Ford Exp - Jayco WH 23MBH - Dream Combo or Bad Idea?
Hello,
I am considering purchasing a TV/TT combination and allowing for budget constraints and family size have narrowed the choice down to 1 TV and 2 TTs. We missed the whole young family camping/RVing window and so now are attempting this activity with 4 boys, 2 of them older teenagers and 2 of them almost teens. This poses certain problems, the least of which is that not everyone can sleep in the dinette, at least not without a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth. But I digress…
I've read a number of posts here but most were regarding 1/2 ton PUs, which seem to have a higher tow rating than their SUV counterparts. I did find one post from PSMike, Towing with Ford Expedition - think I am OK?, that was quite eye opening ( http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24894612/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1 ). I've been around cars and trucks and have busted up a number of them, usually out in the middle of the desert, so I understand the consequences of breaking vehicles. I have no interest in sheering off axle bolts, etc, or having the TT guide me into a bridge abutment because I pulled a bit too much. So, here's the drop on the TV and TT for context:
TV:
2007/2007 Ford Expedition 4x4, 5.4L sparkplug eating V8
Max Towing - 8600 lbs with Heavy Duty Tow Package
Max WDTW - 900 +/-
TT:
Jayco White Hawk 23MBH
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)
4,610
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)
645
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs)
6,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)
1,890
Jayco White Hawk 30DSQB
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)
6,045
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)
765
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs)
8,250
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)
2,205
I know the first TT is a bit small but so is my budget. I'd prefer to go with the second TT but it is not 1/2 ton tow-able.
Based on the numbers of the Ford Exp and the 23 MBH I believe this combination could work. Because I have four almost grown boys, a wife, and a dog, there's not much room in the vehicle for cargo based on what I have read previously. I also think I'll be pushing 700 to 1000 lbs cargo in/on the trailer, including propane, batteries, etc. That puts the trailer at 5600 lbs + 7900ish for the truck et al = 13,500lbs which is darn close to the MAX 14,100 combined gross. Hitch Weight would be around 760 lbs (645 + 15% of cargo) . The weights are under but not by much. So, questions…
1) Does the combination of Ford Expedition and 23MBH work or do I need to ditch the 1/2 ton SUV dream and consider a 1/2 ton crew cab with a front bench or a 3/4 ton burb (assuming I can get one of those…they are, as other posters have noted, hard to come by)?
2) Moving to TT number 2, I will need a 3/4 ton to pull this, correct?
I appreciate the extra eyeballs of experienced RVes, especially as I have so many numbers and combinations floating around in my head. Thanks for any and all input.
I am considering purchasing a TV/TT combination and allowing for budget constraints and family size have narrowed the choice down to 1 TV and 2 TTs. We missed the whole young family camping/RVing window and so now are attempting this activity with 4 boys, 2 of them older teenagers and 2 of them almost teens. This poses certain problems, the least of which is that not everyone can sleep in the dinette, at least not without a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth. But I digress…
I've read a number of posts here but most were regarding 1/2 ton PUs, which seem to have a higher tow rating than their SUV counterparts. I did find one post from PSMike, Towing with Ford Expedition - think I am OK?, that was quite eye opening ( http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24894612/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1 ). I've been around cars and trucks and have busted up a number of them, usually out in the middle of the desert, so I understand the consequences of breaking vehicles. I have no interest in sheering off axle bolts, etc, or having the TT guide me into a bridge abutment because I pulled a bit too much. So, here's the drop on the TV and TT for context:
TV:
2007/2007 Ford Expedition 4x4, 5.4L sparkplug eating V8
Max Towing - 8600 lbs with Heavy Duty Tow Package
Max WDTW - 900 +/-
TT:
Jayco White Hawk 23MBH
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)
4,610
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)
645
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs)
6,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)
1,890
Jayco White Hawk 30DSQB
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)
6,045
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)
765
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs)
8,250
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)
2,205
I know the first TT is a bit small but so is my budget. I'd prefer to go with the second TT but it is not 1/2 ton tow-able.
Based on the numbers of the Ford Exp and the 23 MBH I believe this combination could work. Because I have four almost grown boys, a wife, and a dog, there's not much room in the vehicle for cargo based on what I have read previously. I also think I'll be pushing 700 to 1000 lbs cargo in/on the trailer, including propane, batteries, etc. That puts the trailer at 5600 lbs + 7900ish for the truck et al = 13,500lbs which is darn close to the MAX 14,100 combined gross. Hitch Weight would be around 760 lbs (645 + 15% of cargo) . The weights are under but not by much. So, questions…
1) Does the combination of Ford Expedition and 23MBH work or do I need to ditch the 1/2 ton SUV dream and consider a 1/2 ton crew cab with a front bench or a 3/4 ton burb (assuming I can get one of those…they are, as other posters have noted, hard to come by)?
2) Moving to TT number 2, I will need a 3/4 ton to pull this, correct?
I appreciate the extra eyeballs of experienced RVes, especially as I have so many numbers and combinations floating around in my head. Thanks for any and all input.
