anyone tow with 2010 Expedition EL 73 excella

[volleylbiggs]

I am one of those that bought their airstream before the TV. I have been doing research and learned the Excursion would be perfect but they are getting a little old. I read the Expedition El was made to take the place of the Excursion. I guess I am up in the air over will the Expedition El work? I read where the F150 would not be a good option but the Expedition El is both wider and longer than the 150 although they both have the V8. My neighbor has a Chevy 1500 z71 and says it pulls his 30 foot AS just fine so I am not sure what would work best since his is basically a F150. Thanks in advance

[rowiebowie]

Depends on what engine is in the neighbor's Suburban. If it's the 5.3L then it may be comparable to a '2010 Expedition with the 5.4L. Although neither engine has a reputation of being that strong.

If his Suburban has the 6.0L, then the comparison to a '2010 Expedition is not valid. The 6.0L Chevy engine is a beast compared to the 5.3L. Likewise, the newer ('2015 & up) Expeditions with the 3.5L Ecoboost would be much more powerful than the old 5.4L.

You must also consider load rating.

[Gsmblue]

I have a 2013 limited 4x4 EL from new. Tow a FC25RB. No problems as such, but I do get close to the payload of about 1400lbs and the rear axle max too. Never had a problem though. 2wd has more payload and higher rear axle max, but I need 4x4 for winter in the mountains!

Any questions let me know!

[volleylbiggs]

Thanks I will for sure! Been looking for someone with an expedition EL that tows with it thanks!

[brick1]

The Expy can have up to a 9200 tow rating, but comes up short on payload. My 2016 Expy Ecoboost payload was 1319 lbs. so it transformed into a 2018 F250 diesel.
The Expy will tow it, but you might be happier with a bit more capacity for ease of towing.
brick

[BoscoMN]

I have a 2013 4x4 Expedition with the 5.4L, 3.31 axle, 1499 payload capacity and towing package. No airbags, just struts. I tow the 2017 25' FC Rear Bed with a measured 900 pound tongue weight and 5,520 pound total weight.

I am always very close to that car payload max and rear axle max. With my Blue Ox SwayPro hitch set at 10 links I cannot get the front end down enough to level out the car. Not too bad but enough that with the payload limitations I would jump on moving up to a F-250 if it would fit in my garage. I'd also like to get a diesel for engine braking too.


For power, I have never felt that it was deficient. That is from my limited 3 years of mostly Minnesota roads and one trip to the Hill Country in Texas. No real hills going up or going down. And I tend to drive like the preverbal little old lady going to church on Sunday - slow accelerations and 55 to 62 MPH.

I tried the SumoSprings. They made the ride slightly stiffer and helped with the rear end sag by about 1/2". It still drops a lot before the WD hitch is set to 10 links. I might go to "cargo springs". A shop here says it should help with the sag, make it ride like a F-150 and cost about $900.


I would recommend getting a scale like the Sherline Trailer Tongue
Weight Scale and measure your trailer tongue weight when it is ready for a trip. Weigh your current vehicle empty with just full gas and driver. Then load up your current vehicle with all your stuff and passengers as if you are going on a trip for a couple of weeks and re-weigh. Subtract the two to get the actual cargo weight and add in the tongue weight. That will give you a pretty close payload weight to use when you car shop. Always look at the sticker in the doorjamb of the vehicle before anything else as that is the number that is most forgotten.