Thinking of a new tow vehicle.

[sailor55330]

We upgraded the wife’s daily driver and family tow vehicle Friday. We had been looking at used Expeditions for a couple of months, but then they dropped a pile of incentives on the XLT last week. Combined with employee pricing, it made no sense to buy used.
Ignore the fact that both vehicles are dirty. I was a bit surprised at the slight squat. Other than that, it pulls the boat like a dream. My F250 will show about a 25 degree trans temp rise if I pull the boat from the shed to the cabin. The Expy is only showing about a 10 degree rise. Pretty interesting. Looking forward to more towing and maybe the gathering next year.

Interesting to see the squat. The Expy's are very nice vehicles. The A25 is certainly a load, but still, I guess no one makes an SUV that doesn't squat. That's my main concern in going with another SUV someday. How would you describe the handling while towing between the Expy and F250? I know it's not really a fair comparison.

[mdadgar]

We upgraded the wife’s daily driver and family tow vehicle Friday. We had been looking at used Expeditions for a couple of months, but then they dropped a pile of incentives on the XLT last week. Combined with employee pricing, it made no sense to buy used.
Ignore the fact that both vehicles are dirty. I was a bit surprised at the slight squat. Other than that, it pulls the boat like a dream. My F250 will show about a 25 degree trans temp rise if I pull the boat from the shed to the cabin. The Expy is only showing about a 10 degree rise. Pretty interesting. Looking forward to more towing and maybe the gathering next year.

What amazing timing. On Friday, I picked up a 2019 Lincoln Navigator L to tow my A25. It's a shockingly good tow vehicle and honestly barely even notices that the boat is back there.

IMG_1017.jpg

I likewise saw at most 15 degrees trans temp rise and I was up on the mountains.

I'm not getting as much squat as you - maybe because I have a lighter trailer?

- Mark

[Big Block Power]

Less tongue with I'm sure. You look at Ridgebacks axles they are way back there.

[mdadgar]

Less tongue with I'm sure. You look at Ridgebacks axles they are way back there.

You are right - I just looked at pics of my trailer and my axles are further forward.

- Mark

[2ridgebacks]

Nah, those twenty extra horses I have are heavy!

I haven’t towed it much, so I can’t give you a good rundown. But, you need to understand, my Super Duty is a 2001 (I have an old truck so I can have a newer boat) 7.3 on 35” tires so it isn’t all it could be. You definitely know the boat is back there as those tall sidewalls are a tad squishy. With the added power of the EcoBoost over her old 5.4, I suspect the Expy will be he preferred tow vehicle.
Lots of nice gadgets like the electronic locker in the rear and the trailer assist. BTW, that was a ten minute setup.

[mdadgar]

Lots of nice gadgets like the electronic locker in the rear and the trailer assist. BTW, that was a ten minute setup.

Agree - great feature!

I am looking forward to setting up my 26' race trailer, too.

- Mark

[2ridgebacks]

Less tongue with I'm sure. You look at Ridgebacks axles they are way back there.

Funny you noticed. When I bought the boat the transom was about two feet off the bunks. I called and sent pics to EZ Loader and they determined the trailer had an incorrect winch stand, and the winch stand that was on it didn’t match what they shipped with the trailer. Needless to say, the tongue weight was reduced. They built and sold me the correct winch stand at a fantastic price and after installing to their dimensions, the boat fits perfectly. I would guess the tongue weight is pretty close to right though. I can pick it up, if I have to.

[Big Block Power]

Less tongue with I'm sure. You look at Ridgebacks axles they are way back there.

Funny you noticed. When I bought the boat the transom was about two feet off the bunks. I called and sent pics to EZ Loader and they determined the trailer had an incorrect winch stand, and the winch stand that was on it didn’t match what they shipped with the trailer. Needless to say, the tongue weight was reduced. They built and sold me the correct winch stand at a fantastic price and after installing to their dimensions, the boat fits perfectly. I would guess the tongue weight is pretty close to right though. I can pick it up, if I have to.

If you can pick up that tongue its way to light. It's should be close to 10% of the weight of the boat.

[2ridgebacks]

Yeah, I know all about the 10%. I’m not your average CC’er.

[mdadgar]

If you can pick up that tongue its way to light. It's should be close to 10% of the weight of the boat.

This.

You can always tell when a towing accident was tongue-weight induced. The tow vehicle is facing back the way it came.

- Mark

[Big Block Power]

Yeah, I know all about the 10%. I’m not your average CC’er.

I know. But if you can pick up the tongue and it's squatting that ford already. I would hate to see more weight put on it. Yecks!!
I looked at those for a second. I just couldn't do a Ford. I don't know if it's the dash, the steering wheel, the console. I just don't Like them. I would love to have or try the eco though. But then again I didn't think I would ever buy a dodge. Yecks.

[2ridgebacks]

There is close to 600 pounds tongue weight on the trailer. It is plenty. I don’t think adding passengers and luggage will make much difference. I suspect it is like most modern trucks where the first part of the travel is fairly soft for ride quality.

[Big Block Power]

Yea a bunch of manufactures switched to the same kind of load leveling shock like mine has. It actually road better loaded. Not so stiff.

[shrfdeputy]

Yea a bunch of manufactures switched to the same kind of load leveling shock like mine has. It actually road better loaded. Not so stiff.

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but how do you like how your Durango tows? I just got back from the 2nd long trip towing our 252 with ours and am still impressed. We had a blowout on the trailer on the way down so I drove no more than 65 most of the time to hopefully get home without any more drama. That translated to 12 mpg for the entire trip.

[Big Block Power]

Yea a bunch of manufactures switched to the same kind of load leveling shock like mine has. It actually road better loaded. Not so stiff.

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but how do you like how your Durango tows? I just got back from the 2nd long trip towing our 252 with ours and am still impressed. We had a blowout on the trailer on the way down so I drove no more than 65 most of the time to hopefully get home without any more drama. That translated to 12 mpg for the entire trip.

Honestly. It sags 2 inches. More than I thought it would. It has power. It's it enough? I don't know. I haven't towed enough yet. Only a few times. It's too small for the family though. Gas mileage I have no clue. I only tow 20 minutes each way. We will see the jury is still out. I love driving out without the boat. It's a blast.
After watching bfun tow his to TRL was impressive. So we will see.