nfntruth, nice rig! I was checking out your pics. Looks like you might want to invest ina drop hitch if the trailer is hooked to the truck in those pics. Tugboating the trailer like that will be like pulling a parachute.
I have an 03 with the truxxx lift and 33's. I'm very pleased! I hauled about the same weight as you from Oklahoma city to Erie PA last spring and averaged around 13mpg. I ran premium gas the whole way.
I actually do have an adjustable draw bar. I have it dropped 6 inches to keep the trailer level, and about 400lbs at the tongue. Its not connected in the pics.
As far as premium, I had planned on running premium as well, but I can do an experiment and start with regular since San Diego doesnt really have premium, and its about 4.00 a gallon. I also only have about 1700 miles on it. That may make a difference as well. I just changed the oil to full synthetic too. I will definitely post my results.
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07 XLT-3" lift Truxxx lift-K&N drop-in-33" Procomp Xtreme A/Ts on Moto Metal 17"s-12" Kicker sub-Aura Bass shakers in both front seats-Yakima basket-Flowmaster 40 muffler-Sylvania Silverstar headlights-Wet Okole seat covers-Optima deep cycle battery.
nfntruth, if your're comparing different fuels, note the Octane rating. Some states (UT?) regular is something like 85, where in AZ its 87 mid & premium vary too. You might also find that you get better mileage if your fuel doesn't have the pollution control additives that are in the CA & AZ gas. With my last vehicle the best milage (an extra 3MPG) I ever got was in Northern NM & Southern CO and that was with in the mountains with an old van with 130K miles. The only thing I could attribute it too was better gas because I was driving plenty fast and going up and down lots of hills & mountains. I had 3-4 fill ups with the same improved results.
Finally made it to KC, here is the verdict:
From San Diego to Flagstaff, I ran premium, 91, cruise at 65, 10.2mpg, 13,400 total weight. Flagstaff,to Dalhart texas, preimuim 91, 11.0 mpg, Dalhart Tx to KC, MO, premium 91, 8.8 mpg. The wind was killing me. I was running 70-75 on the 2nd and 3rd leg. I was nothing less than impressed. I was running at 1900 Rpm in the low to mid 70s, and it was like the trailer wasn't there. No problems in the mountains at all, didn't even slow down, although I was running in 3rd/4th. It handled great, coolant temp barely went up, normal around 193, peaked at 202 on a 6 degree incline for a few miles at 65mph. I am sold on the truck, just wish it had the ford integrated break controller, my only real complaint. If you are gonna tow 5-7K lbs, don't worry, balance the load, and you will have absolutely no problems.
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07 XLT-3" lift Truxxx lift-K&N drop-in-33" Procomp Xtreme A/Ts on Moto Metal 17"s-12" Kicker sub-Aura Bass shakers in both front seats-Yakima basket-Flowmaster 40 muffler-Sylvania Silverstar headlights-Wet Okole seat covers-Optima deep cycle battery.
Finally made it to KC, here is the verdict:
From San Diego to Flagstaff, I ran premium, 91, cruise at 65, 10.2mpg, 13,400 total weight. Flagstaff,to Dalhart texas, preimuim 91, 11.0 mpg, Dalhart Tx to KC, MO, premium 91, 8.8 mpg. The wind was killing me. I was running 70-75 on the 2nd and 3rd leg. I was nothing less than impressed. I was running at 1900 Rpm in the low to mid 70s, and it was like the trailer wasn't there. No problems in the mountains at all, didn't even slow down, although I was running in 3rd/4th. It handled great, coolant temp barely went up, normal around 193, peaked at 202 on a 6 degree incline for a few miles at 65mph. I am sold on the truck, just wish it had the ford integrated break controller, my only real complaint. If you are gonna tow 5-7K lbs, don't worry, balance the load, and you will have absolutely no problems.
They also need towing mirror, a manual trans controler like GMs 3/4s, and adaptive grade control w/ grade braking for the trans. A higher rear axle rating would be nice as well.
They also need towing mirror, a manual trans controler like GMs 3/4s, and adaptive grade control w/ grade braking for the trans. A higher rear axle rating would be nice as well.
Towing mirrors yes,especially since the aftermarket add ons are no good. My trailer is no problem, same width as the Expy. But my parents have an 06EB and they complain about pulling their camper. I think the manual transmission cooler is overkill if you have the HD tow package. As I said, I had absolutely no problems, well except with the trailer. The wood for the deck settled and now I can't get the car door open to get in the car to get it off the trailer, only started with an 1/8" clearance, but thats not related to the expy
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07 XLT-3" lift Truxxx lift-K&N drop-in-33" Procomp Xtreme A/Ts on Moto Metal 17"s-12" Kicker sub-Aura Bass shakers in both front seats-Yakima basket-Flowmaster 40 muffler-Sylvania Silverstar headlights-Wet Okole seat covers-Optima deep cycle battery.
I have e EL so it's only 3.73 for me. The 3.31s really worry you don't they? I don't think i'd worry about the 3.31s since it will take a few rpms off the top when you have OD off and are towing. You still have a steep 1st gear ratio of 4.17. Your overall difference is very minimal when you look at crawl ratio ( 13.8 to 15.5)
I have e EL so it's only 3.73 for me. The 3.31s really worry you don't they? I don't think i'd worry about the 3.31s since it will take a few rpms off the top when you have OD off and are towing. You still have a steep 1st gear ratio of 4.17. Your overall difference is very minimal when you look at crawl ratio ( 13.8 to 15.5)
Thank you for your vote of confidence
It appears that many on here believe that the 3.31 rear axle is the worst thing to happen to the new Expedition
Can anyone explain why the 3.31 can tow More than the 3.73?
It appears that many on here believe that the 3.31 rear axle is the worst thing to happen to the new Expedition
Can anyone explain why the 3.31 can tow More than the 3.73?
It CAN'T. What matters is the GCWR. The only changes are for 4x4 and 4x2. The max GCWR of 15,000 never changes from model to model, so the reason that the max trailering weights change is due to vehicle weight. I.E. deduct 250 lbs from your tow rating because that is what additional weight you carry with a extra drive shaft, diff, cv shafts, transfer case etc. Deduct 200 lbs because that is what ford says the extra weight of the EL is. My biggest worry on the whole setup of the expedition is the hitch box. they should have made the bumper tube 2 inches lower and then welded the tube INSIDE the bumper for extra insurance on heavy tongue weights. If the 3.31s worry you get the 3.73s, whats the big deal 50 or 100 bucks for the option? Ford went to 3.31s for extra fuel economy, 8 out of 10 expedition drivers wouldn't know the difference between 3.31 gears and 3.73 gears. It's also funny that people here post about their fuel economy and worry about what kind of fuel economy they get, I for one don't really care, if it worries you honda and toyota make some nice hybrids and fuel efficient 4 bangers. What I would like is an extra 2K lbs of towing capacity and a manual overide for the 6 speed. I'm thinking my next truck will be a k2500 suburban (kinda miss the quadra steer) but I don't miss the 3/4 ton ride. It would also be nice if we could get a bit more rear axle weight rating (4250 lbs) doesn't leave much when you have 3050 or so lbs on the back axle already.
It CAN'T. What matters is the GCWR. The only changes are for 4x4 and 4x2. The max GCWR of 15,000 never changes from model to model, so the reason that the max trailering weights change is due to vehicle weight. I.E. deduct 250 lbs from your tow rating because that is what additional weight you carry with a extra drive shaft, diff, cv shafts, transfer case etc. Deduct 200 lbs because that is what ford says the extra weight of the EL is. My biggest worry on the whole setup of the expedition is the hitch box. they should have made the bumper tube 2 inches lower and then welded the tube INSIDE the bumper for extra insurance on heavy tongue weights. If the 3.31s worry you get the 3.73s, whats the big deal 50 or 100 bucks for the option? Ford went to 3.31s for extra fuel economy, 8 out of 10 expedition drivers wouldn't know the difference between 3.31 gears and 3.73 gears. It's also funny that people here post about their fuel economy and worry about what kind of fuel economy they get, I for one don't really care, if it worries you honda and toyota make some nice hybrids and fuel efficient 4 bangers. What I would like is an extra 2K lbs of towing capacity and a manual overide for the 6 speed. I'm thinking my next truck will be a k2500 suburban (kinda miss the quadra steer) but I don't miss the 3/4 ton ride. It would also be nice if we could get a bit more rear axle weight rating (4250 lbs) doesn't leave much when you have 3050 or so lbs on the back axle already.
Well stated,
but why does Ford rate:
the 3.31 for 9200 w/HD Tow
and
the 3.73 for 9,050 w/HD Tow (150lbs less)
Both XLT's/4x4's
Does the 3.73 rear axle weight 150lbs more than the 3.31 rear axle?
Does the 3.73 rear axle weight 150lbs more than the 3.31 rear axle?
Does this explain the difference?
Got me their website doesn't show 3.31s aval w/ the HD tow package. I'd honistly look at the Combined Weight rating and go from there. I can tell you i've grossed over 19K w/ my trailer and expy without a towing problem.
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