Travel Tow Capacity for Ford Expedition EL
We are considering purchasing a 2015 Tracer 2990bhd travel trailer. Its weight is 7000lbs. Its tongue weight is 800 lbs. We own a 2014 Ford Expedition 4x4 EL equipped with a 3.73 rear axle ratio, 5...
Forum Discussion
Expys make great tow vehicle within their limitations. They can tow 8900 pounds, just not a 8900 pound travel trailer. A big boat or flatbed trailer has less tongue weight and wind resistance, so they can weigh more.
The 13% tongue weight for the trailer is to keep the sway down. A expy, even the EL has a shorter wheel base, meaning you have less leverage to control the trailer with. The stock P rated tires are kinda squishy too so that can make matters worse. Soft tires, light on the tongue and a short wheel base with a long trailer is a recipe for a disaster. Once the sway gets out of control there isn't much you can do, it'll take out truck and trailer.
Now if the numbers from the dealer are on the money, you could handle the trailer weight wise and use a second vehicle to carry all of your gear. You don't have any wiggle room for dishes, clothes, food and certainly not a full tank of water. You will be right at the upper limit with just the trailer. Even then 36 ft is a lot of tail on a small dog.
We are not trashing the Expys, personally I have two that I have towed with for 10+ years. We travel from 5000 ft to 10000 ft every trip and that means a lot of steep climbs and descents in the mountains to get where we go. Our trailer is 25 ft and weighs 4200 pounds dry. I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to 5500 pounds dry, leaving me room for gear and water. With a decent WDH and sway control it is a rock solid set up.
The 13% tongue weight for the trailer is to keep the sway down. A expy, even the EL has a shorter wheel base, meaning you have less leverage to control the trailer with. The stock P rated tires are kinda squishy too so that can make matters worse. Soft tires, light on the tongue and a short wheel base with a long trailer is a recipe for a disaster. Once the sway gets out of control there isn't much you can do, it'll take out truck and trailer.
Now if the numbers from the dealer are on the money, you could handle the trailer weight wise and use a second vehicle to carry all of your gear. You don't have any wiggle room for dishes, clothes, food and certainly not a full tank of water. You will be right at the upper limit with just the trailer. Even then 36 ft is a lot of tail on a small dog.
We are not trashing the Expys, personally I have two that I have towed with for 10+ years. We travel from 5000 ft to 10000 ft every trip and that means a lot of steep climbs and descents in the mountains to get where we go. Our trailer is 25 ft and weighs 4200 pounds dry. I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to 5500 pounds dry, leaving me room for gear and water. With a decent WDH and sway control it is a rock solid set up.
