Tow capacity

Hey all,

Trying to understand my tow capacity as well as what I can get away with.

Have a 2021 Expedition max XLT.
Has standard tow package (6000lbs?) but NOT hd tow package. Added trailer break controller.

RV I’m looking to tow is 5900 lbs. also purchasing a weight distribution kit for hitch.

Am I ok?

Is the 5,900 lbs a dry weight or GVWR? It makes a big difference.

Ford716 said:

Hey all,

Trying to understand my tow capacity as well as what I can get away with.

Have a 2021 Expedition max XLT.
Has standard tow package (6000lbs?) but NOT hd tow package. Added trailer break controller.

RV I’m looking to tow is 5900 lbs. also purchasing a weight distribution kit for hitch.

Am I ok?

Click to expand...

Honestly I wouldn't do that. It pushed the vehicle to the limit. I have sort of overcautious personality.

If its the Max is it safe to assume your packed with butts in seats and gear in the Max in addition to the 5900lb box of stuff hitched to it?

General rule that all trailer experienced folks tend to end up at is the 50/80% rule. Dry ie basic empty weight of the trailer is no more than 1/2 the max tow rating. The loaded, all butts in seats and trailer packed with everything no more than 80% your max total. Thats for go anywhere in whatever bad conditions you might run into format. Dragging a trailer across town to the dump with just the driver max tow weight generally works just fine.

Ford716 said:

RV I’m looking to tow is 5900 lbs. also purchasing a weight distribution kit for hitch.

Click to expand...

You'll likely be well over the tow limit when it's loaded. I'm assuming your number is GVWR for the trailer since no one really knows how much their stuff weighs until they visit a scale. Without HD Tow, you're rated for 6,000 lbs max with a loaded trailer. You could probably do it, but you'll be exceeding the manufacturer's specifications.

I had a 2016 EL with the HD tow package. Purchased a 2023 Apex that was 3634lbs dry. Also had the anti-sway/ weight distribution setup installed.

That RV still had my truck sagging in the rear. Maybe it should’ve been setup differently (feel like the dealer was guessing/ rushing).

My point is if I had the HD tow package which put me at 9200lbs (with no cargo in vehicle per Ford’s RV & Trailer towing guide) and the truck was still squatting… then, I’d say ur definitely gonna need some suspension enhancements and/ or a lighter RV.

The attached pic is of a totally empty rv and vehicle. Though, there was propane in the tanks, and about 1/3 of bank of fresh water on board.

Ended up trading the Expedition due to my lack of patience with various EcoBoost related shortcomings, and high mileage.

My 2024 Ram handles that trailer with no issues.

Honestly, I did install some Sumo Coil spring helpers which I think would’ve remedied the sag issues, but never had to hookup to the trailer (was using it while working out of town). Ended up removing them when I traded the truck.

If the dealer told you the trailer weighed 5900 pounds you can be certain that's the factory listed empty weight and it never weighed that little since it rolled out of the factory. In addition maximum towing capacity is not a planning number as tongue weight needs to be between 10% and 15% of the trailer's actual weight for safe handling and even if this weighed as little at 5900 pounds it might require 885 pounds on the ball -- WDH country for sure.

Maximum towing capacity is computed with the tow vehicle empty other than a 150 pound driver. Every pound in the tow vehicle lowers the towing capacity by the same weight. Family, dogs and gear, can easily reduce the towing capacity to under 5000 pounds.

Look thru the equipment list in the 2021 Ford Towing Guide. Much of what's listed for HD Tow can be retrofitted. The important stuff is the engine and transmission cooling (bigger radiators). Ford has gone back and forth on axle ratios: my 2017 with HD Tow has 3.31 axles, is rated at 9200 pounds, and I've been pulling my 6000+ camper with it for years.

-- Chuck

Ellison Brown III said:

I had a 2016 EL with the HD tow package. Purchased a 2023 Apex that was 3634lbs dry. Also had the anti-sway/ weight distribution setup installed.

That RV still had my truck sagging in the rear. Maybe it should’ve been setup differently (feel like the dealer was guessing/ rushing).

My point is if I had the HD tow package which put me at 9200lbs (with no cargo in vehicle per Ford’s RV & Trailer towing guide) and the truck was still squatting… then, I’d say ur definitely gonna need some suspension enhancements and/ or a lighter RV.

The attached pic is of a totally empty rv and vehicle. Though, there was propane in the tanks, and about 1/3 of bank of fresh water on board.

Click to expand...

I'd say your weight distribution wasn't set up correctly. I have a 2008 and with my weight distribution it tows pretty darn good. I have a Wildwood XLite that is probably around the same weight as your Apex. I set the WD up myself when i picked the trailer up and actually readjusted it 2 different times after that until I got it where it needed to be.

Ford716 said:

Hey all,

Trying to understand my tow capacity as well as what I can get away with.

Have a 2021 Expedition max XLT.
Has standard tow package (6000lbs?) but NOT hd tow package. Added trailer break controller.

RV I’m looking to tow is 5900 lbs. also purchasing a weight distribution kit for hitch.

Am I ok?

Click to expand...

Here is the tow sheet. https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../pdf/guides/21Towing_Ford_Expedition_Dec3.pdf
I have ‘20 XLT 4x4 Hd tow with full fuel and me is 5960lb, max I would guess is a few lb heavier. Your gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is 12,400lb, 5900lb trailer leaves you 6500lb for the vehicle and all things in it. The trailer won’t weigh 5900lb once you put stuff, even minimal stuff in it. That is probably a dry/ basic trailer weight, depending on outfitting it is going to be heavier. Gonna be tough to stay under trailer weight and GCWR. HD tow gets you 15.5klb with 9000 tow for the max. If you want more vehicle weight you have to lower the trailer weight or vice versa to stay under the GCWR.