intheburbs wrote:
Don't get hung up on the tow rating when talking about an SUV for towing. Frankly, the it's a meaningless number.
There's virtually no difference between the Suburban/Yukon XL and Expedition EL. They both can handle about 1500 lbs of payload, and both have a RAWR around 4200 lbs.
You'll exceed those numbers long before you get anywhere near their max "tow rating."
Google SAE J2807
Why Your Pickup Truck’s Tow Rating is BS
This is really the crux of the problem with all half tons. The payload and rear axle rating.
The tow capacity the manufactures love to flaunt is based on a ideal nicely ballanced boat or flat deck trailer with concrete blocks over the axles. These trailers have a nice aerodynamic profile, low frontal area, and around 10% tongue weight. The receiver on the Expedition is 910lbs max. See how 910lbs is 10% of 9100 lbs?? THAT is how they derive the maximum tow rating!!
Travel trailers are the OPPOSITE of ideal. They have huge frontal area, horrible aerodynamics, and 13-15% tongue weight.
You WILL NEVER be able to tow a travel trailer near maximum tow rating without exceeding at least one vehicle rating, usually starting with the receiver. But the dealer (SUV or RV) will never tell you this!!
A quick look shows the following.
Family of 6 just say around 800lbs (This is what me, DW, Aunt, 3 kids including car seats, and a couple bags comes in at)
My Expedition EL XLT 4x4 has a maximum payload of 1672lbs as listed bt the TREAD Act sticker. The Expedition generally has the most payload of 1/2 ton SUVs, most are lower. Also note, the fancier the trim level, the less payload you have left! I have had our Expedition loaded close to the max with cargo. It did ok, but I would not want to do a lot of driving that way.
1672-800 = 872lbs available for tongue.
872 / 0.14 = a maximum loaded weight of 6228lbs
Subtract 1000lbs for all stuff, water propane batteries etc. and you are looking at trailers in the 5200-5500lbs dry range.
This is generally considered the sweet spot for 1/2 tons.
Notice, even if you only had 2 people, the tongue weight is still limited by the receiver to 900lbs, which still limits you to around 6500 maybe 7000 loaded, because travel trailers have more than 10% tongue weight.
If you really want a big heavy trailer, you are going to have to go 3/4 ton or bigger.
Good luck