Ford Expedition or F-150 best for towing?

[Northstar451]

Newbie to towing but not to camping. Just downsized to a 25' TT that weighs 5200# with a 600# tongue weight. Need to buy a 4x4 TV, can't afford a new one so am looking at 2003 to 2009.

I expect my total weight added with wife, stuff, weight distribution hitch, propane, etc. will bring it up to 6,500.

I prefer an Expedition as it will fit in the garage, but a F-150 won't. Also, an Expedition with the right axle ratio and tow package can tow 9,000 while the F-150 V8 is somewhat less depending on the year. We are planning on a trip out West, so mts are a consideration.

Assuming both have a factory installed tow package and towing capacity, are there any factors that would push me towards one or the other??

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Atlee]

Each person's situation is different. The truck is best for me because I must take my generators and gasoline with me. I couldn't do that if I had an Expy. Wouldn't want oil and gasoline fumes inside.

Also with us, it's only two plus the dog. Plenty of room inside the extended cab F150.

Northstar451 wrote:
Newbie to towing but not to camping. Just downsized to a 25' TT that weighs 5200# with a 600# tongue weight. Need to buy a 4x4 TV, can't afford a new one so am looking at 2003 to 2009.

I expect my total weight added with wife, stuff, weight distribution hitch, propane, etc. will bring it up to 6,500.

I prefer an Expedition as it will fit in the garage, but a F-150 won't. Also, an Expedition with the right axle ratio and tow package can tow 9,000 while the F-150 V8 is somewhat less depending on the year. We are planning on a trip out West, so mts are a consideration.

Assuming both have a factory installed tow package and towing capacity, are there any factors that would push me towards one or the other??

Thanks in advance for your help!

[APT]

TeamCyBo, there has never been an Expedition with over 10k tow rating. Yours is likely in the 9000 pound range. You are likely exceeding the receiver rating and rear axle too.

[TeamCyBo]

For what it's worth. We have a 2007 Expy with a 10,500 towing capacity and have towed SunnyBrook 292RL at about 7,200 lb dry weight and it pulled Great. We now have an Outback 316RL at about 7,600 lb dry weight and it still pulls like a dream. Both vehicles are great. One small little note, the air ride will eventually blow on the Expy. Consider replacements with the coil over struts. Mine blew andI did the rplacement. I not only don't have to fight the air ride with the WDH but the replacement struts put the vehicle at factory specs and the ride is just as good. Good luck.

[phenrichs]

We had a Jayco hybrid that weighed about 5500 loaded. We have a 06 Expedition and I used to have a 06 F150. Believe it or not the Expy actually towed better. I think it was aerodynamics of not having the box, the air just went up and over.

[BubbaChris]

Congrats!

FYI when I bought my 2013 the cover for the 7-pin was broken off. Just the part itself was quoted at around $67. So the $250 for parts and labor sounds within reason.

Does your truck have the brake controller built into the dash?

[Northstar451]

Thank you to all who responded, it was a HUGE help. I found out the following:

1. I bought a lightly used 2007 Expedition (non EL) which just fits in my garage
2. Most have factory installed "tow package" but they are class III, rated 6,000# but they do have a class IV receiver rated at 9200# and 900# tongue weight with a 4-wire boat connector and a non-connected "brake wire".
3. It will cost $900 to have a Ford dealer upgrade the radiator to the heavy duty and transmission cooler to the heavy duty ones: 9L3Z8005B and 7L1Z7A095B
4. It will cost about $250 to upgrade the boat connector to the 7-wire trailer connector.
5. Most SUV's that were special ordered with the Class IV tow package were used to tow heavy loads. Those with only class III packages may not have been used to tow anything, they just came equipped that way.
6. Most owners and sales people don't know the difference between class III and class IV tow packages, but they assure you theirs can tow a lot of weight. Check the free VIN checking web sites to get a free picture of the original sticker before you go see a car or truck. It will list exactly what it was built with.

Again, thanks and I hope I can give back to this forum more than I get!

[Kevin_O_]

Northstar451 wrote:
Newbie to towing but not to camping. Just downsized to a 25' TT that weighs 5200# with a 600# tongue weight. Need to buy a 4x4 TV, can't afford a new one so am looking at 2003 to 2009.

I expect my total weight added with wife, stuff, weight distribution hitch, propane, etc. will bring it up to 6,500.

I prefer an Expedition as it will fit in the garage, but a F-150 won't. Also, an Expedition with the right axle ratio and tow package can tow 9,000 while the F-150 V8 is somewhat less depending on the year. We are planning on a trip out West, so mts are a consideration.

Assuming both have a factory installed tow package and towing capacity, are there any factors that would push me towards one or the other??

Thanks in advance for your help!

Are you planning on buying new? If so i suggest the F150 Ecoboost with max tow and HD payload. You will have no worries climbing any mountains out west and you will never have to worry about being over loaded.

[Terryallan]

cyberiankhatru wrote:
I tow a 25" TT with an 07 2wd regular Expedition. Has tow package and is rated at 9200 lbs. tows great now that I have an equalizer hitch. Packing the TT properly is key. I have 1546 lbs of available payload according to the sticker and with all the junk we carry I'm sure we use it all. It revs high and you need to tow with OD off. The TT is packed to the gills too. We are like at or over capacity on the TT. It does the job at 7-9 mpg just fine.

Yes itm is. Nc is just full of rolling hills. Barely a flat spot of road.

[frisco_dave]

Texas must be flatter. I regularly get 11-12 mpg when towing with the Expy 🙂

[cyberiankhatru]

I tow a 25" TT with an 07 2wd regular Expedition. Has tow package and is rated at 9200 lbs. tows great now that I have an equalizer hitch. Packing the TT properly is key. I have 1546 lbs of available payload according to the sticker and with all the junk we carry I'm sure we use it all. It revs high and you need to tow with OD off. The TT is packed to the gills too. We are like at or over capacity on the TT. It does the job at 7-9 mpg just fine.

[Terryallan]

Having towed with a 2002 5.4 16 valve, 118" WB Expedition, and then towed the same 27' 6000lb TT with a 04 5.4 24 valve, 145" WB, 150, both with the same rear gear.
I can tell you, there is NOT a nickel's worth of difference in the towing experience of the 2.

Both do great. You are in a win, win.

BTW some versions of the 150 will tow more than an Expe. It just depends on the rear gear, and tire size of the 150.

[rfryer]

I think you have some pretty good input already; especially pointing out payload is the issue, not the “mythical” tow rating. I’ll add one more comment to that. You mention you will do some mountain driving. Keep in mind that if you’re pulling near your max rating grades will be no fun at all. Most people who pull near max seem to wind up replacing the TV with something bigger. If mountain driving is infrequent you can probably deal with the reduced performance fine, a lot of it will probably give you a case of heartburn.

[frisco_dave]

I use a 2011 Expy to tow a 27' Coyote. It's 4300 lbs dry, but, with cargo, payload (includes people), and tongue weight, I'm easily within the rule of not exceeding 80% of the towing capacity.

With the numbers you gave, you're within that threshold also.

My Expedition has no issues whatsoever towing the 27', or, towing the weight. I have the non EL version. Hills are no problem, and, starting from a dead stop at a light is no problem. It can pick up speed quickly if I choose, but...usually like to go slow and easy, so that the gas isn't getting chewed up from a "fast" start off the line.

I have an Equalizer hitch, and 18 wheelers passing me aren't an issue either. I feel a little "suck in" when it happens, but...never have any issues where I feel like the trailer is the "tail wagging the dog". It's never a white knuckle experience.

The other big factor here is- using the tv as a daily driver. For me, having the extra passenger room was more of a requirement, so we went that route instead of a pickup.

[handye9]

F150's are not all created equal. Depending on trim levels, cab sizes, power train, and gear ratios, their payloads can vary quite a bit. Some as low as 750 lbs, some as high as 3100 lbs. There are also large varriations in tow ratings. You may see similar differences in the Expy's. Check the tire / loading sticker on every candidate.

If your loaded camper weight is going to reach 6500 lbs, you'll be looking at about 900 lbs of payload needed for the tongue / hitch weight.

Which ever tow vehicle you select, it will need to have enough payload available, to handle weight of all occupants, fuel, cargo (in the tow vehicle), and 850 - 900 lbs for the trailer.