ROBERT BONNER
Full Access Members
I agree with a lot of what's been said above on cargo size. My MAX will accommodate 4x8's pretty easily as long as you have someone reaching in from a side door to help guide and use some load blankets or other protection to keep edges from contacting trim surfaces. It's a good idea to block them in place or use ratchet straps to keep them from shifting and causing damage during transit. Trucks and trailers are easier; but, if weather is a concern, they need to be enclosed or covered.
Relative to Payload. Lots of things go into calculations. A. Ultimately you never want to overload tires. B. You need to know that all vehicle dynamics, acceleration, braking, cornering are affected by vehicle weight and distribution. The payload sticker represents the safe payload at placard cold tire inflation. Once you overload an axle and or the vehicle you are in untested territory relative to vehicle dynamics.
Read your tires. Normally your tires will support a higher GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) than the sticker shows. That's because the tire's max load capability is at the tire's max inflation which will be typed on the sidewall and is typically higher than the pressure on the placard on your Light Truck. Do the math, generally if you are concerned about getting close to or exceeding your rear GAWR, you can improve your tire safety margin by inflating between Placard and Tire max inflation. Never go over the Tire max. You will still be changing your vehicle dynamics.
Also keep in mind that like with many light vehicles, these Ratings can be surprisingly easy to exceed on your Expedition. Take the 1785 lb payload example above. It's a lot, right? More than 3/4 ton. 25 gallons of gas = 165 lb. With an 8 pass if your adults/kids weigh: 2x220, 2x150, 4x110, you're left with 440 lbs for luggage/safety margin, which seems like plenty of room; but, I'll bet if you measure your rear GAWR you have a lot less safety margin than that. Very likely with that loading inside the passenger compartment, you can't afford the weight to tow anything or hang anything off of the hitch. If you regularly load this way for long trips, stop by the CAT scales and see where your axles, in particular, your rear axle is at.
Relative to Payload. Lots of things go into calculations. A. Ultimately you never want to overload tires. B. You need to know that all vehicle dynamics, acceleration, braking, cornering are affected by vehicle weight and distribution. The payload sticker represents the safe payload at placard cold tire inflation. Once you overload an axle and or the vehicle you are in untested territory relative to vehicle dynamics.
Read your tires. Normally your tires will support a higher GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) than the sticker shows. That's because the tire's max load capability is at the tire's max inflation which will be typed on the sidewall and is typically higher than the pressure on the placard on your Light Truck. Do the math, generally if you are concerned about getting close to or exceeding your rear GAWR, you can improve your tire safety margin by inflating between Placard and Tire max inflation. Never go over the Tire max. You will still be changing your vehicle dynamics.
Also keep in mind that like with many light vehicles, these Ratings can be surprisingly easy to exceed on your Expedition. Take the 1785 lb payload example above. It's a lot, right? More than 3/4 ton. 25 gallons of gas = 165 lb. With an 8 pass if your adults/kids weigh: 2x220, 2x150, 4x110, you're left with 440 lbs for luggage/safety margin, which seems like plenty of room; but, I'll bet if you measure your rear GAWR you have a lot less safety margin than that. Very likely with that loading inside the passenger compartment, you can't afford the weight to tow anything or hang anything off of the hitch. If you regularly load this way for long trips, stop by the CAT scales and see where your axles, in particular, your rear axle is at.