Expedition - Impressed (tow capacity)

[Perfectmax]

I towed a boat this week with my 2018 Expedition and was thoroughly impressed. Boat was 10,500 lbs with a 1300 lbs trailer. This exceeded the tow capacity of the truck (only an in-town tow) but my expectations were exceeded. Not much bouncing, the engine and transmission could have handled much more it seemed. Only limiting factor is the weight on the rear suspension (and I would imagine the brakes too although they were fine for the short tow plus the trailer had brakes as well).

Figured I’d share, again, very impressed with this trucks capabilities!

 

[JExpedition07]

I’m more impressed with the Scout. Well built center councils and very nice choice in hull color, love the blue. Also makes your truck look like a little potato, too much boat for an Expedition too stop. For safety I wouldn’t bring that on the highway or any state roads. Over GVWR can get us into trouble if anything were to happen we are liable for our vehicle and load.

 

[Artie]

Wow, that’s a LOT of weight and a lot more over the max for my comfort zone but very impressive none the less. What was the tongue weight? I didn’t see a weight distribution hitch either so you probably thoroughly tested and exceeded all the weight maxes lol

 

[JExpedition07]

Wow, that’s a LOT of weight and a lot more over the max for my comfort zone but very impressive none the less. What was the tongue weight? I didn’t see a weight distribution hitch either so you probably thoroughly tested and exceeded all the weight maxes lol

Boat trailers put most of the weight over their axles and toward the stern. The thickest part of the hull along with the engine weight is also concentrated at the stern.

 

[Artie]

Boat trailers put most of the weight over their axles and toward the stern. The thickest part of the hull along with the engine weight is also concentrated at the stern.

Ah, I see... makes sense now that I think about it.

 

[AmpForE]

The engine is capable but as you said, the brakes, tongue weight, wheelbase get you in trouble. Be careful when exceeding the trailer and GCWR.

 

[Zig10]

I tow my 248 Edgewater up and down the east coast with my 2018 Max, and I think there are really only 2 major shortcomings with this towing platform:
1. The rear suspension is far too soft, even with a tongue weight of less than the 600 lb WDH recommendation
2. The fuel tank is way, way too small for a tow vehicle. It is a solid 5 gallons under my previous Yukon XL, and that really screws up the logistics of a long trip... especially when you have to get around the DC area.

Other than that, the power delivery is perfect for towing, and I have found the brakes to be extremely capable even for highway towing.

 

[Fozzy]

The EcoBoost is amazing. I wish they would have put airbags with the CCD shocks on the rear. Just to level the legal load. WDH are awesome, but I shouldn’t need one with a 7K boat with 500lbs tongue weight. But I need something to control the squat. Love the boat. Looks like a ship next to the Expy.


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[Randy Schmidt]

I get rear suspension sag like you do. Really wish the Expy had rear load leveling suspension. But I am happy with the engine and it's towing capabilities.

 

[Deadman]

I think it actually looks better squatted down a bit like that. I hate the ugly wheel gap the American manufacturers can't figure out how to eliminate.

 

[TBaganATX]

I get rear suspension sag like you do. Really wish the Expy had rear load leveling suspension. But I am happy with the engine and it's towing capabilities.

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Have you looked at Sumo Springs? Only thing out (that I can find) that may work for the 18+ Expy.


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[pittsy]

I tow pretty heavy too..but the boat primary stays on the lift behind the house and I take it out 3-4 times a year and the ramp is 1.6 miles away. I drive slow and leave plenty of room to stop. The trailer is a triple axel and has 4 brakes so its stops pretty well.

 

[Zig10]

Have you looked at Sumo Springs? Only thing out (that I can find) that may work for the 18+ Expy.


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I have them installed on mine. If definitely helps, but not like an air suspension would...

 

[TBaganATX]

I have been looking for airbags, but nothing is out yet that I can find. I’m going to get them after the holidays and replace the stock shocks on my FX4 and hope that helps the ride and towing until something comes out.


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[Lou Hamilton]

I can't wait until I hit 1000 miles on mine so I can start towing my camper. It's not a heavy one (only around 3000 pounds), but still excited to see the difference coming from a my previous tv that only supported around 4500 pounds.

 

[Zig10]

Just a public service announcement: If you get the Sumo Springs and need any warranty work done, make sure you let the dealer know that you installed them. I took mine in last week for a leaking front strut, and while they were checking the others they found the Sumos and thought that they were shipping blocks that the selling dealer forgot to remove. They were going to cut them out, but fortunately called me first to see if I knew about them. $130 argument averted...

 

[Artie]

Just a public service announcement: If you get the Sumo Springs and need any warranty work done, make sure you let the dealer know that you installed them. I took mine in last week for a leaking front strut, and while they were checking the others they found the Sumos and thought that they were shipping blocks that the selling dealer forgot to remove. They were going to cut them out, but fortunately called me first to see if I knew about them. $130 argument averted...

So I’m about to pick up a trailer... should I just buy these now or wait and see how the rear does? 400lb tongue 5000lb trailer.

 

[Perfectmax]

You’ll be fine with the 400 lbs.

 

[Zig10]

So I’m about to pick up a trailer... should I just buy these now or wait and see how the rear does? 400lb tongue 5000lb trailer.

I would give it a shot without them and see what you think. Just remember that if you throw anything in the storage area it adds to that weight behind the axle and just causes more squat.

If you decide to add them they only take about 10 minutes per side to install.

 

[Bury]

I've got a 2015 Expy and pull a 7000lb travel trailer. Expy pulls it fine, but on the highway the max I wanted to go was 60mph before I would get a little sway. And when the big trucks passed I got more sway. Yes I had an equalizer hitch and two friction sway bars, but still got a little of the white knuckle driving. I did a lot of research and spent the money and bought a Pro Pride hitch, IT IS WORTH THE MONEY. The advertise that they eliminate the sway, and it did.