Towing Capacity
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Towing Capacity
I have a 99 Expedition EB. I want to get a 30' travel trailer that weighs 5900lbs dry. I know it's a little much for my rig and I will need to upgrade soon, but can't afford to do both now. Any experience towing a similar setup?
I know I have 3.73 gears, is there an easy way to make sure I have the tow package?
Planning on getting a cat back exhaust. Heard many many negatives about FIPK's(hot air etc.). Don't want the extra cost of premium fuel for benefit of a power programer. Any suggestions on performance upgrades that really work?
Thanks for any advice.
I know I have 3.73 gears, is there an easy way to make sure I have the tow package?
Planning on getting a cat back exhaust. Heard many many negatives about FIPK's(hot air etc.). Don't want the extra cost of premium fuel for benefit of a power programer. Any suggestions on performance upgrades that really work?
Thanks for any advice.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
The exhaust will help it a little, as will the intake, but your best bet is the programmer, sorry to say. You can get ones that will still use 87 octace gas, but the power gains will be less. I would say get the programmer, because it will also firm up your shifts, which is good for the transmission. Also, the truck is rated to tow 7500 pounds, so you should be good. Check for an external tranny cooler, and check the window sticker if you have it. Otherwise you can call your ford dealer and give them your vin to look up.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Liverpool, NY
I don't think that you should go longer than 23-25 feet for a travel trailer, due to the wheelbase on the Expy. I used to own a '97 Explorer to tow my 2001 Jayco Kiwi 23B (4950 GVWR) and it was a white knuckle ride whenever a semi passed by. I have the Reese WD Hitch with Dual Cam Sway.
Keith
Keith
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Spring
Make sure that you purchase an appropriate hitch with sway control and a good brake controller. I have a similar set up (26 foot Starcraft with dry weight of about 5k) and for the most part it is okay, but I would prefer a 3/4 ton vehicle. 5900 dry probably equates to something like 7500 - 7900 max weight. You'll be close in terms of max weight and as mentioned before, you'll probably experience "white knuckle" syndrom. Again, get a good hitch and brake controller and keep the speed down. I have a Prodigy brake controller and an Equalizer hitch (weight distribution + sway control). There is tons of information on www.rv.net/forums as well.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,222
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From: Texas
I'm with 02PSD4ME--just about any 30' TT should hit that weight easily. Better weigh it. I had a '98 and a '99 Expy that did just fine towing a 26' that was aluminum-framed that hit #4800 before I put anything in or on it. Do like they say--get a weight-distributing hitch, sway bar and brake controller. If your Expy has the factory hitch and the 7 pole connector, it has the towing package. Does your truck have the LLS? If it does, it will make your life much easier getting the truck and trailer level.
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The Trail Bay 31BHS is the one I was referring to, It even weighs less than that if you get the "full alluminum structure" option. I think the one I will end up with is a Wilderness Yukon (ultralite) with superslide 30' weighs 5400 dry.
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