7,000 Pound Utility Trailer vs 7000 Pound Enclosed Trailer

[LanceExp2025]

Hi JohnnyG:

Yep. I agree that an open trailer is a little easier to handle and especially so if you haul construction materials, lumber etc. The main advantage of an open trailer vs enclosed box trailer, is the visibility around and over the trailer + loading made much easier. (as mr_dave explained so well) When backing up, it is always easier to see around/over and guide an open trailer, in my opinion.

But, IN YOUR CASE, yes, I would recommend an enclosed trailer to protect you XP5 from the road grime, bad weather, sun and theft/vandalism. (especially considering how expensive these things are) It is also great to haul extra stuff along with you in or to store stuff in that's protected while you are out in the XP5. You will want to make sure and get an enclosed trailer wide enough to be able to get out of the XP5, once it is driven inside. Unless the cargo/ enclosed trailer has 'side' escape door (best!) the exiting can be a PITA because you can't easily open the XP5 driver door inside. Just a consideration?

I have always had an open box, tandem, 6'-6" W X 12' L X 2' high sides utility trailer (7000 Lb. GVW) for my construction business but, I have NOT towed enough with an enclosed trailer to gauge the difference in fuel consumption. I would assume an enclosed would burn more fuel just because of the air drag but, don't know that for sure? My open utility trailer burns 2-3 MPG over NO trailer, when empty, anyway, and I tow w/ a T350 LR Transit Cargo Van. So, that's my 2 cents worth, Lance.
P.S., it is great that you have a 2025 XP5. They are 'so much' quieter than the previous models. My brother-in-law just bought a 2025 one because he and his wife always had to wear ear protection, while driving their old one, it was so loud. (expensive though!)

 

[Southpawhd]

I tow a 20’ enclosed trailer with a 4-seater SxS with my Expy. Tows great, zero issues.

But a few things to keep in mind is that many enclosed trailers are slightly wider and taller than the Expy. Taller can be an issue at some drive-throughs.

And either way, be sure to get a GOOD lock for your hitch and for the doors. Not a cheapo Master Lock.

 

[JohnnyG]

But a few things to keep in mind is that many enclosed trailers are slightly wider and taller than the Expy. Taller can be an issue at some drive-throughs.

And either way, be sure to get a GOOD lock for your hitch and for the doors. Not a cheapo Master Lock.

If I put a trailer on the back of the Expy, no matter how small, the DW will not go through a drive thru...LOL

I was looking at the 2024 Expedition Towing Guide. This just might by CYA, but it is in the guide.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Includes items that must be installed.* Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty (see your dealer for a copy) may be voided if you tow without them.
For trailers over 6,000 pounds – Class IV Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package (536) and required aftermarket weight-distributing hitch. *Check with your dealer for additional requirements, restrictions and limited warranty details.

FRONTAL AREA LIMITATION
Frontal Area is the total area in square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer exposes to air resistance.
The maximum trailer frontal area that must be considered for an Expedition/trailer combination is 55 sq. ft. without Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package and 60 sq. ft. with Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package. Exceeding this limitation may significantly reduce the performance of your towing vehicle.

An 8.5' W x 7' H trailer just squeaks under 60 sq. ft.

JG

 

[LanceExp2025]

Wow! JG:

Don't know what DW means? But, Nope, I have never read any of that Ford towing info "FRONTAL AREA LIMITATION" because I have towed so much that I didn't think I needed more information from Ford. So, as my wife says, "You don't read any instructions until it's after the fact". So, she's right, I learned something new today!

I'll have to measure our 3-horse trailer front square footage to see if it works? I may have to tow it anyway and lie about it if there's ever a problem w/ Ford. Don't know? The last sentence of this limitation IS interesting, though. It says "may significantly reduce the performance of your towing vehicle." Not, that it will have any effect on the warranty?? But, that statement has always been known to be true with "any" size frontal area limitation. Any trailer always reduces towing vehicle performance. It is expected, accepted and so, who really cares? Even towing our, long-gone, Day-Cruiser boat (that sliced through the air) reduced the performance of every vehicle we ever towed it with, including our F450 diesel PU.

It is good to know about all of this, in any case. I do think that it's important to be able to stand up in any enclosed trailer and 7' will work for most of us. I'm 6' and can easily stand up in our 7' tall horse trailer even with the roof bows taking 2"-3" of that 7' height space and the rubber floor mats another 1". I am also thinking that you're right on with the getting a 7000# capacity trailer because most HD 7000# enclosed trailers weigh in the 2600-2800# range and with you XP5 weighing close to 2900#, that totals in the 56-5700# range. You're going to need wheel ramps to that may be in the 100-200# range.

If it's possible to get an enclosed trailer w/ electric brakes on both (2) axles, that will be the safest, on the road and easiest on the Expy brakes. (best in emergencies too). Both our horse trailer and construction trailer have 4-wheel electric brakes and those have saved us a couple of times from having a crash. But, that's just us (a little over-cautious, I guess?) from years of trailering experience. Like you will be w/ a 5800# Expy and 6000# loaded trailer = 11,800# total rolling down the freeways at 55+ MPH, many highway drivers think you can stop on a dine like a Honda and don't realize, nor have any idea, how long/far it takes 11,800# to come to a stop. Lance

P.S.
I did measure the frontal area of our 3-horse trailer and it's 49 sq.ft. So, we are good to go even though we do have HD Trailer Towing on our 2024 Expy MAX, for the allowable 60 sq.ft. limitation. Even if it slows down a little, we 'love' our Expy anyway!

 

[JohnnyG]

Wow! JG:

Don't know what DW means?
So, as my wife says, "You don't read any instructions until it's after the fact". So, she's right, I learned something new today!

So, as my wife says..... as my dear wife says.... as my DW says.

P.S.
I did measure the frontal area of our 3-horse trailer and it's 49 sq.ft. So, we are good to go even though we do have HD Trailer Towing on our 2024 Expy MAX, for the allowable 60 sq.ft. limitation. Even if it slows down a little, we 'love' our Expy anyway!

We didn't get the max and 90% of the time are happy. But sometimes, we REALLY which we had that extra storage space.

I pull our 40' RV with our F450... I've seen 21+ MPH on a trip with the truck only and 8 MPH pulling the RV. So, frontal can have an effect.

My biggest concern is the WDH (weigh distribution hitch) for all trailers that are over 6,000 pounds. We could pretty easily be over 6,000 pounds.

The reason I mentioned 7' high is that the Polaris Xpedition is 6'4" inches stock. Put lights on the roof and you can be 6'8".

JG

 

[LanceExp2025]

Hi again JG:

Yes, I understand your concerns w/ the WDH. I have only had one (1) WDH and after using it twice towing a 21' travel trailer behind a Suburban, I put that whole thing in the garage and never used it again. It seemed like at times it would lift the back wheels off the ground slightly thus not controllable by me. It felt like the WDH was directing the Suburban direction at times, too, where I found myself compensating for its adverse actions. That was over 30 years ago. Since then, my wife (most of the time driving with our daughters to horse shows) and I have driven all over the USA and portions of Canada with a slide in camper in an F350 PU towing a drag, 3-horse, tandem, slant load, horses & tack loaded-up trailer then towed w/ an F450 PU from 2008 on.

In all those trips & for all those years, we never had a WDH and did NOT need one. We never had an accident or mishap other than (for the first 2 years) at least one (1) tire failure/blow-out per year, on the horse trailer, going from CA to the Oklahoma World Finals Pinto Horse show in Tulsa, OK. After those first 2 years, an Oklahoma trailer repair-man wised us up and told us to get rid of the 15" wheels and 15" Firestone tires (the first ones to blow were original Carlisle's, 'the WORST ones') and install 16" wheels w/ Goodyear Marathon 16" tires. Never had another tire problem for years. (but Goodyear started making Marathons in China, and they were GARBAGE from then on). Now, Goodyear is making their "new USA made" trailer tires called, Endurance, in the USA again. Great reviews and recommendations from many folks with those, so far. (we still have the USA made Marathons on both of our tandem trailers now). Lance

 

[mr_dave]

I would use extreme caution when deciding to not use a WDH with a trailer over 6k lbs, as Ford requires. If there is an accident, you could be held liable even if it wasn't your fault because you were "negligent."

If there’s an accident and the towing vehicle isn’t properly configured for the trailered weight, the injured person or persons will probably win any ensuing lawsuit.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/1703-tow-ratings-and-the-law-discussing-limits-of-trailer-size/

 

[LanceExp2025]

Yep, mr_dave:

I believe that you are correct when it comes to personal liability if, we would violate the Expy trailer towing requirements printed in their Expy owners manual and be involved in an "at fault" accident. In our horse trailer towing cases, we violated NO factory requirements but those were Ford pick-ups and NOT a SRW Expy. So, good advise on your part for Expy towing knowledge! Thanks, Lance

 

[Left Coast Geek]

I've towed a 21 foot camp trailer at least 12000 miles now, including 10000 miles in Mexico last year. Expedition tows it great. Trailer weighs about 5000 lbs fully loaded, I use an Andersen antisway/WDH. '19 Expy Stealth has HD Tow, and CCD

I replaced the 22" wheels on my 2019 Stealth with 18" wheels from an F150. much better ride on rough roads and no worries about pinch flats and such. This picture is from when it still had the 22's.



At a beach campground near Teacapan, MX... with the 18" wheels

 

[wpaul]

I would go for an enclosed trailer but get one that narrows down in the front to have less wind resistance. Either open or closed trailer will take some getting used to especially in tight spots if your wife has never towed before. Like the other folks have mentioned get a weight distributing hitch with sway control which will greatly improve the driver & towing experience and give your wife more confidence behind the wheel. https://www.reeseprod.com/products/weight-distribution/strait-line/xDqAUvNOHeKtsUlhKkqrPpp1KSMoYS1U