7,000 Pound Utility Trailer vs 7000 Pound Enclosed Trailer

[JohnnyG]

We're full-time RVers traveling the country with a 2024 Ford Expedition (HD Towing Package and CCD) and a 2025 Xpedition XP5 Northstar. We need to tow the XP5 with the Expedition as we move around, and once we're set up at a campground, we'll use it to tow the XP5 to trailheads.

For cross-country travel (e.g., from FL to CO), my wife will be driving the Expedition with the XP5 in tow, while I'll be driving the F-450 with the RV.

I'm considering a 16' trailer to carry the XP5 (12.5' L x 64" W x 75" H) that weighs 3,500# plus 1,000# of other stuff. An open utility trailer is simpler to handle and lighter, but an enclosed trailer would protect the XP5 from road grime and sun, and give us extra storage space. If I were the one driving, I'd go with the enclosed trailer without hesitation. But since my wife will be towing it across the country—and she's a bit nervous in tight spots like gas stations and hotel parking lots—I want to be thoughtful about the choice.

So, my main questions are:

• How well does the Expedition handle towing an enclosed trailer of this size?
• Is there a significant difference in towing experience between an open and enclosed trailer?
• Are there any key considerations that might make this easier on her?

We'll be using a weight distribution hitch with a built-in scale, so we should be able to dial in the loading pretty accurately.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

-JG

 

[Calidad]

I’ve had trailers that tow absolutely beautifully and ones that tow so horribly they shouldn’t really be called trailers. The absolutely worst are bumper pull giant rectangular boxes. Add in extra draggy exteriors and poor weight balance to that giant box and its hands down worse than any other type of trailer thats not a box.

As for towing with the Ex? It tows great assuming the trailer isn’t a turd of a trailer. If you have a 22 or earlier EX replace the junk thermostat that was quietly redesigned so you avoid hot transmission issues and eventually engine temp spikes.
Left one is the faulty one- right one is the updated one. In my 2nd week with the updated one and my temps are 10+ degrees cooler. Haven’t towed yet but anticipating far more stable temps and lower temps

 

[JohnnyG]

If you have a 22 or earlier EX replace the junk thermostat that was quietly redesigned so you avoid hot transmission issues and eventually engine temp spikes.

Mine is a 2024. Do I need to do this or was it taken care of newer models?

 

[Fastcar]

A enclosed trailer is a heck of a lot more secure that a open one for obvious reasons. Also I would think it would tow better due to better aero.

 

[Deep8174]

A enclosed trailer is a heck of a lot more secure that a open one for obvious reasons. Also I would think it would tow better due to better aero.

A bit counter-intuitive, but an enclosed trailer may seem to have better aerodynamics but the superstructure means more resistance, especially during windy days and poorer fuel economy.

It's generally easier to tow an exposed/open trailer than an enclosed due to the weight savings and less air resistance.

 

[Fastcar]

A bit counter-intuitive, but an enclosed trailer may seem to have better aerodynamics but the superstructure means more resistance, especially during windy days and poorer fuel economy.

It's generally easier to tow an exposed/open trailer than an enclosed due to the weight savings and less air resistance.

It has been my erxperence that towing open with a car on it can be a real pia. An enclosed with a point on the front cuts through the air much better. Your experience is different than mine apparently.

 

[Calidad]

Mine is a 2024. Do I need to do this or was it taken care of newer models?

The updated thermostat was implemented in the 22’s at some point so your good. But your temps will still be in the same range and its good to keep those in mind you might spot some kind of problem knowing whats normal vs not etc

 

[Calidad]

A bit counter-intuitive, but an enclosed trailer may seem to have better aerodynamics but the superstructure means more resistance, especially during windy days and poorer fuel economy.

It's generally easier to tow an exposed/open trailer than an enclosed due to the weight savings and less air resistance.

Cars on a flat bed have better aerodynamics than box trailers. BTW its not the nose that gets you. Its the tail that sucks. Literally

 

[mr_dave]

I have a heavy duty 20ft open drive-on vehicle / utility trailer that I use quite a bit. I've used it to tow everything from a huge amount of lumber to cars to giant hay bales to moving boxes to tractors to ATVs and snowmobiles. The truck has always handled it very well. I like the open trailer because things like lumber and anything on a pallet can be loaded from the side with a fork.

However, I recently spent the time to install my weight distribution hitch on it - and it turns out that makes a world of difference! I wish I would have done it a while ago, it's a completely different experience. It's like the trailer is part of the vehicle now, instead of being dragged behind, if that makes sense.

Anyway, I guess my point is that my open trailer has tons of utility but whatever you get definitely install a good weight distribution system.

 

[jjscsix]

We tow a 34’ travel trailer. Trailer weight on the road per Cat Scale is about 7,300# and tongue weight 860. It tows great.