We're all in the same boat when it comes to travel trailers and our Expys. Expedition is a great SUV, but just shy of where it needs to be for towing or rather where we wish it was. Payload, payload, payload. If only Ford could come out with a Heavy Payload package on an Expy, one can only dream.
Let me give my suggestions based on experiences I've gone through with my 27RBDS Winnebago and my 10' Expy HD tow.
- Get your WDH dialed in, it took me like 2 years to get it just right. Only after I started going to a Cat scale and really learning how to use the numbers did I get it dialed in how it needed to be. In my case I was not transferring enough weight back to the front axle of the Expy. I added my last adjustment washer as well as moved the Equalizer brackets to their furthest distance on the trailer to get the most lift.
- Beef up your Expy. Hellwig sway bars front/rear, sumo spacers, fresh tune up, fresh tires are all things that made big noticeable improvements to my tows.
- If your like me and right at the limits of payload, put your trailer on a diet. Things that I did: ditched my two 30lb propane tanks and went to one 20lb tank (two in winter). Ditched my 30lb Coleman Grill and now just take a small 8lb grill, ditched kitchen prep table (no need), got rid of my rubber hoses for a light-weight single 100' hose. I also now only take a small daily cooler in the Expy while traveling with just enough space for lunch and drinks for the day.
- Re-positioned some of my forward storage to over-rear axle storage in trailer. Moved heavy toolbox and camp chairs to within the trailer.
- Added rear bike rack, two bikes on rear of trailer aid in off-setting some of the tongue weight.
Coming soon:
- I'm debating moving to an Anderson WDH system, it'll save 50lbs on the hitch.
- Considering swapping my steel propane tanks for light-weight fiberglass models.
Now, you do need to be careful, when I first did these changes I had moved too much off the tongue and ended up moving some items back into the front storage. My hitch weight should be around 760lbs, I'm probably averaging around 800lbs.
My set up pulls fine, I set my cruise to 65 and just go. No longer do I fear the passing trucks. Only during strong cross winds do I feel a bit squirely and then I just drop my speed and I'm good. Do I wish I had the payload of an F250, sure, but with this set up I have a full size SUV space and comforts that gets the job done.