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2vets · 01-24-2010, 06:58 AM

Looking at a 2004 Ford expedition to tow my 1960 24 foot tradewind with a dry weight of 3,400 pounds. The expedition's wheelbase is 119 inches with a towing capacity of 8,650 pounds and a dry curb weight of 5,680 pounds. Clearly I am fine with the towing capacity but I would love to know if the wheelbase is too short. I have looked at Suburbans and Yukon XLs but frankly since this will be a family vehicle 90 percent of the time and a tow vehicle 10 percent of the time I would prefer a shorter wheel base just for manuverability sake! Thanks in advance!

**moosetags** · 01-24-2010, 07:34 AM

It sounds like that combination should work just fine. We have pulled our 25FB with our Tahoe on occasion, and experienced no problems related to the shorter wheelbase.

Brian

Ahab · 01-24-2010, 08:06 AM

Piece of cake. We have a friend towing a 25' with one and she loves it. She feels it gives her an edge in tight places.

LHall · 01-24-2010, 09:16 AM

You should have no problems with that combination. We tow a 1962 28' Ambassador with a 2005 Expedition and it handles flawlessly even in the mountains.

nilesrob · 01-24-2010, 11:17 AM

We owned an Expedition previously (several vehicles ago), and I always thought it was an awesome machine - and really great for its' turning radius - reminded me of an old Volvo I had - in a good way!

I personally like a longer wheel base for stability, but I think you will be fine. I would suggest a decent hitch system to help eliminate sway, but that would be my only suggestion.

Relentless · 01-24-2010, 01:10 PM

My '06 Exepedition pulling a 25' over 15,000 miles up and down a lot of mountains and around a lot of curves has performed beautifully.

John

handn · 01-24-2010, 01:20 PM

I towed a 26 foot Nash with a 1998 Expedition. The GVW of the Nash was 6500 pounds. The Expedition was underpowered considering the weight of the trailer but with sway control, it controlled the trailer acceptably.
With your lighter more aerodynamic Airstream, you should have no problems.

Levon · 01-24-2010, 03:54 PM

I also own a 2004 Expedition 4X4. It was bought new and has pulled several different yrs. 25' Airstreams very well. Plenty of power and extremely easy to maneuver. BUT.....after only 117,000 miles, my transmission when out! I replaced it with a factory new one (2,800) installed, with a 3 yr. /100K guarantee. I asked my mechanic WHY? and was it because of the towing...he told me it wasn't the towing....he had replaced many that had never towed. He said that the bearings that are use in the transmission now are inferior to the ones they used to use....I did some checking around and found this to be mostly true.....all that said....I sure like my Expedition and it now has 140+ and still going strong. Just be aware that might be a future expense.

Best Regards,
Levon

2vets · 01-24-2010, 04:45 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies! I will have my mechanic check it over before I buy it!
I am very excited a do not need a huge wheel base!

2vets · 01-24-2010, 08:28 PM

Besides transmission problems, is there anything else I need to worry about on these expeditions?

ROBERTSUNRUS · 01-24-2010, 09:07 PM

Hi, I tow a 25' Safari with a Lincoln Navigator. Tow rating 8,900 lbs and trailer GVWR 6,300 lbs. I have been through all of the western states with no problems, but lower gears or a few more ponies would have been nice in the Colorado Rockies.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 01-24-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2vets

Besides transmission problems, is there anything else I need to worry about on these expeditions?

Hi, don't lose any sleep over a possible transmission failure; Any part of any vehicle can fail and all dealers have either a transmission department or an exchange program.

**Aage** · 01-24-2010, 09:55 PM

It's my impression that the Expedition is based on the F150 truck frame and running gear. As such, it should be relatively reliable and easily able to tow almost any trailer you care to hook it up to.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 01-24-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

It's my impression that the Expedition is based on the F150 truck frame and running gear. As such, it should be relatively reliable and easily able to tow almost any trailer you care to hook it up to.

Hi, this is somewhat correct, except for the Expedition with a 4.6 L engine has a smaller trans and an 8.8" ring gear [like in a Mustang] versus a truck trans and a 9.75" ring gear.