Towing with an Expy
Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Derby, Kansas
1/2 Ton-Brakes
I don't think the problem is enough engine as the 5.4L is a great engine and has lots of power and torque. It will pull 7000 lbs easily and comfortably. The problem is stopping this load in an emergency, anyone who has been in this situation really knows what I am talking about. I own a Expedition and a SuperDuty with the heavy suspension and I refuse to pull a 7000 lb trailer with the Expedition. Its a great car and my wife and I love it. Its tires are not heavy enough and needs LT 255 and not P255 as the passenger tires sway to much.
Sorry to rattle on.
Frank K.
Sorry to rattle on.
Frank K.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, TX
Load bars
Ride:
First off, sorry for the long post, but this should help explain the load bar / equalizer bar question.
You have a 2" receiver on your Expy, so you probably already have what I call a light hitch setup: a 2" receiver hitch head with a slightly dropped or raised L with a 1 7/8" or 2" ball, that is good for towing general trailers, U-Hauls and the like.
On a what I call a heavy hitch setup (that I use with my travel trailer, a 35' 3axle Avion)
I have a 2" weight distributing receiver head that I had some modifications done at a welding shop, but started out as a large head similar to this Reese Trunnion WD Hitch
then added some friction sway control bars (1 each, left and right):
The load / equalizer bars of the Reese hitch help to transfer the tongue weight of the trailer load across all 4 corners of the tow vehicle instead of just the rear axle where the weight on a rear reciever hitch is normally located.
The result is a nice tow with a large trailer.
I would also recommend a Tekonsha Sentinel power brake controller:
If your trailer is equipped with power brakes, to assist you in stopping that much additional weight.
I can tell you from experience (after being slid through a busy intersection by my Avion (the brake and light cable came undone from the connector plug) that trailer brakes make all the difference in the world with a heavy rig behind you!)
Here is one of the better Equalizing hitches out there short of the Reese rig.
The Equalizer
Then if you have a REALLY big tow, then this is the other option:
Hensley No-Sway
Good luck with the tow.
First off, sorry for the long post, but this should help explain the load bar / equalizer bar question.
You have a 2" receiver on your Expy, so you probably already have what I call a light hitch setup: a 2" receiver hitch head with a slightly dropped or raised L with a 1 7/8" or 2" ball, that is good for towing general trailers, U-Hauls and the like.
On a what I call a heavy hitch setup (that I use with my travel trailer, a 35' 3axle Avion)
I have a 2" weight distributing receiver head that I had some modifications done at a welding shop, but started out as a large head similar to this Reese Trunnion WD Hitch
then added some friction sway control bars (1 each, left and right):
The load / equalizer bars of the Reese hitch help to transfer the tongue weight of the trailer load across all 4 corners of the tow vehicle instead of just the rear axle where the weight on a rear reciever hitch is normally located.
The result is a nice tow with a large trailer.
I would also recommend a Tekonsha Sentinel power brake controller:
If your trailer is equipped with power brakes, to assist you in stopping that much additional weight.
I can tell you from experience (after being slid through a busy intersection by my Avion (the brake and light cable came undone from the connector plug) that trailer brakes make all the difference in the world with a heavy rig behind you!)
Here is one of the better Equalizing hitches out there short of the Reese rig.
The Equalizer
Then if you have a REALLY big tow, then this is the other option:
Hensley No-Sway
Good luck with the tow.