2015 Ford Expedition towing Northwood Snow River 234 RBS

Question

Brand new at this so I could really use advice.  We need a 7 passenger vehicle and think the 2015 Ford Expedition would work for us.  I haven't been able to find a lot of information about it as it's not available until September.  It's rated to tow 9,200.  The TT we love is the Northwood Snow River 234RBS.  The dry weight is 5622 and the GVWR is 10,000 llbs.  I think that speaks to the quality of the trailer that the ccc is 4,378 llbs.  BUT --- that would be too much for the Expedition based on it's towing capacity. I can't imagine loading up the trailer with 4,000 pounds of stuff.  Is it okay to use the dry weight as a starting point and figure we may load 1,000 pounds or so in the trailer with fluids and stuff?  Could the Expedition handle that?  We will have 4 adults and 2 kids in the vehicle and we will be traveling over the Rockies on some of our trips.  There just seems to be so many variables to consider when picking a TT/TV.  Wheel base on the Expedition EL is 131" so we should be good there.  Or could we even consider the regular length Expedition with a 119" wheel base?  The TT is 25'10" long.  ANY thoughts or suggestions are welcome!!

eluwak · Answer

What you need to consider is the tongue weight of the trailer and the weight of the passenger and cargo in the tow vehicle. I wouldn't be surprised if the Expy has a payload rating in the neighborhood of 1500-1600 lbs, and that would have to account for the weight of everything in and attached to the tow vehicle. The tongue weight on a 5622 lbs trailer (it will be heavier of course) would be in the 675-850 lbs range. The receiver rating is only ~900 lbs in these IIRC.

n7bsn · Answer

You need to check with Ford on the tow ratings, they can sometimes change radically between model years. The 2014 2WD varies between 6000 and 9200 lbs, depending on equipment (the 4WD 6000 to 9000)

But, yes it's unlikely you would load 4000 lbs, but unless you skip water though it's likely to be closer to 2000 lbs then 1000 (yes, both of my Northwoods have had similar CC ratings)

pdx_zs · Answer

Payload. There I said it.

Four adults at 165 each is 660. 2 kids it 70 each is 140. Makes it a clean 700 lbs in passengers.

The tongue weight in your trailer is going to be about 800 lbs.

That is 1500lbs before you put in any cargo, hitch, or snivel gear.

No clue what the payload on those new Expys is, but it's going to be close. Find out that number and then you can start doing the math.

On a side note, I really wish someone would make a 3/4 ton SUV....

rottidawg · Answer

PDX.Zs wrote:On a side note, I really wish someone would make a 3/4 ton SUV....What....no more 3/4 ton Suburbans?How did I miss that?What will the Secret Service do?

fast_mopar · Answer

Whatever you do, get the long wheelbase EL version.  It actually has usable cargo space behind the third row seat, like a Suburban.  If you want to have terrible cargo space behind the third row, get a short Expedition or a Tahoe.

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2015 Ford Expedition towing Northwood Snow River 234 RBS

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