I purchased a 2012 Ford Expedition without the HD tow package with 96k miles on it. I added the HD tow package (already had upgraded radiator and 3.73 gear ratio) I had the trans cooler, brake controller, and 7 pin added. The stock ford parts were used so that it would be just as if it came this way from the factory. 5.4L V8 with tow package is rated for 8900 towing capacity. I will be using a weight distribution hitch.GVWR is 7540GCWR is 15,000Max tongue weight is 890RGAWR 4250Tow vehicle GVW is 6160 with driver only (add another 250 lb for passengers @ current weights)Tow vehicle steer axle 3060 (not including additional passengers)Drive Axle (rear axle) 3100 (not including additional passengers)I have tried using ***Link Removed***, but I don't know how much safety margin I really need on the tongue and trailer. I am really wanting to get between a 26-28 foot travel trailer with a slide out to give my family room to grow. (Both my kids are under 3 right now)What is the longest and heaviest I can realistically pull on a regular basis with this vehicle without having problems? (idea is to camp within a 4-hour drive from home about once a month, during months that are tempature appropriate).

Most 26 to 28 foot TTs with a slide should be towable by your Ford. Find one you like and give us the numbers.

link with info. 2012 ford exp.http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25779364.cfm

I cant imagine why you would have any trouble with a length like that. As long as the weights are good I wouldn't even question it.Length isn't important (that's my story).

I read on another forum that the expedition can't safety pull anything longer than 26. What is the average weight that people fill their campers with? I wouldn't add any water to tanks until they were hooked up at the camp grounds.

My 25 ft Dutchmen with a small slide and 5000 lb dry weight, weights 6400 lbs when loaded for the road across the CAT scales. It has 750 lbs of tongue weight that uses a lot of my 1411 lbs of cargo capacity.It pulls very well with my F-150 356 hp E-boost engine. I would keep to that size TT or smaller. I would check what the max axle weight is. You can add a lot to stiffen the suspension and make the ride better, but it does not increase the axle capacity.Good luck

2012 Expedition EL w/HD tow package, longest travel trailer?

soonernut
Explorer
Apr 13, 2017
I have a 2007 Lincoln Navigator L with the HD tow package. I would suggest you weigh your vehicle and trailer. I have taken many weights on our TV and loaded trailer and am under all of the weight limits(barely) except for the rear axle, for which I am 100+ lbs over. I am right at the limit on the hitch weight. I am in the process of upgrading my TV to an F250 or F350. I love my Navi and hate to get rid of it but I feel that for the safety of my family I must do this.
acritzer
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2017
kyleax12 wrote:
The auto shop I took it to; he got the ford parts to install on it. Nothing else is upgraded from the manufacturer that I know of. I've read on the forums of people getting self-leveling shocks though. They will run you about $800 for 4 + installation. I've also read about people installing Light Truck tires because they are rated to up to 80 psi and can handle a lot more weight than passenger tires (the stock tires). The tires will cost around $140-$230 a tire.

The only other thing you can check is the gear ratio I think it is 3.73 standard on this vehicle though.

check this page to see what your gear ratio is. http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_catalog/ring_and_pinions/what_rear_end_ratio_do_i_have_in_my_ford__is_it_posi.html

Yes, the gear ratio you listed is stock for the EL. I actually just ordered load rating E tires...being installed today.
Like I said, we never had a problem with the Cougar and the new Apex is lighter...especially on the hitch. Not anticipating trouble, but am always interested in reading.
kyleax12
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
The auto shop I took it to; he got the ford parts to install on it. Nothing else is upgraded from the manufacturer that I know of. I've read on the forums of people getting self-leveling shocks though. They will run you about $800 for 4 + installation. I've also read about people installing Light Truck tires because they are rated to up to 80 psi and can handle a lot more weight than passenger tires (the stock tires). The tires will cost around $140-$230 a tire.

The only other thing you can check is the gear ratio I think it is 3.73 standard on this vehicle though.

check this page to see what your gear ratio is. http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_catalog/ring_and_pinions/what_rear_end_ratio_do_i_have_in_my_ford__is_it_posi.html
afidel
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2017
On GM vehicles the transmission programming is different for vehicles with factory tow package and according to a few techs I've talked to there is no easy way to retrofit it either as it's ECU linked.
acritzer
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2017
kyleax12 wrote:
acritzer wrote:
Tagging myself onto this to follow.

We have a 2011 Expedition EL that we also added the tow package items to.
FWIW we pulled a Keystone Cougar 29BHS for several years. Never had any trouble, but they were fairly tame trips. Dry weight I think was 6300 or so with tongue weight of 870.

Recently upgraded to a Coachmen Apex 300BHS. Overall it's a couple hundred pounds lighter and significantly so off the hitch. Towing back from the dealer it seemed to be a smoother, more controlled ride. The manufacturer numbers put dry weight right around 6,000 with hitch weight around 670.

I did a ton of searching when we first got the Expedition. Finally ended up with adding the wirings, a brake controller and a really large transmission cooler. Found out that it came stock with the larger radiator. Other than that I couldn't figure out what the "tow package" included.

When they upgraded my tow package to the HD tow pacakge all they did was change the plug from a 3 pin to a 7 pin, add the transmission cooler and install the electronic brake controller. I was also told that my vehicle came with the upgraded radiator.

They meaning a Ford dealer?
It took a long time and tons of investigating to discover that the radiator was the upgraded one.
I just wasn't sure if there were any other components that were beefed up. Suspension or something along those lines.
kyleax12
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
acritzer wrote:
Tagging myself onto this to follow.

We have a 2011 Expedition EL that we also added the tow package items to.
FWIW we pulled a Keystone Cougar 29BHS for several years. Never had any trouble, but they were fairly tame trips. Dry weight I think was 6300 or so with tongue weight of 870.

Recently upgraded to a Coachmen Apex 300BHS. Overall it's a couple hundred pounds lighter and significantly so off the hitch. Towing back from the dealer it seemed to be a smoother, more controlled ride. The manufacturer numbers put dry weight right around 6,000 with hitch weight around 670.

I did a ton of searching when we first got the Expedition. Finally ended up with adding the wirings, a brake controller and a really large transmission cooler. Found out that it came stock with the larger radiator. Other than that I couldn't figure out what the "tow package" included.

When they upgraded my tow package to the HD tow pacakge all they did was change the plug from a 3 pin to a 7 pin, add the transmission cooler and install the electronic brake controller. I was also told that my vehicle came with the upgraded radiator.
kyleax12
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
acritzer
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2017
Tagging myself onto this to follow.

We have a 2011 Expedition EL that we also added the tow package items to.
FWIW we pulled a Keystone Cougar 29BHS for several years. Never had any trouble, but they were fairly tame trips. Dry weight I think was 6300 or so with tongue weight of 870.

Recently upgraded to a Coachmen Apex 300BHS. Overall it's a couple hundred pounds lighter and significantly so off the hitch. Towing back from the dealer it seemed to be a smoother, more controlled ride. The manufacturer numbers put dry weight right around 6,000 with hitch weight around 670.

I did a ton of searching when we first got the Expedition. Finally ended up with adding the wirings, a brake controller and a really large transmission cooler. Found out that it came stock with the larger radiator. Other than that I couldn't figure out what the "tow package" included.
MikeJulieGDImag
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
Congrats
kyleax12
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
Got it and it pulled home (80 miles) without a problem. Thx for all the help from everyone.