question for the Expedition owners...

[John in Santa Cruz]

so a late model Ford Expedition /without/ the heavy duty tow package has a 6000 lb tow capacity, the 2018 we just test drove has a 1530 lb payload. the heavy duty tow package boosts the GCWR up to 15000 lbs instead of 12000 lbs, and a 9000 lb tow capacity.

our E21C is 4500 lbs GWR, and runs typically 450-500 lbs tongue (and we tend to run pretty close to capacity weight). so 1530 lb payload - 500 lbs tongue weight, - 500 lbs for wife+self+personal stuffs, leaves 500 lbs cargo capacity in the truck. I forgot to snapshot the truck's GVWR, and the Ford Towing guide only gives the GCWR. The Towing Guide says WDH used above 6000 lbs, so I guess at 4500 we're golden.

anyone here towing a 21 with a late model Expedition (not MAX/EL) without the option 536 Heavy Duty tow package? any complaints ?

We test drove a 2018 at the local dealer. not Max, our ideal color, a little higher mileage than we'd like but the price was good. *very* nice vehicle, loved the way it rode and drove on narrow twisty roads, almost no body lean, smooth, quiet, comfortable. But this specimen didn't have option 536, the HD tow package. It was a Limited, so it had darn near everything else.

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

We test drove a 2018 at the local dealer. not Max, our ideal color, a little higher mileage than we'd like but the price was good. *very* nice vehicle, loved the way it rode and drove on narrow twisty roads, almost no body lean, smooth, quiet, comfortable. But this specimen didn't have option 536, the HD tow package. It was a Limited, so it had darn near everything else.

Which means it will have the lowest possible payload, as all that fancy stuff can add a couple of hundred pounds to the vehicles weight.

Charles

[John in Santa Cruz]

True, but a 1530 lb payload is more than enough for us.

[WillyB]

You should be just fine.

The 3.5 EB will surprise you with it's ease of towing a 21C, especially with the 10 speed. Our 2016 3.5 EB with the older 6 speed tows ours effortlessly.

[Woody]

Hello John, I tow with a 2016 Expedition with the heavy duty towing package. There are no problems I’ve encountered. We don’t load up too heavy. I would recommend you get the heavy duty tow package. Even the Max without the HD tow package doesn’t tow much more.

I want to thank you again for showing us your 21C. It sold us on 21C. Enjoying it tremendously.

[Tosh]

My TV is an F-150, not an Expedition, but I know from experience that Ford's specified capacities are very conservative.


I believe the truck you've looked at is completely up to the task of pulling any Escape trailer currently in production (of course, it's not intended to pull a 5th wheel ;-}).

[MrLynn]

Our 2013 Expedition XLT Max doesn't qualify for your question (guess it's not 'late model', either). We bought it used in 2014, and fortunately it came with the HD towing package, which was way overkill when we got our Casita in 2016, and is probably still overkill for our 2019 E19C, which we got last spring.

Manual says it'll tow 9,000 lbs. I don't remember the other numbers, but there are only two of us, plus some gear. We use the Fastway E2 WD hitch the Escape came with. One thing you should look at is the liftgate clearance. Our Escape has a power jack, which original owner Shawn had turned sideways, but still the gate wouldn't quite clear it. We had to get a 14" shank to move the jack far enough back. Doesn't seem to create a towing problem, though it certainly must multiply the effect of hitch weight somewhat. Tows nice and straight down the road with no sway.

[John in Santa Cruz]

yeah, the current version was new in 2018, I think. biggest new feature is the 10 speed transmission, but other new stuff includes aluminum body on boron steel frame.

[Rossue]

We have a 2019 XLT 4 x 2 w/HD tow with 202A as recommended by CR.

2018 was first year for Gen4 Expeditions and as predicted there are some bugs there. Besides the plastic oil pan and weird drain plug that year has a much higher incidence of Cam Phaser issues, same for 2019 models made before April 2019.

Would also stay away from Panoramic sunroof.

Try to buy a used one with a Ford Extended Service Plan (ESP).

Good Luck!

[John in Santa Cruz]

yeah, my ideal car is a 2019-2020 XLT w/ the FX4 package, and the HD tow. 18" wheels not 20". But I have yet to see a single FX4 on the west coast, I've seen a few all in the east/midwest, or in Texas. FX4 is Ford's Offroad package, consists of offroad shocks, 18" wheels, and some minimal under-armor. Has the 2-speed transfer case, locking rear diff, bigger radiator. usually bundled with 201A which includes the 10way seats of the Limited but not the rest (fixed side steps, etc).

[Centex]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

.... Has the 2-speed transfer case ....

I don't know about the Expedition but on the F150 there are 2 versions of 2-speed transfer case paired with the 10-speed tranny with or without the E-locker rear diff: "Electronic Shift On the Fly" ('ESOF') or "Torque On Demand" ('TOD'). On the F150, XLT and lower trims get ESOF, Lariat and higher trims get TOD.

Both offer 2H-4H-4L settings but only the TOD also offers "4A" (4WD Automatic); the 4H & 4L settings on both are only to be used 'off-road' (loose surface) to avoid drivetrain bind but the "4A" on the TOD can be used at any time on any surface at any speed (it employs a variable E-clutch in the transfer case between F&R drives, essentially a basic "AWD" configuration).

You're probably on top of all of that, just mentioning in case not, if it even applies to the Expedition or your interests (?).

Good luck with your shopping!

[John in Santa Cruz]

yeah, looks like the 2018+ Expeditions have the 4A thing, even if they don't have the two speed transfer case. from what I can tell, 4A is something like the AWD system on many cars except instead of a center differential, it uses a wetpack clutch. The one I drove yesterday just had 2H and 4A buttons next to the driving mode knob.

[MrLynn]

Alan, my 2013 Expy has all the 2 and 4WD options, plus the 4A, too, all on a handy knob on the dash.

[JeffinBC]

Agreed with other posters on the cam phaser issue. It will affect virtually all 15-19 3.5 Ecoboosts (some may argue with this statement in terms of numbers so let’s just say it’s EXTREMELY common). Up until this month replacement was covered by Ford under the power train warranty. Replacement of cam phasers is no longer covered so unless you have an ESP, you’re in for an expensive repair when the inevitable happens. Suggest inquiring if the cam phasers have already been replaced. Ford techs are reporting no issues with the redesigned ones, which they started using in these engines in mid-late 2019, I believe. That being said, sounds like a nice vehicle. Good luck with your purchase, sir.