Perhaps my earlier post was worded wrong. I'll try again (hard to tell I'm new at forums! ! !)

Does anyone tow a Travel Trailer with their Expedition ? If so, what size of travel trailer would you recommend we purchase. We're looking at a '97 Expedition (Eddie Bauer) 5.4L V8 with all the options. Not sure of the axles. .

Thnx
millcreek
Mountainous British Columbia

 

I don't know what the tow weight is for a 1997 Expy... but if you look in the door jam it will tell you what the TOW weight is. I believe the 2004 is 8900 lbs. Look at the tow weight in the door jam and that will point you in the right direction as to what you can tow.

 

Just purchased a 21RS Outback travel trailer. Nice rig, has the queen bed slide out in the back. I use a weight distributing hitch with a sway bar set-up. Class III hitch on the Expy. Bullet proof up to that point. Trailer weight loaded is about 4700, which includes tongue weight, except water in the tanks.

That is 200lbs less than rated tow weight of my Expy, as my truck is set up. http://www.bobstravelcenter.com/01towguide.htm

Because of the relative short wheelbase, I'd keep my camper less than 24'. I went 21' with a slide because of the good weight/length ratio.

I have the 3.55 rear, and on flat roads I can pull max 57-58mph in 3rd at about 2800rpm. That's wide open throttle. Shift down to 2, and I can get her to 70, but she won't hold that speed in 3. Hills are impossible for 3rd gear, but 2nd will pull it up fine around 4000rpm.

Opt for the deeper gears when buying a tow rig. Also make sure you have a transmission cooler.

 

Thanx shake1969:

Really gives us an incentive to out a buy the unit. Can you let me know what engine you have in your expy? ?

millcreek
(mountainous British Columbia)

 

Oh yeah, sorry. I've got the 4.6L. 105,000 miles. The only add-ons I've done is a tranny cooler and a K&N Filter.

The small V8, I hear, is the big reason I have trouble towing. In towing circles, torque means everything.

I'm thinking of opening up the air intake, like a K&N FITK, and reprogram the tranny to shift a little later by using a Superchips 1715, put a 3" cat back exhaust.

 

Thnx for the update. . .as I mentioned, we're looking at the '97 Expy w/ 5.4L V8 and all the options w/automatic trans. Sooooo, if you're reasonably happy with your 4.6 towing, I'm sure the bigger V8 should really do the trick. The RV will be a 19' with a full load weight of about 5600 lbs. (including water and all the extra weight which we've over exaggerated on).

millcreek

 

If you have the 17" wheels and 3.73 gears in the Expy it will max out at 7800 tow capacity. If it has 16" and the smaller tires it bbumps to 8200. I am currently looking at TT's in the 5000 to 7000 lb range. I have a chip, and exhaust on it plus the K&N filter with airbox modification. I tow a 5000lb utility trailer with it now and it's like it's not even back there!

 

I have an '03 Expy XLT 4x4 5.4L with tow package. I tow a 18' Terry at 4000lbs empty. I have a weight distribution hitch also. The Expy tow's like a champ. No problem on hills, but you need deep pockets to put gas in her, especially here in Canada where petro is almost $3 a gallon. The tongue weight is about 200lbs and when I hitch up the trailer the back of the truck doesn't move much more than an inch. The '03 has more HP and torque than the '97, which is something to consider. Also the max towing capacity of the truck is measured using a weight distribution hitch. That is why they say in small print "when properly equiped" when they mention max towing capacity.

 

I have a 99 expy (5.4L w/ tow package) and use it to tow a 21' Traillite TT. Loaded, the trailer weighs in around 4500 lbs and I also have 3 bikes I hang on the front of the expy with a front mounted receiver. I use a weight-distributing hitch, friction sway bar, and a prodigy brake controller.

The expy tows the trailer well here in hilly, east Tennessee. It doesn't set any speed records....I usually tow between 55 and 65 depending on traffic. When towing I get anywhere between 7 to 10 mpg (again, I'm an easy driver).

The only modification I've done is switch the transmission to Mobil 1 synthetic and install a transmission temp. gauge. With hilly towing, the transmission will run anywhere between 200 and 210 F.

Overall, the expy does fine for our needs. However, everytime I see an Excursion with the PSD I start dreaming (bigger truck, bigger camper) buth then reality sets in (too much $$$).

philip

 

Bought 04 Expedition with towing a TT in mind. Found XLT with the Heavy Duty Tow package. Has class IV receiver with both the 4 and 7 prong recptical for the trailer, has wire harnes for brake contoler under dash (has pigtale to connect controler and then plug into harness,nice) HD radiatonr 18 plate transcooler. has 5.4L ,auto trans, 3:73 rear end. It is rated for a 8900# trailer. Currently looking at a 27ft trailer (R-Vision Trail Bay 27ds) with a dry wt of 4900# and a GVWR of 7693. It is a little long but would work with good hitch set up. Would not go any longer or heavier. Also looking at shorter and lighter ones. We are retired and will not be taking a lot of toys. WE need to find one that wife likes interior on and is not to cramped for 2-4 week trips (going to see grandchildern in Idaho 600 miles oneway 7200ft mountain pass Donner Summit.) Will need to keep it light as possible. Will also be looking at upgrading Shocks, and tires, get rid of Conti's replace with "C" load rated tires. Also will look into replacing rear sway bar (looks kind of small) F250 was not an option at this time.


Tom

 

Hey Tom.... Take a look at the Adirondack TT. It is made by Aerolite (a division of Thor industries. It is absolutely beautiful! I am looking at a 27' with a slide. It is well within weight range and with a good hitch such as an Equalizer, or Reese Straight line we shouldn't have any problems with the length.

 

4by4

Thanks for the tip I will do that. The 23ft ones are a little small. I just want all the room I can get and still be safe.

Tom

 

We have a 1997 Expy w/ 4.6/3.55/17"/149,000 this vehicle is to tow maximum 5000 lbs. We have Seaswirl Striper Walk Around Cuddy Cabin boat gross weight at 5300 lbs. and it pulls it real nice, I have no quams about the strength this vehicle has. Broken Wire

 

I agree about the 23' being a little small. That 27' is nice and has plenty of room with the slide in it. They also make a 29' that we are looking at. It is a LONNNNNG trailer! It is awesome, places for everything and plenty of storage. It's gonna be a tossup on these 2 models. I don't plan on towing too far.... maybe 3 hrs away at the most. Both TT's are well within weight range. Both have the same options just one is longer and has a little more room. I don't plan on keeping the Expedition for a long time I plan on getting a 250 PSD. For now though I want to get something that I can still tow with the EX.

 

I agree about the 23' being a little small. That 27' is nice and has plenty of room with the slide in it. They also make a 29' that we are looking at. It is a LONNNNNG trailer! It is awesome, places for everything and plenty of storage. It's gonna be a tossup on these 2 models. I don't plan on towing too far.... maybe 3 hrs away at the most. Both TT's are well within weight range. Both have the same options just one is longer and has a little more room. I don't plan on keeping the Expedition for a long time I plan on getting a 250 PSD. For now though I want to get something that I can still tow with the EX.