Greene728
Newnan
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Joined: 06/30/2011
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tsalmon wrote:Thanks mbutts. That's concerning. Were you using a weight distribution hitch? Anyone else experience this or not experience this with a 6000+ lb trailor?
Weight distribution hitch or not, a 10yr old Expy will probably not be a comfortable tow vehicle for the weight your considering. Now you can do the upgrades to help for sure, and it will. I'd say at a minimum upgrade trans cooler, LT tires, probably new shocks (highly recommended the Bilstein shocks BTW), maybe some enhancements to the rear suspension, and as you already know, a quality properly set up WDH. But just remember that the Expy was built to ride well and be a ok tow vehicle, towing heavy (even with modifications) just isn't it's strong suit. Think of the tail wagging the dog saying that I'm afraid your gonna experience. And it's obvious by your post that safety and towing comfortably is important to you, as it should be. I'm just afraid that even after the mods with anything at all over 6500#'s or so your not gonna be happy.
Best of luck to you either way!
2011 Crossroads Cruiser 29BHS ( Traded )
2017 Grand Design 303RLS ( Sold )
Currently camperless ( Just taking a break )
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 4x4 6.0 and 4:10’s
Me and the wife and our two daughters. Life's good!
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tsalmon
Midwest
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Joined: 08/17/2016
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Here's the numbers I'm running. I'm thinking (after upgrading the trans cooler) that a max GVWR I should be comfortable with for a trailer would be 7200 lb and a max tongue weight would be 720 lb. I came up with these numbers from the calculations below. Do they hold water? I'm also looking for feedback from those with similar vehicle specs who have real world towing experience close to those max numbers and how the trailer handles for them. Don't want a white knuckle ride (been there done that). Can anyone help me out (I have the 3.73 gear ratio)?
My calculations
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TRAILER
7200 lb GVWR. (With tongue weight about 10% of total trailer, max tongue weight for Expedition is 860 lb and max trailer weight rating is 8600 lb GVWR. Take 15% off for safety and ease of towing cushion).
TONGUE WEIGHT
860 lb (max rating) - 140 lb (15%+ cushion) = 720 lb
GCWR
6580 lb (vehicle GVWR of 7300 lb minus my tongue weight of 720 lb) + 7200 lb (trailer GVWR) = 13780 lb (5% less than 14500 lb max rating)
VEHICLE
7300 lb (GVWR) - 5600 lb (Vehicle weight) = 1700 lb (Cargo weight max for in vehicle)
CARGO WEIGHT
720 lb (tongue weight for me) + 500 lb (3 extra passengers) + 300 lb (cargo in Expedition) = 1520 lb (under the 1700 so OK)
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tsalmon
Midwest
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Thx Green728. Sounds like good advice.
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tsalmon
Midwest
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Is the Cruiser RV Shadow Cruiser S-260BHS within the capabilities of my Expedition (dry weight 4595 lb, GVWR 7540 lb) if I keep the cargo under 1000 lbs (so 5595 lb total)? Also, do I need to be concerned with length (is 26 ft trailer doable as long as it's a lower weight)?
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