Too much trailer for my TV?

tkoden wrote:
Unfortunately from what I have seen, they don't make a TV that can haul 6 people and tow more than an expedition does. I am really hoping the 2015 model will be able to handle 10 or 11k like the new F150s can do.

I'd tow that 301QB with my 2500 Suburban. Seating for 7, 2051 pounds of payload. GM SUVs have the highest TW limit at 1000 pounds since 2007. STill low, but as good as it gets.

As for what to get if you stay with your current TV? Take payload from tire and loading sticker, subtract estimated weight of your 6 passengers, multiply by 7.7. That's your loaded TT weight. 1600 pounds of payload and 500 pounds of family is very different than 1400 pounds of payload with 1000 pounds of passengers.

TK - if your set on keeping your Expy EL, I would agree your trailer weight MAX, IE the trailer's GVWR should be NO MORE than 7K. Honestly if you think you really will have 1200# of gear/people/supplies in the expy in addition to the trailer TW, I would really try to stay in the mid 6's for trailer GVWR and DO NOT listen to any salesmen who will try to tell you "ooohhhhhhh you'll be FINE, that Expidition of yours will handle it no problem." more often than not, it's total BS and they just want to sell you a trailer.

As an example, I have a 7 yr older Expy than you do and mine is the standard length Expy, not the EL like yours is (the longer wheelbase of the EL is better for towing). My 89 Layton has a 6K GVWR and the title says it's 3500 *unladen* which I think is low. My trailer is 23' ball to bumper. Fully loaded up and ready to camp I think I'm probably north of 4500, closer to 5K.

The 5.4 in your 07 I'm sure has more HP and torque than what my 00' has, however with me, my wife, both boys, gear in the Expy, I bet with the firewood and other things I had probably easy 500 lbs just in gear alone, plus us, so probably another 550 lbs for us, so 1K total in the expy, gear and occupants.

At any rate, it felt HEAVY to me, the Expy pulled it just fine, worked it on the hills though, as is expected for an small-block V-8 towing

I would NOT want any more trailer than I have with my 00 Expy and my rig has a 6950# tow rating. I have not weighed it, but I'm sure I'm right at the limits weight wise.

What you propose is simply too much for an 07 Expy EL, all things considered. Look for a light or ultra-light rig. You may have to compromise a little, but it will be well worth it in the long run. Of course your other option is to upgrade to a differnet TV, but if you need to take 6 people with you, your in 2500 series Suburban territory (I think they are ceasing production of those next year) or a 3500/350 "1 ton" van.

Good luck!
-Greg

If it helps, we have a 301BQ and tow it with a 2011 Chevrolet Express 3500 with the 6.0L and 6 speed. We upgraded the shocks to Bilsteins all around, upgraded the stock hitch and have a 12k Equalizer. We have 5 kids and plenty of room in the van. It pulls great! Plenty of power and control. Though the tow ratings are similar to your vehicle, there are a number of differences that you should think about - tire ratings, GVWR, GCWR, brakes, etc. I would not want to tow the 301BQ with an Expedition. Good luck!

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
Our TV wight limit was similar. We ended up trying to stay well under 7K with a goal of 6K dry -- knowing we would add 1K in gear / supplies and ultimately trying to stay well under our TV limits.
We ended up with a Passport series TT.

You already looking at the same base MFR - just try the lightweight series of trailers.

Try this:
http://www.keystonerv.com/passport/

Thanks. That trailer never showed up because it's an East Coast model. It looks like their is a dealer in CA that carries it.

What do you guys think the max gvw of the trailer should be? 7k?

That is too much TT for your TV. You will have a lot of problems.

I'm towing an outback 295RE, similar length, similar weight towing with a 2500 cc duramax. Tongue weight empty was 700lbs. Loaded up tongue weight w/o any fresh water 1250lbs. With full fresh water 1400lbs. I think you'll end up in similar territoy.

next thing, with 7000lbs empty on the truck, with the trailer loaded up, DW, DD and 2 grandkids, and stuff in the truck bed we are at the truck GVWR of 9200lbs. Same with me DS, one dirtbike and some firewood.

I think your gonna find that with 6 passengers in the expy, your gonna be way overloaded.

As a comparison, a neighbor with an expy has a much smaller springdale. He's got the expy at the GWVR limit with he and DW and the smaller, lighter springdale. And his comment is that with the softer springs in his expy, it's adequate but not very comfortable drive/ride.

6 people in an expy is about 900lbs + add 1200 on the tongue. does the expy have a payload of 2100lbs???

And don't know about your expy, but neighbors has a WD TW limit on the order of 900lbs or less. your likely going to be over that limit as well.

That's too much trailer for that truck. Period.

tkoden wrote:

Unfortunately from what I have seen, they don't make a TV that can haul 6 people and tow more than an expedition does. I am really hoping the 2015 model will be able to handle 10 or 11k like the new F150s can do.

I dunno....2014 Expedition towing specs looked very close to the Nissan 3500 NV van and it hauls 6 people with half the seats empty.

tkoden wrote:

APT wrote:
I have always liked that TT floorplan as well. And I like this Diamond pacakge now! I believe your issues will be receiver weight limit, payload, and rear axle weight. At 7k dry, 790 dry TW, that ill be 8500 loaded with 1000 pounds of loaded TW. Your receiver is only rated to about 900 pounds and I do not believe there are any aftermarket ones for current Expy, same as current GM SUVs too. Next payload, 1000 pounds of TW takes up much of your payload. I doubt you have 1700 pounds, 1500 more likely. Take off 1000 pounds of the hitch and how much does your family weigh? Confirm with this sticker on your driver's door or door jam where it lists max weight of occupants and cargo:



Last, rear axle weight. Expy owners with heavier TTs say their rear axle weight is a little low at/near GVWR with a TT.

Are you willing to upgrade the TV first?

Unfortunately from what I have seen, they don't make a TV that can haul 6 people and tow more than an expedition does. I am really hoping the 2015 model will be able to handle 10 or 11k like the new F150s can do.

Sure they do an E-350 or even an Express 3500 with the right engine will give you more seating, carrying capacity and tow/hitch capacity.

My Van has a 10K tow capacity and you don't subtract any wt. from that that you put in the Van.

Larry