Expedition as Long Trip Road Vehicle

[balthisar]

Just got home last month after 4+ months traveling through Mexico

Oh, I'd _love_ to hear more. Do you keep an online travel blog or anything of the sort?

I've been all over Mexico in late model Expeditions as well as other vehicles (never with a trailer, though), and I've got to say, every vehicle provides a different experience at the state borders, and with local police, and so on (I've lived in EdoMex, Sonora, and Guanajuato, for what it's worth – I'm not Mexican).

 

[Left Coast Geek]

Oh, I'd _love_ to hear more. Do you keep an online travel blog or anything of the sort?

I've been all over Mexico in late model Expeditions as well as other vehicles (never with a trailer, though), and I've got to say, every vehicle provides a different experience at the state borders, and with local police, and so on (I've lived in EdoMex, Sonora, and Guanajuato, for what it's worth – I'm not Mexican).

I did a photo album, organized by town......

Caravanas Mexico 2024

Our Mexican RV Adventure, January to April 2024

pierce.smugmug.com

and the yellow stars here are most of the campsites, I missed a few (Uxmal, etc).

 

[Pawpaw]

Saw you made it to the Xcaret park. We were there at the Occidental Xcaret resort in April. Beautiful place and have been there before in 1998 so a lot has changed. Flew into Cancun from the New Orleans area. The show was terrific and weather was actually not as warm as New Orleans!! Nice pics of the trip!!

 

[Left Coast Geek]

rather annoying, the Caravan was booked for an RV campground near Tulum, but the RV park closed, was torn down, and they were building condominums... The tour operator was unable to locate ANY RV camping anywhere near the coast so we had to be bussed from Pisté for the Xcaret visit. 2 hours each way with 12 of us crammed into a Sprinter, ugh.

 

[aksarben]

Great thread, and confirmed my hopes/expectations.

For the last decade we have been making an 1100 mile round trip about 2x a year in a small Equinox and occasionally our BMW X3. Past few years in a Model Y (yeah, yeah, take that conversation to the basement) and after the last trip last summer in 110 weather, that's when we decided we need to change vehicles for our 5 year plan.

Well we did that 1100 mile trip in Dec and dealt with some freezing rain and ice and only 1-2 stops for the round trip and when we got home, I was AMAZED at how rested and relaxed I was. OMG, what a difference a larger vehicle makes. Haven't had a large vehicle since I sold my Chevy Cheyenne K10 in 1980!

Vehicle is a 2021 Limited that only has 9K miles on it. Other than some PPF on front, tinted windows, floor mats through out, and downsizing from the Stealth 22 rims to 20 rims, I don't have any big plans to change anything. Good advice given on the spare. I do carry a better jack, beefed up plug kit and a few tools, tow strap, and a small jump start pack that also functions as an air compressor and am going to get a shackle for the rear hitch in case I ever need it. Also installed a dash cam, will never be w/o one again after experiencing the one in the Tesla.

See you on the road, we'll leave the light on for you.

 

[Calidad]

As I wait (not very patiently!) for my 2022 Limited Max to arrive sometime in March, I though I'd ask the hive-mind's wisdom and insights on using Expys as distance haulers. This car's primary use is for long road trips: back and forth to the summer house (15hrs each way), back and forth to Florida (15+), kids to and from colleges (6+), and towing a racing sailboat to regattas all over the eastern half of the US.

So .. what experiences has everyone had with long road trips in their Expeditions? Any tips? Key upgrades or accessories?

We've got two kids who will both be in college this fall. Two dogs. Boat is only 2500lbs so an easy tow.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and insights.

(We are a longtime Volvo family -- and of course I have TWO Volvos in the shop today at the same time! Argh.)

West coast racer tho sold my race boat before I bought the Expedition. Boat and trailer were 2200lbs all in with class weight and required gear. Towed with a Subaru for years, then Landcruiser and Sequoia. The Expedition has hauled my dark side boat some which is a permit load st 9ft 9 wide.

The expedition won’t even notice your boat or your gear. Key West race week should be fun

 

[aksarben]

Great thread, and confirmed my hopes/expectations.

For the last decade we have been making an 1100 mile round trip about 2x a year in a small Equinox and occasionally our BMW X3. Past few years in a Model Y (yeah, yeah, take that conversation to the basement) and after the last trip last summer in 110 weather, that's when we decided we need to change vehicles for our 5 year plan.

Well we did that 1100 mile trip in Dec and dealt with some freezing rain and ice and only 1-2 stops for the round trip and when we got home, I was AMAZED at how rested and relaxed I was. OMG, what a difference a larger vehicle makes. Haven't had a large vehicle since I sold my Chevy Cheyenne K10 in 1980!

Vehicle is a 2021 Limited that only has 9K miles on it. Other than some PPF on front, tinted windows, floor mats through out, and downsizing from the Stealth 22 rims to 20 rims, I don't have any big plans to change anything. Good advice given on the spare. I do carry a better jack, beefed up plug kit and a few tools, tow strap, and a small jump start pack that also functions as an air compressor and am going to get a shackle for the rear hitch in case I ever need it. Also installed a dash cam, will never be w/o one again after experiencing the one in the Tesla.

See you on the road, we'll leave the light on for you.

View attachment 83646

Off to NV, AZ and UT next week!

 

[smp7032b]

What rims and tires did you change to?

 

[Left Coast Geek]

What rims and tires did you change to?

not sure who you were asking, but I changed to a new set of 'take-offs' from a late model F150 with the 'appearance package', I've also seen them on FX4's.

my original 'stealth' 22" wheels,


My F150 18's...



you do need to trim about 1/2" off the end of the stub axle on your rears or the plastic "Ford" caps don't fit, but thats a lot easier than finding Expedition specific wheels. If you do go with aftermarket 18" rims, make sure they are rated for the GAWR of the Expedition (4400 lbs or better), and not some little sporty-car. I'm still running the tires that came on the F150, but will be replacing them once they are worn with BFG KO3 AllTerrains.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

and less 'HE/SHE KEEPS TOUCHING/LOOKING AT ME'. lol

Yea, I had this happening constantly with my kids in my old SUV that had a bench seat, to the point where I told them I would strap one of them to the roof rack if it didn't stop (would never do this of course, but you know how kids are), hehehe

 

[Left Coast Geek]

FWIW, I like the 2nd row bench... when you fold the 2nd and 3rd rows down with the buckets, there's a big hole between the seats.

 

[Samantha1]

FWIW, I like the 2nd row bench... when you fold the 2nd and 3rd rows down with the buckets, there's a big hole between the seats.

I agree! And the Expedition is the best road trip vehicle! We've taken ours on two long road trips, each a month long. First was up the east coast to Charleston, then up through Michigan to the UP, down through Wisconsin and back to Florida. Last year was out to New Mexico, then up to Colorado, over to Kentucky, then on to Chicago, then back to Florida. It performed flawlessly and absolutely no complaints!

 

[HILLY]

I agree! And the Expedition is the best road trip vehicle! We've taken ours on two long road trips, each a month long. First was up the east coast to Charleston, then up through Michigan to the UP, down through Wisconsin and back to Florida. Last year was out to New Mexico, then up to Colorado, over to Kentucky, then on to Chicago, then back to Florida. It performed flawlessly and absolutely no complaints!

I'm with you guys. Both times when shopping for my trucks this was a must. I have three kids and they can easily manage in the second row when the third must be down. We've also have made use of eight passengers several times with family and friends going out. Plus when running big item errands (HD, Costco, etc.) it's also nice not having the hole in the middle of the second. I had a Yukon before with captains and it was inconvenient to me at the time for various reasons.

Only thing I wish the second row had which I don't understand as most others do, is have a fold down arm rest in the middle seat back.

 

[smp7032b]

Are there any decent rim folks have used without cutting for the cap?

 

[aksarben]

Are there any decent rim folks have used without cutting for the cap?

Stock rims from a reputable "remanufactured" or "take offs" from someone that didn't want the size that you happen to want.

The 20" rims I switched to are Ford OEM rims that were available on a prior year model and therefore I had no issues with the axles.

Just search internet for "Ford 20" OEM rims 10143" if you want the 20" wheels like I have. Do not buy 10173, although they may look exactly the same they are NOT, they were for F150 only and will not allow the center cap to fit.
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) stamped on back of the wheels is JL1Z1007E. You can also get them in Hyper Silver.

 

[Hellwig]

I agree! And the Expedition is the best road trip vehicle! We've taken ours on two long road trips, each a month long. First was up the east coast to Charleston, then up through Michigan to the UP, down through Wisconsin and back to Florida. Last year was out to New Mexico, then up to Colorado, over to Kentucky, then on to Chicago, then back to Florida. It performed flawlessly and absolutely no complaints!

What's the mileage of your vehicle now?

 

[Samantha1]

I've got 38,700 on it now. We're planning on taking it up to Maine this summer. I also made a lot of trips to Tennessee in 2023 before my Mom passed.

 

[smp7032b]

thanks for the info on rims!

 

[Pawpaw]

Getting some roadwork in starting Thursday. Heading to Charlotte N.C. for wife to see her sister's family. Hauling some good ole Louisiana seafood for them to enjoy. Wish they had a gigantic overpass crossing Atlanta!!