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cdburkett1's avatar
cdburkett1
Explorer
May 15, 2016

Ford Expedition Towing Capacity

I have a 2000 Ford Expedition V8 5.4L Triton 4 speed auto tranny 4x2 and upgraded the rear end gear box from 3.31 to 3.73 with a BlueOx WD Hitch with integrated sway control. I'm looking to buy a 33' Jayco 28BHBE travel trailer. The TV GVWR is 7000# and TV GCWR is 13500#. The hitch GTWR is 7500# and hitch TWR is 750# with Dry Trailer weight of 6540# and trailer GVWR 9250#.

Depending on out passenger total it looks like I should be able to pull a max of 7466# to 7861#. So with a dry weight of 6450 and gross tow weight of 7466# I should be well within my tow capacity if I am figuring my numbers correctly.

I used RV Tow Check | Towing Capacity Calculator

7 Replies

  • Agreed. I'm now looking for a 3/4 ton Dodge or Ford, preferably diesel to get the job done.
  • cdburkett1 wrote:
    Thanks for the input. So the hunt for a TV begins. F250 or F350 diesel it is.

    Go big or go home I guess!
    In the event this post was to convince your wife you need a new truck.....you shouldn't tow with anything less than a Lariat 6.7 Powerstroke!
  • Thanks for the input. So the hunt for a TV begins. F250 or F350 diesel it is.
  • 6500 pounds dry will not be well within your tow rating. That is 7500+ pounds loaded with 1000 pounds of tongue weight. I had a 2003 F-150 Supercrew 5.4L/3.73 and towed 1200 pounds lighter TT. It was acceptable for 2 seasons. That's is borderline combo for a new 2000 Expy with 5.4L/3.73. And now that is an 16 year old vehicle.

    If you insist on towing with that Expy, then you should confirm your axle ratio, confirm or upgrade the trans cooler, flush all the fluids, and probably replace the receiver.
  • I have a 2014 Expy that can tow 9000 lbs with a WD hitch. My 24 ft TT is 6000 lbs loaded and 800 lbs on the tongue. I can't imagine towing much more than this. I think I am at the comfortable limits of my vehicle.
  • bikendan wrote:
    as with any SUV, payload capacity is their weak spot.

    look for your Expy's payload capacity on the driver's yellow door sticker and post that amount.


    Yes, bikendan is right, payload is going to be a problem. However, this older TV will not have a yellow payload capacity sticker on it. You would have to load everyone, plus gear, fuel, in the TV and weigh it. If you subtract loaded wt, from the TVs GVWR, you would know how much payload is left for a 100 lb WDH, and near 1,000 lbs tongue wt.

    That trailer loaded to camp will weigh at least 7,500. At 13% tongue wt it will be close to 1,100 lbs for tongue and WDH.

    The 3.73 gear change will help to pull it, but even then, that good old 2-valve 5.4 is going to be under powered. It will help to be in flat terrain, but IMO, you are expecting too much from your TV. It will come up short on power/payload, and even with a good WDH, a short wheel base SUV is not going to be a fun experience towing a 33' trailer in the wind.

    Only actual scaled weights give true numbers for truck loaded wt, and trailer loaded weight/tongue wt. I hope you get it all figured out, and that you enjoy your camping experience!:)

    Jerry
  • as with any SUV, payload capacity is their weak spot.

    look for your Expy's payload capacity on the driver's yellow door sticker and post that amount.

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