Towing with an Expedition

[Kid_patch]

I have a Nash 22h trailer and plan on pulling it with our 2004 Expedition. We live in Southern California and go on long vacations every year into the Sierra Nevada's over some very long steep grades. These grades are typically around 6% and sometimes some back roads are around 8%. Our current trailer is a 1996 Aerolite that weighs 3200 lbs loaded. Will the Expedition be able to pull the trailer safely? If I avoid the back roads, will I be able to pull the 6% grades without putting to much stress on the tow vehicle? Does anybody have this same setup? If so, how much pulling power do you have?


2004 Eddie Bauer Expedition- 5.4L V8, 3.73 axle and tow package

GVWR- 7100 lbs
Front GAWR- 3150 lbs
Rear GAWR- 4128 lbs
GCWR- 14,500 lbs
Tongue weight max- 895 lbs
Max tow weight- 8950 lbs

Trailer

UVW- 4610 lbs
Hitch weight- 545 lbs
GVW- 7000 lbs. (the trailer will not be loaded to this. I plan on about 5600 to 5800 loaded)



Thanks

[JoeyM]

I'm towing a Creekside 20FQ - which is heavier than your rig - with a 2003 Expedition with the 5.4, off road package & factory tow. I haven't experienced any issues, but I can't accelerate up hills. At least 5 knowledgeable mechanics & instructors at a college automotive program have all told me the same thing: turn off overdrive when towing. Happy camping!

[Dtaylor]

I have towed in the east coast mountains with no problem. (major highways only)My trailer has a gross weight of 6700. I followed my brother who tows with a 2500 diesel and had no problems keeping together.

[colliehauler]

Kid patch wrote:
Thanks for all your comments. What type of sway control would be best for this rig? Currently I have a Reese WD hitch (1000 lb bars) with a single friction sway control. I have the option of getting an Equal-I-zer brand hitch with the 1000lb bars. I haven't really pulled this trailer much yet, so I don't know if my current setup will have sway problems. Overall length of this trailer is 24'-10" tip to bumper even though they market it as a 22'.

Your Reese wd hitch should be fine, you can add sway to control to that hitch or just keep the friction bar. A 22' TT should not be an issue.

[Kid_patch]

Thanks for all your comments. What type of sway control would be best for this rig? Currently I have a Reese WD hitch (1000 lb bars) with a single friction sway control. I have the option of getting an Equal-I-zer brand hitch with the 1000lb bars. I haven't really pulled this trailer much yet, so I don't know if my current setup will have sway problems. Overall length of this trailer is 24'-10" tip to bumper even though they market it as a 22'.

[mbutts]

My previous trailer was 4,400 lbs. at the scale and I towed it with a 2004 Expy with the 5.4 for five years. It will do an adequate job and you'll need patience when going up those loooong uphill stretches.

Although the Expy didn't get the three valve engine until 2005, your version should be up to the task.

[JiminDenver]

We tow a 25 ft bunk house with either a 03 or 07 Expedition. The trailer weighs 4200 lb dry and has the same 7000 lb max weight. We tow all over the Colorado rockies with the grades you are talking about, even steeper on the back roads and they do fine.

I can say the 03 is slower up the steep grades than the 07 due to the higher HP and better tranny. I still prefer the 03 for it's ride on the open road where I tend to forget the trailer is there.

[fla-gypsy]

It should be adequate. Watch the tongue weight and payload to keep it under the rated capacity. The 5.4L engine is very reliable and a good smallblock motor. Use the tow/haul feature to help with braking on steep grades.

[skipnchar]

I towed our 7,500 lb. Rockwood over 50,000 towing miles with our 2004 model F 150 with the same engine (3 valve 5.4 V8) and this included just about every mountain range in the US and some in Canada. Never had any problems doing this. No reason you would have any issues either as long as the trailer and tongue weight are within your available payload and trailer tow ratings.
Good luck / Skip

[OpenRangePullen]

That SUV should do OK. Keep it around 40mph on those grades and just let the engine and transmission do its job.
Good Luck!!!