Yesterday, I took my 2011 Lincoln Navigator L (rated to tow 8700 lbs) in to have a WD hitch with sway control installed so I could pick up my Outback Terrain 299TBH. Now, to be clear, trading this TV for a truck has always been an option if the Lincoln doesn't do well. I've read thread after thread about sway, loading correctly, etc. Even with the TT being empty, I couldn't get the Navigator much above 50 mph on a flat highway. Should I have expected this problem with this setup or could there be something else going on? Trying to decide if I made a spectacularly bad choice or if it should go back to the dealer on Monday. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Sounds like something wrong with the Nav to me.

I would guess it is a combination of factors. That TT is long, so maybe more wind resistance. That Lincoln is probably more set up for gas mileage and comfort. What gears and motor does it have?

Weight is not always the issue. The biggie comes when trying to drag that big frontal area down the road. It takes a lot of HP to move it.

It sounds like your TV has very tall rear end gears which simply are not the ideal choice. What rear end do you have and what is the payload of your TV? Very few vehicles can actually tow their rated towing capacity. Typically you run out of payload long before reaching the theoretical "Max Tow Capacity". Your TT will load out at around 7,500# which, while under your tow capacity very likely leaves you with little or no available payload after deducting nearly 1,000# of tongue weight + the 100# of WDH. Another consideration would be your tires. I would guess that the Lincoln has "P's" which give it a nice ride but are a poor choice for towing a large trailer. LT's would help but I think you are asking a lot of the Lincoln.So what color is you new truck going to be? Just kidding, keep us posted and good luck!:B

BTDT then took the advice of the fine people o this forum and bought a new 2014 Ram 2500 SRW turbo diesel.

Not the problem I was expecting to have | Good Sam Community

kennyd63
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
Pwac1968 wrote:
Yesterday, I took my 2011 Lincoln Navigator L (rated to tow 8700 lbs) in to have a WD hitch with sway control installed so I could pick up my Outback Terrain 299TBH. Now, to be clear, trading this TV for a truck has always been an option if the Lincoln doesn't do well. I've read thread after thread about sway, loading correctly, etc. Even with the TT being empty, I couldn't get the Navigator much above 50 mph on a flat highway. Should I have expected this problem with this setup or could there be something else going on? Trying to decide if I made a spectacularly bad choice or if it should go back to the dealer on Monday. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Pwac1968 A dealer will tell you anything to make sure they sell a unit to you. A real good dealer will know exactly what your vehicle can and can not tow. I hope you do not have to buy a new T.V. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Kennedy>>:)
dclark1946
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
I see you live in Dallas so I know you did not have any steep grades to climb. I agree we need to know if you were having trouble with the trailer handling or the Navigator would not go any faster.

I live in Richardson so I could take a look if you wanted and venture an opinion. Also do you know what engine the Navigator has?

Dick
facory
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015
If you can't get it over 50 mph I would suspect the trailer brakes are dragging badly. You certainly have enough power in the Navigator to get that trailer easily up to 70 mph (for example only) if you want to. Something is holding you back. Get that trailer checked out.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2015
We tow with Expeditions but our trailer is smaller and lighter. (25 ft and 4200 lb dry) They slow down going up the steepest climbs in the Rockies but on the flat I have forgotten the trailer is back there, kept up with traffic only to look down and see we are doing 75 MPH and above.

Now while the Navigator has the oomph under the hood, it also has a tongue weight limit that will keep you to 7000 lb loaded. It's not the hitch, it's the independent rear suspension that is the limiting factor here.
TheGriswolds
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
dodge guy wrote:
Pwac1968 wrote:
Update: Husband just mentioned a fire pit. We are so going to need a truck.

Almost all campgrounds have fire pits. if they don`t have one then they probably don`t allow fires.

Topsail RV park in FL doesn't have fire pits,but they do allow fires in your own elevated pit. It's the first time we've ever run into this and it seems goofy, but at least we are allowed a fire which is one of the top 5 things we go camping for.
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015
:) Hi, that's the only reason that I bought a pickup truck, to replace my Lincoln, was to carry a fire pit. :S
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2015
Pwac1968 wrote:
Update: Husband just mentioned a fire pit. We are so going to need a truck.

Almost all campgrounds have fire pits. if they don`t have one then they probably don`t allow fires.
Jayco254
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
You have a problem unless your trailer is way too heavy for you suv. I have an Expedition (same truck less trim)and I can hit 70+ easy.
Pwac1968
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
Update: Husband just mentioned a fire pit. We are so going to need a truck.
BubbaChris
Explorer
Feb 09, 2015
Pwac1968 wrote:
Seriously, thank you all for your advice. Whatever the cause for the civility on this thread, I appreciate it. I read many other threads here on this topic, so I was well aware of how this might go for me when I posted the question.

This Navigator was never meant to be our permanent TV. I had hoped to use it long enough to determine if we like camping. I won't go into a long explanation of why I did things this way but there were logical reasons and I knew there was a risk of the Lincoln not working. Again, my husband thought it towed fine yesterday so maybe it will work for the next few months. I'll make the final call after a trip to the scales next Monday. I did get it up to 65 yesterday so I think my anxiety of driving it home alone was probably the biggest factor during the first outing. When we get ready to change TVs, I will definitely be back to see what you all have to say. My brother and father are already arguing over the truck purchase so why not let you guys in on some of the fun, too?

Thanks again.

Getting up to 65 MPH is perfect, in most cases that is the max speed your TT's tires are rated for.

Congrats on the good outing. We did several empty parking lot visits with our own cones to help learn some lessons before our first camping trip (and even that one was only 20 miles from home).