Military Move - Gotta Tow the Car

[smokinstang65]

Greetings Folks,

As you can see I'm brand new to this forum. I bought my Expedition because it turned out it snowed too much up here in NY for me to keep driving my Shelby. Its coming up on time to get stationed somewhere else here in about a month. So here come the questions:

I've got an 06 Expedition Limited 4x4 but it only has the 4 pin connection for a trailer. The vehicle I'm towing is a 2008 Shelby GT500 and it weighs in at approximately 3920lbs From what I've read I think I should be good as long as car + trailer don't weigh more than 6000lbs since I don't have the HD Tow Package. Do I need to upgrade anything to be able to make this haul?

I'll be using a Uhaul car trailer to transport. I've seen pictures of folks hauling cars without an issue on this subforum. Any input on how well these Expeditions drive with a car on a trailer behind them?

I've looked at Uhaul and went through their calculations (GVWR - Curb weight - trailer tongue weight = luggage capacity) and they assume a tongue weight of approximately 750lbs. So my loading capacity after that is factored in is going to be roughly 1000lbs by my calculations. Is that a legitimate estimate of how much extra crap I can load in the Expedition for the cross country trek while towing a car? I don't expect I'll get up to that weight to be honest, the Navy movers are taking most of my crap, its just the expensive stuff I don't want them breaking (and guns) I'll be taking myself.

Am I missing anything else I really ought to be looking at before this move in regards to the Expedition? A transmission flush, etc etc etc?

I'm thinking I should be fine. I've towed cars using F150's and moving vans but this'll be the first time I've done so with an SUV so I'm not quite sure what to expect here and when i bought my Expedition I did some research but I didn't think to look at whether or not it had the HD Towing Package or not. Hindsight is 20/20 right? Hahaha. Now I wish I could swap the Shelby's motor into the Expedition for the trek

 

[alaskanexpy]

first off welcome!

to your question, you will be just fine. i've towed 6k (a '69 mercury cougar with a big block + trailer) with my '98 5.4 and never had an issue. got up to speed without issue and drove great. i think you will have no issue with the 3V 5.4 and newer tranny in the '06.

 

[smokinstang65]

That's a fine looking Cougar you've got there too btw. I've got a 65 Mustang Fastback back home in Cali waiting for a restoration/mod job. Thanks for the response. I'd thought it looked like I was going to be good to go for the tow but it never hurts to double check with folks WAY more knowledgeable in these things than myself!

 

[walnuts4x4]

my .02 would be skip the tranny flush.... that can open a hole other can of worms.. but I don't think you would have any problems... I tow a 17ft boat while turning 37s and have no problems

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

using OD, or perhaps the newer versions have a tow/haul mode, is the only thing that will quirk you IMHO. Mine set a code back in '98 before pcsing from Meade to Monterey even w/ OD off--new torque converter while under warranty. Others have chimed in above, but very easy to install a trans cooler, or oil cooler too.

your other thing will be sway control and surge braking system vs. having electric brakes renting the uhaul. its a proven system, but having the extra confidence and the ability to manually apply additional braking @ the fingertips through the brake controller provides both safety and comfort. I would consider a frame hitch, couldn't tell from your post if you're doing a bumper-pull, but that could be your achilles heel.

I would also check codes for trailer mirrors. you should be o.k., but having that extra few inches from after market mirrors can make a difference. here again, i have a 1st gen and went through many iterations of getting it right.

Pic is what we used to haul the Vette in.

thanks for your service from one Vet to another....HooYah Navy!

 

[Stoned06]

Weight wise you'll be OK. 750 tongue weight is a bit high, but I was at 850 for a year and didn't know it and it trailered OK. You typically don't want to be over 600 as that is 10% of the loaded trailer max,and the rating on the Expy off the hitch. Usually the higher the tongue weight, the better the trailer travels, but there is a point of too much.
I would be more concerned with trailer brakes. You won't have electric brakes with the 4 pin connector. You can either try to get a surge brake equipped trailer, or have the wiring installed for a 7 pin connector to give you the electric brake connection (best bet). I pulled 6000 lbs with a surge brake trailer as that is the way boat trailers are designed, but e-brakes are a better solution if you can go that route.

 

[JUST4FUN]

Well if UHaul thinks your expy cant handle the load they will not rent you the trailer.
all most all uhaul trailers have surge brakes. keep the car over the trailer wheels
as much as possable (to remove some of the toung weight) put some of the heaver items in the back of the car. as stated 10-15% of the trailer weight should be on the toung.

 

[sgtowing]

You should be just fine. Dont worry about the hitch. All 2nd gens have a frame hitch. The only thing you may want to consider is a secondary tranny cooler just for insurance.

Sent from my Galaxy SIII Using Tapatalk2

 

[Lightnig]

+1 on considering upgrading the transmission cooling, especially if you are heading for warmer climates.

 

[alaskanexpy]

i've never almost overloaded a UHAUL trailer......LOL

 

[Charly]

Welcome and thank you for your service.

Recently I got my self a 240sx and had to tow it across Florida with an extra engine and transmission in the car full of junk and my expedition were all my tools just incase. it was +90* that day and the car ran fine at highway speeds for hours no problems at all you should be fine.

 

[smokinstang65]

I literally LOL'd at that picture Alaskan. Thanks for the comments folks, its definitely easing the worry I was having about the upcoming move. Unfortunately, with one month left before I'm supposed to move, the Navy still hasn't seen fit to tell me where I'm going so for all I know it could be a 3 hour jaunt over to Groton, CT or cross country through the Rockies and Cascades to Bremerton, WA or the Sierra nevadas down to San Diego. I guess as long as it gets me out of NY I'll be happy . I think I'll see about getting an external transmission oil cooler installed if for nothing else, I intend to be living in Texas when I get out of the service here in 3 years so hauling stuff in that heat might very well warrant it. I think now the only thing I've got to worry about on this thing is what to mod first (CAI/exhaust), which aftermarket Nav system to get installed and figure how to fix that blasted clicking from the back seats when the heater's on back there.

 

[tallsville]

i towed my moms 2007 jeep patriot loaded with stuff in back of my expy from LA to Flagstaff, with no problem. I was able to do 70-75 with no problems.

 

[smokinstang65]

And in epic Navy fashion, after prepping for a cross country run towing the Shelby ... orders come through and I'm Hawaii bound. So much for towing lol.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

container ship time, or professional storage.

HooYah Navy.

PanHandler.

 

[smokinstang65]

Well, i will say, bringing the Expy out to the islands was a great choice. I've carried so much dive gear its not even funny. This thing is excellent for carrying divers and dive gear to shore spots to put in. Unfortunately the front suspension just took a major crap on me.