I am currently in the process of buying a 2006 Expedition Limited with the 4 corner load leveling, advanctrac, RSC, dvd player and safety canopy (This is the only one available in the color (Cashmere) and features that we want in a four state area). It will also have the heavy duty towing package, reverse sensing system and navigation system. Please see my other post as to the demise of my 1999 Eddie Bauer Expedition with 5.4L, LLS and all the bells and whistles.

What I am wondering is:
How do you like yours?

For those that have the climate controlled seats, is an element built into the cushion or is it duct work off the heater/AC?

How is the navigation system? Does it offer a voice guided system?

With the air suspension, do you still have to level the load and then turn off the system when towing a trailer?

Does the reverse sensing system provide an accurate range when backing up?

Do you have the remote start feature installed and are you using it?

Do you have the bluetooth adapter for cell phones and if so does it work with the treo 650 or is it only for certain phones?

I know this is long, but I would love to know your experiences with this generation of vehicle and if you have had the ability to use it like it was built. Is it worth the extra money to you. We will be using ours as a daily driver as well as to tow a 24 foot travel trailer and the occasional outing with Dad's 22 foot boat. Thanks for the time to read all of this.

 

Dont have most of your answers but the climate controlled seats are peltier type heaters in the seats with a control module and its own motor and ducts. Peltiers have been used for a number of years as coolers for overclocked computer processors, lately and more notably on space craft on Mars missions.

The Peltier coolers are just reversed to make Peltier heaters.

 

I may be able to provide some insight into a couple of the questions...
I have an '05 EB and the only reason I have the reverse sensing is because I bought mine off a lot and it was on it... it works well. I would not have ordered this option, but I do like it. It mutes the radio when it kicks in and the beeps get progressively faster as you get closer to the object until it becomes a steady tone telling you to stop!
As far as this vehicles towing ability, I tow any of five trailers at my company weighing between 5-7k lbs with ease. With my heaviest trailer hooked up, I sometimes wish for a heavier duty rear suspension or springs or something at the back, it kind of drops the rear of the vehicle and I don't like that look. I think the leveling system may address that. Otherwise, it's fine and thats with 20in rims on it.
Regarding the climate controlled seats, I've had heated seats for years in European cars that cook you out of the seat! These are just kind of luke warm and thats after 15-20mins in them. I've never owned a cooling seat so I wasn't quite sure what to expect... they also just work fair I think.
I do not have navigation, really wanted it and even researched retro-fitting mine as I'm kind of a techno junkie but have read on here that most who have it don't really like, as it is kind of older technology that Ford uses. Then I considered the Pioneer AVIC-D1 indash nav that looks almost perfectly OEM, but opted not to go that route either as then I lose all of my controls for the rear DVD, and just a big headache. Also, don't know if your a big music fan, but I have the factory set-up Sirius Satellite radio and from what I understand, the nav headunit does not support satellite.
I do like the looks of the mono-tone paint on the limiteds tho.
Good luck on your new purchase, and I know you are well aware of its safety features!
Rick

 

For towing with air suspension....

You turn it off, do all your hitch adjustments and set up, then turn it on.

You don't have to turn it on/off everytime you hook up your camper, just the first time you get your trailer leveled and weight distribution bars dialed in.

I needed a longer that standard drop shank for my travel trailer.

 

Blue Jeff,

The heated/cooled seats do a good job for increasing your comfort level. I use the A/C seat and my wife always uses the heated seat, even in the summer. Seems to help with her lower back pain.

As for the Navigation System, I've had it on my '03 and my '05 Expeditions. It does provide audio navigation so you don't have to continually look at the screen. As Rick stated, the system is a little dated. Ford should be using the DVD based systems and touch screens like they do in the Lincolns. On long trips, if your destination is actually on a different CD, the system won't let you enter it. When I order my '07, I will probably pass on the factory navigation and go with a Garmin or Magellan windshield/dash mounted system.

I do have Ford's remote start system installed and now it works great, but in the beginning it didn't. My Expy went to the shop 14 times for problems with the remote start after the dealer installed it. My recommendation, buy the Ford kit and have a aftermarket installer install it. Unless your dealer has installed a hundred of these systems, I wouldn't let them do it.

The reverse sensing system works great, I've never had any problems with it.

As for the Bluetooth capability, I know several people on this forum have been searching for adaptors to tie in with the navigation radio with no luck. I'm sure as soon as someone finds an adaptor, you'll probably read about it on this site somewhere.

Good Luck,
Dan

 

This is great you guys. Thanks for answering. I can't wait to get my '06. I will take your advise on the remote start Dan, Thanks. The heated seats is an issue because my wife really uses them too. I will go to the dealership this week and see how they work. Thanks for the info.

 

Ive installed about 40 of the Remote Start systems. Never had a comeback, but ALWAYS have to rewire according to the HomerWinzlow rule of electronics because the instructions we get are ALWAYS INCORRECT! End up pulling out a little hair every time. So I agree, take it to some after market installer who will short cut all the wiring and do it his way. He will do it in a very short time. Just wont be covered by the 3/36 factory warranty that the dealer install gives.