Towing with a Ford Expedition EL 8900 Lbs at max weight

[schoolkeeper]

I have a question regarding towing at max GVWR.

I am looking at the Imagine 2970RL

***Link Removed***

UVW* 7324 lbs
Hitch Weight* 795 lbs
GVWR 8995 lbs

My SUV is rated to tow max 8900 lbs. 2013 Ford Expedition EL 2WD. What are the risks of exceeding the GVWR by a couple lbs. and if I don't load it up and stay under is it wise to tow max weight with this SUV?

I am new at this (FIRST RV) and haven't made my purchase, the other option is the 2800 BH - which is well under weight and have no issues or concerns with.

Would love some guidance from experienced folks out there.

[APT]

afidel wrote:

2013 Expedition EL had a minimum payload capacity of 1,642lb

Is that from a brochure? There are plenty of owners with as equipped tire and loading stickers showing 1300-1500 pounds.

The rest is solid. Even at 6k dry, 7k loaded with 850-950pounds of TW, the Expy feel a bit unstable when loaded up near GVWR.

[MikeJulieGDImag]

We have a 2017 Imagine 2800BH that we tow with a 2013 Expedition EL 4WD. I would stay away from that trailer with the Expedition and here is why. You are most likely going to exceed the payload capacity for the Expedition. When we travel at full load, we have 2 adults, 2 kids (7 and 16), and 2 dogs (35 lbs and 80 lbs). We are under our weight on payload but not by much, and this has been verified using the CAT scales. Our 2017 2800BH as built came in at 6204lbs dry, a few hundred lbs higher than Grand Design's at the time advertised UVW. This is because the manufacturers list is typically an average and doesn't factor in different options. Most likely the 2970RL you find will be higher. Also, I wouldn't go any heavier of a trailer with the Expedition than what the 2800BH weights. We are under payload and total weight we are at about 85% towing capacity, which most will recommend 80% for safety and wear and tear.

As the poster above mentioned, 8900 lbs for a 2013 Expedition 2WD is the max only if it comes built with the OPTIONAL HD Trailer Tow Package. Pretty simple way to know if yours does, if it has the factory brake controller in the dash, it was built with the HD tow package. There is also a Ford site that you can enter your VIN and it will provide you the build specs for your vehicle.

Why not look at the 2800BH? It's a fantastic floor plan for a family. We never feel cramped when our family of 4 and 2 dogs are all inside at the same time.

[drsteve]

afidel wrote:

myredracer wrote:
Average tongue weight of TTs is 12-13% of the gross weight of a TT (but can be 14-15% in some cases). Not knowing the actual weight of that particular TT, using the GVWR for a max, the TW will be 1100 - 1200 lbs. So, well over the TV payload max before even taking weight of passengers, pets, groceries, camping stuff, etc. into account.

You need either a shorter/lighter TT or a more capable tow vehicle. For longer TTs like a 34 footer, a TV with longer wheelbase helps too. We have a 3/4 ton truck with regular cab and long bed and it tows great with no sway and excellent handling. If the SUV is needed as a daily driver, a shorter/light TT will be required.

For TTs, the max payload capacity of the TV is the important number to watch and normally will be reached before the max tow capacity.

2013 Expedition EL had a minimum payload capacity of 1,642lb, where are you getting that it would be overloaded before passengers? I agree that it's absolutely likely to be more trailer than the SUV with a family of 4 can take but it's not obviously overloaded from the start. As far as length, yeah the 131" wheelbase is a bit short for a long trailer, the rule of thumb calculation says 26' max length with that wheelbase. So a better fit would be a 5500-6000 dry weight 26' or under trailer. The other possibility if a new TV isn't in the cards and you're really set on the bigger trailer is the wife and kids in a second vehicle, though that only helps with weight, not length.

That is more tongue weight than the hitch receiver is rated for, even with WD.

Full towing specs here: Clicky

[peoples1234]

The problem you will have is the length. The expy is too soft (for passenger comfort) and gets pushed around a by the wind effects of the giant sail behind you. I have first hand experience, you will not want to tow anywhere.

[afidel]

myredracer wrote:
Average tongue weight of TTs is 12-13% of the gross weight of a TT (but can be 14-15% in some cases). Not knowing the actual weight of that particular TT, using the GVWR for a max, the TW will be 1100 - 1200 lbs. So, well over the TV payload max before even taking weight of passengers, pets, groceries, camping stuff, etc. into account.

You need either a shorter/lighter TT or a more capable tow vehicle. For longer TTs like a 34 footer, a TV with longer wheelbase helps too. We have a 3/4 ton truck with regular cab and long bed and it tows great with no sway and excellent handling. If the SUV is needed as a daily driver, a shorter/light TT will be required.

For TTs, the max payload capacity of the TV is the important number to watch and normally will be reached before the max tow capacity.

2013 Expedition EL had a minimum payload capacity of 1,642lb, where are you getting that it would be overloaded before passengers? I agree that it's absolutely likely to be more trailer than the SUV with a family of 4 can take but it's not obviously overloaded from the start. As far as length, yeah the 131" wheelbase is a bit short for a long trailer, the rule of thumb calculation says 26' max length with that wheelbase. So a better fit would be a 5500-6000 dry weight 26' or under trailer. The other possibility if a new TV isn't in the cards and you're really set on the bigger trailer is the wife and kids in a second vehicle, though that only helps with weight, not length.

[myredracer]

Average tongue weight of TTs is 12-13% of the gross weight of a TT (but can be 14-15% in some cases). Not knowing the actual weight of that particular TT, using the GVWR for a max, the TW will be 1100 - 1200 lbs. So, well over the TV payload max before even taking weight of passengers, pets, groceries, camping stuff, etc. into account.

You need either a shorter/lighter TT or a more capable tow vehicle. For longer TTs like a 34 footer, a TV with longer wheelbase helps too. We have a 3/4 ton truck with regular cab and long bed and it tows great with no sway and excellent handling. If the SUV is needed as a daily driver, a shorter/light TT will be required.

For TTs, the max payload capacity of the TV is the important number to watch and normally will be reached before the max tow capacity.

[APT]

Short Answer: Not even in the ball park of recommendation. You will likely exceed at least 3 of your Expy's ratings.

That will be 8500 pounds loaded for a long weekend with a family's gear. That will be 1000-1100 pounds of loaded tongue weight - exceeding the receiver rating.

1000 pounds of TW is taken away from available payload (check that Tire and Loading Sticker on driver's door) leaves how for people and some travel gear inside?

This is your first RV as well. Towing a TT is hard work for any TV. It's the largest/longest TT for the weight. An 8k boat will tow better than a 6k TT. Frontal area and side profile catch every direction of wind.

6000 pounds is a good number for the most capable half tons to keep the driver comfortable, and therefore the whole family to have a pleasant RVing experience. People that get over 7k dry tend to make changes very quickly, smaller trailer, more capable TV.

[drsteve]

I agree with others, this is too much trailer for your SUV. Go a little smaller, you will be a lot happier. Nothing ruins your fun like white knuckle towing.

[goducks10]

Too much TT for your SUV. 34+' and it'll weigh more than the dry weight. You'll be around 8,000-8,400 lb loaded. You'll have a hard time in a windy situation. Also the 5.4 is a dog even with the 3.73. BTDT with 7300 lbs. TW could easily exceed the receivers rating.

[theoldwizard1]

schoolkeeper wrote:
My SUV is rated to tow max 8900 lbs. 2013 Ford Expedition EL 2WD.

Your vehicle will only have that rating IF it has the OPTIONAL heavy duty trailer tow package. That includes and HD radiator, an auxiliary transmission cooler, a higher rear axle ratio and full wiring for a 7 pin connector at the rear and breakout for a brake controller under the dash.

IMHO, look for a lighter trailer.

[camp-n-family]

Likely too much trailer for your Expy. You’ll exceed your payload rating once loaded and add tongue weight and probably your tow rating too. For 2013 your tow rating was calculated with 150lbs in the expy for driver weight. Anything else added to the vehicle above that reduces the tow rating pound for pound. Don’t forget that those kids aren’t going to get any smaller either.

A few hundred pounds over GVWR isn’t going to kill anything but be sure to stay under the tire and axle ratings if you do tow it. I don’t think you’ll be happy though pulling nearly 9k with the 5.4l.

[The_Kroc]

i was in your shoes back in 2015 looking for a trailer to tow behind my 2014 Expedition. I think you may be confused as to what your Espy can tow. I think I am maxed out with my 24 ft Jayco Jay Flight. My weight of my trailer is about 6000 lbs when loaded for a trip and my Expy weighs 6220 lbs with a full tank of gas and me. Also, my tongue weight is about 800 lbs. Now add your passengers and all the gear your Expedition will carry and you are very close to your 15,ooo lb. And I think your tongue weight will surprise you when you are loaded up.

I've seen Expy's towing some bigger trailers than mine but I wouldn't want to risk it. In 3 years we've taken many long trips in the Rocky's and my setup works very well. My only complaint is the gas mileage which ranges between 7 & 12 MPG depending on the wind and the hills. Hope that helps you

[Lwiddis]

Why consider maxing out? What can you lift max? Now lift that all day long. How fast can you run? Now run that all day long. Any issues?

[MFL]

schoolkeeper wrote:
Are you referring to the GCWR on the Ford If so, it is 15000lbs

He is referring to the yellow/white tire loading sticker on driver door jam. It will give a do not exceed XXXX for vehicle max payload.

The trailer you are looking at is nice, but at 34', and loaded to camp weight, it is more than most would want behind your tow vehicle. An Excursion with V-10, or 3/4 ton pickup with 6.2 would be much better suited for the task.

Jerry