Ford Expedition or F250

[Jack L]

I am a newbie, picked up my 27' Intl Serenity a few days ago, the dealer said my Audi Q7 3.0 can tow it with the installation of Blue-Ox WDH without a problem. When hitched up, I realize the rear suspension was squeezed significantly, it is too close to the max tongue weight and payload.
I am thinking of to trade Q7 for Ford Expedition or a new purchase F250 (If I have to, just don't prefer to have the third vehicle only for towing).
My questions: Is Expedition a good choice for my case? Or the better is jump to F250?
Tongue weight of my AS is 791 lbs, GVWR is 7,500 lbs.
Expedition numbers I get from Ford website: max towing 9,200 lbs, tongue weight 920 lbs, GCWR 15,500 lbs(with HD tow package), base curb weight 5,623 lbs, I can't find the payload or GVWR number.
Many thanks for your advice!

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by Jack L

I am a newbie, picked up my 27' Intl Serenity a few days ago, the dealer said my Audi Q7 3.0 can tow it with the installation of Blue-Ox WDH without a problem. When hitched up, I realize the rear suspension was squeezed significantly, it is too close to the max tongue weight and payload.
I am thinking of to trade Q7 for Ford Expedition or a new purchase F250 (If I have to, just don't prefer to have the third vehicle only for towing).
My questions: Is Expedition a good choice for my case? Or the better is jump to F250?
Tongue weight of my AS is 791 lbs, GVWR is 7,500 lbs.
Expedition numbers I get from Ford website: max towing 9,200 lbs, tongue weight 920 lbs, GCWR 15,500 lbs(with HD tow package), base curb weight 5,623 lbs, I can't find the payload or GVWR number.
Many thanks for your advice!

Go for the F250. You wont have to worry about overloading and special hitches again. The Expedition cannot tow a 27 without a weight distribution hitch.

[brick1]

I purchased a 2018 Serenity 28 last year, and expected to tow it with my 2016 Expedition EcoBoost. It was OK, had reasonable power, but the rear suspension was maxed out, even with WD cranked up tight. So I replaced it with an F250 diesel. Night and day difference. Not even a fair fight! I expect some will comment that you don’t “need” a 3/4 ton diesel, which may be true, but it sure makes towing easy.

[HappyHapgood]

I’m towing a heavier and tongue heavier Landyacht with your Q7’s cousin (Cayenne Diesel). It tows like an absolute dream. Definitely cranked a lot of weight through the WD hitch, but the end result is wonderful. I also didn’t want a huge “tow only” vehicle. There is a hitch mod that is recommended for heavier tongue weights (google CanAm and you’ll see lots of discussion).

I have considered a Navigator or similar to get more interior space to haul more crap around with me, but I just know I’d be disappointed when disconnected and driving around town.

[SSquared]

Congratulations on the 27FB!

The Expedition can handle a 27FB. But you may be cramped in terms of available payload in it.

A couple of important notes about weight ratings:
1) Airstream's published tongue weight numbers are notoriously low. Options make the number go up. With an FB unit, it can go up even more when you pack for a trip. You could easily be over 900 or even 1000 pounds eventually.

2) Car manufacturers publish curb weight and payload numbers based on vehicles without options. Again, options can consume a lot of the payload. When you look at a vehicle on the lot, you will find a yellow payload sticker on the driver's door post. The number there is the real deal, specific to that vehicle. Always look at the sticker before buying a tow vehicle!

3) Gas engine F250 and other brand 3/4 ton crew cab trucks have payload well into the 2000 pound range, maybe 3000. Diesel engine models have less. I don't know about the F250 specifically, but in some cases people have found 3/4 ton trucks with payloads around 1800 pounds, which is similar to a base model Expedition.

[majorairhead]

Each person has his/her own needs. My goal was to be able to tow our 30 foot airstream and haul dang near whatever I wanted in the tow vehicle without worry.

2017 F250 XLT Crew Cab 4x4 with camper package gives me 3,111 pounds of cargo capacity. I put a leer cap on it, and haul bikes, firewood, grill, chairs, propane, tools, and other stuff while towing, without worry or concern.

[Jack L]

Thank you everyone. Great comments! I will go for F250

[brick1]

Originally Posted by SSquared

Congratulations on the 27FB!

The Expedition can handle a 27FB. But you may be cramped in terms of available payload in it.

A couple of important notes about weight ratings:
1) Airstream's published tongue weight numbers are notoriously low. Options make the number go up. With an FB unit, it can go up even more when you pack for a trip. You could easily be over 900 or even 1000 pounds eventually.

2) Car manufacturers publish curb weight and payload numbers based on vehicles without options. Again, options can consume a lot of the payload. When you look at a vehicle on the lot, you will find a yellow payload sticker on the driver's door post. The number there is the real deal, specific to that vehicle. Always look at the sticker before buying a tow vehicle!

3) Gas engine F250 and other brand 3/4 ton crew cab trucks have payload well into the 2000 pound range, maybe 3000. Diesel engine models have less. I don't know about the F250 specifically, but in some cases people have found 3/4 ton trucks with payloads around 1800 pounds, which is similar to a base model Expedition.

Great comments, especially regarding payload. My old, loaded with options 2016 Expedition only had 1319lbs payload rating. New loaded F250 diesel Lariat is just shy of 2400lbs, so my wife can bring her purse...

[Mrjkq]

My AS has similar numbers as yours although it's 25'. I previously towed it with a RAM 1500 & found the pulling power sufficient but the payload maxed out, sometimes overloaded. My point is you have no wiggle room with that half ton expedition so you're better off with a heaver truck & payload to spare.

[Lucy Goosy]

I purchased my 2018 27' Tommy Bahama and was told my 2016 Ford Expedition would pull it without any problem.
Since then I have towed on some hills and curves but mostly on the flats. After several trips I found that at times I felt my car was being taken over by the weight of the AS and curvy road. I was never speeding or in any condition pushing the vehicle or AS. I decided that yes my 2016 could pull okay but not sure how safe it would be in an emergency.
Two weeks ago I got a Ford 250 Super Duty, King Ranch with the towing assists. It did cost but I now have a vehicle I feel safe in and now looking forward to being safe on the road. The truck feels huge and learning its turning radius is a learning curb but with the cameras all over the truck you can check your surroundings from the drivers seat. Having the weight and support of the 250 I do look forward now to head to the mountains.
Good luck with how ever you chose to go.

[superChop]

OP stated that as of this morning, he has made the decision to purchase a 3/4 ton TV (F250). He has listened to the wisdom of fellow travelers! Congratulations and now find the best deal on your selected TV! We just moved up from an F150 to an ordered F250 Lariat (try to find a Super Duty with anything but a black interior). We knew our Lariat package cost based on the Ford.com webpage that allows you to build your truck. Comparing the XLT with the options we wanted to a Lariat, we were about $2,000 higher on the Lariat, but are so glad we chose the leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, etc. It took conversations with six separate Ford dealers to find the best deal to order our truck! I was a bit surprised that F250's did not enjoy the $10,000 plus reduction from window sticker! Gross Rear axle weight rating is now over 6,000 lbs, vice less than 4,000 lbs with the F150 (and 1,400 lb cargo capacity)! Beware of options and equipment's impact on your TV's cargo capacity! As I mentioned in a previous thread, our friend purchased an F250 King Ranch Diesel, crew cab, 4x4, maximum tow, and has a cargo capacity less than 2,000 lbs. And with his topper installed at 200 lbs, his cargo capacity is about 1,800 lbs, which as you know is in the F150 cargo range! As someone has recommended, look at the tag inside the drivers door to determine the cargo capacity on the TV you are considering.

Our F250's cargo capacity is about 3,500 lbs!! (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 lbs - Actual empty vehicle weight rating 6,500 lbs). How did we get such a large cargo capacity for a crew cab TV? 4x2, gas engine, 18 inch wheels, 3.73 rear end, and few options. Hope to see you on the road!!

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Jack L

Thank you everyone. Great comments! I will go for F250

Do yourself a favor. Go for the F350, gas or diesel.

[andysherard]

I own a 27' Flying Cloud FB. I purchased the 2017 Ford Expedition with the full towing package. While it can pull the 27'FB, it is challenging at times.

No question I feel the 2500 is the better option.

I'm currently in the market for a 2500.

[CRH]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Do yourself a favor. Go for the F350, gas or diesel.

I agree. You won't have to do any payload numbers crunching then. My gas F350 has a 4k payload.

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Do yourself a favor. Go for the F350, gas or diesel.

An F-350 could push you over the 10,000 lb GVWR threshhold, which in some states can cost a lot for vehicle registration.

[Airtandem]

I like how there are all these opinions on which TV & TT to purchase, but there is NEVER any mention of the person driving it. I'm 5'10 & 185 and pushing 80. I just traded for an Expedition max mostly due to size. That extra foot from ground to back end / tailgate plus the climbing into the back end and seat were the controlling factors. Size does matter but this time for the operator. Yes, a 250/2500 would be nice, but after trying a friend of mines; noway.
I'll be content with my options and watch the payload so I can keep on camp'n.
Mike

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

I like how there are all these opinions on which TV & TT to purchase, but there is NEVER any mention of the person driving it. I'm 5'10 & 185 and pushing 80. I just traded for an Expedition max mostly due to size. That extra foot from ground to back end / tailgate plus the climbing into the back end and seat were the controlling factors. Size does matter but this time for the operator. Yes, a 250/2500 would be nice, but after trying a friend of mines; noway.
I'll be content with my options and watch the payload so I can keep on camp'n.
Mike

I just posted about this problem elsewhere. I mentioned the Ram 1500 2-axle electronic leveling option which allows you to lower the truck by several inches before getting into it. 20 years ago the trucks were much lower than they are now.

[Hastalavista]

I tow my 25’flying cloud with a 2014 VWTouareg diesel. Drove it to CanAm for the tongue weight upgrade and have driven all over two lane mountain roads in western NC couldn’t be happier with control and power. Braking feels good as well.
Folks at CanAm know their stuff
I’d consider keeping the Audi