Pulling 3500# trailer with 05 Expedition
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Pulling 3500# trailer with 05 Expedition
It looks like I'm going to be pulling a medium size trailer (16ft long, approx. 3500lbs) across country from Texas to the Dakotas. I've made the trip and most of the roads are flat. I have an 05 Expedtion with the 5.4 and the tow package. The truck has about 25k on it and I am an experienced trailer puller. The question I have is can anyone think of anything that I should do to prepare the truck aside from the obvious fluids & tire checks. I've pulled this trailer with an excursion on the same trip so I know the trailer & the roads. Am I crazy to do this with this truck?
Any advice regards of how silly it might seem is appreciated.
Any advice regards of how silly it might seem is appreciated.
Senior User
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Hi,
I think it should be fine. Inflate the rear tires to max sidewall pressure (44psi) to help with sway, etc. It won't be like an Excursion but it should tow just fine. I tow a 5600 lb trailer in the Rockies with an 03 5.4L and it won't win any races but it does fine.
Gary
I think it should be fine. Inflate the rear tires to max sidewall pressure (44psi) to help with sway, etc. It won't be like an Excursion but it should tow just fine. I tow a 5600 lb trailer in the Rockies with an 03 5.4L and it won't win any races but it does fine.
Gary
Postmaster
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From: OK
With "tow pkg", your Expy is rated to tow 8600 lbs if a 4x4 or 8900 lbs if a 4x2. Even without the tow pkg, the Expy is rated to tow 6000 lbs. I don't think that 3500 lb trailer is going to be much of a problem.
Hopefully, you have brakes on the trailer and a controller in the Expy.
Hopefully, you have brakes on the trailer and a controller in the Expy.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
Inflate the rear tires to max sidewall pressure (44psi)
that is a very dumb and super dangerous idea. the tire can have no more than 44psi so you must leave room for expansion. so if you put 44 psi in there you will get 55 or so hot which will burst the tire and could kill everyone in a tragic crash.
that is a very dumb and super dangerous idea. the tire can have no more than 44psi so you must leave room for expansion. so if you put 44 psi in there you will get 55 or so hot which will burst the tire and could kill everyone in a tragic crash.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
The numbers on the tire are for cold pressure. They already take into account the heat, etc. That is why you are told to take a PSI reading when the tires are cold and not hot, so the reading is accurate.
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First off, thanks to those who responded. Unfortunately, no brakes on the trailer (it's a friends trailer). As for the tire pressure thing, definitely set when cold. was thinking about bumping up to 40psi cold instead of 35.
I recently pulled a small utility trailer (about 2k loaded) with my Expy and wasn't too impressed with the way the truck handled it. It was the first time I've pulled with an IRS setup. It sure seemed the truck had a lot of side to side "wiggle" in it. Not necessarily swaying, but more like someone was rocking the truck by pushing on the side, near the top. (I hope that makes sense). The trip will be 100% highway, so maybe it won't be so bad. Anyone else every experienced this when pulling with the IRS?
PS, the trailer has a fair amount of windage to it.
Thanks,
I recently pulled a small utility trailer (about 2k loaded) with my Expy and wasn't too impressed with the way the truck handled it. It was the first time I've pulled with an IRS setup. It sure seemed the truck had a lot of side to side "wiggle" in it. Not necessarily swaying, but more like someone was rocking the truck by pushing on the side, near the top. (I hope that makes sense). The trip will be 100% highway, so maybe it won't be so bad. Anyone else every experienced this when pulling with the IRS?
PS, the trailer has a fair amount of windage to it.
Thanks,
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Posting Guru
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Originally Posted by tkd
Unfortunately, no brakes on the trailer
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I did not know that. I wonder if that applies to transient trailers, ie, a trailer that is just passing through the state. I know that many laws do fall under that category.
I guess you learn every day
I guess you learn every day
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burnsville, MN
I've seen a chart - maybe at "rvpuller" - that has compiled the various state requirements for trailers when towing. Unless my Alzheimer's is further along than I remember, just about every state requires trailer brakes for a trailer of that weight...
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I did do some searching and it seems there are several states that do have the laws you are mentioning. The trailer is in TX and we don't require any brakes on a trailer that size. The question is, if just passing through, are the brakes required or not? It doesn't seem to say anywhere.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
You need to contact your insurance company and get their opinion; if you have/cause an accident that trailer brakes would've prevented, you'll want to know their thinking before you take off.
Steve
Steve