New to Trailer Life Need Some Assitance :)

lp618em wrote:
Hello all, completely new at ever trying to tow anything other than a small boat and we are looking at a specific trailer. But I have read enough to make sure weight is proper but the more I look its almost like nothing would be able to tow the big travel trailers.

To be specific we are looking at the ST33BD or similar to sleep 9 people.

The veichle is a 2006 Expedition, 3.73 ratio, Heavy duty tow package which I believe has the extra radiator, 5.4 v8.
GCWR: 14,500 lbs
Trailer Weight: 8,900 lbs
Max Tongue weight: 895 lbs

I want to say the trailer is too big. But then when I look at all the other veichles that can carry 9 people, its like nothing can carry it. The expedition will be holding 9 passengers. So would like a trailer that can be pulled by the Expedition, or another veichle that can carry 9 people.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

You are correct, something is to big. 2006 Expy has max tow capacity of 8900 lbs, with a 150 lb driver, and no passengers or cargo. Every pound of passengers and cargo, reduces tow capacity by one pound.

Those trailer numbers are dry weight numbers. When it is loaded up for camping, it will weigh close, if not more than, 10,000 lbs. That's more than your tow capacity, without passengers. If you load 1000 lbs of occupants and cargo, your max tow capacity goes down to 7900 lbs.

The number you need to look at first, is the payload (cargo carrying capacity) of your Expedition. That number is your weight capacity for fuel, occupants, cargo (in the Expy), weight distribution hitch (with sway control), and loaded trailer tongue weight, combined. Check for a tire / loading sticker on your drivers door pillar. Most vehicles made 2006 and later, will have this sticker.

If you want a ball park weight for a loaded trailer, find your payload number and subtract the weight of all occupants, estimated cargo (in the Expy), 100 lbs for a hitch, and 250 lbs for fuel. If you have anything left, that is what is available to carry tongue weight. Then divide that number by .13.

GCWR is max weight rating for vehicle and trailer. It includes everything and everybody inside them. The base weight of your Expy is about 5400 lbs. With that trailer, you would be over 15,000, without driver or passengers.

Average load for camping (dishes, pots and pans, camp chairs, BBQ, bedding, groceries, water, etc) is about 800 - 1000 lbs. With 9 people, yours might be a bit higher.

Average tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer's actual weight. Some are up to 15 percent.

According to Edmunds.com these are some numbers on a 2006 Expedition

GCWR 14,500 lbs (curb weight and 10,000 trailer= 15,432)

GVWR 7100 lbs

Curb weight 5342 lbs

Payload 1758 lbs (Not enough room for 1500 lbs tongue weight and 9 people)