My parents are looking at a 2008 Expedition, and although they don't tow yet, every once in a while they do tow my grandpas trailer witch is about 6,000 pounds, so my question is how well does the expedition tow?

 

I've never driven an expedition, but I tow my camper of 5000+lbs with a 4.0 Mazda Ranger. So I would imagine the expedition with ~6000 lbs. would be more than sufficient. Especially an '08. I am sure the Expy Guys will chime in shortly. Did you post a similar question over in the Expedition forum?

 

Check what the tow ratings are in a Ford towing brochure--you can also get these online. Remember that just because your vehicle can tow X number of pounds doesn't mean that it will. You have to consider CVWR--this includes people, gear, clothing, do you tow your camper with the water tank full? My last 1/2 ton was a King Ranch S/Crew with the 5.4, 3:55s, towing package, etc., and was rated to pull something like 8,000 lbs. My camper, loaded, weighs about 6,500, add a few people, some equipment, and you are quickly bumping the max CVWR. I think most Expys have 3:30s (?) in them, so you will lose some capacity there also. I know many people do, and I am not trying to offend, or flame anybody, but I think once you go past about 5,000 lbs. on a trailer, you should stick with a 3/4 ton or above, if not for the available power, then for the heavier rated axles, tires, etc. It is much safer. I use an F-250 to pull my trailer, now. I also used one before the King Ranch, but that one got wiped out, which is another story entirely.

 

I'm all for safety, but tow ratings have hardly changed in 30 years. We've got customers towing with cars, minivans, and small trucks. The president of this company put 140,000 towing miles on a Town Car and 35' Airstream. I personally tow with a 1/2 ton and my trailer has a dry weight of 7000 lbs (approx 8500 loaded). Yes, I'm in the RV industry and part of my job is to find more economic ways to enjoy the lifestyle, but we cannot go backwards with tow vehicles and tow ratings.

With all due respect (Anyone called Hooksetter has to be an alright kind of guy), recommending that anyting over 5k should be towed with a 3/4 ton is a step backwards. Modern engines, trannys, and axles can handle far more than they could in the dark ages of the 1970s.

 

I don't think we are going backward, I just think that certain vehicles are more suited to towing than others. I too remember seeing pictures, and people, towing with their family cars. In fact one of my favorites is an old advertisement for a Reese equalizing hitch in which the rear wheels of an Olsmobile Toronada were removed, and all the load was sent to the front wheels. If anyone is comfortable with this, then go for it. I'm not; but we are also talking about brakes, transmissions, rear end differentials, etc. Honestly, the only 1/2 I would feel comfortable towing above 6,500 lbs. with today is the 2007 and newer Tundra, which I think may actually be a 3/4 ton in 1/2 ton clothing.

 

The biggest problem with smaller tow vehicles is stability. Trailer sway can pull a small vehicle off the road before the driver can react. That's why we specialize in eliminating trailer sway in travel trailer. Of course, fivers don't have as much of a problem with sway. With them, pin weight is the issue (and bounce).

Our video shows a Dodge Intrepid towing a 30' Airstream. The driver really tows rigs like this (he's an Airstream dealer) and specializes in outfitting all sorts of non-traditional tow vehicles. I'd never recommend anyone tow a 30' trailer with an Intrepid, but it makes the point and demonstrates the ability of an excellent trailer hitch.

My issue with the auto industry is that they seem to show no interest in improving the "towability" of smaller vehicles. Make a mini-van that can handle 8000 lbs. and the world will beat a path to your door.

 

Lets also factor the weight of a 1980 Buick versus a 2008 Buick? Newer rigs cannot accept a haitc due to frame although the transmission and engine are large enough. My persoanl opinion is that in 1970 a camper special hauling a boat and camper over the pass would do about 25-35 miles per hour. In 2007 the New 250 will haul the same load at 65 MPH. The reason I suggest a larger rig if for ride and comfort.

 

I tow quite a bit with my 97 Expy and it does great.

I use it with an 18' flat bed trailer loaded with various types of cars and do long-hauls with them through mountains and everything else on the Interstate. Also tow that trailer completely loaded with quads, all associate people in the truck and all our gear to go ATVing.

The 5.4 always seems to have enough power, can't complain there. Vehicle stability is excellent. I did add torsion bars to help the blows to the back end when hitting dips in the road and that helps a lot.

When I tow the ATVs occasionally I have to go through muddy areas, steep hills with loose gravel and all kinds of crap to get the the trailheads. I've never had a problem getting through any of it.

Now, the 08 your parents are looking at will have a pretty substantial amount more power than mine since the newer 3v motors make more power. On the other hand, it will have the newer IRS and I think some newer front suspension design. I've not towed with any of the newer generation Expys so I can't comment on handling, etc. with those. Power-wise there shouldn't be any problem to tow ~6000 lbs comfortably. I would venture to guess that Ford did consider towing with the new ones as they are rated for it and that is probably a big reason why people get them.

I'd just make sure they get the factory tow package and 3.73 gears (might come with that package, not sure) and they should be just fine. Hope this helps.

 

The F-150 is WAY closer to 3/4 ton ratings than the Tundra. Pay extra close attention to the payload ratings.

It's hard to beat any American Truck when it comes to towing. If there's any 1/2 ton that could come close to filling a 3/4 ton's shoes (not that it should ever be done), it's the F-150.

Ford has been building trucks a lot longer than Toyota and in real applications, it shows.

I regularly tow over 6500lbs with my Expedition and it doesn't bat an eye at it.

The heaviest thing I've towed with the Expedition was a 95 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Diesel that weighed over 6,000 lbs itself, plus the weight of the trailer it was on (2000+ lbs) and it didn't care one bit.

Oh, and more evidence on the Tundra issue:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...oser_Look.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zShwG9l1F0Q

 

You're kidding, right???



Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done...

And I'm guilty as hell of this, I run overloaded all the time...But I know it's dangerous, and drive accordingly...

No, your job is to sell trailers...and you'll tell someone whatever they want to hear to make that sell...

(by "you" I mean all trailer salesmen)


We're doing everything but that...

Tim

 

"The F-150 is WAY closer to 3/4 ton ratings than the Tundra. Pay extra close attention to the payload ratings."

The only thing I think the F-150 may have in its favor is the box frame, and this is definetely a plus. However, if you compare 300 hp vs. 380 and 375 ft/lbs of torque vs. 401 (which isn't lot, but it will show up), the point is quite arguable. Don't get me wrong, I drive and love my SD, but the Tundra 1/2 ton has 4:10s, something like a 13" ring gear, huge brakes. If they would bump the torque of the engine a little, use an 8 lug axle, and a complete box frame rather than a triple combination frame, they could easily compete with the SD with the 5.4. So I guess I'm going to have to disagree with your analysis.

As for towing with the Expy, you don't state what else you are loaded with, are you towing in the wind, any hills, etc. My '01 F-150 would tow my camper on flat ground, with no wind at 65-70 mph all day long. However, I don't live where these conditions exist, nor do I travel to any areas like this. Towing capacity is over-rated by all manufacturers just to sell trucks, and people buy into it--I have learned this lesson quite expensively. Perhaps I believe in overkill, but towing 7 or 8 thousand pounds with a 1/2 ton anything, with any kind of frequency, is going to shorten its life considerably. This will probably set off a lot of people, especially since I have very few posts. I am not new to towing, only to computers.

 

Hook, This is a Ford truck site, coming in here and talking smack about them while bragging on a Toyota just aint the right thing to do. IMHO

It bees referred to as trolling. Not good.


John

 

The Tundra and F150 are in the same class. Both are moving into the catagory of the older three-quarter (and one tons). Both can do a damn good job. The Tundra will last longer and hold its value better, but the Ford will outpull and outstop the Tundra :P

 

I did not mean to talk smack--just making a comparison. Please accept my apology. I still would not tow like this with a half ton.

 

I don't know that the Tundra will last longer...I don't believe that the F150 would out pull snd out stop the Tundra though...The Tundra has more torque, more horsepower, better gearing options, and bigger brakes...

The only thing I agree with you on on that post is the Tundra will hold it's value better...

Tim