A few questions coming from a 2017 F150 owner

[Wilde]

I currently have a 2017 F150 (with the 3.5 ecoboost) and am looking to get a 2019 FX4 Expedition. I have two questions specifically for people who have also owned a recent F150.

#1: Is the turning radius the same as an F150? I live in a densely populated area and maneuvering through parking lots with the F150 sucks.

#2: Just how much worse is towing with the Expedition? I have a 29' (total length. 25' body) 6500lbs trailer that I tow a few times a year.

I know it's a shot in the dark looking for a F150 owner that also owns the Expedition, but here's hoping there are a few of you out there.

 

[Meeker]

The turning radius on the Expy is one of its strengths - unbelievable how tight it can turn. Full 180 on a 2-lane road is nothing.

I'll leave the towing question to others - you'll get as many different answers as there are posters... Well, OK, FWIW, the Expy is not as strong as the F-150 - the Independent Rear Suspension hurts the straight-line stability, and the payload is lower than most F-150s. Your trailer weight when loaded should be less than about 7500 lbs and even then you'll have to worry about hitch weight, RAWR, etc. All that aside, make sure your tires are pumped up on the truck for towing, get a good weight distributing hitch, and you'll have no problems! I have no regrets towing with the Expy (7400 lb GVWR 27' Cougar).

 

[Greg Parker]

I currently have a 2017 F150 (with the 3.5 ecoboost) and am looking to get a 2019 FX4 Expedition. I have two questions specifically for people who have also owned a recent F150.

#1: Is the turning radius the same as an F150? I live in a densely populated area and maneuvering through parking lots with the F150 sucks.

#2: Just how much worse is towing with the Expedition? I have a 29' (total length. 25' body) 6500lbs trailer that I tow a few times a year.

I know it's a shot in the dark looking for a F150 owner that also owns the Expedition, but here's hoping there are a few of you out there.

I haven't had an F-150 since my '05; however, I can reasonably say that you'll be ...

1. Happier with the turning radius of the Expy. It's not a Honda Civic, but it makes at least as tight of turns / "yooies" as my wife's smaller Honda Pilot.
2. Other than the fact that the towing capacity is undoubtedly less (than your F150), I'm not sure you'll notice much difference in towing ...especially with the right ...and properly setup WDH.

You'll be primarily giving-up 800-3000# of towing capacity and an open-air truck bed, IMHO. I just came from an '07 Duramax and the only thing I really miss is my truck bed's carrying capacity. Of course, I didn't need a WDH on that truck (for my 6200# camper), but I'm fine with having to add that. All in all, I think my Expy tows my camper better with the WDH on it than on the Duramax without (I'm sure it would've made a difference on the Duramax too).

Last thought ...you definitely want the "Heavy Duty Trailering Package."

 

[Zig10]

Can't comment on how your F150 tows, but I haul a 25', 7500 lb boat up and down I95 with my Expedition with no issues. I do have the HD tow package, of course, and I run a set of Sumo helper springs in the rear. Gas mileage sucks (8 MPG), but that's not unusual with that load.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[jastevenson]

Former F150 owner here. Turning radius vastly superior on the Expy. I had to back into every parking spot in my F-150. Can turn into parking spots normally in an Expy.

 

[Wilde]

Thanks guys. Great info so far. Nice to hear about the turning radius. That's literally my biggest gripe with my truck.

I have 2030lbs of payload on my truck, and that's the reason I bought this particular truck. Wanted to tow and carry a motorcycle in the bed. I know I have to keep an eye on the payload of the Expedition. I'm hoping I'll find one with ~1,500 - 1,600 and I should be fine with my tongue weight. I have an equalizer hitch (and a blue ox) so I'll be good with either of those.

 

[Fozzy]

Turning radius and ride comfort are better than a F-150.
Towing differences for me are,

Getting use to the IRS. It is a little uncomfortable the first time a semi go by you or in high wind. People have installed the Hellwig sway bar with good results. I have not received mine yet, but I have gotten use to the sway and totally enjoy the ride over the F-150.

No air bags. Air bags helped my F-150 ride level, they where adjustable, easy and cheap. I have installed the Sumo springs and they have helped the sag about an 1.5”. Not any other option out right now.

Trailer and gear noise in the cab. With the pickup there is a separation of all your stuff in the bed. So you don’t hear it rattle as much. And this could just be me, but the vibration of the trailer is felt a lot more with the Expy. Not sure if this is because of the huge cab or the shorter wheel base.

Rear window visibility, the truck was a lot easier to see out the back, I am use to it now, but took some time.

Tow rating. I currently tow under the Expy’s tow rating with the HD tow package and it does great. Been looking at new boats and some of them will be out of the Expy’s rating, but with in the F-150’s.

I have had my Expy almost a year now and gave up my 16 F-150 Platinum super cab with the short bed. The Expy is so much nicer to do everything in except for hauling dirty crap. More room for gear and people. Better ride and the same power. It actually gets the same fuel mileage as my truck did. My main gripe is everyone thinks I’m a soccer mom. Not as manly as a truck I guess.


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[Wilde]

Turning radius and ride comfort are better than a F-150.
Towing differences for me are,

Getting use to the IRS. It is a little uncomfortable the first time a semi go by you or in high wind. People have installed the Hellwig sway bar with good results. I have not received mine yet, but I have gotten use to the sway and totally enjoy the ride over the F-150.

No air bags. Air bags helped my F-150 ride level, they where adjustable, easy and cheap. I have installed the Sumo springs and they have helped the sag about an 1.5”. Not any other option out right now.

Trailer and gear noise in the cab. With the pickup there is a separation of all your stuff in the bed. So you don’t hear it rattle as much. And this could just be me, but the vibration of the trailer is felt a lot more with the Expy. Not sure if this is because of the huge cab or the shorter wheel base.

Rear window visibility, the truck was a lot easier to see out the back, I am use to it now, but took some time.

Tow rating. I currently tow under the Expy’s tow rating with the HD tow package and it does great. Been looking at new boats and some of them will be out of the Expy’s rating, but with in the F-150’s.

I have had my Expy almost a year now and gave up my 16 F-150 Platinum super cab with the short bed. The Expy is so much nicer to do everything in except for hauling dirty crap. More room for gear and people. Better ride and the same power. It actually gets the same fuel mileage as my truck did. My main gripe is everyone thinks I’m a soccer mom. Not as manly as a truck I guess.


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Just the info I was looking for. Thanks a lot!

 

[ShawnP]

I have a 2018 F-150 Platinum with HD tow, Super Crew with a 6.5 bed....and the wife has a 2020 Expedition Limited Special Edition with HD Tow.

When we drove to the dealership to pick it up and were on our way back home...she pulled a U-turn....I was following, assuming that I could do what she did... and "derp!"....came no where near being able to make it. Suddenly had to back up and turn the wheel more. The Expy definitely has a superior turning radius.

Can't comment on the towing...have not towed with either.

 

[Artie]

Turning radius is great, it’s better than the Subaru I had before this. Towing for me in a Navigator is just as effortless with my trailer... it’s a lot smaller than what you’re pulling so YMMV.