skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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The advice to only consider dry (empty) weight is a really bad one because NOBODY tows around a completely empty trailer. You should ALWAYS use the GVWR when deciding on a towing combination. Some seem to believe that "dry weight" means with no water in the ice cube trays but it's the same as UVW (unloaded vehicle) or Empty weight. NO manufacturer can EVER tell you what an RV will weigh with ANY of your personal gear inside.
I know of very few manufacturers who have ANY limits on trailer length as most of them limit only weight and you are well within the weight with the Expedition. I seem to remember someone on the forum saying that Jeep has some kind of length limit on some of their models but don't know if that is correct or not. None on any Ford.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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mtofell1
Oregon
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You need a 3/4 ton for that weight. Also, as others have said - a longer wheelbase would be good, too.
A general rule I've noticed is 1/2 ton truck are good up to about a 26 foot TT. Anything over that - you're in 3/4 ton land. Of course, there are excpetions and I'm assuming you don't want to have to weigh passenger's bags like you're at the airport everytime you take a trip. Just generally speaking, a 1/2 ton will overload w/most trailers over 26 feet with an average amount of people and stuff.
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eye8Ubutler
Maritime Provinces
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sooneruga wrote:I'm fairly new to towing. Only been towing a popup for about a year and already my wife and I are looking at purchasing a used travel trailer that is about 33 feet long, with dry weight of about 5000 lbs and and a gross weight of almost 7500 lbs.
My question is will a Ford Expedition handle this length of TT plus the the weight. The towing capacity of Expedition is 9200. We even thought about a Dodge Durango but the towing capacity, w/the hemi, is just 7400 lbs but I've read someplaces that you really only need to consider the dry weight and then add about 1200 lbs for cargo. Also, we plan on normally hauling 6 people in the tow veheicle, which is the reason we're not considering a pickup.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Michael
If I had hair, I would pull it out........NO!
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 2007 (new shape)
4x4 Crew Cab VORTEC MAX (L76) 6.0L V8 4L70E 4.10 axle
factory NHT Max Trailering Package.
2010 Coachmen Freedom Express 280 RLS
"...a Waldorf Salad?, sorry we are fresh out of Waldorfs!".......BASIL FAWLTY.
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fiddleman-1955
MO
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Joined: 08/26/2008
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TO avoid harassment from the weight police, I would look at a Oshkosh truck. Aside from having plenty of GVW, you can choose from 8 or 10 wheel drive.
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APT
SE Michigan
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Joined: 06/09/2010
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Another pass, round 2...
A 5000 pounds dry TT will be more like 6500 pounds for a family of 6 loaded with food and camping gear for a long weekend, add another 300 pounds for fresh water if you choose. That means 650-975 pounds of tongue weight, mostly in the 850 pound range. With a good weight distribution hitch, you'll still be at 675 pounds on the tow vehicle's axles. Estimate how much your 6 people weigh, plus however much stuff will be in the cargo storage area behind the 3rd row. Add the 675 with your estimate. Then open the driver's door and locate this sticker. You'll want something with at least your number where mine says 2051.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2012 VW Passat TDI
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tomman58
Southeast Michigan
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I would suggest that ANY TV max towing of gvwr are very very optimistic in most cases.
Sure you can tow a 33' with a smart car but it is a joke to you, your family and those that have to share the road with you.
You seem at a point to start "real" towing and the RV experience. Do so with {as posted) a 250 because this will make your camping a safer and more fun experience.
2008 Silverado D/A,CC 4x4 ,3.73,IBC LTZ+
2012 Jayco 322 FKS
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It must be time to go, the suns out and I've got a full tank of diesel!
Lifes short enough without bitch'n about it!
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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OP will be fine since he has the same Passport as mine. Pushing capacity a little but not out of line for an Expy EL.
I'd do the same thing, actually look forward to getting a new EL some time.
2009 Keystone Passport UL 290BH
2003 Ford Expedition EB 5.4L/3.73
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tomman58
Southeast Michigan
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eric james wrote:OP will be fine since he has the same Passport as mine. Pushing capacity a little but not out of line for an Expy EL.
I'd do the same thing, actually look forward to getting a new EL some time.
Yours is 29' he show 33'
It isn't that it can't be done it just would be better with the proper TV all the way around. IMHO
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jerem0621
Sequatchie, TN
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Joined: 05/17/2009
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I tow 31.5 ft with four people and about 6200 lb loaded.
Would an extra 300 lbs in my TT cause it to fail? Nope I don't think so.
OP
Can this be done safely- yes
Is this being done safely- yes
Make sure you have the proper equipment such as a weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control and a good proportional brake controller.
Make sure your tire pressures are max
Make sure you have an Good receiver hitch rated for the tongue weight of the trailer.
Make sure that you have a good transmission cooler.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
"It's Kind of Fun To Do The Impossible"
~Walt Disney~
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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tomman58 wrote:eric james wrote:OP will be fine since he has the same Passport as mine. Pushing capacity a little but not out of line for an Expy EL.
I'd do the same thing, actually look forward to getting a new EL some time.
Yours is 29' he show 33'
It isn't that it can't be done it just would be better with the proper TV all the way around. IMHO
It's 33' bumper to ball.
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