I have a 2008 Expy, bought used in 2010. Been waiting for the redesign, thought it would be 2-3 years. I drove a 2018 Max yesterday and really like it. A few questions. I was hoping for load leveling with the Nivomat shocks, but they're apparently not available on the 4th Gen. Doesn't sound like it's a big deal, though. I tow a 4000# boat/trailer 1000 miles to the coast for a week each year and don't really have any plans at this time to go bigger. I'll be ordering the 4WD, which already includes the 3.73 differential on the Max. So, it looks like if I ordering the HD twing package, I would just get the HD radiator and some electronic crap for my $1500. No? Also, it seems like the longer wheel base would reduce the squat while towing. Thoughts? My tow capacity would be 6000#, which should be fine. Looks like even with the HD package you can't get to 9000# without a WDH, as 900# tongue weight seems like a lot? Thoughts?
Ordering Max
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Edistobob
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The HD trailer package also includes the pro backup assist plus the integrated brake controller. Don't know if you want the backup assist, but some people really like the way it makes it easier to back up a trailer. Other folks prefer to do it in the traditional manual way. Don't know exactly how to comment about the 900-lb tongue weight. The general rule of thumb is that about 10% of the trailer weight should be on the tongue; therefore, a 9000 lb trailer could be expected to have about a 900-lb tongue weight. Max trailer weight without the HD package (and with the 3.31 axle) on a Max 4x4 is 6000 lbs. The HD package with the 3.73 is 9000 lbs. You can find the detailed tow specs for different configurations on page 30 of the 2018 Ford towing guide.
aggiegrad05
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The 3.73 rear end only comes with the HD towing package (or the FX4), it is not included just by ticking the 4x4 box.
shane_th_ee
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The Expy with the 3.73 will take up to 630lbs dead hitch weight and 6300lbs of trailer without a WDH. https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...l/pdf/guides/18RV&TT_Ford_Expedition_Oct5.pdf
Looks like I messed up on the "Build and Price" section. But in the specifications it says that the 4X4 Max comes with the 3.73 final drive. Which is correct? I was told the HD Tow package with the 3.73 diff will decrease my mileage by 3MPG. That doesn't sound right.
Also, under Chassis Specifications on the Ford website it says that the rear suspension mechanical load leveling is an option. Is that correct?
Also, under Chassis Specifications on the Ford website it says that the rear suspension mechanical load leveling is an option. Is that correct?
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The consensus seems to be that they got rid of the load leveling shocks for the 4th gen and just have the CCD suspension or regular plain Jane shocks. Also go back to the Ford website and look at the power & handling specifications instead of the chassis specs. No mention of optional load leveling suspension, just the CCD. If you look at the power & handling specs for the 2017 Expedition you’ll see it says optional load leveling suspension.
I stopped by a dealer today because they had a 2018 GT350 I wanted to get a look at. While we were walking around I looked at the row of Expys. They had a few Xlts, a few limiteds and a Platinum. The Platinum had the CCD of course. All the others just said Multilink Independed Rear Suspension on the window sticker. None said Mechanical Load Leveling Rear Suspension like the sticker on my 17 did. All the limiteds came with the HD towing setup because I could see the brake controllers. On all the 17s I looked at the Load leveling was pretty much standard if you had HD towing
I stopped by a dealer today because they had a 2018 GT350 I wanted to get a look at. While we were walking around I looked at the row of Expys. They had a few Xlts, a few limiteds and a Platinum. The Platinum had the CCD of course. All the others just said Multilink Independed Rear Suspension on the window sticker. None said Mechanical Load Leveling Rear Suspension like the sticker on my 17 did. All the limiteds came with the HD towing setup because I could see the brake controllers. On all the 17s I looked at the Load leveling was pretty much standard if you had HD towing
I don't mind the standard suspension because I'll be getting the standard 18" rims. Appears that the CCD helps with the 22" wheels. Doesn't seem like the load leveling suspension will be of much benefit for standard towing, as it doesn't increase the tow capacity. My current 2008 does fine. Anybody know how much the HD towing package hurts mileage?
Nothing will increase towing capacity unless you get bigger axels and the tires to match. The load leveling suspension is a huge benefit and IMO hurt the towing ability of the new model tremendously. I'm not sure how you can say the trucks ability to level a load and reduce squat on its own is not a benefit but whatever. There is a video floating around on here of some guys pulling a 5000# horse trailer and the squat on the Expedition is ridiculous. With a 4000# boat in tow you'll be fine, HD tow package or not. My wifes MDX has a higher tow rating then that.
Its not going to change the MPG's that much. Only difference is HD is 3.73 rear and non HD is 3.31. Its been proven on here if you drive it easy you can hang in the 20+ mpg range all day. But with that said if you're looking for good gas mileage the Expedition Max is probably not a good buy
Its not going to change the MPG's that much. Only difference is HD is 3.73 rear and non HD is 3.31. Its been proven on here if you drive it easy you can hang in the 20+ mpg range all day. But with that said if you're looking for good gas mileage the Expedition Max is probably not a good buy
shane_th_ee
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Which coast and what time of year? I don't think I'd want to tow much of anything over the mountains and through the desert without the heavy duty radiator. If you're just going from Oklahoma City to South Padre Island every spring, I suppose you might be ok without the extra cooling capacity...
LOL!
aggiegrad05
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I have a 4x4 max and my combined mpg after 1500 miles is around 15.8. Granted I usually drive...spiritedly, but even when I go easy 20mpg is aspirational at best. Two qualifiers: 1) even the manual says not to measure your mileage until after the first 2000 miles, so maybe it'll get better; and 2) it's the platinum with the extra horsepower, so I'm not sure if that affects things.
But as 07xln said, I didn't buy a 400hp battle wagon to save the planet or gas money.
I dnt tow with mines but i would expect it to tow a 4k lb trailer with no issues whatsoever. The sag would probably be a bit disconcerning, but from reviews and the one or two testimonials in the forum, the new expy tows just fine, if not better than expected. As far as mileage goes, without towing, my mpgs are much better now at 2.6k miles, but i still havent been able to crack the mpg sticker numbers. Lifetime avg for my 4x2 swb is 17.4, she avgs about 21 to 22mpg on the hwy, but shes quoted at 24mpg. From what i can tell, you get the best mpg by coasting on hills or stay on flatish roads. If the eco has to spool for anyreason, it starts drinkin. Also, mileage drastically goes down after 70mph, so i usually cc her at 71 or so, i can get about 22 or so out of her that way. 65mph bumps it up to about 23ish. This probably wont help you much, but i do feel that 4x4 wont change the mpgs much and for the max alotta ppl are gettin good mpg for such a big beast.
deweysmith
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Integrated brake controller and pro trailer back assist are well worth the money and any small hit in gas mileage you might take, IMO.
I don't think my current Expedition has the HD towing package. I just talked to the dealer and according to my VIN it has the 3.31 differential. It does fine going over to the Olympic Peninsula from Salt Lake City,across the Snake River plain in hot weather and over the Blue Mountains.
As far as load leveling, it's not clear to me that it significantly changes the weight distribution, right? So it doesn't really change the towing capacity? Don't get me wrong, I'd like to have it, but it not being available isn't a deal breaker. The HD package increases the towing capacity by 3000#, but that appears to be due to radiator and differential, not the axles, tires, etc. Also, there's more to mileage than gear ratios, so I'm hoping that going to 3.73 from 3.31 won't decrease my mileage much. I can see 20+MPG with the 3.31 final drive I have now, and 10th gear is higher than my current OD.
My boat trailer has surge brakes, so the integrated controller is moot. Not sure what the pro back assist does, but I'm pretty proficient at backing up.
As far as load leveling, it's not clear to me that it significantly changes the weight distribution, right? So it doesn't really change the towing capacity? Don't get me wrong, I'd like to have it, but it not being available isn't a deal breaker. The HD package increases the towing capacity by 3000#, but that appears to be due to radiator and differential, not the axles, tires, etc. Also, there's more to mileage than gear ratios, so I'm hoping that going to 3.73 from 3.31 won't decrease my mileage much. I can see 20+MPG with the 3.31 final drive I have now, and 10th gear is higher than my current OD.
My boat trailer has surge brakes, so the integrated controller is moot. Not sure what the pro back assist does, but I'm pretty proficient at backing up.
Oh, well, if Shannon says so, then it’s settled, lol. Just kidding.
Good information to know.
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Edistobob
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I think you should ask Shannon to double check. If load leveling is standard equipment, Ford has managed to keep that fact well-hidden in all of their brochures and equipment descriptions. Are you sure she is not confusing load leveling with the CCD suspension?
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