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savage_here · 07-13-2009, 04:54 PM

I've read and read and have finally just decided to bite the bullet and ask the question.

With the proper hitch set-up, will this vehicle safely and adequately tow a 22-25ft. Airstream in the 4500-5000lb. range?

Thanks.

pageclot · 07-13-2009, 06:08 PM

Yeah, you might be able to tow them two at a time. Ok, not really, but it's rated for 8,900 pounds, so 4500 to 5000 pounds is well within the range.

Dakota's Dad · 07-13-2009, 07:05 PM

I use a '04.. same truck near as I know. I just towed from Kansas to Kentucky, (700) could hardly tell the 31 footer was back there.

putback · 07-13-2009, 07:34 PM

Not only will the Expedition tow it. It will CONTROLL it. Excelent Tow rig.

nilesrob · 07-13-2009, 08:28 PM

I think the operative is "proper hitch". I've towed a 30 foot SOB with an Expedition, and for me it was not a great experience - a bit of white knuckle driving when descending hills or passing trucks. I think with a very good hitch you should be fine, and there seems to be good experience by other Expedition drivers. I do, though, prefer the longer wheel base of an Excursion or F250 type vehicle.

63Silver · 07-13-2009, 08:32 PM

5.4 should tow a 25ft without a problem but be sure to use adequate sway and weight distribution hitches.

63Silver

ROBERT CROSS · 07-13-2009, 08:42 PM

I from the above posts, you can get the drift...

Use the 80-20 rule.

80% common sense
20% seat-of-the pants.

Good luck in your search

Tom Nugler · 07-13-2009, 09:00 PM

A few months ago I retrieved my "new" 25' Tradewind fom Wisconsin. The owner claimed he pulled it with an Expedition. When we got up there we found he had been doing it without a brake controller or operating brakes, WD hitch and the right sized ball.

Hitched it up to my Expy and found out he was right. The Expy handled the task with ease.
Even with all the equiptment we take for granted the truck handled it as well as it does the 20' Globetrotter.
I don't think you'll go wrong with the sizes you plan on pulling.

Tom.

Relentless · 07-13-2009, 10:17 PM

OK. One more comment. I have towed our Safari, with an 06 Expedition, all over the West, up and down just about every mountain range out here, with absolutly no problem. I have an Equil i zer hitch and a Prodigy brake controller. I did add an auxillary trans cooler just to be on the safe side. I have no idea if that was even necessary. I have never met a grade that I couldn't go up with ease. Traffic and road condition, ( curves, etc.) being the only limiting factor.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-13-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relentless

OK. One more comment. I have towed our Safari, with an 06 Expedition, all over the West, up and down just about every mountain range out here, with absolutly no problem. I have an Equil i zer hitch and a Prodigy brake controller. I did add an auxillary trans cooler just to be on the safe side. I have no idea if that was even necessary. I have never met a grade that I couldn't go up with ease. Traffic and road condition, ( curves, etc.) being the only limiting factor.

Hi, lets not make it sound too easy now. My Lincoln has a touch less horsepower and a touch less torque than your Expedition. [300 HP & 355 lbs torque @ 2,750 RPM] But my Lincoln 5.4L gets it's torque at 1,000 RPM lower than yours. When I hit the grades, I'm in second gear at 3,500 to 4,000 RPM [50 to 60 MPH] while passing all the trucks. In Montana we hit a 10% up & down grade with tight winding curves and a speed limit of 20 to 25 MPH. I was in first gear all the way. This was the hardest pull my Lincoln ever had to do. Any mountain that my Lincoln can't do towing in third gear, I wouldn't say it does with ease. [my opinion]

casarodante · 07-13-2009, 10:46 PM

I guess I subscribe to the Ted Nugent view, overkill is good for you. I, personally, don't get a warm fuzzy from the idea of a 25+' on an Expedition. I remember seeing on the cover of a WBCCI directory, they had pictures of an Expedition towing a 34' Triple!!

We had a 4.6 Expedition that we used with our 25' SOB, I didn't like it at all! Of course it was older and only a 4.6. However we did change to an V10 Excursion. I still didn't get a good feeling with our 25' Excella. Better but not perfect.

I do like our setup now.

dieterdog · 07-14-2009, 01:13 AM

hi all,, just adding my opinion here as an Expedition owner 2004, 5.4 heavy duty tow package,, have both a small 16 foot bambi ccd,, and a 25 foot safari,,, in the mountains ,, i seriously would love a big ol diesel truck for both trailers,,, on some grades,, even the 16 footer is burdensome,,, if you live in the flat lands , or rarely go to the mountains,, the expedition is fne,,, happy trails,, donna

ROBERT CROSS · 07-14-2009, 05:29 AM

I won't mention what TV we started with back in '87, but we still tow'n Streams, so I guess we learned sump'n.
You 'gotta start somewhere, what you got will get you started, if your not comfortable, and your serious about Stream'n you will make the necessary changes, most of us have done so. If the combination is safe & works for you, 'yer good to go.

Good luck in your search...

Silvertwinkie · 07-14-2009, 06:01 AM

About the only new(er) Airstreams that are in the 4500 to 5000 range are the 19s. IIRC, the 22s exceed 5k. If you talk vintage like some here, yes, it's possible to have a bigger trailer that is around 5k.

I would think that whats been said here is pretty accurate. I would tow no more than roughly 7500lbs with it and allow fuel, cargo and passengers their allocated space which is deducted from the max tow rating. That said, if it were me, I would tow no larger (in terms of weight) a newer 25' Airstream Classic, or you could go up to a 28' Flying Cloud (previously known as Safari). Reason being, the Classic line has more real wood and appointments adding a bit more weight, whereas the Flying Cloud (aka: Safari), has some lighter materials and fewer luxo appointments.

Max Bauer · 07-14-2009, 09:26 PM

to answer your question, yes it will tow that weight with no problem. I have a 2003 Eddie Bauer that I have hauled a 23 footer. I moved up to a 31 foot classic and I think I over extended myself. I was looking for a 25-28 foot but ran onto a great deal with the classic. I now have to really watch what I am doing. I'll probably get 3/4 with a longer wheel base down the road. We really like the room in the 31 classic and the stuff it has going for it. So stay with a 25ft or smaller and you'll be fine.

nilesrob · 07-14-2009, 09:46 PM

Just do it. After a couple of years if it doesn't work out, buy a new TV. Meanwhile, enjoy.

Andrew T · 07-14-2009, 10:52 PM

Hi Max

Your 03 Expedition can easily handle a 31 Classic, I find them to be one of the most stable trucks available. There are two weakneses in it the the tire size and the hitch receiver.
When you say you have to "watch what you are doing" do you mean that it feels less stable than you would like or does feel underpowered?

Andrew T

Max Bauer · 07-15-2009, 08:06 AM

there hasn't been a mountian that I can't get over but with the 5.4 she really is crawling when we get the top. Now going down is where I feel uneasy and try to keep the speed down by going into a lower gear. Bottom line is in exstream conditions I have to be on my toes more with this rig. I do agree with most everyone that has posted here. A new set of tires made a difference in handling also. With the old set I used to get a whining noise in the middle of the cab. Kinda of a pulsating whine and I thought it might be the output shaft of the transfer case. But after I put a new set of Coopers on, no more noise.. Just a tip probably for another post.

LHall · 07-15-2009, 08:19 AM

We tow our 28' vintage unit with our Expedition and it handles the task with ease. I have been very happy with the unit and love passing the big ol diesels with the toy haulers on the mountain grades. Our rig weighs around 4500-5000 lbs when fully loaded. We have been towing for 3 years and the Expedition has never had an issue. We just did the Salt River Canyon a couple of weeks ago and I was impressed with how it handled.

damonbeals · 07-15-2009, 11:49 AM

We tow a 1998 31' Excella with our 2003 5.4 Exp. And my experience is for the 31' we are close to the limit. But when we had our 22' CCD it handled just fine. We only get about 11-12mpg when towing, and now that we have changed to 800lbs Reese Dual Cam WD, the ride is comfortable.

Damon