Ford Expedition or F-150 best for towing?

Having towed with a 2002 5.4 16 valve, 118" WB Expedition, and then towed the same 27' 6000lb TT with a 04 5.4 24 valve, 145" WB, 150, both with the same rear gear.
I can tell you, there is NOT a nickel's worth of difference in the towing experience of the 2.

Both do great. You are in a win, win.

BTW some versions of the 150 will tow more than an Expe. It just depends on the rear gear, and tire size of the 150.

I think you have some pretty good input already; especially pointing out payload is the issue, not the “mythical” tow rating. I’ll add one more comment to that. You mention you will do some mountain driving. Keep in mind that if you’re pulling near your max rating grades will be no fun at all. Most people who pull near max seem to wind up replacing the TV with something bigger. If mountain driving is infrequent you can probably deal with the reduced performance fine, a lot of it will probably give you a case of heartburn.

I use a 2011 Expy to tow a 27' Coyote. It's 4300 lbs dry, but, with cargo, payload (includes people), and tongue weight, I'm easily within the rule of not exceeding 80% of the towing capacity.

With the numbers you gave, you're within that threshold also.

My Expedition has no issues whatsoever towing the 27', or, towing the weight. I have the non EL version. Hills are no problem, and, starting from a dead stop at a light is no problem. It can pick up speed quickly if I choose, but...usually like to go slow and easy, so that the gas isn't getting chewed up from a "fast" start off the line.

I have an Equalizer hitch, and 18 wheelers passing me aren't an issue either. I feel a little "suck in" when it happens, but...never have any issues where I feel like the trailer is the "tail wagging the dog". It's never a white knuckle experience.

The other big factor here is- using the tv as a daily driver. For me, having the extra passenger room was more of a requirement, so we went that route instead of a pickup.

F150's are not all created equal. Depending on trim levels, cab sizes, power train, and gear ratios, their payloads can vary quite a bit. Some as low as 750 lbs, some as high as 3100 lbs. There are also large varriations in tow ratings. You may see similar differences in the Expy's. Check the tire / loading sticker on every candidate.

If your loaded camper weight is going to reach 6500 lbs, you'll be looking at about 900 lbs of payload needed for the tongue / hitch weight.

Which ever tow vehicle you select, it will need to have enough payload available, to handle weight of all occupants, fuel, cargo (in the tow vehicle), and 850 - 900 lbs for the trailer.

Payload is the limiting factor in this class of tow vehicle. Get the vehicle with the higher payload and then figure out the right rear end AND transmission to do the job. I expect you will end up with the truck.

While all ELs have the 6spd, 3.73 axle, and 2" receiver, I don't think they all have the towing package. Towing package includes brake controler wiring, 7pin plug, HD radiator, bigger aux trans cooler (standard has smaller cooler) and HD flashers. Easiest way to tell on the Expys is look for the 7pin plug in the back. If it is there, it has the tow package, if just a 4 is there, no tow package.

SUVs cost more new and used for the same level of equipment/age/condition as a crew cab pickup. My opinion is that if you need less than 5 seats, a pickup is more useful. I miss mine!

The powertrains are similar between the same brand full sized pickup and SUV. Tow ratings insignificantly different and they won't be an RV tow limit anyway.

Along with what PUcamping said, I highly recommend something with the 6-spd trans. That's 2007 for Expy and 2009 for F150. Should you choose F-150, there are a lot of combinations which vary tow ratings and RV capability. It can be difficult to find what you want/need for RVing. For ease of locating, get a 2007+ Expy EL. They all come with the 6-spd trans, optimal axle ratio, HD towing package with trans cooler, 7-pin wiring. While there are not as many compared to F-150s, if you find some it's equipped as needed.

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!

My F-150 4x4 has a max cargo capacity of 1411 lbs. It is stated on the door sticker.

With 500 lbs. for two adults and a dog, 250 lbs for the truck cap, 600 lbs for tongue wieght on a loaded 5000 lbs. trailer, there is not much capacity left for toys etc.

Yes it can tow 9000 lbs. but 900 lbs or so will be on the hitch; This does not leave much room for stuff before you exceed the max cargo wieght.

With either one you'll need to watch how much cargo you put into the TV.

I went with the Expedition because I need the interior space for dog crates.