Already have done lots of homework on this, and I think this combination is more than adequate. I want some second opinions, though.2004 Ford Expedition 4x4 with heavy duty tow package. Tow capacity = 86002014 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 198RDhttp://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/jay-flight-swift/floorplans-specsUnloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 3,820Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 460Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 5,900Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 2,080Measurements Exterior Length 23' 1"Exterior Width 96"Exterior Height with A/C 127"Interior Height 81"Queen Bed 60 x 74Bunk Bed (Optional) 30 x 76J-Steel Convertible Sofa 42 x 60Wheel Base 183-3/8"Would plan to tow with a weight distribution hitch. We are planning to tow all over North America.Vehicle will only hold my wife and myself, and probably some gear we wont keep in the trailer.Any opinions for or against this?Thanks.

The tow vehicle is more than adaquate. What engine does the TV have?

Good to go. With the hitch properly setup. The Expe tows like a dream. It towed our 27', 6000lb TT great. Very stable. Plenty of power

Glad to hear that you guys think our vehicle is good to go.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Expedition#Engines2004 Expedition did still have the 2 Valve. I am thinking that the F-150 switched to 3V in 2004.

towacrossamerica wrote:Glad to hear that you guys think our vehicle is good to go.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Expedition#Engines2004 Expedition did still have the 2 Valve. I am thinking that the F-150 switched to 3V in 2004.My bad. It appears that The Expe, still had the 2 V AND the F series of that year came with either one. Some with the 2V, and some with the 3V. Not really a lot of difference. I had a 2002 Expe, and now a 2004 150. As I say. You can't feel the difference in the pedal.

Second opinions on Tow Vehicle + Travel Trailer

13 Replies

Skelshy
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
I have the same engine, 3800# dry trailer. 9200# trailer (loaded_, tow vehicle and people. Stability is fine. Capability is fine, getting everywhere. 4sp transmission is the weak link, in the flats often hunts between 3rd and 4th (or you lock out OD). Going up passes, makes a racket at 4k RPM.

Go for it.
Elev8orman
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
I have a 2008 expy towing a 2014 Jayco Swift 267bhs (approx. 6300 lbs.) with reese wdh and sway. This setup tows fine, yours should too.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2013
fla-gypsy wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
Desert Captain wrote:
Ford switched to the 3 valve mid 2005, good to have the 3 as it makes a big difference. Just sold my 2006.

I have had the 2,, and now the 3. Not a lot of difference. Both get me to the top of Black Mountain, at the same speed, and at the same RPM.

I owned two SuperDuty's with the 5.4L. One had the 2v and one had the 3v. The 2v was a nice balanced motor producing 90% of it's 350 ft lbs of torque very low in the RPM band. The 3v had 35 more HP and was peppier but only gained 15 ft lbs of torque which was not noticeable. The real difference was the 5 sp auto that came with the 3v. All in all the difference was negligible.

I have the 4 speed, and 3.55s, in both. So you can see. I don't feel a lot of difference. Even though the Expe was heavier, and 4x4, and the 150 is 4x2. Power is pretty much the same. The 150 does however get a little better MPG. Expe was a GREAT TV, But we wanted a truck for other things.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
Terryallan wrote:
Desert Captain wrote:
Ford switched to the 3 valve mid 2005, good to have the 3 as it makes a big difference. Just sold my 2006.

I have had the 2,, and now the 3. Not a lot of difference. Both get me to the top of Black Mountain, at the same speed, and at the same RPM.

I owned two SuperDuty's with the 5.4L. One had the 2v and one had the 3v. The 2v was a nice balanced motor producing 90% of it's 350 ft lbs of torque very low in the RPM band. The 3v had 35 more HP and was peppier but only gained 15 ft lbs of torque which was not noticeable. The real difference was the 5 sp auto that came with the 3v. All in all the difference was negligible.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2013
Desert Captain wrote:
Ford switched to the 3 valve mid 2005, good to have the 3 as it makes a big difference. Just sold my 2006.

I have had the 2,, and now the 3. Not a lot of difference. Both get me to the top of Black Mountain, at the same speed, and at the same RPM.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2013
Ford switched to the 3 valve mid 2005, good to have the 3 as it makes a big difference. Just sold my 2006.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
You are fine with that arrangement but I would recommend a quality integrated sway control/WD hitch like the Reese Dual Cam or Equalizer 4 point.
mbutts
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
I towed a very similar trailer (2007 Kodiak 23TT, 26' overall length, scaled at 4,400 lbs.) with the same 2004 Expy for five years. We also had 300 lbs. of kids in the back seat. With a good weight dist hitch, you should be fine. Remember to be patient going uphill. The 5.4 V-8 will need to spin up to 3,500-4,000 RPM to get to the top and it will most definitely slow down.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2013
towacrossamerica wrote:
Glad to hear that you guys think our vehicle is good to go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Expedition#Engines

2004 Expedition did still have the 2 Valve. I am thinking that the F-150 switched to 3V in 2004.

My bad. It appears that The Expe, still had the 2 V AND the F series of that year came with either one. Some with the 2V, and some with the 3V. Not really a lot of difference. I had a 2002 Expe, and now a 2004 150. As I say. You can't feel the difference in the pedal.
towacrossameric
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
Glad to hear that you guys think our vehicle is good to go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Expedition#Engines

2004 Expedition did still have the 2 Valve. I am thinking that the F-150 switched to 3V in 2004.