Is my vehicle strong enough to tow this?

[Mosnowman]

Just wanted to check in and see if you experienced guys would comment on my outfit...

1999 Ford Expedition 5.4L V8 Tow Package

2011 Keystone Bullet 278RLS

I just wanted to make sure I have enough power to be pulling the trailer frequently since my tow vehicle is a lot older. I have pulled the trailer once and it seemed fine but wanted some thought from you experienced guys (being a newbie) to affirm I am okay with this rig?

[jq1031]

In my opinion & I'm sure some will disagree but the short answer is no & for the following reasons. You're Expedition has plenty of power to pull that trailer around, but the problems as I see them are as follows. I'm assuming that your GTW is around 7500 lbs, so the gross weight of TT & TV together will be maxed to the limit with just two adult passengers & equiptment. You probaby will carry alot of cargo in the back of the SUV which increases your tongue weight from around 475lbs to an unsafe level, as that cargo is behind your rear axle. An Expedition has a shorter wheel base than a full size pick up & a sway problem could easily develop especially considering all of the above, even with a WD hitch with sway control. Finally the brakes & suspension on a 1/2 ton vehicle especially one thats over 12 years old may not be sufficient to get you from point A to point B & back safely. I apologize for being so negetive, but that is the way I see it. JOE

[Paddler]

I'm sorry, I also have to agree, the wheel base on the Expedition is to short to haul a 27 ft trailer unless you are using the Hensley Arrow hitch

[Flyguy]

I looked up your TV and got these ratings from Ford: For the 1999 Ford Expedition, assuming you have the 5.4L engine with the 3.73 rear axle and the towing package your max tow rating is 8300lbs and using the 80% rule you should be at 6640lbs or less of trailer towing weight, the GCVWR is 13,500lbs. If it was my TV I would use either the Hensley Arrow or the Pro-pride 3P or the Reese HD dual cam hitch. As for the trailer here are those specs:


2011 Bullet 278RLS Specifications
Shipping Weight 4986
Carrying Capacity 2469
Hitch 455
Length 30' 10
Width 8'
Height 10' 3
Fresh Water 41
Waste Water 30
Gray Water 30

I always assume that I will load at least 1000lbs into the trailer and not have any fluids in the holding tanks and that will put you at about 6000lbs more or less of towing weight and that will meet the 80% rule so my opinion is that you will be ok towing this trailer, 13500 GCVWR - 6000 Trailer Weight =s 7500lbs gross for the TV. It sounds good to me,JMHO.

[hankpage]

If your Expedition has 3:73 rear you are well within your tow rating of around 8000 lbs towing a trailer with a GROSS rating of 7450. Your CGVW should be somewhere between 12000 and 14000. Look at the door sticker on your Expedition to find your GVW and deduct the weight of your hitch and tongue. ..... The difference between this and your Curb weight is passengers and cargo you can carry safely. IMHO if you load reasonably you should have no problems if your TV has been maintained properly. JM2¢, Hank

[jerry]

I am pulling bullet 278 with dodge dakota sport plus, 355 gears , trans cooler and heavier sway bars 4 wheel disk brakes, 4.7 engine.
We have not had any problem pulling, spread axles take the sway out, but we do use friction sway control. Bullet pulls easier than our old coachmen 249 qrs.
I just cannot see spending 50,000 on a tv

[jq1031]

Maybe my towing is alot different than some of the posts above. Going to a local CG 40 or 60 miles away from home can be accomplished by almost any TV. My trips usually encompass no less than a thousand miles, often alot more. Being safe in what I do has always been a major concern. Having the right equiptment is part of that concern. Someone posted they could not justify spending $50K on a tow vehicle, I never suggested that! My concern is having the proper & safe vehicle so as not to injure myself & family or cause injury to someone else! I'm sure their are travel trailers out there that could be towed by a three wheel HARLEY, but would you do It??

[chuck&gail]

My 2010 Expedition Limited 4x4 tows our Outback 230RS with no issues at all (except maybe gas mileage stinks). TT is 27' 3" per specs. I use the 10,000# Equal-i-zer hitch. No sway, no problems. Yes Ford has towing package, and 3.73 rear axle.

So, not sure what specs are different, but I'll bet not many.

[THedges]

If you will be towing in areas with mountain grades you might want more motor. I had a 27' Fleetwood that I pulled with a 2000 F350 V10. It did great except on the steep mountain grades.

If you are in flat land country I think you will be fine.

[chas76017]

For comparison I have a 2004 Expedition 4X4 with towing package and 3:73 gears and I tow a Zeppelin 291. When I bought it I had a Reese dual cam setup and towing was unsafe at best, I would call it a nightmare. I parked the trailer after picking it up new and bought a Hensley right away. Now it tows perfectly although I do tend to stay in flatter regions. Now when I pass a semi on a two lane road at 60mph I feel nothing.

I can only speak for the Hensley but if you get one you not regret it.

[The Sod Father]

I pulled a 32' Rockwood 8317SS with my 2010 Expedition EL. I had a 10k/1k Equalizer. Sway was a bit of an issue, but not terribly. I then moved to a 35' Bullet Premier and had sway issues with the Equalizer. And by sway issues, I mean - truck suck. This is when a tractor trailer or a large box truck passes you and causes the trailer to sway the back end of the tow vehicle. Not a happy feeling.

I got fed up with this unhappy feeling and invested in a re-built Hensley Arrow ($2,200). It comes with a lifetime warranty. I installed the Hensley on Thursday night and went campering this weekend. I was driving on the PA Turnpike and NJ Turnpike and had multiple incidents where trucks were flying by on both sides, had a few knuckleheads cut me off, etc. All perfect opportunities for trailer sway. And I had zero problems. No sway at all.