What size travel trailer can a Ford Expedition pull?
The Ford Expedition can tow up to about 9,300 pounds when properly equipped, which typically covers travel trailers with a GVWR near that limit. The exact trailer size you can pull depends on your specific vehicle configuration, payload, and how the trailer is loaded.
Tow capacity basics
To translate the official tow rating into a practical trailer choice, you need to understand several interrelated numbers: the vehicle’s maximum tow rating, its payload capacity, the trailer’s GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) and tongue weight, plus the combined weight limits that govern safe operation.
Key factors that determine what you can tow
Use this guide to assess whether a given travel trailer fits within the Expedition’s capabilities:
- Maximum tow rating: Up to about 9,300 pounds with the proper heavy-duty trailer tow package and EcoBoost engine; exact figure varies by drivetrain and options.
- Vehicle payload: Typically around 1,500–1,900 pounds depending on trim and equipment; payload supports passengers, cargo, and tongue weight.
- Trailer GVWR: Choose a trailer whose GVWR is at or below the Expedition’s tow rating; tongue weight is a portion (usually about 10–15% of GVWR) that must be accommodated by the vehicle’s payload.
- GCWR (gross combined weight rating): Ensure the total weight of the vehicle plus trailer does not exceed this rating.
- Braking and hitching: Heavier trailers often require a braking system on the trailer and a weight-distribution hitch for stability and braking efficiency.
In practice, the numbers you see on a trailer’s label and on your vehicle’s window sticker must align. Never exceed the lowest-rated component in the towing setup.
With these constraints in mind, you’ll find that weight, not length, is the critical factor in determining what you can tow.
How large a travel trailer is realistically towable
Because the Expedition’s top figure is a weight rating, the trailer you pick should have a GVWR at or below about 9,300 pounds (and preferably well below for margin). This typically translates to travel trailers in the following ballparks, assuming proper loading and hitch equipment:
- Light to mid-weight trailers: roughly 6,000–7,500 pounds GVWR, about 20–28 feet in length.
- Mid-range trailers: roughly 7,500–9,000 pounds GVWR, about 28–34 feet in length.
- Heavy but towable with caution: around 9,000–9,300 pounds GVWR, about 30–34 feet or longer depending on design and dry weight.
These ranges assume you have the correct towing package, a reasonable number of passengers and cargo, and proper weight distribution and braking on the trailer.
Practical tips for selecting a trailer
Before choosing a trailer, keep these considerations in mind to maintain safe and efficient towing:
- Check the exact tow rating for your vehicle’s year, trim, drivetrain, and equipment package.
- Verify the trailer’s GVWR and its tongue weight; ensure the tongue weight fits within your Expedition’s payload capacity.
- Plan for a weight distribution hitch if the trailer’s tongue weight is high or if handling requires it.
- Account for cargo, full tanks, and optional gear in both the vehicle and trailer when calculating GCWR.
- Consult the dealer or owner’s manual for recommended towing practices and safety features (brake controllers, sway control, etc.).
Again, the most reliable approach is to compare the trailer’s weight data against your specific Expedition configuration and, if possible, use a professional scale or vehicle weighing service to confirm.
Summary
In essence, a Ford Expedition can tow travel trailers with a GVWR up to roughly 9,300 pounds when equipped for towing, with actual capabilities dependent on drivetrain, payload, hitch equipment, and how the trailer is loaded. Weight is the critical factor—not just length—so prospective buyers should focus on GVWR, tongue weight, and GCWR, and verify numbers against their vehicle’s specifications. By choosing trailers in the roughly 6,000–9,000 pound GVWR range and using proper towing gear, most families can enjoy camping trips with a well-muited travel trailer.
