Had a 09 Expedition and now have a 15. Pull a 5000 lb Ranger boat often on a single axle traliler. 09 was quite squirrelly at higher interstate speeds. If windy at all, quite bad. On long trips, when my fishing buddies would take their turn to drive, they would be almost to scared to drive it. I was somewhat used to it, but it does sway bad at times, and like roll back and forth. Did all the tinkering I know of or read about. Checked tongue weight. Was told should be 10-15% of total trailer weight. Right at 11%. Adjusted boat forward and rearward to adjust tongue weight. Put higher and lower hitch on. All tires max pressure. Aligned all tires. Tried putting heavier sidewall tires on truck. Nothing has helped on 09. 2015 advertised "trailer sway control". So bought a used '15. No difference.

Trailer pulls good behind a Ford 150. I have been made aware that the Expeditions have a independent REAR suspension by the mechanic that changes the oil in it. He thinks that is the reason for problems. I looked at a '15 Tahoe in a lot this weekend and that has a solid axle, not independent. Of course the pickups all seem to not have independent also.

My Ford dealer, who I bought the truck from, thinks air bags for the rear would help. The main company that makes them, he says, does not make a set for the '15 yet. I am beginning to think I just need to buy a vehicle that does not have an independent rear suspension. I really do not want a pickup, would probably have to go with the Tahoe. Last time I pulled the boat, it was real windy, came to a open area, just pushed me over 2' into the other interstate lane immediately, could not stop it. Scared the crap out of all of us in vehicle, this is starting to get serious. Need to fix or get rid of. Any ideas??? Thanks.

 

I would be very surprised if it is the IRS on the Expedition causing the swaying. You may want to try upping the tongue weight for the trailer to the 15% range. Also when you say a 5000 ranger is that just the boat or the combined weight of the boat, motor and trailer?

Another thing that crossed my mind is should you look at a tamden axle trailer? Probably be less expensive that a new truck. How much pressure for you have in the trailer tires? Good luck with it

 

I've owned a 2005, 2013, and now 2015 expedition and have towed 6500-7500 lbs regularly with each without issue. What speed are you towing? 5k lbs seems like a lot for a single axle trailer, higher weights on a single axle trailer decrease stability. Make sure the trailer tongue is at tow height when checking tongue weight. Suggest increasing tongue weight as a start. Make sure your trailer tires are intended for a trailer. Good luck.

 

More tongue weight and look at getting a weight distributing / sway control hitch.

 

Once hooked our single axle 6x12 cargo trailer to the Expy and ran it down the interstate. Pulled great until the first side draft off a semi. We might be onto something regarding the single axle vs tandem setup. Maybe you have a buddy who can lend his tandem rig for you to experiment before you go to plan b?

 

I too have pulled up to 9,000 lb. boat/trailer down the highway with no sway. Trailer tongue weight makes a big difference, but I think in your case you need a tandem axle trailer. The Ford guy is just trying to sell you something. Air bags will keep your truck level, until they fail (and I know someone who has replaced them twice on a Navigator). They won't help sway.

My heavy boat is 9,200 with trailer on a scale. Tongue weight is measured at 540 lbs. (by disconnecting from truck and measuring difference). That's 6% tongue weight, and it pulls fine with a tandem trailer. I should really have 3 axles on that one.

You don't need a scale. Put a short 2x4 under the tongue, and you and a buddy get on either side. Assuming you are fit, if you and a buddy can't lift the tongue off the ground using your legs, you have at least 400 lbs. of tongue weight.

Depending on the trailer, you might be able to add an axle. Most trailers are built in the area where the boat is sold. Contact the trailer manufacturer to see if they can add an axle. Don't pay them for it until they demonstrate that the tongue weight with the boat on it is at least 5% of the boat/trailer weight.

 

I've got a 13 EL/Max and I have a 24' Sea Ray Sundeck that i tow most weekends both saturday and sunday anywhere from 80 miles each way to 50 miles each way. I never have any complaints with how it tows but my trailer is a dual axel with electric brakes and I have my built in trailer brake controller set to 9 with sway control activated.

My only complaint is the lack of power my 5.4L gasser has versus my old Excursion 6.0L Diesel. But since we all know Ford has their heads so far up the EPA and their own @$$ we wont be seeing any diesel powered Expeditions or the return of the Excursion anytime soon. (But I am looking at a Edlebrock Supercharger to cure my power needs LOL)

But anyways its not the truck either your tiresare too small, or your trailer isnt configured right and a 5,000LBS Trailer IMHO should have dual axels.

 

Howdy, Comparing the old 5.4 Expedition to your 6.0 with a TON of mods isn't quite fair. I've owned a 2005, 2013 and now 2015 Expedition and the stock EB tows like light and day between the old tried and true 5.4. I was absolutely shocked when Ford went with this motor years ago thinking it would never work on the F150s, but I was wrong. I also run a 5* tune on my DD, although I have 5 tunes up through 93 performance, I currently run the 87 towing tune. Absolutely noticeable difference from stock.

 

I now have a 2016 EcoBoost Expedition instead of the 5.4. That is one powerful motor. I no longer dread hooking up a trailer.

 

To the OP's post. Your biggest difference between your Expy and your Buddy's truck is the wheelbase. That in itself is likely the #1 reason for the sway when compared to the towing manners of trucks. The distance between your steer and drive axles it the leverage you have available to combat the cross winds. The shorter the distance, the less leverage you have.

 

I'm new to the eco-boost. It's been a long tine since I purchased a vehicle with a warranty. Does the performance tune (5*) affect the warranty? Thanks, Terry

 

In theory, so long as the tune didn't directly cause the failure it should not effect the factory warranty, but we know that some dealers would do whatever they could to pin any failure on a modification. 5 Star offers a full power train warranty covering 50,000 miles for $500. For me it was an easy decision and peace of mind.