Ford ExpeditionTrue expeditions require additional transportation conveyances: horses, boats, cars, for example. With a towing capacity around 9,000 pounds, the Ford Expedition can tow any of these. Ford adds a new top end King Ranch model for 2008, as well as an available rear backup camera and power-retractable running boards. The Expedition is meant for utility, not posing.
I have a 2004 5.4 Expedition basic towing package rated to haul 6000 lb max. I am considering buying a travel trailer 5000 lb empty weight. I'd like to hear from anyone with experience towing 5-6000 lbs with a Exp like mine. If I get a trailer that, when loaded, is close to the max load rate weight will I regret it? I don't want to be bogging down everytime I am going up a hill.
Thanks for your input.
A lot of people buy a trailer, drag it to a park and keep it there all year. If you intend to actually use it, consider going lighter.
Your max tow rating is reduced by whatever you carry inside the truck, including the weight of the passengers. So if you have four people at average 150 lbs, that leaves a total of 400 lbs of gear. IF you have a forty gallon water tank, and you fill it, you won't be able to bring food, or blankets.
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BroncoJoe19
2006 Alt Fuel Jeep (electric)
'98 windstar 3.8L
'99 Crown Vic 4.6L
'90 Full Size Bronco 5.0L
I'm not a professional mechanic, take my suggestions with a grain of salt, or a cup of coffee
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I pull a Terry Model 29S, which hitch to rear bumper is just short of 32'. We take it to the beach, and mountains, I have had it up down the east coast to southern Florida. I have a 99 expy, 5.4 with Class III hitch. Trailer weighs about 5000 empty. I don't travel with full water tanks (water weighs about 8lbs. a gallon). I use an equalizing hitch and brake controller and the hitch height was set properly so the truck and trailer are level and I have about 10-12% weight on the tongue. We have had as many as 8 in the expy pulling the trailer (kids bring friends). I would not recommend this as your first setup, hopefully you have some towing experience and realize what size rig your driving down the road and what it takes to stop, etc.
Truck has 161,000 miles on it now, runs great. Sorry to ramble on, but the Expy is the best tow vehicle I have ever owned.
I wasn't suggesting running with full tanks, I was making a point. OTOH, when I run with my 31 Class A motorhome I'll run with 10-15 gallons in the tank so that the ladies can use a private restroom as we travel, and more if we will "rough it" for a couple of days.
The difference with and without an equalizer hitch is incredible. Towing a heavy trailer, IMO the only way to go is with a weight distribution hitch.
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BroncoJoe19
2006 Alt Fuel Jeep (electric)
'98 windstar 3.8L
'99 Crown Vic 4.6L
'90 Full Size Bronco 5.0L
I'm not a professional mechanic, take my suggestions with a grain of salt, or a cup of coffee
At the bottom of each post there is a little icon
Clicking it gives feedback to the moderators, and poster regarding which posts are most helpful.
I have a 2004 5.4 Expedition basic towing package rated to haul 6000 lb max. I am considering buying a travel trailer 5000 lb empty weight. I'd like to hear from anyone with experience towing 5-6000 lbs with a Exp like mine. If I get a trailer that, when loaded, is close to the max load rate weight will I regret it? I don't want to be bogging down everytime I am going up a hill.
Although 99Expy proves it can be done, you will regret it !
One thing you could do if you go ahead with the purchase is change the final drive ratio. You probably have a 3.73, so you would have to go to a 4.10. Hopefully it is a 2WD, because the cost of 2 ring and pinion sets (for a 4WD) would kill you. Of course your fuel economy would suffer greatly.
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1998 E150 Club Wagon, 4.6L Modular, E4OD
2007 Milan. 3.0L Duratec, Aisin 6 speed AW-F21 others I look out for
2007 Escape 2wd (the mini Pumpkin), 3.0L Duratec, CD4E
2008 Mazda3 5 door, 2.3L, 5 speed manual
Thanks for the input. I will definitely get a weight distribution hitch and antisway bars no matter what kind of trailer I end up with. All my trailer towing frinds swear by them.
I have a 2004 5.4 Expedition basic towing package rated to haul 6000 lb max. I am considering buying a travel trailer 5000 lb empty weight. I'd like to hear from anyone with experience towing 5-6000 lbs with a Exp like mine. If I get a trailer that, when loaded, is close to the max load rate weight will I regret it? I don't want to be bogging down everytime I am going up a hill.
Thanks for your input.
I pull a 30' trailer with My 2005 Exp. 5.4L. It pulls it like a dream. You Would hardly notice the trailer behind you. & Because the fuel milage is crappy at best, there is little difference there too.
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