Trailer Purchase - Need Help Please!

[kcgaz]

We sold our Class A and are now looking at purchasing a daily driver such as a Ford Expedition and an Ultra Lite Trailer. We use our RV to visit local RV parks and to take trips from Arizona to California during the summer months to cool down. Any insights, experience or ideas regarding this purchase and what to watch out for is very much appreciated.

[SmokeyWren]

The biggest problem with using a full-size SUV as a tow vehicle is folks want to load the SUV with people and stuff, then tow too heavy a trailer at the same time. But the SUV has a limited payload capacity, and it's very easy to exceed that weight limit if you don't pay close attention to detail.

So first step is to get educated on exactly what is available as options for heavy towing. You want the heaviest-duty towing package available, along with the best towing drivetrain available, plus the shortest legs in the rear axle ratio available. Most dealers won't have an Expedition in stock that's equipped that way, so plan on ordering your new SUV to get exactly what you need.

Your limiter as to max trailer weight you can tow will be payload capacity of the SUV. GVWR minus the weight of the SUV = payload capacity. GVWR doesn't change as you add options to your SUV, so the max payload capacity will be an SUV without any heavy options such as leather interior, sun roof, running boards, etc.

Expedition now comes in two lengths, the shorter Expedition (wheelbase 122.5") and the longer Expedition Max (wheelbase 131.5") The longer wheel base makes a better tow vehicle, but it is heavier and thus reduces the max trailer weight you can tow without being overloaded.

Three trim levels, XLT, Limited and Platinum. The fancier the trim level, then heavier the SUV and thus the less trailer weight you can tow without being overloaded.

4x4 and 4x2 drivetrain. 4x4 is heavy and thus reduces the max trailer weight you can tow without being overloaded.

Only one towing pkg available, and it's a "must have" for towing anything heavier than a rowboat:

Originally Posted by FoMoCo

Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package

A beefed-up Expedition ready to tow its best-in-class rating of 9,300* lbs.
• Heavy-duty radiator
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist™
• 3.73 electronic limited-slip differential
• Integrated trailer brake controller
• Two-speed automatic 4WD (4x4 only) with neutral towing capability

Maximum Towing Capacity:
Expedition 4x2 - 9,300 lbs.
Expedition 4x4 - 9,200 lbs.
Expedition MAX 4x2 - 9,000 lbs.
Expedition MAX 4x4 - 9,000 lbs.

BTW, ignore those tow ratings. You probably can't get close to even 7,000 pounds trailer weight with your family and their stuff in the SUV before you exceed the payload capacity of the Expedition.

So the 4x4 not only weighs more, it has less GVWR (and payload capacity).

The standard 3.5L EcoBoost engine and 10-speed tranny are excellent for towing.

So now that you have your new SUV ordered, how about the trailer? My only comment is to stay as small and lightweight as you can. Trailer GVWR not more than 6,000 pounds. If GVWR is not available, then estimate GVWR as unloaded trailer weight plus cargo carrying capacity (CCC). Yes, there are some out there, but they are relatively rare compared to those with 7,000 or more GVWR.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

Trailer GVWR not more than 6,000 pounds. If GVWR is not available, then estimate GVWR as unloaded trailer weight plus cargo carrying capacity (CCC).

"Unloaded trailer weight" may be in the specs as "dry" trailer weight, or it may just say weight.

Because payload capacity of the SUV is probably your limiter as to trailer weight, then you are concerned with trailer hitch weight. Average hitch weight of a small TT is 13% of gross trailer weigh, plus 100 pounds for a good weight-distributing/sway-control hitch, such as a Blue Ox or Equal-I-Zer. So a 6,000 pound TT when properly loaded for a family camping trip will have hitch weight of about 880 pounds.

The proof in the pudding will be the weight on the two axles of the SUV when wet and loaded for a family camping trip with family, stuff, trailer, and a full tank of gas. Add the weights on the front and rear axles of the SUV to get GVW. If GVW exceeds GVWR of the SUV, you're overloaded.

[shane_the_ee]

Per the door sticker, the payload capacity of an Expedition Max FX4 is ~1650lbs. Per the towing guide, the max tongue weight with a WDH is 900lbs. So if you max out the tongue weight, you'll still have 750lbs available for people and stuff in the Expedition. If you think you need more than 750lbs for people & cargo, you could claw some back by going to the shorter wheel base, sticking with a 4x2, skipping the FX4 package with its heavy skid plates and/or doing without the panoramic sunroof...

[Dropthejacks]

Unless you are planning to haul several youngin's down the road, just go with a crew cab pickup with factory tow package. You can easily fit 4-5 adults in the truck, and slap a bed cover on it if you are worried about the elements. Not that pick-ups don't have their issues with payload as well, but it won't be as much of one as an SUV brings to the table.