Towing Question

[428HO]

New to this Forum.

I have an '03 EB with 5.4 3:73 gears and towing package. Rated for 8500# but I do not have the air ride.
I've been pulling a 3500# boat like it's not even there but I'm now looking at pulling a 22' Haulmark enclosed with a car inside. Total should be around 7000# loaded give or take.

How hard is it to add the air ride?
Anyone pull this kind of load with '03 or newer Expo?

 

[pronstar]

I think an aftermarket system, like Firestone airbags or the like, would be relatively easy.

But putting a factory air ride onto your truck would be a PITA and cost-prohibitive, IMHO.

 

[428HO]

Anyone here added an aftermarket system to the IRS Expo?

 

[green monster]

I've looked around and haven't found any type of air shocks or air bags for the 2003 expy's.

Suggest you look at an equalizing hitch which will distribute the weight on all four wheels. A lot of people are towing bigger trailers than yours with weight distribution hitches. If you might need anti-sway as well, do a search on the web for "equal-i-zer hitch". I'm about to order one for my 2003 expy.
With the 2003 Expy's, everything changed with coil springs on all four wheels. Ride is better, but coils seem to create some extra sway when towing. The leaf springs on earlier models in the rear don't.

Good luck.

 

[pronstar]

Expeditions never came with leaf springs in back, BTW... Coils or airbags.

 

[green monster]

Sorry about that. was the change from a solid axle to independent in the back?? I know there was a change that gave better handling in 03, but worsened the trailering a bit.

 

[pronstar]

Originally posted by green monster
Sorry about that. was the change from a solid axle to independent in the back?? I know there was a change that gave better handling in 03, but worsened the trailering a bit.

Yup, that was the change.
I prefer a good ol' live axle for heavy-duty work.

If you don't have load leveling, the suspension geometry changes when an IRS is loaded-down, which doesn't happen with a live axle.

 

[chuck s]

Ignore the air bag, Timbrens, and other band aid advice your pickup truck buddies will give you.

A heavy trailer will certainly depress our rear bumper. Air bags merely disguise the overloading of the rear axle. Load leveling is for loads in the truck, not behind it. Sure your truck will be level, there just won't be any weigh on the front wheels and the rear axle could easily be overloaded.

What you need is a Weight Distribution Hitch like Green M. posted a couple of days ago. I can personally recommend the [/b]Equal-i-zer hitch.[/b] You'll want the 1000 pound/10,000 pound model (max of 1000 pounds on the ball , 10,000 pounds behind the truck). I have this exact WDH on my Expedition to pull my travel trailer. It does weight distribution and sway (fishtail) control, works with electric or surge brakes.

The best source I can find for Equal-i-zer is RVWholesalers in Ohio. $399 shipped to your front door. Hitch shop will want $700 for this puppy. All you need to add is the right size ball and find someone with the socket to fit it.

I just installed one of these Thursday night on a buddy's truck to tow his travel trailer. Took an hour. He emailed me last night from his campsite and noted how much better it all towed.

-- Chuck

 

[JUST4FUN]

very well said Chuck,I have the samething on mine too
and yes it's wonderful and i do recommend it..

 

[cahess]

I've looked for some type of air ride system for my 03, and have never found one. I've even posted on the board for one, but no one knows of any. I can tell you this... If you have the proper set-up, you should be fine. I tow a 36 foot travel trailer, dry weight at 8300 pounds. I have no issues. I just upgraded my weight distribution to the eza-lift prostar 1400. It was about 400 bucks, but so worth it. Here is a link. From what I can tel, it's one of the best out there. You have to buy the whole kit, I believe the model was el1400ps but I'm not sure. The kit comes with everything you need, with the exception of the ball, and anything for the sway control, which depending on the length, and weight on the rear of the trailer, I'd reccommend.

http://store.towshop.com/store/more_info.asp?Product_ID=449&Category_ID=93

this link is the older model. Also works well, but only has spot for a sway controller on one side.

http://store.towshop.com/store/more_info.asp?Product_ID=434&Category_ID=93

As far as someone towing a load with their expo, look below. This is what I tow, and I do just fine.

http://members.cox.net/cahess/P4300273.JPG
http://members.cox.net/cahess/P4300274.JPG

 

[428HO]

Looks like a nice set up cahess, although I'd like to see the Expo level as well the hitch looks fine.

 

[pronstar]

My Expy had both: LL hitch and LL rear suspension.

I thought almost everyone with a somewhat larger trailer used LL hitches these days...?