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12-05-2018, 06:32 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 13
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Factory towing package?
So I’m looking to buy a towing vehicle for a TT. (I don’t have the travel trailer either..yet). Probably a 2015-17 Ford expedition. We have 2 kids and 2 dogs so stuffing them all into a crew cab pick-up doesn’t sound ideal as our dogs are 70lbs each.
My question to you all is do I NEED to find an expedition with the factory towing package or can I add everything I need afterwards. Thanks!
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12-05-2018, 07:22 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 541
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I’d look for the factory towing package. Pay attention to the payload and remember your family and the tongue weight are part of that. Use the payload sticker on the door/frame not the specs in a brochure. Make sure it has the towing capacity too. Have fun shopping. The memories you’ll make later are worth the research now.
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12-05-2018, 08:54 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Seattle
Posts: 469
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Yes, you need to find one with the towing package as it is far too expensive to add it all aftermarket. There's a few threads on this topic over on the expedition forums site with the gory details...
__________________
2013 ORV Creek Side 18CK
2018 Expedition Max FX4
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12-05-2018, 09:10 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia Canada
Posts: 205
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Factory will get you things difficult (or impossible) to get in the aftermarket like integrated trailer brake controller, increased GVWR, correct HD suspension and axle gearing.
I wish I had been able to find the heavier towing option for my 2016 F150 solely for suspension as I really don't want to modify a truck that still has SOME warranty yet and that still wouldn't get me legal additional payload.
BTW, I would strongly suggest having a short list of travel trailers in mind before buying the truck. It's amazing how quickly you run out of payload/towing, especially in an enclosed truck. Not as many options versus a pickup body.
__________________
TT: 2018 Outdoors RV Blackrock 20RD "Rolly House"
TV: 2016 Ford F150 XLT FX4 2.7EB EAT6
Aldergrove, British Columbia
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12-05-2018, 09:16 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia Canada
Posts: 205
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FYI I quite like the factory brake controller in my 2016 F150 but I do find it quite lethargic even turned up ALL the way compared to my previous TV which had a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 controller installed. Even with all gains maxed out, I can't lock up my 4500 lb dry weight trailer brakes - not that you want to lock them up but I do like to lead-brake with my trailer in certain road conditions but I always feel like the trailer is slightly underbraking relative to the truck when there is any payload in the trailer (like water tanks filled).
__________________
TT: 2018 Outdoors RV Blackrock 20RD "Rolly House"
TV: 2016 Ford F150 XLT FX4 2.7EB EAT6
Aldergrove, British Columbia
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12-05-2018, 07:56 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Swoope, VA
Posts: 362
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I don't know what all is in that tow package but tow packages in general can include:
bigger radiator, lower axle gears, larger transmission cooler, integrated brake controller, larger mirrors, hitch, 7 pin electrical wiring, larger alternator, larger battery, etc.
I wouldn't want to try and add it on latter.
__________________
2022 Jayco Eagle 284BHOK, 2022 GMC CC Dually D/A, 2009 2500 Suburban, 2004 Rinker Captiva 232 boat
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12-05-2018, 08:21 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Nowhere, now here. Freedom!
Posts: 4,602
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadDogYVR
FYI I quite like the factory brake controller in my 2016 F150 but I do find it quite lethargic even turned up ALL the way compared to my previous TV which had a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 controller installed. Even with all gains maxed out, I can't lock up my 4500 lb dry weight trailer brakes ...
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Look at the explanation about Proportional Brake Controllers.
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-brakecontroller.aspx
__________________
ORV 19B Full Timer from '15 to '20, '14 Ram 2500 Diesel and a GSD. Vancouver, WA
de K7NOL 146.52Mhz Safety? (CLICK ME!)
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12-05-2018, 09:21 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia Canada
Posts: 205
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1bigmess: had a top of the line Tekonsha Prodigy P3 in the last TV pulling a nearly 10k lbs 28' enclosed race car trailer, professionally installed by probably the top rated hitch shop in Western Canada.
Didn't like it.
Spent a lot of time fiddling with it and never REALLY got it dialed in. It worked but I always felt I could get it better setup than I was actually able to.
Best brake controller I've used was an integrated in a 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax. Next best (surprisingly) was a bare bones Curt installed in an otherwise horrible tow vehicle ~ 2014 2500 Chevy Van. To this day I'm surprised by just how well that time delay BC worked.
__________________
TT: 2018 Outdoors RV Blackrock 20RD "Rolly House"
TV: 2016 Ford F150 XLT FX4 2.7EB EAT6
Aldergrove, British Columbia
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12-06-2018, 02:25 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
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To each their own, but 'stuffing' people in the modern crew cab is getting easier since the cabs are getting bigger. I know Ram makes a back seat that reclines. And Ford makes a back seat that is heated and cooled.
Put a cap on the truck, now you have a great place for all that dog hair and dog slobber.
Maybe you need to look at that possibility since it is really easy to find a truck with all the towing stuff you need.
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12-06-2018, 07:07 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Nowhere, now here. Freedom!
Posts: 4,602
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadDogYVR
Didn't like it.
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I wasn't trying to tell ya you had to like it, just trying to show you why the proportional brake controller wouldn't lock up the brakes when testing them.
__________________
ORV 19B Full Timer from '15 to '20, '14 Ram 2500 Diesel and a GSD. Vancouver, WA
de K7NOL 146.52Mhz Safety? (CLICK ME!)
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12-06-2018, 07:28 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Manchester, Tennessee
Posts: 159
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My 2 cent.
Thanks for asking...
Find your travel trailer first.... then buy truck to fit it!!!
That way No Regrets
Roll-On
GE
__________________
“Every man dies, but not every man lives”
Roll-On...
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12-06-2018, 08:35 AM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HillBilly country, Smokey Mtns
Posts: 4,171
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Quote:
Originally Posted by racerx1059
Probably a 2015-17 Ford expedition. ...
My question to you all is do I NEED to find an expedition with the factory towing package or can I add everything I need afterwards.
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Do not buy a late-model Expedition without the Heavy Duty Trailer Towing package installed on the assembly line when the SUV was built. You'll be disappointed if you attempt to tow a normal travel trailer without that package. And it will cost a small fortune to add everything in the tow pkg to one that didn't have that pkg installed at the "factory".
And be sure the Expedition is new enough to have the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, which has been standard since at least 2016 model year
__________________
Grumpy ole man with over 60 years towing experience. Now my heaviest trailer is a 7'x16' 5,000-pound flatbed utility trailer, my tow vehicle is a 2019 F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCab with Max Tow (1,904 pounds payload capacity).
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12-06-2018, 01:28 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,505
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It looks like the 2017 Ford Expedition towing package includes a heavy duty radiator, tranny cooler and integrated brake controller. Definitely get the tow package. You also want to be aware of axle ratios. The options for 2017 are 3.15, 3.31 and 3.73.
As others have said, decide on a trailer first. You don’t want to buy your tow vehicle and then find out later that it isn’t capable of towing your dream trailer. Also with an SUV payload, not towing will be your limiting factor. Good luck!
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12-13-2018, 10:29 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 158
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My TT has a 25' box and weighed in at just over 6,000 lbs when setup to camp during our first season.
Here are some suggestions based on my 2013 Expedition EL, guessing it will be hard for you to find a smaller TT that meets your needs.
1) Yes on the factory tow package.
2) Get a top-quality WDH. Our Andersen isn't really as good as the Blue Ox SwayPro I'd like to replace it with. Most very happy Andersen owners I've seen drive 3/4 ton trucks.
3) Before buying any Expedition do some weight calculations based on a real yellow sticker payload rating. Ours is roughly 1,475 lbs, doesn't leave a ton of room for a heavy TT tongue weight once you load up the truck with people and dogs.
4) If you buy an Expedition (or even some 1/2 ton trucks) and find the ride isn't as solid and connected as you'd like, consider swapping out the P-series tires for LT tires. That was the final piece to make my rig comfortable. We've towed now for over 15K miles (5 seasons). The vehicle will feel more truck-like when not towing - ours tends to feel less connected to the road on bumpy turns.
Best regards,
Chris
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