New owner of a 2003 Expediton (5.4 V8 4x4 w/trailer tow package).
Just traded up from an Explorer.

Question:
How accurate are the Ford Stated guidelines regarding the towing capacity:
8650# Gross Trailer Weight
865# Hitch weight

I ask due to my poor experience with the Explorer (I think Ford over stated the trailer towing capacity by 2000 pounds...)

I am in the market to trade up from lightwieght pop-up trailer to a lite model hardbody RV trailer. Our decision on the trailer is confined by what we think we can safe tow...

Any suggestions?

 

I wouldn't tow over the Ford ratings every day. I have towed on a couple of occasions 4.5 tons of stone without much of a problem...trailer brakes are necessary.

 

You are wise to be cautious. All the companies reach for the best numbers to tout in advertising, and they get them by testing what new car will do on level ground, one 150lb. driver, 1/2 tank fuel, 70 degrees ambient temperature at sea level, and no wind. It will pull twice as much as it says in the brochure but not under any other conditions than those just described, and, it won't do it forever without breaking something.
In the real world, I tow 5200 lbs up to 12K ft in super cold (-15F.)and off road in super hot (120F.) weather with a full tank, two people who wish they only weighed 150 lbs, and as much as 600 lbs of cargo in my Expy. I pass and leave a lot of other diesel pusher motorhomes and over matched rigs panting in the passes. Just don't be afraid to use second gear if needed to keep the engine making torque and power around 4K rpm.

From my experience over the years, I recommend you take the advertised tow rating of any vehicle and decrease it by 25% to get the kind of performance that is acceptable on the road under any conditions other than ideal. My rig is rated 7650 lbs with factory tow package, 4x4, etc. Do the math and you will see why I chose the size and weight trailer I did, allowing for options and camping gear, 6-8 cases of wine on buying trips, etc.

Since your rig is good for 8650, that would be 6488 lbs. max. Now the tongue weight guidel line is often stated as 10% of trailer weight, but due to the aerodynamics and to the cargo or option loading on some trailers, they will require as much as 12% on the tongue to be safe and track true without sway. Always better to have more on the tongue, within the safety rating of the hitch of course.
Also keep in mind that the dry weight is the minimum configuration weight on trailers as they are designed without frills. Any options added will add to the dry weight, water and waste in holding tanks will add to the weight at the rate of about 8lbs per gallon. Fuel at about 4.5 lbs. per gallon. And those propance tanks with fuiel in them will have to be added also.

our R-Vison Trail-Lite super lightweight 8263-S gained 950 lbs when I added up all the options I and the wife wanted. Groceries, clothes, lawnchairs, water, fuel, etc. all add up to a starting dry weight of 3890 lbs actually hitting the road for a trip now at 5220 lbs. That's life.
Hope this helps.

 

We pull a 7,000 lb. boat with no problems with a 2003 5.4 EB.

 

We had to put our '95 Explorer out to pasture due to towing. At 200,000 miles, we burned out the transmission.

With the '03 Expy, same config as you have, it's a real dream to pull our trailer. Much safer, more power, etc.

We pull a 5,000 lbs trailer, with a 12% tongue weight.

Make sure you still get the weight distribution hitch. We have the Reese dual cam sway and weight distribution. Don't bother with the sway control bar some places try to push on you.

 

Again keep in mind the aerodynamics of the frontal area of your trailer. Towing my house trailer is work for the Expy but towing a freinds 7500 lbs of speed boat is not. It's the frontal area and drag difference. And of course, terrain always figures into it.

 

If you tow near the stated max trailer weight, you will have very little left in terms of passing power and stopping power. I tried around 9000# with my '03 just to see how it would do: could never get it into OD, most of the time it took 2nd to keep at 60mph. Panic stops near the max towing weight will scare you to death, if it doesn't kill you outright.

TDSrallyer is very right to suggest keeping trailer weight at 75% of max recommended. If you want to tow 8500#, get a SuperDuty.

 

I have 2001 Expy 4wd 5.4L and tow a 30' travel trailer weighing 7200lbs empty probably 8000+ loaded. I have a weight distribution hitch, trailer sway bar, hypertech tuning. Granted I wish I had a diesel some days but I get where I want to go with no problem. It just takes a little longer to get there. I just take it easy and build up speed and cruise at 60 65 mph. However I only tow like this 6-10 times a year and the longest trip I took was 800 miles round trip. I would not go to the Rockies for sure but in the mid-south I have no problems. If I were going to use the truck more often for such heavy loads The diesel motor is the only way to go. So, the expedition can handle the loads just don't abuse the motor and transmission getting it up to speed and stay out of the mountains when you are maxed out on your towing capacity or overtowing like I am doing.

 

I think the tow rating should be secondary to the Gross COMBINED Weight Rating.

Max tow weights assume 1/2 tank of fuel and 1 150lb passenger.

Weigh your truck.
Determine how much gear & weight of passengers you'll probably carry IN the truck.
Add 50lbs.
Weigh (choose) a trailer.
Determine how much stuff will be in that.
Add them together.

Within limits?? / ??

75-80% of max GCWR is a great rule of thumb!

 

Hi,

I would not tow over 5000 lbs if you plan on towing in the Rockies. I tow a Starcraft Aruba 26RS which I estimate is about 5500 lbs or so and it is a chore to get up over I70 due to the drop in capability at that altitude. This causes me to wish for more power so I can stay in at least second gear for the climb. It tows quite well in the front range of Colorado (5000ft) and is a perfect match at that altitude.

Try to stay 5000lbs loaded or under to have the best experience and don't forget to get a Reese Dual Cam hitch for the best sway control for the money!

Gary