Ford Expedition 2012 EL Limited 31 foot Trailer

No trany speed dial needed. The TT is pretty light and tows great. 6300lb dry. Well within range.

Glad it worked out, happy camping! Keep your transmission guy on speed dial.

Been like 5 months since I replied to this. Below is what I am replying to.

Yes, It tows it great! Have no real concerns at all. I am surprised to, I think I could have gone with heavier trailor and been fine. But, have kids, so I am staying well within weight safety limits. I am about 1,400 LBS under for the GCWR on this setup. Took to local weigh station for verification.

Besides backing into the house a couple times (only dentend rain gutters) been good. Have 35' driveway, and tt just fits in with inches to spare.

Posted By: linchat on 02/14/13 09:22pm

Ended up with Keystone Passport 3220bh. Towed fine, added equalizer hitch. About 8-9 mpg though.

Posted By: CarolinaHokie on 02/16/13 11:45amPosted By: CarolinaHokie on 02/16/13 11:45am

Linchat, no we have the regular length. Shorter wheelbase but more tow capacity. We did get the 3.73 axle ratio to assist with towing.

Wow, you are towing a 35 foot trailer with an expedition??

moose44 wrote:
---One thing that may be not to your advantage is the fact your Expedition is EL version. That means the distance between your trailer hitch ball and your back tires are longer than typical Expedition.

---I am saying that maybe one area EL version of Expedition is not as good as other TV.---

It is correct that the rear overhang of the EL is longer than that of the standard Expedition -- 51.1" vs 48.3".

However, you also must consider the difference in wheelbase -- 131" for the EL vs 119" for the standard.

The TV's yaw stability depends, in part, on the ratio of rear overhang divided by wheelbase -- the lower the ratio, the better the stability.

The EL's ratio is 51.1/131 = 0.39. The standard's ratio is 48.3/119 = 0.406.

The EL's longer wheelbase more than compensates for the longer rear overhang.
And, the extra 300# of curb weight also gives some added stability for the EL.

Ron

Towing involves so many different factors. It is the whole setup instead of just one thing. For example, work you are getting done in exchange of your gas money is moving of air. Most of the engine work goes toward moving air out of the way of the TV and TT. Because of that aerodynamic of TT (low wedge shape vs tall flat front ) matters. I understand that SAE is working on new towing capacity standard that will also specify frontal area. I think your setup is fine. One thing that may be not to your advantage is the fact your Expedition is EL version. That means the distance between your trailer hitch ball and your back tires are longer than typical Expedition.

Swaying happens when the trailer is moved materally by external force ( typically cross wind or positive/negative pressure of passing vehicle). Back wheels of the trailer is used as a pivot and front of the trailer is moved side way. This side force act on the trailer ball and will try to move your back wheel side way. When the weight is right on top of back wheel like a fifth wheel, there is no lever arm and it is very very difficult to sway the TV. Bigger that lever arm is, easier it will be to move the back wheels.

I am not saying your setup has an issue at all. Most likely it is more than fine since I see plenty of Expeditions with long trailers at campgrounds. I am saying that maybe one area EL version of Expedition is not as good as other TV. If swaying happens, you can either increase tung weight as long as added tung weight does not exceed GVW limit. Or properly tuned anti sway bar help too. Or you can slow down.

Another factor is how comfortable you are about feeling the movement of traler. Do you expect to feel like you are towing nothing at all? Unless you tow with Crew Cab F350 Turbo Diesel, you will feel something. Will that freak you out and make you tired in long drive? My previous TV was bit tall and I felt too much of roll motion. I don't think it was unstable but it made me feel uneasy and tired on long drive. I got a new TV that is 6 inches lower and with better suspension.

Bottom line is that most important thing is good setup. Get to know good RV mechanic and make sure you get a setup you are comfortable with.

Linchat, no we have the regular length. Shorter wheelbase but more tow capacity. We did get the 3.73 axle ratio to assist with towing.

Wow, you are towing a 35 foot trailer with an expedition??

Ended up with Keystone Passport 3220bh. Towed fine, added equalizer hitch. About 8-9 mpg though. :)

We purchased a Jayco Jay Flight 26BH last year. We absolutely love the trailer. It has a front bedroom with a queen bed and a rear bunk bed, with the bottom a full-size. It has no slide so it can get a little crowded if you like to spend more time in the trailer than the outdoors, but that saves weight and money.

Don't pay attention to the website for dry weights. They list the bare minimum (for that class)which in some cases excludes AC, Large refrigerator, oven, awning, etc. I would add an additional 300-500 lbs to any brochure weight unless looking at a premium class trailer which doesn't have a lot of "options."

As far as towing with a 1/2 ton I will give my 2 cents. 1/2 ton SUVs and trucks are a lot more capable than they used to be 15 years ago, but they are still 1/2 ton vehicles. My Yukon XL can safely tow our fully loaded trailer (~6,000 lbs) but I sure know it is there when I hit any incline or head wind. I would not want to pull anything heavier. I have severe 3/4 ton envy. But that's just me! :) Don't give up on the trailer dream because you don't have a truck. Just find a lighter trailer you can safely and confidently tow!

Happy trails and good luck with the purchase!

linchat wrote:
Expedition EL: 920 Hitch, GCWR 15000, GVWR 7540 (1400# Cargo) GVW:6140

Now looking at the Radiance Radiance 28QBSS
GVWR 7640 Dry 5410
Hitch Dry: 585
Length 32'

After reviewing this TT, even if I max it out, it still keeps me in limits for the TV I think. Though I seriously doubt I will be adding 2k of weight since I will most likely not be doing dry camping.

Seems like a better fit?
Anyone any experience with this brand?

Sounds doable but you will be pushing the GVWR of your Expy. If you only load the TT to 6500# that will generate Tongue Weight of 845# which comes right off your 1400# of payload leaving 555#. Subtract another 100 for the WDH and now you're left with 445 and that is all (bodies and gear), that you can put in the TV. Load both the TT and TV lightly and you should be OK. A 32' TT is still a lot for a 131" wheelbase TV. Good Luck! :C

Expedition EL: 920 Hitch, GCWR 15000, GVWR 7540 (1400# Cargo) GVW:6140

Now looking at the Radiance Radiance 28QBSS
GVWR 7640 Dry 5410
Hitch Dry: 585
Length 32'

After reviewing this TT, even if I max it out, it still keeps me in limits for the TV I think. Though I seriously doubt I will be adding 2k of weight since I will most likely not be doing dry camping.

Seems like a better fit?
Anyone any experience with this brand?