Expedition 2008 towing 34' TT 7589 GVWR?

[Trigger3lite]

So I've been browsing forums on information about the Expedition towing heavy travel trailers and I've found mixed answers. These were old threads so I think there might be more info out there now.

The TT I'm looking at right now is the Shasta Flyte 305QB 2015.
Is 34 feet too much? Which version would be better? EL vs Standard? 4x4 or 2wd?

What trailer hitches are the bomb right now? Something that will give me a lot of bang for the buck.

I still don't have the expedition and I'm planning to buy one used, what kind of mileage should I be looking for? Is 70-90k fine assuming the vehicles was taken care of.

[dcarver]

So the 08 expy I believe just received the 6spd tranny which definitely helps the 5.4. I towed 7k with an 03 suburban and it was too much in light hilly terrain of parts of Texas. Now the 5.4 does have more grunt that 5.3 and there's a lot of after market for that motor specifically to give you more hp and tq but the small block V8s of all manufactures need RPMs to hit those numbers. So be prepared to wind that motor up when ascending any grade, even a large over pass. I would definitely get the EL version for added stability. I have a 35ft TT and have the 4pt equalizer hitch which is awesome with my 9200lb trailer. I tow this trailer with a 3/4 ton however.
FWIW I think you can tow that trailer with the expy, just keep the tranny in 4th if it is a 6spd (3rd if it's a 4spd), get a good hitch like the equalizer or blue ox, and put some LT tires on the tow vehicle. Also be safe and use good judgment with weather conditions and what not.

[dcarver]

Also, as far as having 70k miles, not worries depending on condition. My cars have all had over 100k when I bought and then towed with them and I've thankfully had no issues

[justafordguy]

I think you would be much happier with an Excursion for pulling that large of a TT. It has 3/4 ton running gear and larger brakes, much better for towing heavy. It was also available with a V10 gas or V8 diesel which are both better for towing than the 5.4.

[jbenoit28]

I tow with an Excursion and while a solid truck, it doesn't come that way. Even though it may tow the weight fine, the suspension was "softened up" for Soccer Mom's and can produce some truly horrible handling. My signature will show a few of the things you can due to help cure this. The issues are highly documented on many forums so if you must have a large SUV, this one works great. Non of my modifications increased the capabilities of the truck, just makes it easier to tow.

With 34', my vote would be 3/4 ton tow vehicle. I bet the Expedition could tow your trailer. You'd have to confirm the tongue weight doesn't get exceeded and that you don't overload your rearend.

Just my 2 cents

Joe

[Cover Dog]

You may have enough engine to tow the trailer but you may be lacking on payload. That is a long trailer for that tow vehicle, you could have the tail wagging the dog.

An old rule of thumb is to take the wheelbase of the tow vehicle and divide by 5. The trailer should be no longer than what your answer is.

[Muncie_6spd]

I have a 2008 Expedition King Ranch with the tow package, load leveling air ride and 3.73 gears; in my opinion the wheelbase is too short and the independent rear suspension is not strong enough to tow a 34' TT. I do tow a 5000# boat with it and it does pretty good towing it but it can't compare to the F250, F350 SRW or Dodge 3500 dually I've owned and tow a 36' 5er I currently own.

It is just my opinion but I do have 40 years of towing experience and have made the mistakes of towing with a TV that was too light for the job,,, that can be very scary in a bad situation, trust me.

Mike

[Trigger3lite]

Can't do trucks as I need to seat a bunch of passengers into the tow car. Any other options? I don't want 2 cars.

[dcarver]

3/4 ton suburban and the excursion are it then. towed our 35ft TT with our 2002 yukon xl 2500 8.1 big block with no problems. Went from Texas to California so I did climb some pretty good mountain passes and through death Valley without over heating the transmission or engine.

[Muncie_6spd]

I agree with dcarver, an Excursion or 3/4 ton Suburban or Tahoe may be your only choice then. If you want to load the vehicle up with people that weight will definitely affect the towing ability of an Expedition or 1/2 ton GM. All the Japanese large SUV's are also based on a 1/2 ton chassis.

A friend of mine tried towing a long travel trailer with a 1/2 ton Tahoe; he thought it worked well for awhile until he wrecked it. He now tows with a dually.

[Highway 4x4]

So you are going to take an Expedition and load it up with people and gear then hook up a 34 ft TT? Really? don't you think it might be just a little overloaded? No comment. Good luck.

[Trigger3lite]

Almost all SUVs at 120 wheel base and out of all the SUVs, the Expedition has one of the largest tow capacity. The Tahoe's wheel base is even shorter. With a good hitch can I not tow a long trailer? Would the expeditions 5 speed be worse than the Tahoe's 6 speed for the models I'm looking at? Which one has better cooling for trailers? I'm looking at the dodge durango which is rated for ~7500 capacity with a v8 hemi and more horse power and torque than the tahoe and the expedition but apparently it might have cooling problems. In some old dodge articles it says it's rated for 9950 capacity.

Tahoe vs Yukon vs Expedition vs Durango? Which one would be best to tow a 7500lb trailer and hold a family.

[knightstorm]

The Durango was changed a few years ago to share the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform. That change hurt the towing capability.

A used excursion or suburban 2500 if you can find one would be your best bet. I knew someone who had a diesel excursion for towing their large horse trailer.

Then there's this:

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/03/...ly-for-fleets/

[Highway 4x4]

While you're at it why not load the roof rack up with firewood. If you want to take a bunch of people and gear with a 34 foot TT you need a 3/4 ton truck or something 2500 or 3/4.