Tow Package Questions

[cubsfanfordman]

Looking at new 2 WD Expeditions. Have a question about the tow package. Does it include a differently geared rear end which might hurt fuel economy and does it include anything that might negatively impact ride quality? I might want the tow package if I find one on the lot without a big mark up, just for resale down the road. I do tow but everything I tow would be within the 6000 lb limit of one without the package.

 

[tonydiv]

The larger trans and oil coolers will more than pay for themselves with the increased life (especially the transmission) of the driveline.

Improved cooling is the major benefit of the hd tow package

 

[GJarrett]

Interestingly, the heavy duty tow package does NOT include the 3.73 axle ratio (which you would think it should for heavy towing)... the 3.73 is still a separate option. So yes, you can easily find the tow package with 3.31 gearing. However I'm curious as to if it makes that much difference in mpg. I just bought an '08 4wd with the heavy duty tow package + 3.73 gearing and as far as I can tell, my mpg is the same as one with 3.31 gearing.... I get 18mpg hwy which I am more than satisfied with.

 

[Kansas Gary]

Interestingly, the heavy duty tow package does NOT include the 3.73 axle ratio (which you would think it should for heavy towing)... the 3.73 is still a separate option. So yes, you can easily find the tow package with 3.31 gearing. However I'm curious as to if it makes that much difference in mpg. I just bought an '08 4wd with the heavy duty tow package + 3.73 gearing and as far as I can tell, my mpg is the same as one with 3.31 gearing.... I get 18mpg hwy which I am more than satisfied with.

WOW is the figures from the on board computer system or is it figured out the old fashion way. Pen and paper? I have never got even close to those kind of MPG in mine....................Gary

 

[GJarrett]

I got that driving VERY conservatively (58mph on cruise control) for a tankful after we bought it a month ago in a town across the state from us and drove it home. I then figured it the old fashioned way when I refilled it up after we got home.

My wife has now driven it in town for another tankful and I think it's getting more like 12-13mpg in town - which sounds a little more realistic (for city mpg).

We are going on a 1,200 mile roadtrip this weekend and will go more realistic speeds on the highway this time... I think I'll have a better idea next week what it will get under usual conditions. I am also curious as to how accurate the onboard computer system is when it gives the mpg readout - I've owned two Ford Explorers and both gave readings that were exactly 10% optimistic.

 

[tojohnso]

I have a 2011 Expedition EL with the tow package. Around town, I tend to get 11 to 13 MPG. But, my trips tend to be short. When I mix with highway driving, I get 15 - 16 MPG. However, when I took a trip from Virginia to New Hampshire this past summer, I actually hit between 18/19 MPG. Was pretty happy about that! All of my calculations were the old fashioned way as well. For a while I compared what the computer advised vs what I calculated on a spreadsheet. The average difference was .82 MPG higher reading on the computer than calculated out of 15 fill-ups.