Towing w/Expedition
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2001
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Towing w/Expedition
Has anyone here had much experience towing with an Expedition 5.4L? Any positive or negative feedback will be appreciated. Also, I have heard that the 2003 Expedition can tow 8,900 pounds. Is this true? Has anyone experienced trouble towing with the 5.4L and is the 2003 Expedition using a new engine or the same one as previous models? Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
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Towing w/Expedition
To add to the question, I have the towing package on my Expy, and it's rated to tow 7400lbs, I think. The strange part is my receiver hitch is only rated for 5000lbs max. What's the deal there? Also, since I have 17" wheels, my towing capacity is less than with the 16" wheels, which is 7900lbs. Some of the things Ford does doesn't make sense.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 98
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From: Allen USA
Towing w/Expedition
I have a 2001 5.4L V-8. I have a class III hitch to the frame. I do have the tranny cooler as well. I have had no problems with anything that I have tried to tow (although it is not like I have tried a 35' travel trailer). I towed an empty 6'x12' uhaul trailer from Dallas to Bryan, TX, loaded it, towed to San Antonio and then returned to Dallas. No problems at all!
I also have a buddy that has a 25' Cobalt Boat. We pulled that from Dallas to OK. Again no problems. As well, my mother had car trouble as she was leaving Dallas (it was a Chevy
). I went and got a car transport from U-haul and went to pick her up. Got the car on the hauler, and pulled it back to Dallas (only about 30-40 miles). Just left the OD off for this one. I have not had any issues with towing at all.
The 2003 is going to use the same 5.4L V-8 that is offered now. Really no changes there.
Hope this helps.
Boxter
I also have a buddy that has a 25' Cobalt Boat. We pulled that from Dallas to OK. Again no problems. As well, my mother had car trouble as she was leaving Dallas (it was a Chevy
). I went and got a car transport from U-haul and went to pick her up. Got the car on the hauler, and pulled it back to Dallas (only about 30-40 miles). Just left the OD off for this one. I have not had any issues with towing at all.The 2003 is going to use the same 5.4L V-8 that is offered now. Really no changes there.
Hope this helps.
Boxter
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 35
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Towing w/Expedition
I have a '98 4x4,3.73,5.4,towing package EB that I tow a 20' enclosed car trailer(appx. 3300#) with. Along with a 3300# car and equipment the total weight of the trailer is around 7000#. The Expy does well until you get into the serious hills on the highway, then you'll be in 2nd gear, pedal to the floor, in the truck lane along with the tractor trailers. On level or rolling hills there is no problem and the brakes are more than adequate, assuming the trailer has brakes as well. I believe the discrepancy between 16 and 17 inch rims is the added weight of the larger rim and higher overall diameter of the 17's. This Sunday I'm leaving for a 550 mile trip with the trailer/car from Pennsylvania to Michigan, through the PA turnpike mountains. I'll let you know how I make out next week. 
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: California
Towing w/Expedition
I have a 2001 Expedition 5.4L with the trailer tow package and 3.73 rear axle. Don't let the dealer or anyone else talk you out of the 3.73 if towing is important.I tow my 18ft. fishing boat up I80 almost every weekend. I just take her out of OD, put her on Cruise at 65mph and enjoy the drive. The motor is at 2700RPM and right in its max torque range. I love this thing 
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 35
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Towing w/Expedition
Hi everybody,
I made it back from my 550 mile trip to Michigan with my 7000# car trailer(see above). The Expy did an awesome job of towing through the hills in the western part of the Pennsylvania turnpike, never dropping below 55 MPH, even on the worst grades.
I averaged 6.6 MPG on the trip there, and 16.7 on the way back minus the trailer. I get to do the opposite trip in a few short weeks.
I made it back from my 550 mile trip to Michigan with my 7000# car trailer(see above). The Expy did an awesome job of towing through the hills in the western part of the Pennsylvania turnpike, never dropping below 55 MPH, even on the worst grades.
I averaged 6.6 MPG on the trip there, and 16.7 on the way back minus the trailer. I get to do the opposite trip in a few short weeks. FTE Stories
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New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4
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From: virginia beach
Towing w/Expedition
I have a 97 Expy with the towing package. I tow my boat a 25' Wellcraft the boat and trailer are getting close to 7600 lbs. The motor does fine considering but I had a problem with the trailer pushing in the corners so I put a Helwig Heavy duty anti-sway bay and Rancho RS9000 shocks on it. It tows great now, I turn the shocks up to the stiffest position when towing then back to 2 when I am not.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 383
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From: MA
Towing w/Expedition
I just had my first towing experience with my Expedition equipped with a 3.31 axle ratio. I towed a tandem axle box trailer from UHaul loaded with furniture. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the Expedition towed the trailer, but I did not have any serious hills to deal with. I did most of the trip with the overdrive on except when approaching the hills, but I could maintain 65-70 mph rather easily.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 383
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From: MA
Towing w/Expedition
I have the factory towing package with the under the bumper receiver. The only problem was with the electrical connections because UHaul relies on the towing vehicle to have a properly grounded receiver. They were trying to sell me an adapter to fit my plug adapter for $14.00, but I refused to pay for it as it is their wiring system which is different than the rest of the world, so they plugged in a loaner electrical adapter at no charge which I returned with the trailer.
New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: usa
Towing w/Expedition
I'm thinking about using the built-in bumper hitch to tow a Uhaul (5x8) but I'm just not sure about it. Folks on this board tell me to buy a regular receiver but if I don't really need it to do light towing then I don't want to go to the trouble/expense. Just trying to make up my mind.