Ford Expedition or F-150 best for towing?
Newbie to towing but not to camping. Just downsized to a 25' TT that weighs 5200# with a 600# tongue weight. Need to buy a 4x4 TV, can't afford a new one so am looking at 2003 to 2009. I expect my ...
Forum Discussion
They are different vehicles for different needs. Similarily equipped both will tow similarly, and both will be limited by their payload. What are your needs and priorities?
We wanted 4x4 and needed something to haul the family and ALL THE STUFF associated with 3 young kids in carseats (2 1/2, 1, and newborn at the time). For us that eliminated F150. We needed additional seating that was easy to set up for additionally family (3rd row). We needed something that could carry some cargo with 2nd row in place or sheet goods (plywood / drywall) with 2nd row folded. And something to pull the travel trailer. The Expedition EL fit the bill for us. We love it and use it to it's fullest extent.
Couple things to consider. There were a couple major changes in those years. The Expedition got the 24valve 5.4 in 2005, and got the 6speed in 07
The F150 got the 24valve 5.4 in 04, and got the 6 speed in 09
Both of these are MAJOR improvements, the 24V makes 40hp and 15ftlb more than the 16valve, and the 6spd makes a substatial difference in towing. It has a VERY deep 4.17:1 first gear which helps get almost anything moving, well spaced ratios keeping the engine in the power band, and a 1.14:1 4th which with a 3.55 axle ratio provides a final of 4.04, or with a 3.73 provides a final of 4.25. The 6speed goes a long way in making the best of the 5.4 and something weighing over 6000lbs surprisingly responsive.
The very first thing to check on ANY vehicle you are considering is the TREAD act sticker if 2006 or later. It states the total of cargo and passengers not to exceed XXXX. This is accurate for that vehicle as equipped as it left the factory. The higher the better. My Expy EL 4x4 XLT with sunroof and rear air is 1672lbs. This number can vary significantly depending on trim and options. ESPECIALLY for F150. It can be anywhere from under 1000lbs to over 3000!! Many are in the 1400 range but you want something in the 1600+
If pre 2006 look at the sticker for the GVWR. You want as high a number as possible, and stay away from the upper trim levels that eat hundreds of pounds.
On any F150 a GVWR of 8200 and 7 lug wheels means it has the rare "HD payload package" This means you don't have to worry as much about payload as it will be well in excess of 2000lbs.
The longer wheelbase of the F150 will help with stability, but a 25ft TT is fine for a regular wheelbase Expedition or the EL (came out in 07)
That trailer is in the sweet spot for 1/2 tons and all the numbers pretty much work out as long as your payload is high enough. Figure that tongue weight will be in the neighborhood of 850lbs loaded, you need enough payload to absorb that after accounting for all your passengers and stuff in the vehicle.
Good luck!
We wanted 4x4 and needed something to haul the family and ALL THE STUFF associated with 3 young kids in carseats (2 1/2, 1, and newborn at the time). For us that eliminated F150. We needed additional seating that was easy to set up for additionally family (3rd row). We needed something that could carry some cargo with 2nd row in place or sheet goods (plywood / drywall) with 2nd row folded. And something to pull the travel trailer. The Expedition EL fit the bill for us. We love it and use it to it's fullest extent.
Couple things to consider. There were a couple major changes in those years. The Expedition got the 24valve 5.4 in 2005, and got the 6speed in 07
The F150 got the 24valve 5.4 in 04, and got the 6 speed in 09
Both of these are MAJOR improvements, the 24V makes 40hp and 15ftlb more than the 16valve, and the 6spd makes a substatial difference in towing. It has a VERY deep 4.17:1 first gear which helps get almost anything moving, well spaced ratios keeping the engine in the power band, and a 1.14:1 4th which with a 3.55 axle ratio provides a final of 4.04, or with a 3.73 provides a final of 4.25. The 6speed goes a long way in making the best of the 5.4 and something weighing over 6000lbs surprisingly responsive.
The very first thing to check on ANY vehicle you are considering is the TREAD act sticker if 2006 or later. It states the total of cargo and passengers not to exceed XXXX. This is accurate for that vehicle as equipped as it left the factory. The higher the better. My Expy EL 4x4 XLT with sunroof and rear air is 1672lbs. This number can vary significantly depending on trim and options. ESPECIALLY for F150. It can be anywhere from under 1000lbs to over 3000!! Many are in the 1400 range but you want something in the 1600+
If pre 2006 look at the sticker for the GVWR. You want as high a number as possible, and stay away from the upper trim levels that eat hundreds of pounds.
On any F150 a GVWR of 8200 and 7 lug wheels means it has the rare "HD payload package" This means you don't have to worry as much about payload as it will be well in excess of 2000lbs.
The longer wheelbase of the F150 will help with stability, but a 25ft TT is fine for a regular wheelbase Expedition or the EL (came out in 07)
That trailer is in the sweet spot for 1/2 tons and all the numbers pretty much work out as long as your payload is high enough. Figure that tongue weight will be in the neighborhood of 850lbs loaded, you need enough payload to absorb that after accounting for all your passengers and stuff in the vehicle.
Good luck!
