RWD Ford Expedition?

[caseyod81]

I'm not savvy at all with this stuff. First timer, and haven't bought anything yet. Looking for an SUV and a travel trailer to travel about the U.S. full time.

Found a 2004 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer in my price range that seems to be very well taken care of according to the carfax. Its a 4.6L V8 rwd, with a towing capacity of about 6,800 lbs. We are planning for a very small travel trailer (the ones I like are about 4,500 lbs max loaded). Is this a good choice of tow vehicle? I'm a bit concerned about the RWD, even though I don't plan on spending time in snowy conditions. I want to snowbird it.

Also, according to the manual it comes with a class 1 hitch. How much would it be to install a proper hitch (class 3 I believe), and where would I get that installed?

Thanks!

[dodge_guy]

2WD is OK to tow with. I towed my old 6500lb TT with a conv. van. the downside to the Expedition in question is the 4.6L even without much weight it will still be working hard. since you don`t own it yet I would search for a 5.4 equipped 4WD model preferably with 3.73 gears! You are fulltiming so you want to be comfortable driving it over long distances and when in the mountains (if your headed to any).

[Grit_dog]

If it's in good shape, I'd say it's a good light towing rig on a budget for sure.

[Grit_dog]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
You won't be towing in 4wd on the highway anyways, so you will be in rear wheel drive mode when towing, even if you buy a 4wd.

The Expedition is an alright towing vehicle. Usually they need heavier rear springs and the 4.6 engine isn't a powerhouse, especially when paired with highway gearing. But 4500 lbs loaded isn't much weight either, so it will likely do just fine.

Maybe not in most parts of AZ, lol, but I've got thousands of towing miles locked in 4 high running highway speeds down the freeway and backroads.
Can't even keep the @ss end under my truck at all in 2wd on snow or ice when I'm hooked to the sled trailer.
But the op is not planning on that type of duty and a 2wd should net a huge discount compared to the same 4wd.
Idk what the rear suspension is in the mid 2000s Expes, but they're a towing machine from a payload/squat perspective. Buddy has an 05 Expe that I do not believe has air ride or auto level but icbw. We've loaded that thing full, 4 adults, 4 kids, packed to the roof behind the 3rd row with luggage etc. 6000lb boat in tow with 500-1000lbs of tongue weight and I swear it only drops an inch or 2. Same thing minus the extra passengers in his same year leaf sprung F150 squats it twice as much.

The 4.6 will lack oomph, period, but you can string em out at 4krpms plus in 2nd gear all day everyday. They don't make any power unless they're wrung out anyway.

[time2roll]

RWD is perfectly fine, even preferred in most conditions. 4.6L is going to be a bit weak at times and probably needs 4.30 gears and mostly forget overdrive. Not just about weight but the frontal area. 5.4 would be better but the 4.6 will get you around OK pulling 4500. Best to keep the trailer GVWR inside the tow rating.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

You won't be towing in 4wd on the highway anyways, so you will be in rear wheel drive mode when towing, even if you buy a 4wd.

The Expedition is an alright towing vehicle. Usually they need heavier rear springs and the 4.6 engine isn't a powerhouse, especially when paired with highway gearing. But 4500 lbs loaded isn't much weight either, so it will likely do just fine.

[Terryallan]

You need to understand Rear wheel drive is for towing Front wheel drive is not. If it had Front drive like the new ones. It would only tow 5000lb. So that Expe is a much better TV than any front wheel drive