Newbie Question on towing with my Ford Expedition

I guess their TH GVWR is it fully loaded with full water and fuel. My drive is about 80 miles to the Desert. There are minimal twisties, but there is some climbing. I also wouldn't fill up the tanks to capacity as we are only out a couple days. Maybe half on the water and 10 gallons on the fuel.

To me, it seems like I am pushing the limits here with a 23 footer. maybe I should stay in the 19 thru 21 (22?) foot TH range.

MPDano wrote:
Per manual:

(0-5500 lb) Max Trailer Weight

I was looking at one the megalite TH's. Specs like this on a 23'

Dry Weight: 4780 lb.
Tongue Weight: 630 lbs.
GVWR: 7640 lbs.
Fresh Water: 100 gal.

A couple of thing I noticed. The dry weight of your intended trailer is 4780#, the max towing capacity of your Expy is 5500#. Dry weight is without options (AC, awning, etc) or loaded with your stuff and toys. Options alone will add 350# - 500#. With your stuff, not including what ever toy you want to haul will put you well over your 5500# limit.

We haven't even talked about your available payload on your Expy. Let's say it's 1500#. The tongue weight of your trailer when loaded will likely be over 900#. At best that only leaves you 600# in the truck for people, the dogs, and "stuff". If you are towing off road I suspect you don't travel light.

You might be able to somehow make this work but I think you are going to hate the towing experience.

MPDano wrote:
Per manual:

4.6 L

3.55 Rear Axle Ratio

(17 in) Wheels

(11000 lb) GCWR

(0-5500 lb) Max Trailer Weight

There is nothing mentioning about Tongue Weight.

I was looking at one the megalite TH's. Specs like this on a 23'

Model: Extreme Mege-Lite 23LT

Length 27'6"

Width 8'0"

Height 10'5"
Dry Weight: 4780 lb.
Axle: 2
Tongue Weight: 630 lbs.
GVWR: 7640 lbs.
Fresh Water: 100 gal.

Gray Water: 35 gal.

Black Water: 35 gals

The dry weight is fine but the GVWR will kill that little 4.6L. I have one in my '98 F150 with 3:55's and towed a 5500lb HTT. Had to shut the a/c off on some hills in NY State just to stay close to the speed limit with the engine screaming.

You're not going to enjoy driving that combo.

Per manual:

4.6 L

3.55 Rear Axle Ratio

(17 in) Wheels

(11000 lb) GCWR

(0-5500 lb) Max Trailer Weight

There is nothing mentioning about Tongue Weight.

I was looking at one the megalite TH's. Specs like this on a 23'

Model: Extreme Mege-Lite 23LT

Length 27'6"

Width 8'0"

Height 10'5"
Dry Weight: 4780 lb.
Axle: 2
Tongue Weight: 630 lbs.
GVWR: 7640 lbs.
Fresh Water: 100 gal.

Gray Water: 35 gal.

Black Water: 35 gals

Your Expy is on a 1/2t chassis which limits the payload and tongue weight more than what it can actually drag behind it. Your GVWR minus actual vehicle weight will give you an idea how much can be loaded in the vehicle along with the tongue weight of the desired trailer (toy hauler).

Expect that the tongue weight will 15% of the GVWR of the toy hauler you are eyeing. If the toy hauler is rated at 10,000 lbs, you will have close to 1500 lbs of tongue weight once you are loaded with water and propane.

In general, you need a 3/4t or 1t SRW vehicle for a bumper pull toy hauler. There are some smaller lighter units, but you will need to watch the tongue weight more than anything else when you are looking for one.

You need to figure out your GCWR. That will tell you what you can safely tow.

I can tell you right now that a 20' toy hauler is going to be pushing the limits of your Expedition, if you're able to tow it at all. That 4.6 will be hating life and be getting atrocious mileage in the process.

Thanks for that. Where I am confused is the Gross weight of my Expy. Is it the weight of my Expy and contents, then subtract that from 11,000? Then whatever is left is what I can safely tow?

As long as the fully loaded TH is light enough to stay below your max gross weight by 15% then you'll be safe. Once you get at or above your max then safety and longevity of drive train components becomes an issue.