2008 Classic 25 with Ford '01 Expedition

[aggie71]

I am considering towing a 25 ft. Classic (dry wt. 5900lb.) with a 2001 Ford 4X4 Expedition Eddie Bauer (5280lb dry wt. and published tow cap. 7300Lb.). any experience or comment out there? Thanks

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

As to your question, it is probably doable, but may not be comfortable.

We have a Safari 25FB that weighs 7400# ready to camp. You will most likely be in that same neighborhood. We have towed our 25FB quite a bit (70,000 miles/809 nights of camping). We now tow with a 3/4 ton Suburban, but originally used our 2004 Tahoe (similar size and power to your Expedition). The Tahoe was OK, but not quite up to a confident tow.

Since you already have the Expedition, i would go ahead and try it.You will definitely need a quality weight distribution/sway control hitch system and an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler.

Good luck in your endeavor, and safe travels.

Brian

[COUNTRYSONG]

I have a 2008 Front Bed (Twins) 25 foot Classic....The Airstream Factory weighed it the last time I was there and it came in at 7700 lbs including the bottle of Dewars and Full 40 lb propane tanks --- I pulled it with a 1/2 ton suburban with a Equalizer Hitch and didn't have any problems....But then I wasn't in the Rocky Mountains Either --- I'd say try it... See How it goes....
Countrysong

[Michigander]

Originally Posted by aggie71

I am considering towing a 25 ft. Classic (dry wt. 5900lb.) with a 2001 Ford 4X4 Expedition Eddie Bauer (5280lb dry wt. and published tow cap. 7300Lb.). any experience or comment out there? Thanks

We had an '01 EB 4x4 Expedition and towed a 30' Trail-Lite 8300 trailer that had a dry weight of about 4500# for 6 years before we moved on to an AS MH.

In the first five years, we logged 17,000 miles, which included a 4000+ mile trip from Michigan to the Badlands, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons and back.

Fully loaded, (and yes, sometimes carrying clear water in the tank - big mistake) we were easily close to and at times over the limit of the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the Expedition. (Did not realize this until we had it weighed on the way home from the trip out west.)

Anyways, when we were ready to take the trailer camping at the beginning of the 6th year (on the Memorial Day weekend after our out west trip), the transmission blew. Cost $4000.00 to replace it.

The point here is that we had a 4500# dry weight trailer, that easily got loaded up with all kinds of "essential" items. Then, we put five bodies into the Expedition and towed all over the place. Eventually, the trans gave out. (Experience is the greatest teacher of all.)

I believe that pulling an AS with a dry weight of 5900# (that could easily become 7000# when loaded) is too much for the Expedition. When you add in two adults at ~ 150 # each you will almost definitely exceed the GCWR of the tow vehicle (TV). The Expedition will pull this for a while, but soon it will give out.

We are very thankful the trans lasted throughout the trip to Yellowstone.

Good luck with your research and pay close attention to GCWR, (Gross Combined Weight Rating) of the TV.

[pappy19]

Like was said, doable. I would suggest an additional tranny cooler, cheap at $100. Also an added MagHytec tranny and differential cover at about $300 each, plus an external tranny filter from Summit Racing at $45. Along with a good AFE intake system and a Magnaflow exhaust system, you will do just fine. Change your tranny filter(s) and fluid every 20k and your rear dif fluid every 30k. I hope you have the 3.73 rear ratio and not the 3.55 or you will have some trouble. The 3.55 in an Expedition is a pig.

[Sav'h Steve]

Have to concur with most of the above posts.

Have the Expy which I brought it home with and towed with a couple times. Found that it was the tail wagging the dog. Now in honesty I could have changed to truck tires vs. P rated and that would have helped somewhat.

Later got a Sub 2500 with 7.4. Sold that and now have a 7.3 F250 diesel.

Hugh difference from Expy to second two. F250 markedly better than Suburban and MUCH better with fuel mileage. Trucks passing quickly don't make you go *white knuckle* as they go by.

The take home is a much more enjoyable trip and that is not to be forgotten.

However if you are really strapped you can get by with Expy, Others have some better experience. My coach is 1990 25 foot and probably close to same weight.

Steve

[Andrew T]

Hi Aggie

We have several customers with Expeditions like yours. They have a wide variety of options that affect how you set them up for towing.

Do you have a 4.6 or 5.4 Litre engine?

Do you know your axle ratio? If not just look up the axle code on the data sticker on the drivers door and I can tell you what it is.

Do you have Air Suspension both front and rear, just rear air suspension or springs all around?

Have you replaced the shocks since new? What size tires do you have on it?

If you can answer these I can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect and what alterations you might need.

The 08 Classic is a very nice coach you should really enjoy it.

Andrew T

[pappy19]

Yes, I forgot to add that good shocks and a Firestone air bag system will firm you up. A few mods and you'll do fine.

[aggie71]

Thanks to all for your advice. I felt all along that the Expedition would probably work ok but may be somewhat borderline with considerable serious climbing in CO. If we like the Classic real well we will probably trade up to an Excursion, Durango or F-250. In answer to the questions:

Engine: 5.4L V8
Trans cooler and tow pkg
Tires: 17" P265
Rear end: 3.73 Ltd. slip axle
Empty wt. 5280lb.
GCWR: 13000 lb.
Max trlr wt: 7300 lb.

Should have provided this info to start with. I will appreciate any further comments.
Happy trails and gig 'em

[Andrew T]

The good news is you have the right axle ratio. You should have no power concerns with that drivetrain. With the 5.4 you get the same transmission as they used to use with the 7.3 Diesel and V10 engines so the 5.4 can never hurt it. It will tow in overdrive when the conditions are good. To give you an idea of what to expect you should be able to climb through the Eisenhower tunnel or vail pass in second gear at 45 - 50 MPH.

When you need new tires I would change to 245/70R x 17" LT tires. I think you will like how these handle even solo. It is likely you have Air Suspension so get a Hensley Hitch to tow with. A conventional hitch will not be very stable with 2002 or older Expeditions. The Hensley is pricy but it is less than trading cars, it is quicker to connect and disconnect and you can turn sharper.

The Expedition has some advantages over and F250 or Excursion, it rides a lot smoother, it will get you into much smaller campsites, and I suppose it is likely paid for.

The 2011 Durango with the Hemi would be a great tow vehicle for you but previous models have little if any advantage over the Expedition.

I hope this helps.

Andrew T

[JFScheck]

Agree with Andy (expect maybe for speed over the pass) - but I would say ProPride over the Hensly....

[casa holanda]

Hi Andrew and all

I am looking to tow an excella 1000 with grt 8300 with an expedtion 2004 5.4 with towing package up to 9000 grt. We also will travel with three small kids in the back of the expedition.

What are your suggestions and findings?

Pack light for sure..

[Silver Otter]

Originally Posted by casa holanda

Hi Andrew and all

I am looking to tow an excella 1000 with grt 8300 with an expedtion 2004 5.4 with towing package up to 9000 grt. We also will travel with three small kids in the back of the expedition.

What are your suggestions and findings?

Pack light for sure..

Dear Casa, In the flatlands you will be happy. In the hills you will be slow. We just got home from two weeks, our first trip with the same set up you describe. During the trip I put money down on a 6.6 Chevy diesel 2500HD. Our 2003 5.3 gassey is running at its maximum load pulling The Silver Otter.

[casa holanda]

Thats what I would be doing too. Any great ideas about what hitch, weight control, airsafe and sp 1400 systems.

I am looking at safety and towing three small kids, I want to go super easy and safe. I am pretty new too so its all new..

Congrats on the truck! That would make life super duty

[Silver Otter]

Originally Posted by casa holanda

Thats what I would be doing too. Any great ideas about what hitch, weight control, airsafe and sp 1400 systems.

I am looking at safety and towing three small kids, I want to go super easy and safe. I am pretty new too so its all new..

Congrats on the truck! That would make life super duty

We love our Hensley Arrow hitch, but folks like the ProPride, too! I'm sure either would be good. I've only had the Hensley so can't compare. Be sure to get one or the other, and don't settle for simple or cheap. You won't be happy in the long run. The other peace-of-mind-maker is a tire pressure monitoring system [tpms]. We love our Doran, and there are others out there, which tells me the pressure of each tire on The Otter right on the dash.

We stop often, feel the tires and hubs for heat, and pray we don't have a tread delamination tearing up our aluminum.

[pmclemore]

Originally Posted by gheuer

During the trip I put money down on a 6.6 Chevy diesel 2500HD.

Good choice, gheuer. That's the rig I have (my Chev is an '04 and has been a joy). 120k miles, mostly towing, and just perfect.

Pat

[Silver Otter]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Good choice, gheuer. That's the rig I have (my Chev is an '04 and has been a joy). 120k miles, mostly towing, and just perfect.

Pat

Thanks for the encouragement, Pat. Ours is/will be a 2008. Waiting for it to be shipped up from Nashville to Charlottesville for pick up.