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
I'm going against the grain here, and I'm going to have a lot of people climb all over me, but I don't trust the payload numbers posted by the manufacturer.
Case in point. My 1/4 ton Expy EL had a payload of about 1700lbs. My 3/4 ton Excursion has a payload of 1350lbs. But it pulls sooooo much better, it handles the weight of my trailer and tongue far better.
So what gives? I call BS on their numbers.
Get the best truck you can. Make sure you're comfortable driving it, and the truck doesn't feel over worked under you. Test it. Drive it. Push it in controlled environments. Become one with your truck. Mod it as needed to make yourself and your family as safe as possible.
You're the best judge of what's safe, not some sticker on the door. You'll know when you're out of your league; listen to your gut. If you get in too deep, pull over. Don't push yourself or the truck. You don't need to win a Darwin Award.
For myself I handed back my Expy EL because it didn't feel safe enough. My Excursion does, and I've modded/upgraded it enough that I know it's the safest towing SUV I could possibly hope to put my family into.
Last month I had to rent a 3/4 ton Suburban because I was having work done on my Excursion. Even with its 2000lb payload, it didn't feel as solid or safe on the road. But that darned sticker says otherwise!
Remember, the best truck in the world can still have an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. That's really the biggest weakness of any truck, human error.
Case in point. My 1/4 ton Expy EL had a payload of about 1700lbs. My 3/4 ton Excursion has a payload of 1350lbs. But it pulls sooooo much better, it handles the weight of my trailer and tongue far better.
So what gives? I call BS on their numbers.
Get the best truck you can. Make sure you're comfortable driving it, and the truck doesn't feel over worked under you. Test it. Drive it. Push it in controlled environments. Become one with your truck. Mod it as needed to make yourself and your family as safe as possible.
You're the best judge of what's safe, not some sticker on the door. You'll know when you're out of your league; listen to your gut. If you get in too deep, pull over. Don't push yourself or the truck. You don't need to win a Darwin Award.
For myself I handed back my Expy EL because it didn't feel safe enough. My Excursion does, and I've modded/upgraded it enough that I know it's the safest towing SUV I could possibly hope to put my family into.
Last month I had to rent a 3/4 ton Suburban because I was having work done on my Excursion. Even with its 2000lb payload, it didn't feel as solid or safe on the road. But that darned sticker says otherwise!
Remember, the best truck in the world can still have an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. That's really the biggest weakness of any truck, human error.
