Ford Expedition as a TV

Relentless · 02-02-2007, 12:35 PM

Anyone have any experience with the Ford Expedition as a TV? We would be towing an International 25'FB.

The specs. check out but some first hand experience would be helpful.

Thanks;

John

rickandsandi · 02-02-2007, 12:37 PM

Greetings Relentless-

Lots has been discussed on this topic:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238/

You may also want to use the search function which will point you in the right direction. Welcome aboard!

vpurdy · 02-19-2007, 02:19 PM

i tow an '07 25ft classic with my '06 expedition...i have 5.4 litre/heavy duty tow package/auto load levelers and equal-i-zer hitch/voyager controller and have no problems....i don't go 70 up sttep grades but who cares...van

vpurdy · 02-19-2007, 02:22 PM

sorry..make that a prodigy controller....had an out of mind for a minute...van

dieterdog · 02-19-2007, 04:35 PM

Hi John,, have a Ford Expedition 2004, 5.4 heavy duty tow package,, have a 25 foot Safari and a 16 foot Bambi CCD,,, for on the flat,, works fine,, mountain towing, nothing compares with a diesel engine,,, up to where you go,,, live in the mountains and long for a diesel,,, maybe next time,,, good luck,,, donna

Silver Bill · 02-19-2007, 06:01 PM

John,
I have been towing 25, 30 and 31 foot Airstreams with my 1999 5.4L Expedition for over 3 years. It does great. I have recently upgraded to a diesel truck and have my Expediton for sale. Let me know if you have an interest.
Bill

JimGolden · 02-19-2007, 06:41 PM

Wheelbase a bit short and low on torque, but still a heavy vehicle that would probably be fine if you take it easy and/or have a shorter trailer.

I had an Excursion with the V10. It pulled great. Good power, tracked well. A very nice rig.

But as mentioned, hard to beat a diesel.

wheel interested · 02-19-2007, 08:41 PM

We towed our 2005 25' Classic with the Expedition for 2 years and it was a great performer. Wouldn't fly uphill or from a stop up to speed as fast as a bigger engine would, and wouldn't be my choice for steep grades or in the mountains as a steady routine but I pulled the 27' Classic home to Michigan from Oregon with it too. Now we have the bigger unit and a Suburban and it is a nice match. The ride feels much smoother and more stable, being lower and longer, I imagine, not as bouncy and I am less fatigued driving it for long distances. But we have no complaints about the Expedition in the least. It's a great vehicle.

ScottW · 02-19-2007, 10:00 PM

Check the max vehicle weight and the max tow weight of your Expedition. I tow a 25'Safari with my F-150, 5.4l, tow package, etc. The Expedition has a slightly lower tow weight due to the enclosed rear area, vice a pickup, but should easily tow a 25 International. Just check your weights.
Rgds,
Scott

BillTex · 02-20-2007, 07:24 AM

Just my opinion...and you know what those are worth.
I think you will be on the hairy edge with a 25 Int and any 1/2 ton truck...
If staying close to home, or travelling infrequently, you may be OK. Will you be able to move it? Sure.
Is it going to be a well matched (read: overmatched) combination that inspires confidence when towing? Probably not. Always better to have more truck than camper...

If you plan to hit the trail...I would look at 3/4 tons...

If I may quote one other poster "inadequate TV's are the leading cause of very expensive yard art"

Bill

**CanoeStream** · 02-20-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickandsandi

Greetings Relentless-

Lots has been discussed on this topic:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238/

You may also want to use the search function which will point you in the right direction. Welcome aboard!

Rick's link won't help much for the moment because subforums are not showing posts older than a year right now. Grrr! Working on a fix... I would certainly recommend a search on 'Expedition towing' or 'Expedition tow vehicle' -- that will show older threads properly. Much has been said on this topic.

Relentless, your profile doesn't indicate whether you already have an Expedition. The 5.4L is okay but will labor slow and hard on steep hills pulling a 25' and has little reserve at higher elevations. You are in Washington state...

The listed 6000 pound tow capacity is way too close to the weight of a new 25' with WD gear installed, propane tanks filled & any reasonable kitchen & personal gear onboard (Airstream lists 25' FB Intl at 7300 GVWR!). The Ford specs at that last link don't even bother listing the load capacity of the Expy (tongue weight + people/pets/cargo aboard TV + fuel cannot exceed load capacity). An owners manual would give the load capacity (or payload). A newer 25' Airstream with WD gear, propane & light loading will go well over 900# tongue weight; the Airstream website lists 720# and that is just not 'real life.'

You could eke out a couple seasons of moderate towing with a lightly loaded 25' if you already own the Expedition. You'd be aching to upgrade ASAP and having the trailer use up only 85% of the tow & load capacities is a good idea. I sure wouldn't buy a new one to pull a 25'. Best advice is to get the trailer you want and match the TV to it! I LOVE our FB floorplan!

AYRSTRM2 · 02-20-2007, 11:29 AM

Actually, the 6000# is for the Expy without the tow package, 9000# with. The new EL adds 12" wheel base. I mean, this vehicle, (and I am on my second) WILL tow up to a 6500-7000# trailer safely, that's in the 75%-80% range. Sure, I have a trailer that doesn't top out past 4k#s, and I haven't towed anything bigger, but I've seen Carol do it with my own eyes, and I think I'd trust her as well.

**CanoeStream** · 02-20-2007, 11:48 AM

Good addition John! Went to the Edmunds website and I do see that higher tow capacity with a 1700+ pound load capacity. I have seen the slow 'n' easy comments on the 5.4L before but would defer to statements from those who have towed with it. Anyone?

NeatAirstream · 02-20-2007, 12:03 PM

Here are a few examples. I never heard of any complaints with the performance.