Expedition vs Suburban

Mike Up wrote:

Racerchaser27 wrote:
I towed for 5 years with my '03 Expedition, with the 5.4 ltr engine. First two years towing my 24' Prowler and the next 3 years towing my new 30' Skyline Layton (7000#'s) all while also towing a loaded enclosed racecar trailer every few weeks, I was worried about the independent suspension and CV joint axles when I first started towing with it, but it towed like a champ, never giving me a bit of grief. Was suprised that even without the weight bars hooked up for moving it in the driveway, it really didn't sag the rear of the truck that much! It handled the weight great! The "only" reason I retired her from towing, was because I purchased a Dodge 2500 Diesel. Still own the Expedition, and my wife drives it everyday, and it still runs and drives like a trooper. I never did any major repairs other than regular maintenance items. I never towed with a Suburban, so cannot say its better, worse, or same.....but after towing with my Expedition, I would definitely tow with one again! The only suggestion I would make in either truck you choose, make sure you put on 10 ply (load range E) tires. My Expedition came with "P" rated passenger tires on it originally, but I switched them out when we started towing. Good luck!!

You have to watch putting LT on a P rated wheel. The LT tires require much higher pressures. Many passenger rated wheels will not handle the higher pressures that LT tires use. You may have to use a load range C LT tire that uses lower pressure to be compatible with your wheel.

The 2012 F150 comes with a HD package that uses HD axles, bearings, and wheels. It comes with LT245/75/17" load range E tires. That's the only option that comes with the HD package on the F150. Without the HD package, LT275/65/18" load range C tires are an option.

LT 275/65/18 load range C tires require 50 psi while LT 275/65/18 load range E require 80 psi.

I ran/run 50 psi in the 17" LT's on me Expedition while empty, and 60 while towing. They drove/handled like clockwork, and no sidewall slosh or squish. They have approx 80000 kms on them, and show very very little sign of wear. I asked both Ford, and my tire dealer before I bought the tires if there would be an issue. Was told, from Ford (not the local Ford dealer), that the rims on my Expedition were good to go for Range E LT tires. With the tongue weight on my truck with my set up, running a higher psi in the tires only made it hit the bumps harder with no noticable difference in handling or drivability. Handled towing great! My Dodge on the other hand runs at 60 front and 70 rear from the factory, and I haven't changed the pressures at all, mainly because of those stupid TPMS sensors and lights. What did we ever do without idiot lights? But absolutely, to the original poster, do your homework, and check it out with the factory before you change a factory set up.