Expedition for Towing?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: md
Expedition for Towing?
Looking at a used 2002-2005 Expedition w/ 5.4L for towing. Most of the used ads don't mention the gear ratio. Is there a clue in the vin number I can use to eliminate low ratio models? Did the 5.4 come with anything less than the 3.73, and is this a sufficient combo for a 7K bumper pull trailer with a reese WD/anti-sway hitch and prodigy brake controller?
Any other thoughts.
My '86F-250 tows great, but only seats 3 and we have 6 altogether.
Thanks!
Greg
Any other thoughts.
My '86F-250 tows great, but only seats 3 and we have 6 altogether.
Thanks!
Greg
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 209
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I had a Expedition that I used to pull a pontoon for a little while and did not like how it pulled it. I do not know how it would do pullong a trailer since the load and air flow are different. You might look at a extended or club cab the meets the tow rating. Don't forget that by the time you put your food and equipment in the trailer then add 5 more people you could add another 2000 to 3000 pounds to the trailer and would be overloaded. You might want to look at what your total weight will be and if you may ever want to move up to a bigger camper and get something that will handle the load.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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You wont want less than a 3.73 gear ratio. The 5.4 with a 3.55 rear end is max rated for 6900 lbs. That is what i have and it does fine with a 5500lb camper.
There are clues in the VIN to tell you the gear, but I dont remember what they are.
There are clues in the VIN to tell you the gear, but I dont remember what they are.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
The VIN numbers does not have a space for axle ratio, you will have to look at the safety certification label located on the drivers side between the drivers and passengers door. Then decode something like "H6" into a ratio. My 05 Expedition weighs in at 5600 pounds but has the towing package rated at 14500 pounds GCW.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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Hi,
I tow with an 03 Expedition. I pull a TT at about 5700 lbs loaded along with 4 passengers in the Expy. I like the way it tows however I live in Denver and tow between 5000 to 11000 ft. In the mountains it is barely adequate and results in running in second gear over most passes and over I70 near its peak. If you are closer to sea level you may have quite a bit more power than I have. You may want to visit www.rv.net and you will see many more examples. BTW the 03 and newer have IRS and I think that this helps reduce sway and improves towing. I also have an Reece Dual Cam sway WD setup.
Gary
I tow with an 03 Expedition. I pull a TT at about 5700 lbs loaded along with 4 passengers in the Expy. I like the way it tows however I live in Denver and tow between 5000 to 11000 ft. In the mountains it is barely adequate and results in running in second gear over most passes and over I70 near its peak. If you are closer to sea level you may have quite a bit more power than I have. You may want to visit www.rv.net and you will see many more examples. BTW the 03 and newer have IRS and I think that this helps reduce sway and improves towing. I also have an Reece Dual Cam sway WD setup.
Gary
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,222
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From: Texas
There should be a tag on the differential housing with a lot of numbers and letters--somewhere there will be a reference to what ratio is in there: my '03 has a tag on the middle pass side of the cover and has '3.73' on it. The IRS on the '03s and up may be hard to find, on the '02s back it should be easily visible. I think all of the late model 5.4 with tow packages came with a 3.73 axle.
Anything over 26-27 ft or 6000lbs with an Expy can cause some anxious moments--and definitely in headwinds or steep hills, it is underpowered.
Anything over 26-27 ft or 6000lbs with an Expy can cause some anxious moments--and definitely in headwinds or steep hills, it is underpowered.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
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From: Calgary
I would suggest nothing much past 6000lbs - our 27ft Jayflight weighs in at 6000lbs loaded to go. I also suggest the reese dual cam hitch. The Exp has more GCWR(40r100 trans) than my Supercrew (40r70 trans).
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