Does anyone do any real Towing with an Expedition? I'm interested in the extended rear end versions, but I was never impressed with the early versions that came out.

 

The Eco engine is a better choice than the V8 for towing.

 

I have a 2007 with the upgraded tow package. Tow rating is somewhere around 9000 lbs i believe. I added an after market brake controller (plug n play)

I towed a 4000 lb travel trailer on a cross country trip. Did 25k miles in total with nothing but oil changes and a new set of tires at the end.

It performed flawlessly through mountains, hot deserts, and even the occasional snow storm. Even did 80 miles an hour through texas..haha

 

which engine package did you have?

 

The standard 5.4 V8

 

I have the 5.4 with the full tow package and I can tell you for sure it does not tow large trailers well. The truck has plenty of power to tow on the highway but the week base is far too short to tow anything big. Swaying is a real problem with the wheel base.


I have towed a 38 Cigarette top gun and it was all over the road and the truck could not stop it. I towed a 27 travel trailer and I would say that was about the limit before swaying started. It tows a lawn or box trailer like it is not even back there. Again it is not a power problem but a wheelbase problem.

 

Bought this used 2013 expy Limited last summer 5.4 eco. We took our 31Ft travel trailer on a little holiday through the rockies. Like rm2077 reports not a good vehicle to tow large trailers with. After i pumped up tires and tightened sway bars really tight seemed to be better. 5.4 is too under powered though to do long hauls with.

 

I felt compelled to post after reading some of the comments above.

I agree 100% that the wheelbase can be a problem. However, even the short wheelbase expedition can haul a fairly large camper safely provided you have a good hitch and have it set up right.

I'm hauling our 31ft ultra light with the 06 short wheelbase expedition. I ponied up for a Reese straight line dual cam hitch, spent the time setting it up as best I can and have been rewarded with a very stable setup. Never any sway at all. It does move around in the wind and with passing trucks, but always in a straight line. The truck and trailer move as a straight unit.

It can be done and done safely. 25mph crosswinds, passing trucks, tour buses.... Handles it all with no sway and no fear of steering the rig and losing control of the trailer.

Power ... Well, it is adequate...

 

[QUOTE=meborder;16883535]I felt compelled to post after reading some of the comments above.

I agree 100% that the wheelbase can be a problem. However, even the short wheelbase expedition can haul a fairly large camper safely provided you have a good hitch and have it set up right.

I'm hauling our 31ft ultra light with the 06 short wheelbase expedition. I ponied up for a Reese straight line dual cam hitch, spent the time setting it up as best I can and have been rewarded with a very stable setup. Never any sway at all. It does move around in the wind and with passing trucks, but always in a straight line. The truck and trailer move as a straight unit.

It can be done and done safely. 25mph crosswinds, passing trucks, tour buses.... Handles it all with no sway and no fear of steering the rig and losing control of the trailer.

Power ... Well, it is adequate...



Hi bud
Nice rig
Big weight difference in your trailer and mine i would think i could haul your trailer with my 2013 as well but the one i have is a 2000 Terry and that thing is heavy.

Did not intent to dissuade from hauling trailers with Expy's but really have to be aware of limitations.

I think i would have better luck with my 06 as it seems to have more power than my 2013 and feels heavier as well as having the cats gone which adds a lot of pep to it.

 

My '11 Expedition with the tow package is rated for only 5,000 lbs without a weight distributing hitch. I would not recommend much more than 5,000 on the highway without a wdh.

Went from VT to the Keys with our 8,000 boat rig and it was fine.

If rm2700 towed the Cigarette without a wdh I wouldn't be surprised he was swaying.

 

I have a 2014 EL that I tow a 30 foot toy hauler trailer. I have the tow package and a good WDH. Power is never an issue. I have drove in the mountains upstate NY then down to texas . I would say the tractor Trailers passing me at 85mph does push and pull me a bit.

 

I tow a lot. Usually with the truck but sometimes when its all of us, we take the expedition.

The wheel base is not the issue i have when towing heavy. The independent rear suspension feels weird. Not swaying but feels like the backside is constantly moving around. Like a woman swinging her hips when she walks.

However, a good weight distributing hitch takes a lot of that out. It still feels different that when towing with a solid axle truck but stable.

The 5.4 has plenty of power to tow the 10k weight limit. What most people do not realize is that the power band for that engine is a lot higher so it has to stay at higher rpms for max torque. Its how its designed and will not hurt it.

 

When we had our '10/5.4 Expedition, we used it to tow the boat which (trailer included) weighed about 5500 lb. going down the road. Good power, good stability and good stopping. The trailer has Atwood disc brakes so it does a great job of contributing to the effort.

Just realized I need to edit my signature. No more Expedition.

 

I tow an enclosed 24' ATC car trailer with weight distribution usually loaded with a 68-72 Oldsmobile Cutlass or 442. I've got a 07 Expy EL with tow package, and trailer brakes. I'm right at 8000 loaded, and to me this is pushing the limits of the truck. Like others said, there is a "looseness" of the rear end and a susceptibility to crosswinds that solid axle trucks have a lot less of, and power is OK on level areas, but just barely adequate on grades. Still love my truck - just have to be more vigilant when driving and aware of the grades to be encountered on my trip.

 

I have had no issues towing with any of my Ford Trucks. Started with an 88 Bronco which had a really short wheel base. Great for maneuvering. Went to a 2000 Expedition standard length and now a 2011 Expedition. Each truck was better than the previous. I tow a 4500 LB boat (tandem axle) across the country each year.