Ford Expedition

What model trailer are you towing? What year is your expedition? Is it an EL or a standard length? I am looking to get a trailer and am always interested in peoples towing experiences with expeditions and lager TTs.

I recently towed our 30Ft travel trailer (~6,500GVWR) over 5,000 miles up to 9,000Ft elevation (visiting Western National Parks). I had a 2010 Expedition with the HD tow package. Yes, we did slow down going up steep grades, but no issues with the towing capability of the Expedition. If your's has the tow shift package, just put in towing mode when starting out in the morning and you should not have any problems. We live in Northern California and have driven over the Grapevine several times, again, no issue towing our trailer. You will slow down, the vehicle will down shift, and the engine will rev-up and eat a little more gas. Have a great and safe journey.

I would also verify that you are not at your towing limits of the Expedition.

PS> We recently sold the trailer and Expedition for a Class A and a small tow car.

Should you go F-150, I recommend Ecoboost, max trailer towing package at a minimum. HD payload even better!

If anyone was wondering, trip with Expedition over the Grapevine to SoCal was not a problem, but still going to buy pickup, probably Ford F150

Thanks all, and Jerry9n

With all the economy, gearing has tried to get the rpms at cruising speed as low as possible. We tend to get excited when an engine goes over 2,000 rpm. These are small block engines(5.3 and 5.4 are about the size of the old Chevy 327's). We ran the heck out of them. We also had a lot of higher ratio rear ends.

So, don't worry. Unless you have a diesel or and Ecoboost that produces torque and hp in the 2,000 rpm range, use the gearing to get the performance which will involve getting the engine, as it has been said, into the upper rpm ranges.

The days of the big block torque monster engines I'm afraid are gone.

Thanks Dodge guy. Feeling better about the Expedition.

Nothing like the sweet sound of a gas engine at peak HP/RPM! don`t worry about 4500rpm it loves it!

Thanks to all, feel better about the Expedition now. "Struggling" meant high rpms but able to keep speed 45-50. Towing 6500 lbs. Keystone Springdale.

Your engine makes its peak torque around 4500rpm. If you want to maximize speed while towing an RV uphill, then that's where you'll want to keep the engine. That is not struggling unless maybe its in first gear at 4500rpm and speed is still dropping.