Boat towing with 4th gen

[SJay]

I got a steal of a deal on a 2020 Limited Max. It wasn't exactly what we were looking for but I got it for thousands below book value so it was hard to pass up.

I also have a 32 foot boat that weighs about 8000 lbs fully loaded and including the trailer. It tows great with my F150 ecoboost so I think I should be able to tow it with the new expedition 3.5 ecoboost.

However, I have max tow on the F150 plus airbags. The Expedition does not have max tow.

I'd like to put a bit of a lift so I can run 35" truck tires, and I'd like to beef up the suspension for better towing as well. What all does that entail? I'm able to do DIY upgrades and repairs but there are so many variables to suspension I'm not aware of. Could I add something like a 3 or 4 inch lift, plus heavier duty shocks and springs, and potentially airbags in the rear as well?

Bonus if I can find a way to fit the larger mirrors like my F150 has.

 

[apex96]

Best you can install for a more heavier duty feel would be Bilstien 5100 shocks with the factory springs and perches. There are no air bag kits available for the independent rear ends on these. Max lift for these is in the neighborhood of 3 inches. You can run 33 E rated tires just fine stock with these.

Just remember upgrading the suspension does not magically increase the payload or towing capabilities. If ford says it's max is 6,000 lbs then that's the max.. If you go over that and wind up in a wreck and it's determined that you exceeded the specs of the vehicle, the repercussions are on you... If you really want to tow 8,000 lbs, sell this one and get one with the heavy duty tow package.

 

[SJay]

Why not a heavier rate spring, or dual rate springs? A new shock is the only option?

Also, while I don't see traditional 'airbags' i am seeing air suspension kits for my Expedition that behave the same.

 

[apex96]

There are no heavier rated or dual rated springs out for the 4th generation 2018-2024 ford expeditions... I've looked, I've modded mine as it is with aftermarket suspension. There are no air suspension kits out there for the 2018-2024 4th gen expeditions. If you're finding these kits please post a link...

My guess is you're finding kits for the 1st or 2nd generations that had rear air shocks that could load level the rear. These won't work on the 4th generation expeditions.

you can find spring rubbers that you insert between the coils, these will reduce sag but essentially mask the issue you'll have with too much tongue weight inducing the sag to begin with...

Here's the only 3 inch lift available right now that will recenter the rear tire in the wheel well: https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/ford-leveling-lift-kit-40231

Here's the most adjustable kit out on the market also one of the best riding kits due to rebound adjust-ability: https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com...4wd-75-225-lift-stage-2-system-w-tubular-uca/

None of these erases the fact that the expedition is capped at 6,000 lbs without the heavy duty tow package. The standard tow does not have an air to oil trans cooler and does not have the 3.73 rear gears in a 9.75 rear end... you'll have the 3.31 gears in an open diff Super 8.8 rear end.

 

[Calidad]

This boat is 28ft on an Aluminum Karavan Trailer 1800lbs boat empty tanks with trailer is right around 9000lbs. The Expedition is heavy tow pack which includes the HD 3.73 gear set in addition to additional cooling capacity. 700 mile tow Seattle to Ca I would not recommend towing over 6000lbs with the standard non HD Expedition.

Now if all your doing is yard dolly moving thats not really towing its just shuttling around a dry yard etc.

A 34ft boat running twin mercs is going to be in the 10,000+ lbs way past the standard light duty expedition which is basically mini van SUV format etc.

The HD F150 setup is like the HD expedition both are running gear sets shared by trucks with far higher payload and tow ratings. There could be axle differences also.

 

[Calidad]

A Merc Verado 250 is 600lbs dry. 32ft boat is most definitely more than 8000lbs unless its an open hull panga style hull.

 

[SJay]

A Merc Verado 250 is 600lbs dry. 32ft boat is most definitely more than 8000lbs unless its an open hull panga style hull.

Thanks for telling me how much my own boat weighs... Super helpful. I'm sure you know better than I do.

 

[SJay]

View attachment 83456
This boat is 28ft on an Aluminum Karavan Trailer 1800lbs boat empty tanks with trailer is right around 9000lbs. The Expedition is heavy tow pack which includes the HD 3.73 gear set in addition to additional cooling capacity. 700 mile tow Seattle to Ca I would not recommend towing over 6000lbs with the standard non HD Expedition.

Now if all your doing is yard dolly moving thats not really towing its just shuttling around a dry yard etc.

A 34ft boat running twin mercs is going to be in the 10,000+ lbs way past the standard light duty expedition which is basically mini van SUV format etc.

The HD F150 setup is like the HD expedition both are running gear sets shared by trucks with far higher payload and tow ratings. There could be axle differences also.

I'm not looking for assumptions on my own boat's specs, but thanks. Do you have anything to contribute regarding my questions? Can the Expedition be retrofitted with towing style mirrors for example, or heavier duty springs and struts?

 

[Calidad]

Your number 1 issue is cooling and gearing which is a definite issue even at 9000lbs with heavy tow pack gearing and cooling I have to watch my temps.

So unless your boat is a mexican panga its way too much for the basic format Expedition

 

[apex96]

Didn't catch you were also looking for better mirrors. At this time the aftermarket has chosen not to attempt to mimic the ford tow mirrors that can be found on the F150 and up trucks. 4th Gens only have the factory mirrors. The best you can do is find universal tow mirrors that strap onto the mirror assembly and allow for better viewing of what is being towed.

 

[Calidad]

9ft 9in wide permit haul 34ft ball to prop I used the strap on extension mirrors and hated them. I only use them for appearance purposes. The stock mirrors allow me to see enough that I have no interest in fooling with trying to find something else

 

[C Trost]

I got a steal of a deal on a 2020 Limited Max. It wasn't exactly what we were looking for but I got it for thousands below book value so it was hard to pass up.

I also have a 32 foot boat that weighs about 8000 lbs fully loaded and including the trailer. It tows great with my F150 ecoboost so I think I should be able to tow it with the new expedition 3.5 ecoboost.

However, I have max tow on the F150 plus airbags. The Expedition does not have max tow.

I'd like to put a bit of a lift so I can run 35" truck tires, and I'd like to beef up the suspension for better towing as well. What all does that entail? I'm able to do DIY upgrades and repairs but there are so many variables to suspension I'm not aware of. Could I add something like a 3 or 4 inch lift, plus heavier duty shocks and springs, and potentially airbags in the rear as well?

Bonus if I can find a way to fit the larger mirrors like my F150 has.

You cannot tow over 6k without the HDTow pkg. see link https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...pdf/guides/20Towing_Ford_Expedition_Oct15.pdf
The Max is 9000, reg is 9200(4x4). I have ‘20 XLT hd tow and tow 8800lb express cruiser; Sumo springs, bilsteins 5100s tows it fine. The hd tow gives you added cooling, 3.73 elsd diff, upgrade rear axle shafts, triple brake controller. It also gives you the increase in cargo cap and gross combined weight rating in order to tow over 6k.