2004 Expy towing Travel Trailer
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Glendora, CA
2004 Expy towing Travel Trailer
Hey guys...not to repeat past chats...but I'm new here...spent 3 hours on the Search and didn't come up with anything specific.
We have a 2004 Expy 5.4 XLT Sport with the tow package. Think I read somewhere it is good for just about 9,000 lbs towing (rated highway). Anyhow...thinking of buying a 25' Alumalite Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer. GVWR on the trailer is 8,000lbs. Unloaded weight of the trailer is 5,630. Just to save some weight, I'll probably tow with it 1/2 to less than 1/2 full of fluids.
What I would like to know in everyone's experiences here, is what kind of mileage I can expect. Traveling 70mph unloaded, reciprocating around 2100-2200rpm we get around 17.5mpg. We will be driving I-70 and I-15 from Monument, CO to Southern CA and back, so lots of hills, and high altitude.
Any thoughts on this? It's a 2300 mile round trip, so I want to do it right.
Thanks everyone, and :flipoff: to the new guy I guess! LOL
Sam
We have a 2004 Expy 5.4 XLT Sport with the tow package. Think I read somewhere it is good for just about 9,000 lbs towing (rated highway). Anyhow...thinking of buying a 25' Alumalite Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer. GVWR on the trailer is 8,000lbs. Unloaded weight of the trailer is 5,630. Just to save some weight, I'll probably tow with it 1/2 to less than 1/2 full of fluids.
What I would like to know in everyone's experiences here, is what kind of mileage I can expect. Traveling 70mph unloaded, reciprocating around 2100-2200rpm we get around 17.5mpg. We will be driving I-70 and I-15 from Monument, CO to Southern CA and back, so lots of hills, and high altitude.
Any thoughts on this? It's a 2300 mile round trip, so I want to do it right.
Thanks everyone, and :flipoff: to the new guy I guess! LOL
Sam
New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Towing
I have a 2003 Expy XLT 4x4 with a 5.4 and tow a 6500 lb travel trailer. I'd suggest the following things:
Sway Control. The rear on these rigs likes moving, and a sway control fixed mine.
Better tires. After the first time I towed, I got rid of the "car" tires and put on BFG All Terrain TA's that are load range D. The isdewalls are stiffer, resulting in, again, less sway.
A cold air intake and a catback exhaust. These really helped mine. I used a MAC CAI and a Gibson catback. I can pull hills much easier now.
Make sure the weight distribution hitch is set correctly. You want the truck and trailer to be level when connected.
Synthetic fluids. Engine oil, trans fluid, and differential. I use Royal Purple all thru and it helped somewhat.
For gas mileage, well, with my trailer, at 55-60 mph, in mixed terrain (flats, Sierra Nevadas on I-80) I get about 10 or so. On just the flats, maybe 11.
Hope this helps.
Sway Control. The rear on these rigs likes moving, and a sway control fixed mine.
Better tires. After the first time I towed, I got rid of the "car" tires and put on BFG All Terrain TA's that are load range D. The isdewalls are stiffer, resulting in, again, less sway.
A cold air intake and a catback exhaust. These really helped mine. I used a MAC CAI and a Gibson catback. I can pull hills much easier now.
Make sure the weight distribution hitch is set correctly. You want the truck and trailer to be level when connected.
Synthetic fluids. Engine oil, trans fluid, and differential. I use Royal Purple all thru and it helped somewhat.
For gas mileage, well, with my trailer, at 55-60 mph, in mixed terrain (flats, Sierra Nevadas on I-80) I get about 10 or so. On just the flats, maybe 11.
Hope this helps.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I have a 97 Expy with a 5.4L and pull a 30' camper all the time with it. It pulls it great but the gas mileage sucks at 6mpg. Just bought a 99 Expy with the 4.6L and it handles the camper great but its a bit more strain on the engine pulling the camper. Gas mileage was around 7mpg not much better. I do not keep the tanks on the camper empty and usually load up the camper pretty good with bikes, etc. I was advised to pull it next time with the Overdrive turned off. Have not done so yet.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 4
From: Texas
If you are buying new, suggest you look inside at the federal "as shipped" weight, not the brochure weight. It will be inside a cabinet door near the stove/fridge. Does this trailer have a slide? At 25', probably not. My '03 does not do well towing more than about 6000lbs, and I had to put Michelins CrossTerrains to counter sway. The Continental tires were too soft and didn't have the psi rating to run at 45 pounds.
Consider getting a Reese Dual Cam or an Equa-L-Izer hitch--stay away from the friction add-on sway bars. Or, if money is no object, get a Hensley Arrow hitch-no sway with it.
Alumalites are good trailers, just set it up right and enjoy the camping.
The Expy is weak on stopping power if you tow anywhere near the weight limit--panic stops will age you in a hurry.
Consider getting a Reese Dual Cam or an Equa-L-Izer hitch--stay away from the friction add-on sway bars. Or, if money is no object, get a Hensley Arrow hitch-no sway with it.
Alumalites are good trailers, just set it up right and enjoy the camping.
The Expy is weak on stopping power if you tow anywhere near the weight limit--panic stops will age you in a hurry.
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: SoCal / Wyoming
Expy Trailer Towing Tips
I tow my 23' boat with my 5.4L Expy with no problems. Dual axle and get about 12MPG between Vegas and SoCal. You will HATE those hills(And Semi's) in that stretch of road.
One tip on the brakes: The rears are fine, but I switched to a slotted set of Power Slot rotors and Hawk Ferro Carbon pads. What a difference! Plus they are quiet and grab hard when you need them to!
Have a great trip!
One tip on the brakes: The rears are fine, but I switched to a slotted set of Power Slot rotors and Hawk Ferro Carbon pads. What a difference! Plus they are quiet and grab hard when you need them to!
Have a great trip!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Glendora, CA
Originally Posted by t_lcohen
I have a 97 Expy with a 5.4L and pull a 30' camper all the time with it. It pulls it great but the gas mileage sucks at 6mpg. Just bought a 99 Expy with the 4.6L and it handles the camper great but its a bit more strain on the engine pulling the camper. Gas mileage was around 7mpg not much better. I do not keep the tanks on the camper empty and usually load up the camper pretty good with bikes, etc. I was advised to pull it next time with the Overdrive turned off. Have not done so yet.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Glendora, CA
Originally Posted by Mud Doc
If you are buying new, suggest you look inside at the federal "as shipped" weight, not the brochure weight. It will be inside a cabinet door near the stove/fridge. Does this trailer have a slide? At 25', probably not. My '03 does not do well towing more than about 6000lbs, and I had to put Michelins CrossTerrains to counter sway. The Continental tires were too soft and didn't have the psi rating to run at 45 pounds.
Consider getting a Reese Dual Cam or an Equa-L-Izer hitch--stay away from the friction add-on sway bars. Or, if money is no object, get a Hensley Arrow hitch-no sway with it.
Alumalites are good trailers, just set it up right and enjoy the camping.
The Expy is weak on stopping power if you tow anywhere near the weight limit--panic stops will age you in a hurry.
Consider getting a Reese Dual Cam or an Equa-L-Izer hitch--stay away from the friction add-on sway bars. Or, if money is no object, get a Hensley Arrow hitch-no sway with it.
Alumalites are good trailers, just set it up right and enjoy the camping.
The Expy is weak on stopping power if you tow anywhere near the weight limit--panic stops will age you in a hurry.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Glendora, CA
Originally Posted by Steverino909
I tow my 23' boat with my 5.4L Expy with no problems. Dual axle and get about 12MPG between Vegas and SoCal. You will HATE those hills(And Semi's) in that stretch of road.
One tip on the brakes: The rears are fine, but I switched to a slotted set of Power Slot rotors and Hawk Ferro Carbon pads. What a difference! Plus they are quiet and grab hard when you need them to!
Have a great trip!
One tip on the brakes: The rears are fine, but I switched to a slotted set of Power Slot rotors and Hawk Ferro Carbon pads. What a difference! Plus they are quiet and grab hard when you need them to!
Have a great trip!
Guess I'll be looking at tires as well then! Those Conti's are pretty soft.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Towing with the OD off or on shouldn't have much of an effect overall. The trans is smart enough to know when OD can't be used. However, if you are on a level run, it is possible to use OD, but cost mileage. Sometimes, the rpms put you in a better torque range with Dr using less pedal, than OD using a lot of pedal. I think, tho, that you would need to drop the overall speed when using Dr. This usually comes into play if you are towing near the max weight rating.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Glendora, CA
very very true...and totally agreed. I'm thinking of trans longevity too, as I know nothing is worse for an auto trans than hunting for a gear.
On that note...maybe a bad mileage, slow towing experience will help talk my way into a diesel pickup. I know it isn't Ford...but I was and am seriously considering a Mega Cab Cummins Ram. We would need the space, as I'm about to have 3 kids in car seats. This would be a great "sales tool" for my wife. <evil grin>
On that note...maybe a bad mileage, slow towing experience will help talk my way into a diesel pickup. I know it isn't Ford...but I was and am seriously considering a Mega Cab Cummins Ram. We would need the space, as I'm about to have 3 kids in car seats. This would be a great "sales tool" for my wife. <evil grin>
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
I'd recommend the Reese HP Dual Cam set up for that much trailer. You will need to tow with overdrive off at 60-65 mph to sit at peak torque.
You'll probably be 6500-7000 lbs loaded down the road. Its going to work that 5.4L/3.73 combo in the mountains. Expect 8 mpg tops.
(Diesel Excursion time or get a smaller or lighter travel trailer)
You'll probably be 6500-7000 lbs loaded down the road. Its going to work that 5.4L/3.73 combo in the mountains. Expect 8 mpg tops.
(Diesel Excursion time or get a smaller or lighter travel trailer)
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Glendora, CA
Diesel Excursion...or Mega Cab CTD Ram. Oh bother...what to do. Or is the V10 Excursion every bit a tow horse as the Diesel? I probably won't be using more than 10 times a year to tow anything heavy.
What kind of mileage do those Excursions see? I do prefer the Ford interiors if nothing else. Also, do the Excursions use solid axles? I ask because, one, a smaller trailer won't do. I'm about to be papa to 3, and I will also need room for 3 car seats! D'OH! What a joy to be a dad!!!!
Also, I ask about axles, because we are adventurous types. I'm not hard core 4x4...but it would be nice to not get stuck on a safari!
What kind of mileage do those Excursions see? I do prefer the Ford interiors if nothing else. Also, do the Excursions use solid axles? I ask because, one, a smaller trailer won't do. I'm about to be papa to 3, and I will also need room for 3 car seats! D'OH! What a joy to be a dad!!!!
Also, I ask about axles, because we are adventurous types. I'm not hard core 4x4...but it would be nice to not get stuck on a safari!
Last edited by yosemitesamiam; Jun 25, 2006 at 07:21 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by yosemitesamiam
Diesel Excursion...or Mega Cab CTD Ram. Oh bother...what to do. Or is the V10 Excursion every bit a tow horse as the Diesel? I probably won't be using more than 10 times a year to tow anything heavy.
What kind of mileage do those Excursions see? I do prefer the Ford interiors if nothing else. Also, do the Excursions use solid axles? I ask because, one, a smaller trailer won't do. I'm about to be papa to 3, and I will also need room for 3 car seats! D'OH! What a joy to be a dad!!!!
Also, I ask about axles, because we are adventurous types. I'm not hard core 4x4...but it would be nice to not get stuck on a safari!
What kind of mileage do those Excursions see? I do prefer the Ford interiors if nothing else. Also, do the Excursions use solid axles? I ask because, one, a smaller trailer won't do. I'm about to be papa to 3, and I will also need room for 3 car seats! D'OH! What a joy to be a dad!!!!
Also, I ask about axles, because we are adventurous types. I'm not hard core 4x4...but it would be nice to not get stuck on a safari!
The Diesel Excursion is much more effecient if you can handle the noise and the maintenence schedule. It will last forever. I hear of 20 mpg unloaded and 10 mpg towin 3-4 tons. Because the Excursion is on the Super Duty 250 chassis it is solid axle front and rear (complete opposite of an Expedition).
The "X" is very sought after by the big travel trailer crowd. With your reproductive activity, you may want to consider an E350 Diesel 12 passenger Club Wagon.
BTW - what is your gear ratio?? Look on the drive door jamb for the axle code on the sticker. Hopefully I6 or L6
Tons of X & diesel debate on this forum: http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/index...s/forum/41.cfm
Also, there are many ultralight bunkhouse travel trailers that will work behind your Expy, don't hang your hat on the first one you see.
My travel trailer is a 26 footer two bunks and queen bed. Weighs 4500 lbs going down the road. Look for bunkhouses with rear slides. You'll have four up front usually and a queen in the rear. Frontier, Surveyor and Outback are three that come to mind. TrailCruiser makes one too.
Last edited by eric james; Jun 25, 2006 at 08:42 PM.