how would i know if truck set up to tow

[strokin393]

We got a 97 Eddie Bauer expedition and it doesn't have a reese hitch/tow hitch. I'm planning on putting one on but not sure if it needs a trans cooler or whatever or don't know what all we need to tow.

 

[panda24619]

how much you planning on towing?

 

[strokin393]

how much you planning on towing?

My car which is about 3200 to 3400lbs

 

[JUST4FUN]

My car which is about 3200 to 3400lbs

are you going to flat tow it or trailer it

 

[strokin393]

are you going to flat tow it or trailer it

With a trailer. If its set up, would it have a trans cooler? I see a little cooler or something up front.

 

[etrailer]

With a trailer. If its set up, would it have a trans cooler? I see a little cooler or something up front.

You may be seeing the A/C condenser. To make sure it's a trans cooler, see if there are a pair of lines coming off the transmission up to a cooler in front. Chances are there is a pair of lines that runs into a dedicated portion of the radiator.

Since you're planning on towing a car, I'd probably upgrade to a dedicated, larger transmission cooler. It will help extend the life of the trans.

Draw-Tite, a company related to Reese, has two models available for a 1997 Expedition. I'd recommend the slightly heavier one since you're towing a car. Check out their part # 41527.

http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=41527

 

[DF5.4]

The small cooler you see may be a cooler for the power steering. If you plan on towing make sure you have a transmission cooler.

 

[hertfordnc]

Check out this link:

It's the trailer Life Towing Guide for 1999. That's as far back as they go but your truck will be more or less the same.

THere's several parts to the "how much can i tow" question.

The engine, transmission and axle are the mechanical part and the rest of the "towing package" is about brakes and cooling; bigger radiator, transmission cooler, etc.

A car on a trailer is probably around 5,000 to 6,000 which i think is well within the capability of just about any Expy, even with a 4.6

The other big factor is how far and how often will you tow.

If it's 50 miles every Saturday you can push it a bit. If you're pulling a big load for thousands of miles then you need to know that your setup is sustainable.

Transmission fluid should not get hotter than about 200 F for any length of time.

If you are unsure about your setup a transmission cooler is a cheap monitor for around $50.