towing with 03 expy
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
towing with 03 expy
what does it take to be able to tow the full 8900 listed in the specs for the 03 expy with the heavy duty tow package i plan on towing 8800 what would i need.
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From: Salisbury, MD
You need to make sure to keep the tongue weight under 895lbs, which may require a weight distribution setup to be installed on the trailer.
You will also need a brake controler if the trailer has brakes, which it should.
My brother runs a landscaping business and before his 05 F350 got here he would use my truck at times to tow loads of everything from just mowers to stone. I towed his 16' landscaping trailer loaded with stone to about 8000lbs. The truck did just fine. If your trailer is shorter sway control would be nice if your traveling at high speeds.
I suggest just hooking the trailer up and drive around, see what it feels like. If the trailer sways, slow down and look into sway control. If the truck sags too much, you probably have too much weight on the tongue.
You will also need a brake controler if the trailer has brakes, which it should.
My brother runs a landscaping business and before his 05 F350 got here he would use my truck at times to tow loads of everything from just mowers to stone. I towed his 16' landscaping trailer loaded with stone to about 8000lbs. The truck did just fine. If your trailer is shorter sway control would be nice if your traveling at high speeds.
I suggest just hooking the trailer up and drive around, see what it feels like. If the trailer sways, slow down and look into sway control. If the truck sags too much, you probably have too much weight on the tongue.
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From: Salisbury, MD
Elder User
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From: Salisbury, MD
The GCWR is 14,500 so take your loaded vehicle and subtract its weight from 14,500... that is how much you can tow.
The curb weight (The weight of an empty vehicle, without cargo and driver and passengers, but including maximum amounts of fuel, oil, coolant and standard equipment, including the spare tire and tools.) is 5,689 lb (4x4 5.4). So add in weight of passengers and cargo and subtract it from 14,500.
The curb weight (The weight of an empty vehicle, without cargo and driver and passengers, but including maximum amounts of fuel, oil, coolant and standard equipment, including the spare tire and tools.) is 5,689 lb (4x4 5.4). So add in weight of passengers and cargo and subtract it from 14,500.
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From: Baltimore, MD
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Fleet Owner
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From: Brentwood,CA
ok so i can tow 8,200 with just me and cargo i did tow a trialer today a short distance 15 miles it was in the range of 9,000 with trailer seemed to do fine the back end went down about 4 inches i think it did good and i did not have trailer brakes but it still stopped good i just down shifted and turned off o/d and used low gear going up hills
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From: Salisbury, MD
Does the trailer have brakes of some sort and you just don't have a controler for them?
A trailer that is rated at that capacity most likely needs brakes per state law. What type of trailer is it? It may have surge brakes on it.
I know with that large of a load a panic stop would be impossible without some sort of trailer brakes.
A trailer that is rated at that capacity most likely needs brakes per state law. What type of trailer is it? It may have surge brakes on it.
I know with that large of a load a panic stop would be impossible without some sort of trailer brakes.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Brentwood,CA
it has electric brakes but they were not used as the trailer was being towed in for service which is why it had no brakes.oh and top speed was only about 25 mph on a back country road didn't see another truck the whole way
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You need to consult your owners manual. The 8900lb tow rating is for 4x2 with 5.4L and 3.73 gears with 16" wheels. It also is an XLT with no options. Just watch your GCWR and Trailer length. I tow a 30' Travel Trailer and it really sways the expy, even with sway controls. Many experianced expy owners say nothing over 24 ft for safety...
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From: Texas
Ford390gashog:
For an experiment, last spring I towed my 30' TT with our '03 Expy (usually do this with my F350) and I will never make that mistake again. Using WD hitch and brake controller set on 4.5 (usually works fine at 3.5 amps) I had a real hard time shutting down in a safe manner.
Also, the 5.4 couldn't get it above 60 without struggling, and had nothing left. Had to jack the pos Continentals to 60 lbs in rear to keep the steering from being too light.
The trailer weighs in at 9100lb, actual.
DONT DO IT,please, it isn't safe--and can't be made safe, even if you go 25 max--what if someone pops out in front of you--there is no stopping reserve.
For an experiment, last spring I towed my 30' TT with our '03 Expy (usually do this with my F350) and I will never make that mistake again. Using WD hitch and brake controller set on 4.5 (usually works fine at 3.5 amps) I had a real hard time shutting down in a safe manner.
Also, the 5.4 couldn't get it above 60 without struggling, and had nothing left. Had to jack the pos Continentals to 60 lbs in rear to keep the steering from being too light.
The trailer weighs in at 9100lb, actual.
DONT DO IT,please, it isn't safe--and can't be made safe, even if you go 25 max--what if someone pops out in front of you--there is no stopping reserve.
Last edited by Mud Doc; Mar 6, 2005 at 10:50 PM.
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