What are you towing?

[rocco TN]

I pull my 31' Palomino Ultralite with my expy. Have pulled it all over southeast and mid atlantic. Granted its dry weight is only 6750 Lbs but we have taken 4 of our six kids on our last few trips. So, six adults (my kids are well fed ) and a well stocked trailer. We have to cross a few mountains leaving home, regardless of the direction.
I drive 55-65 mph, use one sway bar and a distribution hitch. Yes, I feel it when certain cars, trucks, suvs, and tractor trailers pass me going ten to fifteen mph faster than me. But for the most part, she rides steady and true.

 

[GJarrett]

'08 Expy with heavy duty tow package and 3.73 gears. I tow a 6,500lb boat/trailer combo and have no problems. I do stay out of O/D and 65mph or below.

 

[rollinstone]

So, I get confused with the gearing...some say 3.73 is good, 4.xx better...others say 3.34 is best. Which is it? I tow a 3100 lb camping trailer currently with an Explorer with weigh distribution setup...fairly solid ride, but want to upgrade to the Expy.

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

3.73 is a lot better then 3.31 but the higher the number the better it is.

 

[01yellerCobra]

Think of the gearing like a lever moving a load. The higher the number the longer the lever. So a 3.73 will have an easier time moving a load then the 3.31. But that comes at the expense of mpg. I couldn't tell you how much though.

 

[GJarrett]

An Expy should be able to easily haul a 3,100lb load no matter what the gear ratio is: though as others have said, a higher ratio will work better. 3.73 is a stock ratio but going to 4.xx ratio would require re-gearing an axle ($$$).

Mine gets what I consider great milege with the 3.73 axle, so I am not too sure I would have saved anything with a 3.31 anyway. I'm very happy with the 3.73

 

[rollinstone]

Been doing a lot of internet searching and can't seem to find anything within 75 miles with more than 3.31 gearing...what gives? If 3.73 is stock, no one around these parts seem to think so...

 

[01yellerCobra]

Been doing a lot of internet searching and can't seem to find anything within 75 miles with more than 3.31 gearing...what gives? If 3.73 is stock, no one around these parts seem to think so...

The 3.73 is an option for the standard Expy. Even if it has the HD towing package. But the 3.73's are standard on the EL.

 

[GJarrett]

The 3.73 option seems to not have been a popular one. It took me awhile to find mine when I started shopping for a used Expy. Be patient - they ARE out there, you just have to keep looking. I do think it was silly to not make it standard with the HD towing package, but that's how they were sold.

 

[daoud elmassri]

this is what I tow with my beast

2000 ford expedition all stock with 2001 expedition 5.4
motor she now has 59,000 miles on her . 2001 supercharger new 8 inch lower pulley 60 lb ****** injectors 340 stealth air motive fuel pump 11 pounds of bust . I tow 24 ft Grady Whit center console boat ways 11,000 lb .

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

2000 ford expedition all stock with 2001 expedition 5.4
motor she now has 59,000 miles on her . 2001 supercharger new 8 inch lower pulley 60 lb ****** injectors 340 stealth air motive fuel pump 11 pounds of bust . I tow 24 ft Grady Whit center console boat ways 11,000 lb .

WTF!!! That's a heavy boat!!
I'm pretty shore its at most 8000 lbs

 

[DF5.4]

This is our 30' TT. I haven't put it on a scale but I call it the 7000 lb parachute.

Sometimes this for the Boy Scout troop.

 

[tkoden]

32' Keystone Passport 32FB

 

[robertcope]

2012 Expedition King Ranch, 49K miles, all stock...

I tow my '99 Miata to the race track on a small aluminum trailer. I can barely tell it is back there, honestly. Beats the hell out of my last tow vehicle, a '97 Toyota Tacoma SR5. That was a great, reliable truck, but it couldn't tow worth a darn even with the TRD supercharger on it.

The Expy tows great and holds the family with ease.

robert

 

[alex800]

Here is mine...



2015 Heartland Wilderness 3150DS

 

[rollinstone]

Regarding gearing, 3.31 vs 3.73, here's my question: Since the Expedition now uses a 6-speed trans wouldn't the taller first gear more than compensate for the lower final drive rate when you use the 3.31?

I am having a hell of a time finding an Expy in my region in the 2012-2014 range with a 3.73...thinking I may have to settle for the 3.31. I've also heard the 3.31 runs a bit quieter at highway speeds...yes? No?

 

[01yellerCobra]

Regarding gearing, 3.31 vs 3.73, here's my question: Since the Expedition now uses a 6-speed trans wouldn't the taller first gear more than compensate for the lower final drive rate when you use the 3.31?

I am having a hell of a time finding an Expy in my region in the 2012-2014 range with a 3.73...thinking I may have to settle for the 3.31. I've also heard the 3.31 runs a bit quieter at highway speeds...yes? No?

Here's my theory....

The 3.73's help in each gear. Because they give mechanical leverage. The shorter first gear might help make up for the 3.31's, but I think when you're cruising is when you'll notice the difference. Depending on how much weight you're pulling at least. If the cruise rpm is too low then the trans will have to down shift every time you need to accelerate for passing or going up a hill. Too much of this is bad for the trans. So then you have to turn off OD. Which then puts the engine rpm much higher and kills mpg. I know mpg while towing isn't the first concern, but better mpg is always nice.

Are you referring to gear noise or engine noise? With a stock exhaust and intake mine is quiet. Even with the Borla it's hardly noticable.

 

[rollinstone]

Thanks 01yellercobra...yeah, that kinda follows my thinking, too. I just don't think anyone is trading in their older 3.73s...if that many were sold to begin with.

So...I'll keep searching. Y'all keep a lookout for me...in the Seattle area.

 

[spotdog14]

Moved some stuff up north this weekend.