How is it that the GM Suv's with 400HP are only rated at towing 8100 pounds yet the Expy at 310HP is rated to tow 8900 pounds?

I tow a car and trailer at about 6000 lbs. I currently have an 2005 Escalade and am contemplating a new vehicle. Waiting to see what engine line up the Expy has for 2012. I've been told that the new Eco Turbo 6 is a tow monster but that is hard for an old school guy like me to accept. Don't know anyone who has one in the F150 and has towed with it so awaiting real life reports from someone with nothing to gain.....
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These days, there's a lot more than horsepower that goes into tow-ratings, especially in the 8,000lb and over range!

While you need to have sufficient horsepower and cooling, chassis strength and braking capabilities are also critical.

We had a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 with 420hp & 420 ft-lbs, but it was only rated to tow something like 3500lbs, even when lesser-powered Grand Cherokees were rated at 5000 or 6000 lbs. Turns out the SRT-8 had a different transmission and the park pin in that transmission wasn't throught to be strong enough to hold a fully loaded Grand Cherokee and a maxed-out trailer on one of San Francisco's steepest hills.

Liability insurance for the car company, warranty claims, and even the marketing department determine tow ratings as much as the horse under the hood.

 

Actually the Expedition is NOT rated to tow 8900 pounds, it's rated to to 6000 pounds. To get 9000-ish pounds of towing requires the HD Tow Package which has larger engine coolant and transmission fluid radiators. Right there is a clue regarding towing capacity.

-- Chuck

 

However, the GM models also have the HD Tow package, yet are rated at only 8100 pounds but have much more HP and Torque.....

 

Then it's probably safe to assume other parts of the frame and drive train are not up to the task of towing anything heavier.

High trim line SUVs are still sold more for the "country club" set than folks who tow trailers so max towing capacity is seldom considered when buying one. Wood trim and leather seating are paramount!

I'm a believer in "excess." Certainly excess in regards to towing capacity. My camper weighs roughly 5000 pounds but I didn't consider 6000 pounds max towing capacity to be acceptable and ordered the HD tow option.



-- Chuck

 

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