds will cause his voice to waiver. Was honestly expecting a cushy ride that can soak up the bumps. Stock Limited 20” are on the truck.

Is this the norm for this model and/or big utes in general? Lack of air suspension? Again I don’t have a good comparison point (I have my eye on the GM triplets and a GLS but haven’t test driven them yet) and my daily is a big sedan (LS500).

 

[JasonH]

What is the tire pressure?

 

[LazSlate]

Does this have the CCD Suspension (active) ?
Most expy models are designed for street and street handling. The 20" rims will not absorb bumps well and the suspension is designed for handling much like a race car where it turns great and no roll. I have a Timberline and it absorbs bumps like butter albeit its the off road version of the expy. IMO the harshness is due to

- 20" Wheels
- Type of suspension (CDC or Normal) I do not know the difference between the 2 in terms of cushion.

Most people like the look and handling of 20" and bigger rims, but going down in rim size is one of the easiest way to get softer suspension.
The 2023 Ford Raptor R has 37" tires on 17" rims for a reason.

 

[Savage Pancake]

What is the tire pressure?

Cold is at 50. Seems high to me, but as mentioned this is a rental and I’m not familiar with big utes. We have 7 and full luggage if that makes any difference.

 

[Savage Pancake]

Does this have the CCD Suspension (active) ?
Most expy models are designed for street and street handling. The 20" rims will not absorb bumps well and the suspension is designed for handling much like a race car where it turns great and no roll. I have a Timberline and it absorbs bumps like butter albeit its the off road version of the expy. IMO the harshness is due to

- 20" Wheels
- Type of suspension (CDC or Normal) I do not know the difference between the 2 in terms of cushion.

Most people like the look and handling of 20" and bigger rims, but going down in rim size is one of the easiest way to get softer suspension.
The 2023 Ford Raptor R has 37" tires on 17" rims for a reason.

I’m afraid I can’t tell what type of suspension it has. Is there a mode in the menu and/or way to discern this?

 

[rpw2021]

Cold is at 50. Seems high to me, but as mentioned this is a rental and I’m not familiar with big utes. We have 7 and full luggage if that makes any difference.

I have that exact car - '22 Limited Max (with HD tow, no CCD). I find the ride to be quite smooth, albeit not the same as a sedan. I bit more truck-like, but not harsh, at all.

Recommended tire pressures are 39 cold, so that will make a pretty big difference. Mine was delivered with 55psi, probably to avoid flat spots while it sat in a lot in Kentucky for four months.

 

[Savage Pancake]

I have that exact car - '22 Limited Max (with HD tow, no CCD). I find the ride to be quite smooth, albeit not the same as a sedan. I bit more truck-like, but not harsh, at all.

Recommended tire pressures are 39 cold, so that will make a pretty big difference. Mine was delivered with 55psi, probably to avoid flat spots while it sat in a lot in Kentucky for four months.

Thanks. I’ve been digging in the forums, and it seems that the factory indeed ships them at 50psi. I took the rental at 1600 miles, so that probably explains it. I’ll need to find a tire pressure gauge and lower it.

On a side note, ok to fill with regular (87 octane) or does this beast need premium?

 

[rpw2021]

Thanks. I’ve been digging in the forums, and it seems that the factory indeed ships them at 50psi. I took the rental at 1600 miles, so that probably explains it. I’ll need to find a tire pressure gauge and lower it.

On a side note, ok to fill with regular (87 octane) or does this beast need premium?

Lots of discussion on the forum about octane. You won't hurt it using 87, for sure. You might enjoy the driving more and/or get better mileage with higher grades.

 

[rpw2021]

Thanks. I’ve been digging in the forums, and it seems that the factory indeed ships them at 50psi. I took the rental at 1600 miles, so that probably explains it. I’ll need to find a tire pressure gauge and lower it.

On a side note, ok to fill with regular (87 octane) or does this beast need premium?

I should add that I have run mostly 87 so far and like it just fine. I'm always in eco mode, though.

Also, the rear compartment lid (under the floor in the way back) on mine would rattle pretty annoyingly until I figured out that the rattle was from the seam where the two lid panels meet. Added some thin foam weatherstripping and the car is silent over bumps.

 

[dlcorbett]

Def lower your air pressure. For ride, i felt 34 - 36psi was the trucks sweet spot for 20in wheels. If your limited rental has 20in rims, it does not have ccd. If you're considering one for for purchase, ccd will give you a car like ride that's smoother than anything this side of coils. However, epy is the only truck in its class that does not offer any type of air spring.

 

[JasonH]

Cold is at 50. Seems high to me, but as mentioned this is a rental and I’m not familiar with big utes. We have 7 and full luggage if that makes any difference.

Tire pressure is high, that's likely the reason for the harsh ride. Lower it to whatever is specified on the door jamb. For reference, the Load "C" Sailuns and Hankooks I had on my vehicle previously specified ~51 psi as the max pressure. I only drove on that when towing. The E tires I have now are stiffer and I daily drive at 45 psi.

The vehicle drives better on premium fuel, but it's not required. If you're driving with a full contingent of passengers and cargo, you may want to go with premium. I find highway acceleration lacking on 87, but my vehicle has 3.31 gears.

 

[rob4092xx]

What air pressure do you recommend cold for 22” Expy wheels?

 

[rpw2021]

What air pressure do you recommend cold for 22” Expy wheels?

I have the 22" wheels and have been at the door jamb recommended 39 so far (just 2000 miles -- all long road tripping -- so far) and have been happy with the ride.

 

[Savage Pancake]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Lowering the air pressure did the trick. Rides noticeably better!

On a related note, did anyone cross shop the GM triplets (with magnetic ride + air suspension) against the Expy? Any honest opinions?

 

[chuck s]

Cross shop a GM product?! Heresy!

Tire pressure is listed on the door jam sticker. This pressure will support the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and provide a nice ride. It's specific for the tires listed on the sticker. Add the capacity of the four tires and you'll find it greatly exceeds the GVWR so bigger tires or higher tire pressure ain't gonna add any cargo capacity.

-- Chuck

 

[BravoAlpha]

I’ve adjusted the tire pressure on mine. I find the ride to be on the low end of acceptable. I knew the ride quality would suffer when I added the 22 inch wheels but... it is choppy on most surfaces.

 

[ktreem]

I’ve got about 400 miles and have noticed that the choppiness has been going away. My tires were up at almost 60psi vs the 39 recommended on the door jamb, assuming that a few hundred more miles should even those tires out from sitting for months then being ratcheted down, but if by the time I’m through 2 tanks of fuel it’s still not gone I’m going to have the dealer align & rebalance all 4 tires.

My choppiness shows up more around 80+ mph, and is very intermittent/inconsistent. But when it’s gone I love how it rides.

 

[Team_Z]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Lowering the air pressure did the trick. Rides noticeably better!

On a related note, did anyone cross shop the GM triplets (with magnetic ride + air suspension) against the Expy? Any honest opinions?

I shopped the Escalade and the Yukon Denali. I did so just to check out the technology. The Denali was my fave looks wise but it felt like it lacked power. My favorite was the crisp rear view cam mirror.

The Cadi was great looking in the front rows, then turns in to a cheap Tahoe for the 2nd and third rows. Found the screens super cool and distracting. I found my self wanting to drive by watching the dash (augmented reality dash) than looking out the windshield. The ride wasn’t bad, felt like both road the same. Road noise is pretty equal to the expedition, I felt like the Navigator is the most isolated out of the 4.

Didn’t even bother looking at the Tahoe and Sub, just not a fan.

Out of the GM’s I would have chosen the Denali, I think it looks best. Third row is cramped but since it’s just me it would be fine.

I wouldn’t buy a GM without having an extra vehicle. All my friends that have them have gotten new engines under 10k miles and had their SUVs in the shop for 3-5 months. Yes my trade in was in the shop two separate times for 3+ months at a time but in fairness my situation was unique.

I have a GLS63 and love it. Fast and “smooth” in comfort mode. In sport not some much. But smooth really isn’t a priority for me. My only gripe is the Rear passengers get too cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Mercedes explained it as there no separate hvac unit in the rear even though I have tri-zone climate control. Again it’s mostly always me and the ones that complained the most were my nieces and nephews. they never complained in the Expedition.

Why did I choose my Exp Max Platinum? Well it was an accident, had an extra A plan pin and they offered me stupid money for my truck that was in for service. I wasn’t in the market for it since I already have an SUV and it’s only me so a 7/8 seater is over kill. But I find myself driving this more than anything else that I have. And I also find myself getting more looks and compliments than my GLS or truck.

I’m happy it , personally not a fan of the 22’s platinum vertical screen which is why I won’t get one. The limiteds 15” square screen is great, it’s what’s in the trucks. I get why Ford chose to do them differently in the different models, trying to make the higher trims feel even more special.

If I choose to stay in the Full size SUV (I don’t consider the GLS full size since, that’s just me) I will move on to a Navigator, only because of the vertical screen in the expedition platinum. I’m just not a fan of it, maybe because it reminds me of Tesla.

 

[dlcorbett]

Just drove a kr max with 22in and ccd. I must say, outside of the body jitteriness, it def rode better than the new denali xl (minus air springs) and slightly tighter than wagoneer (w/ air springs) in my opinion, but doesn't have the body control of the gm.

Edit: My dad has a 22 eescalade. Got to drive it today and my sentiments above continues. The ford, to me, had a better ride. I don't think my dad's truck has the air suspension either, but in his truck, it's slightly better than the denali(cadillac has dialed in more softness), but you still feel just about every bump in the road. It's not harsh but not very compliant.

 

[dlcorbett]

Hey op, did u make a decision on getting the expy or not?