Towing Capacities

[NyackRob79]

I'm directly on ford.com reading the specs for Expedition MAX 4x4. Its Max Towing Capacity is rated at 9,000lbs, but other web sources indicate a lower (6500lb) capacity.

Is the 9,000lbs capacity WITH or WITHOUT the heay-duty tow package (which I don't have)?

Contemplating renting a camper trailer for the summer and having solid numbers with respect to towing would be helpful.

Many thanks everyone.

 

[JExpedition07]

It’s 6,500 with no HD tow

 

[Wayne Decker]

Correct you need HD tow package to get 9,000.

 

[NyackRob79]

Got it. Sounds like a heat dissipation issue for the radiator and transmission cooler. Next year I’ll be sure to buy an Expy with the HD tow package.

Surprising as the lighter and smaller Mercedes GLS-450 has a 7500lb rowing capability in base form.

Thanks for your answers.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Got it. Sounds like a heat dissipation issue for the radiator and transmission cooler. Next year I’ll be sure to buy an Expy with the HD tow package.

Surprising as the lighter and smaller Mercedes GLS-450 has a 7500lb rowing capability in base form.

Thanks for your answers.

Curb weight of a GLS is 5700lbs.

Curb weight of an Expi is 5368/5623 (2wd/4wd) for the shorty and 5534/5794 for the Max.

The GLS is a direct competitor with the Expi, they are the same class. But the GLS is heavier than the Expi in almost all but the much larger Max with 4x4 (the Max is almost a full 2 feet longer than the GLS).

 

[JExpedition07]

Curb weight of a GLS is 5700lbs.

Curb weight of an Expi is 5368/5623 (2wd/4wd) for the shorty and 5534/5794 for the Max.

The GLS is a direct competitor with the Expi, they are the same class. But the GLS is heavier than the Expi in almost all but the much larger Max with 4x4 (the Max is almost a full 2 feet longer than the GLS).

I think it’s Fords aluminum body with comparison to the GLS. The ‘07-‘17 Expedition steel body curb weight is quite a bit heavier than the GLS at 5,808 lbs for shorty and my Expedition EL weighs in at 6,200 lbs curb according to the manual.

 

[ETC13]

Got it. Sounds like a heat dissipation issue for the radiator and transmission cooler. Next year I’ll be sure to buy an Expy with the HD tow package.

Surprising as the lighter and smaller Mercedes GLS-450 has a 7500lb rowing capability in base form.

Thanks for your answers.

The transmission cooler is the same regardless of HD tow or non HD tow. Radiator is larger in the HD tow and rear end gear ratio is different.

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[JasonH]

Also need a weight distribution hitch over 600 lbs tongue.

 

[Deadman]

The transmission cooler is the same regardless of HD tow or non HD tow. Radiator is larger in the HD tow and rear end gear ratio is different.

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Most radiators have the trans cooler built into them.... How do you know that this bigger radiator doesn't also house additional trans cooler area?

 

[ETC13]

Most radiators have the trans cooler built into them.... How do you know that this bigger radiator doesn't also house additional trans cooler area?

2018+ Ford has moved it to a water cooled heat exchanger that is attached to the front of the transmission pan.

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[Fozzy]

2018+ Ford has moved it to a water cooled heat exchanger that is attached to the front of the transmission pan.

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How is the water cooled?


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[ETC13]

How is the water cooled?


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Without looking at the actual plumbing one would think thru the radiator. Hence the HD getting a larger radiator to deal with the higher heat load coming into it.

Here is the part:

https://parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com/oem-parts/ford-oil-cooler-jl1z7869a


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[John JJW]

With HD tow package no WDH is needed up to 900lbs, 600lbs for no tow package.

 

[ETC13]

With HD tow package no WDH is needed up to 900lbs, 600lbs for no tow package.

I don't really follow why the WDH hitch numbers would not kick in at the same point for a non HD vs an HD. Suspension, brakes, etc...are the same between the two. I would think the requirement for a WDH would kick in at the same weight.

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[JExpedition07]

I don't really follow why the WDH hitch numbers would not kick in at the same point for a non HD vs an HD. Suspension, brakes, etc...are the same between the two. I would think the requirement for a WDH would kick in at the same weight.

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It does, the class IV hitch says so right on the stickers. Both HD tow and non HD tow must use weight distribution after 600 pounds tongue weight.

 

[wakeboarder]

I don't really follow why the WDH hitch numbers would not kick in at the same point for a non HD vs an HD. Suspension, brakes, etc...are the same between the two. I would think the requirement for a WDH would kick in at the same weight.

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Agree with the weight distribution hitch necessary over 600lbs.

If the description on parts.ford.com is accurate, then the spring is different between the heavy duty tow package and the standard tow.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/spring-coil-6606689-1#sectionId:4167928


For the OP, below is a link to the 2018 Ford Expedition towing guide.
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...l/pdf/guides/18RV&TT_Ford_Expedition_Oct5.pdf

 

[ETC13]

Agree with the weight distribution hitch necessary over 600lbs.

If the description on parts.ford.com is accurate, then the spring is different between the heavy duty tow package and the standard tow.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/spring-coil-6606689-1#sectionId:4167928


For the OP, below is a link to the 2018 Ford Expedition towing guide.
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...l/pdf/guides/18RV&TT_Ford_Expedition_Oct5.pdf

Springs on the 2018+ are the same between both.

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[wakeboarder]

Springs on the 2018+ are the same between both.

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Can you share how you know for sure? I would like to learn how to look this kind of stuff up in the future. Thanks!

 

[RustyOval]

With HD tow package no WDH is needed up to 900lbs, 600lbs for no tow package.

I tow a 7,000# travel trailer and there is no way I woud EVER tow it without WDH. The steering gets real squirrly when the wieght is over 5,500#. I tow campers from RV shows and I always bring home the smaller campers when not set up for WDH, IE <5,500#.

 

[wakeboarder]

Springs on the 2018+ are the same between both.

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I decided to look at this further and I still think the coil springs are different between with and without heavy duty tow package. I searched for two VIN's online. I narrowed my search to 2019 Expedition Max XLT's RWD. I picked one VIN with heavy duty tow package and one without. I then searched for the rear coil spring on parts.ford.com while filtering for the specific VIN. Below are the results. Notice that the description even indicate as such. Note the VIN's are visible in the screenshots. Also note if searching for two different VIN's on parts.ford.com, it is best to close and reopen the browser. It seems to remember the old VIN in the background.

With heavy duty tow


Without heavy duty tow