Trailer towing an Expedition

I don't know where Howard is, but in a previous post he mentioned a 2008 Alfa so maybe he just hasn't updated his profile in a while. He doesn't post often, but he's been around since 2007 so be patient, he'll be back.

Ron

I tow both ways, flat and enclosed trailer, and I will tell you that they each have their pros and cons. The main reason I haul the enclosed trailer is to have my rolling "workshop" when going to places like Moab or SW Colorado and to haul the HD Ultra Classic at the same time. If just needing a toad then you will be much happier flat-towing. Ford does make a kit to have the ability to flat tow for the 4WD models which is the way I would go or the driveshaft as a last resort. I have helped a couple of buddies by installing the Remco driveshaft disconnect and personally I am not a fan of them, although they do work as advertised.

Personally I would get a different toad before I would do the driveshaft disconnect but that is just me. The trailers can be problematic when bouncing around from campground to campground as not all are 65-70'+ length friendly.

Mike.

I think he is towing with his fifth wheel trailer, a Alpenlite Portofino Villa, cause he has not posted anything about getting a motorhome. But I could be reading between the lines.

howardwheeler wrote:
We've been flat towing an Explorer, but for various reason it looks like we need to get an F150 or an Expedition. We can tow the F150 on the ground because it has four wheel drive. Apparently a similar Expedition cannot be. So we are looking at aluminum car haulers and wondering how long one needs to be to hold an Expedition? It's the regular length not the EL. Any brand of hauler you would suggest? Outside of the extra length that poses problem in campgrounds, any pros or cons of flat tow versus trailer tow would be appreciated

You could go this route. All aluminum trailer to save weight. For campgrounds that are concerned with weight, I'm told, what you can do is drop the trailer, tow with your tow behind to a parking spot and leave the trailer there, and take your vehicle to the camp ground. It is my understanding that most camp grounds allow two vehicles on a site, but no necessarily a bus and trailer.

bluwtr49 wrote:
The MH receiver could be an issue when towing a hauler with that big of a car. With a toad there is no significant tongue wt but with a trailer that changes dramatically. Receivers get ripped of MH's on a regular basis by having more tongue wt than it rated to carry.

Not necessarily a problem, just something to have checked before you make a decision.

Depends on how the MH was set up. this is a 28 foot 12,000 GVW enclosed trailer, no weight distribution. (air is out of the suspension and sitting on the jacks)

(Gillig chassis, Gillig sells the parts to upgrade the hitch)

What MH do you have, your bio says a 5th wheel? If a gasser, an Expedition and a trailer will probably be too heavy.

Presumabably your F-150 4WD is an older model with a manual transfer case "N" station? The newer ones (like my 2011 Ranger 4WD auto) one needs a "transfer case neutral kit" because the thing is all electronic, and Ford has deleted the "N" station.
Is the Expedtion a 4WD auto? If so, there may be a "kit" that Ford offers. Check it out. Keep in mind, these "kits" are a Ford only item...they know it...and mine cost 400 bucks installed BY Ford.

Ford 2WD auto are not towable 4-down. You need a driveshaft disconnect. g'luck!

Storing the trailer at the park could be an issue or an added cost, depending on the park you stay in. Tongue weight is an issue as mentioned above, you will have at least 10% of the trailer load on the tongue. Expedition is 5800lbs dry weight plus 1000 or more lbs trailer, so probably 700 lbs or so on the tongue, which may be too much for the MH receiver. If you end up over 7500lbs I am pretty sure, by law, you have to use a weight distribution hitch and I don't know that they can be used on MH (In Ontario it is law from what I understand, may be different in the US).

Maybe it would just be better to get a driveshaft disconnect. I've heard that they are problematic, but still might be better than towing a trailer.

Ron

The MH receiver could be an issue when towing a hauler with that big of a car. With a toad there is no significant tongue wt but with a trailer that changes dramatically. Receivers get ripped of MH's on a regular basis by having more tongue wt than it rated to carry.

Not necessarily a problem, just something to have checked before you make a decision.