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ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-04-2006, 04:51 PM

Hi, Mark R. I see a lot of numbers. but without more specs, I can only guess that your Expedition has the 4.6 L engine and that comes with a smaller trans and an 8.8" differential. Therefore lower tow rateings. There is quite a bit of difference in Expeditions with 4.6 L engines and those with the 5.4 L engine.

Bob

scottanlily · 09-04-2006, 06:17 PM

Wahoonc ,how many of your 4.2 v6s had the intake gasket leak ,water fills
the front cylinder most always grenades the rod failure?Those engines were good ,but that main problem killed plenty of them .

Scott

scottanlily · 09-04-2006, 06:21 PM

you know 2air ,that post of numbers ,although well done ,is just as confusing
as ever ,Its way too much to go thru ,Im never gonna weigh people and
the cooler and the dog and all of that ,just buy a tow vehical that is plenty
capable in the first place ,the expedition isn't it.

scott

MarkR · 09-04-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, Mark R. I see a lot of numbers. but without more specs, I can only guess that your Expedition has the 4.6 L engine and that comes with a smaller trans and an 8.8" differential. Therefore lower tow rateings. There is quite a bit of difference in Expeditions with 4.6 L engines and those with the 5.4 L engine.

Bob

Bob
I don't own an expedition, just looking, and I'm mostly looking at low mileage 98 or 99 5.4L Tritons w/factory Tow Package (which I'm hoping means more than a hitch). Are you saying the 5.4 comes with a better transmission and differential.
MarkR

scottanlily · 09-04-2006, 07:19 PM

Hello MarkR , you will want to google sparkplug threads blowing out on 5.4
triton and the v-10 if you are looking at those .I have replaced one engine
with 100k due to the plug threads and bottom end noise.the last V-10
the heads were pulled to replace all the threads ,ford has specified special
inserts that repair the heads ,and gives full thread length ,not the 4to5 thread count they have from the factory.they are big money to fix and if they have been done properly ,the problems are solved with the threads.
Interestingly ,I have never seen the 4.6 do this or heard of any .Again its
a thing to look at on the triton engines.Ford now supposedly has found a way
to fix these heads on the vehical ,they wont tell you there is a problem
so don't expect to get a response from ford if you ask except "they never heard of it happening."

Scott

2airishuman · 09-04-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottanlily

you know 2air ,that post of numbers ,although well done ,is just as confusing as ever ,Its way too much to go thru ,Im never gonna weigh people and the cooler and the dog and all of that ,just buy a tow vehical that is plenty capable in the first place ,the expedition isn't it.

scott

hi scott
yes it's a lot of numbers....
some folks like that stuff....
for others it's like garlic to a vampire...

markR started with lots of figures
and even a formula!
and by using the figures,
figured out the expedition
doesn't have big time towing capacity
and that it is heavy even empty...

couple of days ago campadk
was sortin' through the same issues
with a yukon...
again, heavy empty and smaller engine...
means modest towing limits...

without figures,
you figured
one was ok
and the other not...

neither the yukon or expi
have great towing capacity
when the engine is a petite v8

how'd ya figure?
by brand name...
i hope not!

my point is that people decide in different ways.
and learn in different ways.
but without rolling the tv or trailer across a cat scale...
learning may only come the hard way...
and using a few figures,
is the only way to figure...
i figure.

not markR is shopping tow rigs...
understanding the ratings is important...
reading the reputation for various tow rigs is too.

cheers
2air'

scottanlily · 09-04-2006, 10:41 PM

2air I absolutly agree as many like to figure it with the numbers and that
is fine,some will buy even with info saying no ,but getting it figured out is
the first thing before buying anyway you figure it .

go figure chuckle chuckle

Scott

2airishuman · 09-04-2006, 10:58 PM

hi scott...

sometimes your posts keep me laughin' for days...honest

like that loose gravel thing... "it's already loose, that's why they call it gravel"

i'm still laughing at that one...

now i got to add 'go figure' to the best hits...

if we can't laugh at each other what's the point?

cheers
2air'

wahoonc · 09-05-2006, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottanlily

Wahoonc ,how many of your 4.2 v6s had the intake gasket leak ,water fills
the front cylinder most always grenades the rod failure?Those engines were good ,but that main problem killed plenty of them .

Scott

Scott,
Believe it or not only one that I was aware of. And it was caught before it caused any major damage. The others were just worn out, they weren't heavy enough for the job at hand.

Aaron

PWRSTRK · 09-05-2006, 04:45 AM

Let's just complicate this even more...

2007 Expedition is listed as follows:

With 5.4L/3.73 rear and HD trailer package:

15000 GCWR
9000 max. trailer weight

wahoonc · 09-05-2006, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PWRSTRK

Let's just complicate this even more...

2007 Expedition is listed as follows:

With 5.4L/3.73 rear and HD trailer package:

15000 GCWR
9000 max. trailer weight

That is with 5 gallons of gas and a 150# driver, and does not include any optional equipment

Aaron

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-06-2006, 01:23 AM

Hi, Scott. We have had some 5.4s and 6.8s blow the spark plugs out and Ford told us at that time the only authorized repair was to replace the head. And where I work, if asked, we will tell you that we have had some of these. But the numbers we have seen are very low. [Note: we are basically a car dealer and only work on F-350s and smaller]

Hi, Mark R. Yes the 5.4 does have a larger differential and trans than the same Expedition with the 4.6 engine. And yes there is a lot more to the tow package than just the hitch; Such as trailer towing harness protected with separate fuses and relays and seven pin connector.

Hi, PWRSTRK. On the 07 Expedition, that sounds about right. Almost the same as my Navigator 5.4 L/3.73 rear and tow package:
14,000 GCWR
8,900 max. trailer weight

Bob

AYRSTRM2 · 09-06-2006, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafeHarbor

Hi, Scott,

..

I also suspect that if it has the 5.4L OHC V-8 engine and a numerically high rear end, it just might be a towing beast after all. Maybe even a comfy one.

Lamar

Oh, it most certainly is. Getting the tow package gets you a Class III hitch receiver and both types of trailer plugs, and all of the relays for a brake controller.

AYRSTRM2 · 09-06-2006, 07:49 AM

I am now on my second Expedition, having driven my '97 to 178kmiles, without a tuneup, but it was needing some attention, so we just got another last year. Yes, try to only get the 5.4L. You'll tow all of what you have listed in your profile. Actually you could tow both in tandem. Just ask Carol how well her Expy towed her 27 FB Classic - well, she DID get a new Suburb, but she definitely towed it with the Expy.

Anything at or below 5000lbs dry, I would stand behind and say that Expys, when equipped with the 5.4L and the tow package (class II or class III receiver and the tranny cooler), will certainly tow them and run up hills with no problem. In that range you're still well below the rating AND you're lighter than the tow vehicle, an important thing I prefer to stay under. My experience is with my Safari, which is 3200lb dry and probably about 4000lbs when we travel. And I have never had any problems towing, control, power, speed, nothing, in three years, with both Expys. Keep it OUT of Overdrive, and you will cruise along just fine.

MarkR · 09-06-2006, 09:32 AM

John, thanks for the "actual user" information/experience. The information I have on the 1960 Tradewind is that it also weighs about 3,200#'s (dry) - which makes sense since it's 6 years older and 2 ft longer. I'll have to see about getting a hitch put on the bumper of the Tradewind so I can hook up the Flying Cloud (wink, wink).
MarkR