New to Trailer Life Need Some Assitance :)

[lp618em]

Hello all, completely new at ever trying to tow anything other than a small boat and we are looking at a specific trailer. But I have read enough to make sure weight is proper but the more I look its almost like nothing would be able to tow the big travel trailers.

To be specific we are looking at the ST33BD or similar to sleep 9 people.

The veichle is a 2006 Expedition, 3.73 ratio, Heavy duty tow package which I believe has the extra radiator, 5.4 v8.
GCWR: 14,500 lbs
Trailer Weight: 8,900 lbs
Max Tongue weight: 895 lbs

I want to say the trailer is too big. But then when I look at all the other veichles that can carry 9 people, its like nothing can carry it. The expedition will be holding 9 passengers. So would like a trailer that can be pulled by the Expedition, or another veichle that can carry 9 people.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

[David_and_Chris]

We used two vehicles when we were popup camping. We divided the kids between both vehicles.

[Community Alumni]

westend wrote:
Sounds like a good candidate for a Skoolie.

x2

[2500HDee]

You can also get 3500 Express Van from Chevy/GMC with the Duramax and the 6L90. Not sure on the specs but if that or the Powerstroke E350 won't do it, you are at two vehicles.

[Speedogomer]

Everyone is mentioning v10 E series, but you could buy a used powerstroke e series, gcwr of 20K.

[APT]

Dry Weight: 7802
GVWR: 9618
Carrying Capacity: 1816
Hitch Weight: 818
Axle Weight: 6984
Exterior Length: 37' 0"
Exterior Height (with A/C): 11' 4"
Fresh Water: 40
Black Water: 40
Gray / Galley Water: 80
Tire Size: 225/75R15 D


No way with any Expy. Not even with a single driver. That's 9k-10k pounds loaded and 1200 pounds of TW. 9 People traveling in only 3 rows of seats will suck. No one will be happy. And the 9 people will likely put the Expy at GVWR with no trailer tongue weight. Your tow rating with 9 people is zero pounds because the Expy is not about to support any trailer tongue weight.

3/4 and 1 ton vans. 4+ rows of seats. 10k pound towing. If you like Ford, get the V10. If you like GM, get a 2010+ 6.0L/6-spd.

How far do you plan to travel? Taking two vehicles is somewhat common for larger families or families that want to tow an RV and toys. Keep the Expy for people and an inexpensive used regular cab 3/4 ton pickup to tow.

[hmknightnc]

handye9 wrote:

Speedogomer wrote:
A Ford E350 van may be able to, but that's about it. I don't know the exact E350 specs though.

E350 Superduty Extended with V10, 4.10 rear end, and heavy duty towing package, would get GCWR up to 18,000 lbs. With 3.73 rear end, it would get up to 15,000 (still not enough), and any E350 with a 5.4 V8, would have less than 13,000 GCWR.

Yep, the E350 with V10 and HD everything is about the only thing I know of that would handle 9 passengers and a 10k trailer, and that might be pushing it but should work.

You should consider a dedicated Tow Vehicle and seperate passenger vehicle. Opens your options up significantly including a larger FW for housing that many people.

[BubbaChris]

Just for quick reference, the yellow sticker max cargo for my 2013 Expedition EL is 1,474 lbs.

That weight rating has to include all passengers, all cargo in the Expy, the the tongue weight. Just 12% of your trailer weight will use up about half of your rating.

Remember you want to end up with something safe for everyone.

[westend]

Sounds like a good candidate for a Skoolie.

[lp618em]

That's what I was afraid of, cause if the E350 wont do it, then at that point if I am looking at getting a truck I might go for a fifth wheel lol? So no chance on the E350 van?

[Francesca_Knowl]

lp618em wrote:
Hello all, completely new at ever trying to tow anything other than a small boat and we are looking at a specific trailer. But I have read enough to make sure weight is proper but the more I look its almost like nothing would be able to tow the big travel trailers.

To be specific we are looking at the ST33BD or similar to sleep 9 people.

The veichle is a 2006 Expedition, 3.73 ratio, Heavy duty tow package which I believe has the extra radiator, 5.4 v8.
GCWR: 14,500 lbs
Trailer Weight: 8,900 lbs
Max Tongue weight: 895 lbs

I want to say the trailer is too big. But then when I look at all the other veichles that can carry 9 people, its like nothing can carry it. The expedition will be holding 9 passengers. So would like a trailer that can be pulled by the Expedition, or another veichle that can carry 9 people.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

The maximum trailer weight given for the expedition is about 8900 pounds- and that number aassumes no cargo at all in the tow vehicle.
The trailer you're talking about weighs almost 8,000 pounds DRY. And we all know how accurate those advertised numbers are...it's likely to weigh at least 9500 pounds once loaded, likely more. You're already over your max load and you haven't put any people in the car yet.

9 people in the tow vehicle is going to drastically reduce your available capacity. Usual allowance is 150 pounds per person...let's assume some are kids and say 100 pounds average per person . That's still nine hundred pounds off not just GCWR, but payload.

You're going to need less trailer or more truck, I think.

[handye9]

Speedogomer wrote:
A Ford E350 van may be able to, but that's about it. I don't know the exact E350 specs though.

E350 Superduty Extended with V10, 4.10 rear end, and heavy duty towing package, would get GCWR up to 18,000 lbs. With 3.73 rear end, it would get up to 15,000 (still not enough), and any E350 with a 5.4 V8, would have less than 13,000 GCWR.

[Speedogomer]

A Ford E350 van may be able to, but that's about it. I don't know the exact E350 specs though.

[handye9]

lp618em wrote:
Hello all, completely new at ever trying to tow anything other than a small boat and we are looking at a specific trailer. But I have read enough to make sure weight is proper but the more I look its almost like nothing would be able to tow the big travel trailers.

To be specific we are looking at the ST33BD or similar to sleep 9 people.

The veichle is a 2006 Expedition, 3.73 ratio, Heavy duty tow package which I believe has the extra radiator, 5.4 v8.
GCWR: 14,500 lbs
Trailer Weight: 8,900 lbs
Max Tongue weight: 895 lbs

I want to say the trailer is too big. But then when I look at all the other veichles that can carry 9 people, its like nothing can carry it. The expedition will be holding 9 passengers. So would like a trailer that can be pulled by the Expedition, or another veichle that can carry 9 people.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

You are correct, something is to big. 2006 Expy has max tow capacity of 8900 lbs, with a 150 lb driver, and no passengers or cargo. Every pound of passengers and cargo, reduces tow capacity by one pound.

Those trailer numbers are dry weight numbers. When it is loaded up for camping, it will weigh close, if not more than, 10,000 lbs. That's more than your tow capacity, without passengers. If you load 1000 lbs of occupants and cargo, your max tow capacity goes down to 7900 lbs.

The number you need to look at first, is the payload (cargo carrying capacity) of your Expedition. That number is your weight capacity for fuel, occupants, cargo (in the Expy), weight distribution hitch (with sway control), and loaded trailer tongue weight, combined. Check for a tire / loading sticker on your drivers door pillar. Most vehicles made 2006 and later, will have this sticker.

If you want a ball park weight for a loaded trailer, find your payload number and subtract the weight of all occupants, estimated cargo (in the Expy), 100 lbs for a hitch, and 250 lbs for fuel. If you have anything left, that is what is available to carry tongue weight. Then divide that number by .13.

GCWR is max weight rating for vehicle and trailer. It includes everything and everybody inside them. The base weight of your Expy is about 5400 lbs. With that trailer, you would be over 15,000, without driver or passengers.

Average load for camping (dishes, pots and pans, camp chairs, BBQ, bedding, groceries, water, etc) is about 800 - 1000 lbs. With 9 people, yours might be a bit higher.

Average tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer's actual weight. Some are up to 15 percent.

According to Edmunds.com these are some numbers on a 2006 Expedition

GCWR 14,500 lbs (curb weight and 10,000 trailer= 15,432)

GVWR 7100 lbs

Curb weight 5342 lbs

Payload 1758 lbs (Not enough room for 1500 lbs tongue weight and 9 people)

[Huntindog]

lp618em wrote:
Hello all, completely new at ever trying to tow anything other than a small boat and we are looking at a specific trailer. But I have read enough to make sure weight is proper but the more I look its almost like nothing would be able to tow the big travel trailers.

To be specific we are looking at the ST33BD or similar to sleep 9 people.

The veichle is a 2006 Expedition, 3.73 ratio, Heavy duty tow package which I believe has the extra radiator, 5.4 v8.
GCWR: 14,500 lbs
Trailer Weight: 8,900 lbs
Max Tongue weight: 895 lbs

I want to say the trailer is too big. But then when I look at all the other veichles that can carry 9 people, its like nothing can carry it. The expedition will be holding 9 passengers. So would like a trailer that can be pulled by the Expedition, or another veichle that can carry 9 people.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

How much do these 9 people weigh?
How did you arrive at the max TW figure?
Is the TT weight empty?

[naturist]

GWCR = weight of TV + weight of TT + weight of passengers + weight of fuel and other assorted "stuff"

Looks to me like that trailer is too big for that TV.

So what COULD pull that? How about an F350 or F450? But you are right: _I_ don't know of any vehicles rated for 9 passengers that could pull that trailer, either. You might be stuck with two vehicles: a passenger van for the people and a separate TV to drag the trailer.