Forum Discussion

humblerb's avatar
humblerb
Explorer
Sep 20, 2020

To Upgrade TV or Not

An old friend sent me a message telling me he bought a TT about a month ago. It is his first TT. He is towing with a 2013 Expedition. I think he said it is 5600# Dry and about 6200# loaded.
He asked me if I thought he would notice an appreciable difference in the towing experience by upgrading the TV to a GM 1500 pickup.
He said the Expedition was a little squishy and it wiggles.
He doesn't want to spend the money for a new truck for very little different towing experience.
I told him I didn't think he would notice a large difference, as long as his Expedition is in good mechanical condition.
He is a bit of a car guy, so he takes care of cars.
He put Bilsteins on a year ago.
I pointed him to this forum to check his hitch setup.
He has an Equalizer hitch.
Told him proper set up will alleviate a lot of issues.
If his set up is good, probably won't notice much difference by going to a 1/2 ton pickup would he?
  • Or, his problem could possibly be solved with some simple suspension upgrades. If he is not over weight limit for his current TV AND he is okay with the power, have him check out things like air bags and springs.
  • Have him spend $15 at a scale to fine tune the WDH. He may also learn how close to all his ratings which may justify something different and what capacities he would like to increase.
  • 1/2 ton pickups come in a huge variety of flavors.

    The bottom of the line will likely not be much better.

    The top of the line (towing capability) will be a lot better.

    As someone else mentioned, it sounds like he is overloaded. Take it to a CAT scale and find out what the real numbers are.
  • Yeah, a lot of variables here to make a competent recommendation on the info given.
    However stiffer rear suspension and stiffer tires generally improves the conditions he’s experiencing.
    Don’t need to get a new vehicle to do that though. Within reason.

    Also his perception of “how” it should tow comes into play too. Like what’s his basis for comparison?
  • The squishyness is probably him being over payload. He needs to know his payload capacity, and tongue weight, and how much will be loaded in the Expy.

    If you got to a 1500, a 2500 is not much more.
  • Hard to say on the difference, not knowing what GM 1500? Obviously all 1/2 tons are not the same, some much more capable than others. The late model Fords with max tow would be a noticeable step up, and some GMs too.

    Jerry
  • Wheelbase difference between my 2015 Tahoe at 116 inches and Silverado’s 147 made a big difference in towing particularly when 18 wheelers pass me. Miss the tight turning ability of the Tahoe however. Change from a 6 to a 10 speed transmission is great.

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