LJ4174
Full Access Members
Hey Folks...
So after trying to figure this out on my own, I finally did a google search for Ford Expedition Forum and came across this great site, read a few others, but this one seemed the best, and already read a bunch about towing with an Expedition... So here goes my question, sorry if it gets a bit long...
OK, so I'm familiar with towing and currently tow a 21' camper with my explorer. Keeping the Explorer, but also looking at an Expedition, trading in the 2011 Taurus... Can you tell I like Fords???
Anyway, so I have 3 young kids, 3, 5 & 7 - reason for an SUV instead of a truck. We also want to upgrade our camper. The camper we like is 35' long from hitch to bumper, has a dry tounge weight of 720 lbs and a dry weight of right about 7000 lbs, but a gross weight of 8300 lbs. So I'm sure loaded and such I will still be within my weight ranges, depending and here's where I'm running into issues... First off, does this seem reasonable to tow with an Expedition. Not full time, maybe 6 times a year, most trips no longer then 3 hours, most an hour or so, but may take a longer trip here and there.
I will be using a weight distribution anti sway hitch... Reese Straightline System...
So I'm obviously looking for an Expedition with the HD tow package and the 3:73 gears. I'm seeing various stuff about the payload capacity though and this is what I'm concerned about. I see specs for this as high as 1800 lbs, but when looking at Expeditions, I'm seeing less then 1500. So trailer, lets say 900 lb tounge weight - that is only leaving 600 lbs for the wife, kids, dog and gear. I think I will be very close or even over this 1500 lb limit. So how important is this? What is the limiting factor here and what do I need to look for, for an expedition with an 1700 or 1800 lb payload capacity? Do the wheels have anything to do with this? 20" vs 18"?
We really like the EL version for the extra space, but my thoughts are the extra space and length is also using extra weight, dipping into this payload capacity. So is the 12" extra wheel base WAY better for towing or will I be OK with the regular size Expedition, with a higher payload and higher towing capacity, it will also fit in my garage easier as well...
Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!! The VIN checker I found on another thread on this site will be a HUGE help... I asked 1 dealer about the gear ratio and they sent me back the gear ratio of the transmission and each gear. Another dealer told me it had the towing package, but I just needed to add the 7 pin connector. Another dealer told me 3:73 gears get better gas milage then 3:31's, but the 3:31's can tow more... ERRRRRR!!!!
Thanks...
LJ
So after trying to figure this out on my own, I finally did a google search for Ford Expedition Forum and came across this great site, read a few others, but this one seemed the best, and already read a bunch about towing with an Expedition... So here goes my question, sorry if it gets a bit long...
OK, so I'm familiar with towing and currently tow a 21' camper with my explorer. Keeping the Explorer, but also looking at an Expedition, trading in the 2011 Taurus... Can you tell I like Fords???
Anyway, so I have 3 young kids, 3, 5 & 7 - reason for an SUV instead of a truck. We also want to upgrade our camper. The camper we like is 35' long from hitch to bumper, has a dry tounge weight of 720 lbs and a dry weight of right about 7000 lbs, but a gross weight of 8300 lbs. So I'm sure loaded and such I will still be within my weight ranges, depending and here's where I'm running into issues... First off, does this seem reasonable to tow with an Expedition. Not full time, maybe 6 times a year, most trips no longer then 3 hours, most an hour or so, but may take a longer trip here and there.
I will be using a weight distribution anti sway hitch... Reese Straightline System...
So I'm obviously looking for an Expedition with the HD tow package and the 3:73 gears. I'm seeing various stuff about the payload capacity though and this is what I'm concerned about. I see specs for this as high as 1800 lbs, but when looking at Expeditions, I'm seeing less then 1500. So trailer, lets say 900 lb tounge weight - that is only leaving 600 lbs for the wife, kids, dog and gear. I think I will be very close or even over this 1500 lb limit. So how important is this? What is the limiting factor here and what do I need to look for, for an expedition with an 1700 or 1800 lb payload capacity? Do the wheels have anything to do with this? 20" vs 18"?
We really like the EL version for the extra space, but my thoughts are the extra space and length is also using extra weight, dipping into this payload capacity. So is the 12" extra wheel base WAY better for towing or will I be OK with the regular size Expedition, with a higher payload and higher towing capacity, it will also fit in my garage easier as well...
Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!! The VIN checker I found on another thread on this site will be a HUGE help... I asked 1 dealer about the gear ratio and they sent me back the gear ratio of the transmission and each gear. Another dealer told me it had the towing package, but I just needed to add the 7 pin connector. Another dealer told me 3:73 gears get better gas milage then 3:31's, but the 3:31's can tow more... ERRRRRR!!!!
Thanks...
LJ