I am considering a new travel trailer. It is 31 feet long with a dry weight of 6,544 lbs and a carrying capacity of 2,256 lbs, for a maximum combined weight of 8,800 lbs. The hitch weight (I assume that is tongue weight) is listed at 835 lbs. I drive a 2019 Ford Expedition with a towing capacity of 9,200 lbs and a receiver capacity of 930 lbs. I will be purchasing a good quality weight distribution hitch. Although the camper is within the limits Ford provides for my vehicle, there is not a lot of room for error. So my question is whether this camper leaves me enough cushion to feel comfortable? Would you buy this camper and tow it with this truck?

My BIL tows a 27' trailer with a max gross of about 7000 lbs Expedition EL. It is the prior model but has the 3.5 EB engine. It does okay, certainly has plenty of power, but it's about as big as I'd want to try with an Expedition. Again this is the previous model so I can't say how it compares to a 2019, although I'm pretty sure the max tow rating on it is also 9200 lbs. I don't recall the exact numbers but the payload and max axle ratings on it aren't exactly overwhelming so I'd be sure to check the numbers carefully. Also think about how far you would tow and how you would load the trailer. Most people here assume max GVWR for the trailer weight to be conservative but that might not be how you pack (be aware of creep, though - stuff really tends to accumulate in a camper over time).

Any passengers etc in the Expy will reduce payload rating.I usually recommend keeping the trailer GVWR within the tow rating for best results so in that you look fine. Just don't fill every seat belt or carry a cord of wood in the back.

What does the yellow payload sticker on the driver door list for payload?My trailer weighs 6500 empty and 8000 loaded. My loaded tongue weight is right around 1,000. Take it easy,Stu

My Tahoe is similar and I wouldn’t exceed 6k. Wheelbase is another issue.

You can do it if you pack light with NO water. Put some good tires on the Expy. It took me three times to dial in my Equalizer. I have the 5.4 V8, you will have plenty of power....

Towing Capacity Question | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Drought_Buster
Explorer
May 09, 2019
troubledwaters wrote:
You can get good, reliable information from an unbiased source here (not a dealer trying to sell you something and not an internet cowboy): Clicky

Agreed (hence the parenthetical bout a sarcasm sign). Thanks.
troubledwaters
Nomad
May 09, 2019
You can get good, reliable information from an unbiased source here (not a dealer trying to sell you something and not an internet cowboy): Clicky
twodownzero
Explorer
May 09, 2019
Drought Buster wrote:
Thanks for all of your help with this. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. But hey, good news. I just got an email from my dealer telling me that my Expedition will have no trouble towing this camper. He says he will explain it all to me when I come in, but basically he reminds me that we won't be adding weight just to the front, but to the whole trailer. We can just shift weight to the rear to take pressure off the tongue. And with the quality weight distributing hitch he is going to put on it, we will have no issues. (Like Sheldon Cooper, sometimes I wish I had a sarcasm sign to hold up.)

Your trailer will sway like crazy with less than 10% tongue weight! Don't listen to them!
Drought_Buster
Explorer
May 09, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
How many threads are you going to start about the same thing?

Just the two (which I explained at the beginning of the second one), but thanks for the input. Have a great day.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
May 09, 2019
How many threads are you going to start about the same thing?
Drought_Buster
Explorer
May 09, 2019
Sorry for the duplicate messages. Not sure what happened.
Drought_Buster
Explorer
May 09, 2019
Thanks for all of your help with this. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. But hey, good news. I just got an email from my dealer telling me that my Expedition will have no trouble towing this camper. He says he will explain it all to me when I come in, but basically he reminds me that we won't be adding weight just to the front, but to the whole trailer. We can just shift weight to the rear to take pressure off the tongue. And with the quality weight distributing hitch he is going to put on it, we will have no issues. (Like Sheldon Cooper, sometimes I wish I had a sarcasm sign to hold up.)
Drought_Buster
Explorer
May 09, 2019
Thanks for all of your help with this. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. But hey, good news. I just got an email from my dealer telling me that my Expedition will have no trouble towing this camper. He says he will explain it all to me when I come in, but basically he reminds me that we won't be adding weight just to the front, but to the whole trailer. We can just shift weight to the rear to take pressure off the tongue. And with the quality weight distributing hitch he is going to put on it, we will have no issues. (Like Sheldon Cooper, sometimes I wish I had a sarcasm sign to hold up.)
hvac
Explorer
May 09, 2019
If anything the passenger tires will be an issue. I have Cooper XL, made a big difference in heavy winds.
valhalla360
Navigator
May 08, 2019
Desert Captain wrote:
Dry weights are worse than useless, never rely on them. With the OP's 8,800 GVWR his tongue weight should be 1,144# + at least an additional 100# for the weight of the hitch. This puts him 300#+ over his hitch limit.

He will not be able to tow his alleged towing capacity of 9,200# as he will have run out of payload long before that. The OP needs a lot less trailer or a lot more TV... it is just that simple. "Light" loading is not going to change the math.

Good luck.

:C

Agreed, you can pull it...you just don't have enough truck to carry it (hitch weight that is).

Forum Discussion

Towing Capacity Question

18 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Ram 1500 Towing Capacity

Towing Capacity Question

Newbie Tow Capacity Question

Towing capacity

Towing Capacity