SHOPPING FOR A NEW EXPEDITION

[Doug Shumway]

Shopping for a new Expedition. This will be my third one. Owned a 1997...
2004 and now shopping for a 2018 to 2020. Going to be towing a camper trailer 3000lbs dry opprox. Question is will I need to get one with a HD Tow package or will a standard be fine?
Thanks

 

[Dice Roll]

Get the tow package no matter what. Just a way better setup overall.

 

[aggiegrad05]

(Here we go again)

Or, ya know, don’t get it.

Towing capacity of the standard setup is 6k pounds. If you don’t plan on towing anything north of 4500-5000 pounds (which it doesn’t sound like you will), the standard set up will be perfectly great.

Yes, there are some other benefits of the package (upgraded radiator, quicker acceleration off the line, trailer backup controller and trailer brake controller). But the package costs $1250+ and will cost you some mpg.

I don’t tow so I didn’t buy it. I don’t miss it.

If you NEED it to tow more than the standard capacity or for the peace of mind that you have the ability to do so in the future, buy it. If you don’t NEED it but you WANT the other benefits at the cost of mpg and $1250, go for it and enjoy it in good health. Buy what you want, it’s your vehicle.

(Cue everyone telling me how wrong I am and that I’m an idiot for buying mine without the tow pack. [emoji6] )

 

[Dice Roll]

(Here we go again)

Or, ya know, don’t get it.

Towing capacity of the standard setup is 6k pounds. If you don’t plan on towing anything north of 4500-5000 pounds (which it doesn’t sound like you will), the standard set up will be perfectly great.

Yes, there are some other benefits of the package (upgraded radiator, quicker acceleration off the line, trailer backup controller and trailer brake controller). But the package costs $1250+ and will cost you some mpg.

I don’t tow so I didn’t buy it. I don’t miss it.

If you NEED it to tow more than the standard capacity or for the peace of mind that you have the ability to do so in the future, buy it. If you don’t NEED it but you WANT the other benefits at the cost of mpg and $1250, go for it and enjoy it in good health. Buy what you want, it’s your vehicle.

(Cue everyone telling me how wrong I am and that I’m an idiot for buying mine without the tow pack. [emoji6] )

do we really have evidence the tow pack costs mpg? Ford doesn’t say that.

what we do have evidence of is people regularly posting how they wish they had the tow pack and even how to add the parts(not fun)

 

[aggiegrad05]

do we really have evidence the tow pack costs mpg? Ford doesn’t say that.

what we do have evidence of is people regularly posting how they wish they had the tow pack and even how to add the parts(not fun)

Physics. If your driveshaft has to spin more times for each rotation of the wheels, you have to burn more dead dinos for the same distance traveled. Not much more, no.


And I agree, that’s why I said if the OP wants it, he should buy it. But to drag around a 3300lb trailer, he doesn’t NEED it...which is what he asked. In other words: a standard, non-hd setup is physically capable and suited to pull what he wants to pull.

 

[Dice Roll]

Physics. If your driveshaft has to spin more times for each rotation of the wheels, you have to burn more dead dinos for the same distance traveled. Not much more, no.


And I agree, that’s why I said if the OP wants it, he should buy it. But to drag around a 3300lb trailer, he doesn’t NEED it...which is what he asked. In other words: a standard, non-hd setup is physically capable and suited to pull what he wants to pull.

It’s not that simple. The load on the engine effects a lot of stuff. That’s not even accounting for use of 10th more than 9th, 8th etc. your effective ratio might be the same or worse with a 3.15 or 3.31 on a little incline. Lot more to it than what you said.

 

[aggiegrad05]

It’s not that simple. The load on the engine effects a lot of stuff. That’s not even accounting for use of 10th more than 9th, 8th etc. your effective ratio might be the same or worse with a 3.15 or 3.31 on a little incline. Lot more to it than what you said.

I’d also cite the fact that Ford picked the 3.31 as the standard ratio as evidence of its increased efficiency...helps them with their overall mpg numbers.

 

[Dice Roll]

Except when I asked dealers about this they reported back ford doesn’t change the mpg rating based on the rear gear. There is a concept called the fuel island. Basically all engines have a range where if they operate under a certain load, the efficiency is really close.

 

[lobsenza]

The only difference in fuel economy (a very small one) is in highway driving. Around town, I doubt there will be any difference at the same acceleration. The throttle has to be pushed a little harder for a 3.31 axle vehicle to accelerate at the same pace. The transmission could upshift quicker with the 3.73 axle ratio. I tested both and the 3.73 axle felt quicker. Remember, Ford has to worry about a few hundredths of a difference in MPG. I would be very surprised if real world consumption would be much difference.

 

[Soliyou]

My 2018 with the 3.73 is rated for 22 highway. No way I can get that except with tailwind. I tried different speeds and best average I can get is around 20-21 mpg. Mostly We get 19.5. I am fine with this since my minivan gets 20.5 under similar conditions.

I can’t verify that this is due to gear ratio though.

Ford produces the 3.31 for a reason. If the price is right and that’s what you need just go for it.

My main reason for choosing the 3.73 was the limited slip function.

 

[Vipersinu2]

Here is my 2 cents

This is my last ford product I will ever own!
.
Owned fords scince 1990.

Never again!

 

[aggiegrad05]

Except when I asked dealers about this they reported back ford doesn’t change the mpg rating based on the rear gear.

Which is also another way of saying: they get their EPA mileage maxed on their most efficient ratio, and as long as their others are close, they won’t report anything different.

Look, I’m not saying the 3.31 is going to gain you 1 or 2 mpg, but it is going to get you better cruising mpg. Will it be marginal? Yes. Will you notice on every fill up? Probably not, especially if you do a lot of in-town driving (where the 3.73 may actually be more efficient). But over the life of the vehicle will you save money on gas with the 3.31.

But again, going back to the original question: you don’t NEED the hd tow for a 3300# trailer.

Maybe the 3.73 is better. Maybe it’s faster. Maybe there’s no difference in fuel economy. But it is definitely $1250 more and it is definitely not necessary for his situation.

 

[dlcorbett]

You wont need the tow pack. If you can find one with it, great but dont miss a deal if one doesnt have it but has everything else you want. Also, if you dnt want a problem truck, id try and get a my20 truck. Everyones experience with 18 and 19s are varied. My 18 had its issues but nowhere near what some ppl had.

 

[Dice Roll]

Which is also another way of saying: they get their EPA mileage maxed on their most efficient ratio, and as long as their others are close, they won’t report anything different.

Look, I’m not saying the 3.31 is going to gain you 1 or 2 mpg, but it is going to get you better cruising mpg. Will it be marginal? Yes. Will you notice on every fill up? Probably not, especially if you do a lot of in-town driving (where the 3.73 may actually be more efficient). But over the life of the vehicle will you save money on gas with the 3.31.

But again, going back to the original question: you don’t NEED the hd tow for a 3300# trailer.

Maybe the 3.73 is better. Maybe it’s faster. Maybe there’s no difference in fuel economy. But it is definitely $1250 more and it is definitely not necessary for his situation.

ok, once you get the numbers sorted out, let the factory know. They change the rating for two reasons, gear isn’t one of them. I don’t know the mileage loop conditions they test with to give the epa their numbers. Maybe you can find out and do some exhaustive testing for them.

his question is one thing, I gave an answer based on my experiences. Needs change and driving both setups tells me the 3.73 works a lot better than the airplane gears. Much easier to tow his trailer now with ease than to be short handed down the road when he decides for more. I’ve seen that plenty on here already.

 

[aggiegrad05]

ok, once you get the numbers sorted out, let the factory know. They change the rating for two reasons, gear isn’t one of them. I don’t know the mileage loop conditions they test with to give the epa their numbers. Maybe you can find out and do some exhaustive testing for them.

his question is one thing, I gave an answer based on my experiences. Needs change and driving both setups tells me the 3.73 works a lot better than the airplane gears. Much easier to tow his trailer now with ease than to be short handed down the road when he decides for more. I’ve seen that plenty on here already.

Eeeeeasy there big fella, I get enough snark from my wife and kids.

OP asked if he needed the tow pack. You said yes. I said “eh, not really but if you want it, go for it.”

The only reason I waded back into this no-win dispute again (I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I’ve had it with someone on here) is because once again someone responded to the “do I need the HD tow pack?” question with: “yes, you do it’s better in every way, absolutely.” And while it’s super-nice of you to spend the OP’s money for them, that answer is misleading.

Something like what you just said (“based on my experience, while you don’t need the hd tow pack because the 3.31 will handle what you currently have planned just fine, you’ll probably be a lot happier with the upgrade because _______”) is a much more accurate and helpful answer.

Be calm and enjoy your Saturday. Namaste

 

[Doug Shumway]

Here is my 2 cents

This is my last ford product I will ever own!
.
Owned fords scince 1990.

Never again!

Please elaborate. Thanks

 

[Doug Shumway]

You wont need the tow pack. If you can find one with it, great but dont miss a deal if one doesnt have it but has everything else you want. Also, if you dnt want a problem truck, id try and get a my20 truck. Everyones experience with 18 and 19s are varied. My 18 had its issues but nowhere near what some ppl had.

What do you mean “I’d try and get my20 truck”? What issues did you have with your 18? Have people been having issues with the new models? thanks
Doug

 

[dlcorbett]

What do you mean “I’d try and get my20 truck”? What issues did you have with your 18? Have people been having issues with the new models? thanks
Doug

For the most part, many ppl who own my20 trucks have not came here or other forums with issues, which alludes to less issues. If you look through the forum, the biggest issues with the truck, primarily my18 and my19, are the cam phasers, shocks, and small electrical stuff. Other than that, most ppl complain about the quirks of the truck they dnt like. Ive only had the popping mirrors and bt connectivity issues, but no engine or other electrical issues when i had it. All in all, the truck doesnt seem more problematic than anything else, but the truck itself is more advanced than anything else in its class not german, so the first runs can be messy and those are most likely the used ones on the market.

 

[sjwhiteley]

My 2 cents: I do not think you will miss it if you are towing a smaller trailer. However, I would get it. I don’t know how into TTs you are, but I can imagine you wanting a bit of an upgrade in a couple of years. Don’t let your tow vehicle be the limiting factor.

 

[JKautz]

If you like music, avoid the base stereo. I can’t say the B&O system is any better (I don’t own an Expedition with it) but I was very disappointed in my 2020 XLT’s sound system versus the cost of the vehicle. The rear speaker’s magnet is pretty much the size of a quarter and one had a cable pinched on top of it (see photos). It was the first thing I “fixed” on the car.