New to the forum. SUV towing questions

[PDX_Zs]

First off, thanks for this forum. I have learned a ton lurking here.

Everyone seems very friendly and helpful, so I figure no harm in putting my particular scenario out there.

I have been towing longer than I care to admit. Mostly experienced with heavy car haulers behind a 3/4 ton truck. Which is quite frankly as easy as falling off a log. My TT experience is limited. We had a smaller single axle unit last year. You all see where this is going???

My point is that I have always been well over gunned when towing. Kind of fun passing cars uphill in our V10 Ram while towing our other off-road rig on a car hauler.

So had to go the SUV route as we added people. Two adults and two kids. We have a 2006 Expedition with the tow package. I have added thicker sway bars front and rear. It is running LT tires on wheels that give about 3" more track. I have a tranny temp gauge installed and am kicking around a larger trans cooler, although it comes with one for the factory. Gears are 3.73 and tires are basically stock diameter.

Ford calls the curb weight at about 5,500 lbs.

From the Ford book...
4X4. 5.4L with optional trailer tow package
GCWR 14,500 Trailer weight 0–8,600
Weight Distribution
***These are hitch ratings only; actual vehicle ratings are dependent on
engine, transmission and axle combinations.***
Weight carrying
Max trailer weight 6,000 Max tounge weight 600
Weight distributing
Max trailer weight 8,950 Max tounge weight 895

OK, now I know you all are way smarter than me. I want to have some good reserve for safely in my capacities. Even though I went to public school my math is OK. But I wanted to ask you all to check my work. Please.

Looking at a Salem 26BH. Nice unit for four. They claim about 4750 dry, but we know how that goes.

So based on what we think we know about two adults, two kids, one big friendly dog, gear, food, clothes, toys, etc...

Does this seem like a reasonable and prudent setup? Remember want to be conservative.

What do you all think?

[ependydad]

IMO, if you want to be conservative- that says staying within all of your ratings. That means, you'll run out of GVWR long before GCWR/maximum towing capacity.

I have a couple of tools that will help:
1) Get a feel for what your actual payload capacity is:
http://www.towingplanner.com/Calculators/TowingPayloadEstimate

2) Then, get a feel for what real-world tongue weight may be by using the dry weights of the Salem and extrapolating from there:
http://www.towingplanner.com/Estimators/TonguePinWeightFromDry

Good luck!

[azrving]

I think you are ok but I wouldn't load it to the max. I have a half ton Chevy pickup with tow rating of 9600 and pull a TT loaded at 4800 and the truck carry capacity is near the 1600 limit (500 Tongue weight, cap, tools, battery, etc). I could go 1000 pounds more total but that would be my limit. It also depends on where a guy is going. Its one thing to be local as compared to hating towing mile after mile as you cross the country.

[ChooChooMan74]

Sounds like you are doing your homework. TO me, looks like it should work. I think it will be close with the Tongue Weight and The family on the TV GVW, but what is a few pounds between friends.