Hey guys, I have a 98 expedition that I bought used, and we are in the market now to purchase a new travel trailer. I have a older 20-21' unit that I have been towing for the last 5 years, however, its so old I don't know what it weighs so its no help in figuring out where I am when shopping new. I do run with a load distributing hitch and stabilizer bars.

I don't know if my expedition has the tow package or not, however, It is wired with a 7 pole plug and the door on the plug has the ford emblem on it. It also has two additional cooling units under the radiator in front (I assume tranny and power steering).

Its got the 5.4l in it, Eddie Bauer 4X4 with low/high/all wheel drive 4x4, here's where my dumb younger age comes into play, Its got 12" of lift on it (4" body, 8" custom w/straight axle), with 38" tires. The gearing has been changed as well, I want to say it was 496, but I am not positive. The truck speedometer without adjustment is just about correct (at 60 I say Im doing 59, at 70 I say Im doing 69) (this is just with a buddy driving next to me and matching speed, I know not entirely accurate, but close enough), when I ordered the gears, the aftermarket shop tried to compensate for the tire size and make it behave stock.

My first question, would you assume that I have the tow package with what looks to be a factory 7 pin plug, tranny/steering cooler?

2nd question would be a guesstimate on what weight trailer I could tow, keeping in mind I am adding a brake controller, and use spring bars and weight distributing hitch.

I drive the truck ONLY when camping, its parked 11 months out of the year.

I wish I knew what my 1983 Layton Skyline 20' weighs (anyone with that info?), of course I want to get as much trailer as I can (but no bigger than a 24') so I know that the option of a slide can add weight as well, but I thought that the 98 w/tow package could handle 7000, I DONT want to run near the max, alot of the "lites" 24' ers dry weight at 3500-4000, with the "standard (non-lites)" at 5200 or so.

Anyways, thanks for your time.


Thanks in advance...

-john

 

I dont have any info/answers but PLEASE,post pics of that beast.12" lift,oh yeah

 

Sounds to me you have the tow package. They came with the transmition cooler, OIL cooler, larger radiator, and, the 7 pin connectors. How thick is your radiator?

You can also double check by getting the dealership to run the vin#.

As for your trailer, I have no guess for the weight. Go by the nearest truck stop/ feed store, and put it on the scales. Last I remember it was 7$ at the truck stop. Either that or call the manufacturer...

 

Jnicita:
You have a towing package installed. Seemingly some parts had been removed, and the kit is not now complete.
I had wondered if you couldn't tell from the Class #1 Hitch mounted under the rear bumper. Was it removed when you bought it?. If there is none there it was probably removed for service, and never re-installed.
There is a TSB issued for these trucks that involves the towing hitch. It is very important that the hitch mounting bolts (6) be checked and re-torqued to the proper specifications. Ford Dealers are still supposed to perform this check under the agreement.
The OEM towing hitch that came with the truck had suffered some type of loosening, and some had broke off. This was posted by Ford at least 5 years ago.