I need to tow (haul?) a '95 GMC Sierra with my 2004 Ford Expedition 5.4L 4x4 Eddie Bauer edition. I've looked thru several of these threads and I just get more confused. I don't understand the GCWR vs the tow hitch rating. When looking at these numbers, does it matter if I'm towing the truck directly or if I'm using a trailer? We will rent an auto-transport from U-Haul to put the GMC on.

If it matters, I'll also have luggage, dogs and 4 people in the Expedition. Miscellaneous items like plants and sleeping bags in the GMC.

If you need more info, I'd be happy to provide it. I'm just not sure what all you need. Appreciate your help.

Veronica

 

2005 Ford Expedition Specifications
this is the link you should look at. If the garage mans companion(lol) is less than 6000 lbs. plus the weight of the trailer you should be good.....try not to put alot of stuff in the g.m.c.(lol) if you can help it. also you need to be under the gcwr of your expy. gcwr is the gross combined weight rating....the truck, trailer, and load.
2005 Ford Expedition Specifications
and this is the link that will give you this information

Ken

2008 F150 FX4

 

Btw, sorry i forgot to answer the gcwr vs tow hitch rating....well i said what gcwr is but tow hitch rating is the tongue weight and the tow capacity. Tow capacity is what the hitch will pull and tongue weight is the amount of vertical weight that the tongue will hold. the tongue weight is usually about 10% of the hitch weight, in other words a 10,000 pound rated hitch will support about 1,000 lbs. of vertical tongue weight and will tow 10,000 lbs of trailer and load.
If you have anymore questions just ask, either myself or another should have the answers

Ken

2008 F150 FX4

 

GCWR = The maximum allowable weight of your truck and everything in it, plus the weight of the trailer and everything in/on it.

Hitch Rating = the amount of weight the hitch itself is rated to haul.

According to Ford's towing guide, You have a GCWR of 14,500 lbs and maximum trailer weight of 8,600 lbs if you have the heavy duty towing package, and a GCWR of 11,900 lbs and maximum trailer weight of 6,000 lbs without the heavy duty towing package.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...005_escape.pdf

 

I would say that since you are using the dolley that it should tow it no problem. I may be wrong here, but those things distribute weight a lot differently than loading the vehicle on a trailer. They make it way easier to tow another car. The only thing is, you will still be stopping the total weight of the gmc and your expy when you stop. As long as you are under the GCWR of your expy you are good.

 

Thank you all so much - I really appreciate your help! Made it all so much easier to understand.

Veronica

 

One thing that wasn't entirely clear, you said you are renting and "auto transport" from U-Haul. This usually means a trailer you put the entire vehicle on. Or are you renting a tow dolly that only carries the front wheels of the towed vehicle?

Auto Transport :



Tow dolly: