Considering 2010 EXP EL - have some tow questions.
 

Currently own a 2009 Subrurban 4x4 with the 5.3 engine. Truck was working fine for us until we started towing a boat. We do not have the HD towing package in the Burb. We are within 500 pounds of the towing limit (5400). Even with the tow haul mode on, the engine constanly hunts gears, and revs high, even going 60-65 (usually stays in 3rd or 4th). The tranny temp runs 205-225. It gets around 8.8MPG. Our only option is to get an aftermarket tranny cooler. If we had the factory installed cooler, we could get another 2500 pounds towing capacity, but the engine/tranny remain the same with the same gear and rev issues (frankly think it would be a real stretch to tow that much even with the HD cooling pakage as the engine is a real lightweight - but it does get the extra MPG they were shooting for when they went to it and the cylinder shutoff - to get it above the Expedition MPG level I think).

My questions are - if I got a 2010 EL would I experience the same thing, with constant gear shifting into 4th and 3rd? Would the engine run at high RPM's like the Burb? Would tranny temps be a concern in the Texas summer? Or would it be more "diesel like" with less gear shifitng and cooler tranny temps.

I would hate to invest the $$ just to find I have a similair experience to the Burb.

Finally, anyone know if the engine and transmission are the same as the 2010 F150?

Wished I still had my Excursion 6.0...oh well, towed the boat with a friends 2500 RAM Cummins, a nice constant 1600 RPM and 12.8MPG going 65-70.

Also,a truck does not work for us due to people and dog hauling numbers.

My thanks in advance.

W>

ps - have recently found out that you can special order the Escalade engine with a Burb, which I think is the stock engine in the Yukon XL

First of all there's a six-speed transmission in the Expedition. 5th and 6th are overdrive and mine runs across the PA Turnpike in those gears with a drop down to 4th on the mountain grades. Downshifts are almost unnoticeable. 1800 to 2300 rpm. The truck rarely drops to 3d gear.

I just ran across from Cleveland OH thru the mountains to Gettysburg PA on Friday with the cruise control set for 62mph which seems the sweet spot for my 5000 pound travel trailer and my 3.73 axles. About 1800 rpm. 11.8 mpg. I can easily drop below 10 mpg if I run 70. I ran home on Sunday after dropping the camper at "ten plus over" and got just under 20mpg on the reverse run. The camper burns fuel.

Get the $350 HD Tow package and you'll get the larger engine coolant and transmission radiators. There's also a more robust hitch on the back bumper and plug-n-play wiring for a good electric brake controller like the Tekonsha P3.

Get the 3.73 axles for towing. Really doesn't hurt your around town and normal driving all that much.

I monitor transmission temperature and she ran about 175°F on this trip. The Ford transmission locks up quickly in all gears. I've never seen 200°F transmission temperature on this truck and trailer, even in the summer. Hot summer is hot summer.

Cylinder head temperature runs from about a constant 202°F to maybe 214° at max. Engine coolant runs at a constant just below 200° all the time.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-...9-IMG_0709.JPG

-- Chuck

Thanks Chuck, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Your trailer is around the same weight as my boat and trailer but you have more drag I would assume. Your Ford numbers are much better than my Chevy numbers. The last time I towed the boat going 65 for about 130 highyway miles I got 8.9MPG. Runs around 9.5 or so in town with the tranny temp after a half hour or so at 205.

Ford does appear to have a better tow product, which is probably reflected by the fact they do not have to incentivize like Chevy does here in Texas...'course I see lots of 'Burbs here as it is the Texas Cadillac, but very few here used as a tow vehicle, mainly Fords.

We had a few other needs that pushed us to the Chevy, but now with the need to tow, we are looking around.

My thanks

Wally

What you're describing is why I didn't buy the Surburan. I think the only way to get the Burb with the factory tanny cooler was to get the 4x4 or some special package, I would think you could have it added easy enough as a dealer order part though.
+ for the Burb = Transmission temperature gauge
+ for the Burb = Electric cooling fans
+ for the Expedition = 6spd transmission
+ Fold flat rear seats
+ Better ride with the independent rear (permits the Fold flat rear seats) Some people view the independent rear as a disadvange for off road, but ride is much better.
+ did I mention the 6 speed transmission?
I tow similar trailer weight as, but in extreme Arizona heat Chuck and use the Dashawk to monitor. I've seen head temps peak at 232°F and Tranny peak at 215°F when climing hills at speed and heat. Temps come down quickly going down hill and normalize at 200 head & 195 tranny on level grades. I have over 10,000 towing miles with this truck & trailer now with no issues.

If you think the temps are too high, just for the record I've observed the same temperatures when driving in +110°F heat in stop and go traffic without towing, so in my experience the heat is no worse towing then in severe heat and traffic conditions. In Arizona and I think anyplace south of Alaska, ALWAYS GET A TRANSMISSION COOLER and monitor your temps.

One thing to note, that after 2007 the Expy optional heavy duty transmission cooler was a bit smaller, but I haven't heard of any issues.

this is a good post. im thinking of trading the 05 f150 in for an expy but was concerned with the towing performance (i also tow a boat - abt 4000#). the f150 tows like a beast, but im having some issues and not sure i want to stick the $$$ into a 5 year old truck.

Brought the camper back from Gettysburg last Sunday against headwinds and averaged under 9 mpg. Probably had an air speed of at least 75mph, though. Ground speed about 60. Air resistance is exponential.

I'm using the Interceptor gauge off the buss. (NOT taken Sunday!)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-...9-IMG_1124.JPG

-- Chuck

Does the Interceptor gauge simply (and only) plug into the OBD2 port? Does Ford monitor cyliner head temp, trans temp, etc. or did you have to add sensors? thanks

It's all off the buss, no sensors needed. The Interceptor will cycle thru 8 parameters of a couple dozen available. 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. Fairly easy to pick the ones you want. I usually monitor Trans Temp and either cylinder head or coolant temperature. I can also monitor Trans Slip to see if I'm locking up in every gear -- does. One of the readings can be alarmed. The go-fast guys will use engine RPM. I use Trans Temp.

The gauge in the photo is just plopped on top of the dash board. Green matches the interior gauges nicely but is blinding at night. I switched to Red and it's very nice at night but nearly invisible in direct sunlight. Maybe blue would be better.

Comes ready to plug in under the dashboard. You have to supply the instrument housing or hole. A pillar pod would be very nice but no one makes one for the Expedition.

-- Chuck

I love my 07 for towing my boat... I have a 21' maybe 5,000lbs fully loaded... I tow across the Rocky Mtns, and it does just fine. I have towed boat to MO an 800 mile trip one way, does great out on the plains between 10-12, but I run 75 - 80 mph all the time.
If I keep it at 60 - 65 I have seen 14.5 mpg one one trip...

I made the MO trip, from Denver at 16 hours straight through, and arrived comfortable in the saddle, not my wish to tow that long, but it can be done comfortably in the XPY.

I know nothing about the Burbs, but I currently own a 2004 Expy 5.4 and have towed an enclosed trailer full of construction materials from Cleveland, Ohio to Orlando, Fl 3 times in the last year. The time of the first trip, the SUV had 100K miles, the most recent trip it had 125K. The trailer weight was around 5,000lbs. loaded for each trip. I did not experience ANY of the problems you described. I would recommend turning the OD off though in the mountains of WV. I liked towing with it so well, I went out and bought a 2010 Expedition EL to tow. I have no regrets!

Well for now my story ends with the sale of my Suburban, and the aquisition of a 6.0 Excursion. We'll see how that goes for the rest of this year, and what look forward to see what Ford does engine wise with the Expedition.

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...ITIONsep09.pdf

This is good info.