mparker172

This forum has taught me a lot about making sure I get the right vehicle to tow the tt I plan to buy. I am looking at 31 feet models that are around 5,500 pounds dry.

I have a 2012 Ford Expedition (does not have HD tow package) that is an 8 cylinder 5.4 engine. The manual says it is rated to tow 6,000 pounds. When I put the Vin in the Ford Decoder I get:

GCWR of 15,000#
GVWR of 7,300#
Max trailer wt. with WDH 9,200#

Front Curb Weight is 2,772 + Rear CW of 2,777 total 5,549 vehicle weight.
7,300 - 5,549 - 600 (passengers and cargo) = 1,151 payload
1,151/.13 =8,853# for max tt weight (tongue weight consideration)

15,000 - 5,549 -600 = 8,851# max tt weight based on GCWR

My question is how can my calculations be higher than the manual? Payload on side of door indicated 1,650.

Can this vehicle pull 6,000# dry tt with another 600 to 800#s for cargo and fluids? If so should I do something with rear shocks to stiffen them?

I am really confused about the discrepancy in the vin data and the manual.

Thanks in advance for all your comments

Mickey in Macon

massspike

Which site are you using to decode the VIN? (When I use the Ford Decoder it just gives me a range of specifications not the ones for my exact truck.)

mparker172

Hi Massspike,

I am using https://www.f150forum.com/vindecoder.php



.jpg[/IMG]

Here is first page of specs

massspike

I think this should be: (15,000 - 7,300)*1.10 = 8470 >> absolute max. GVWR of the TT. It is the GCWR minus the max weight of your TV with the tongue weight (assumed to be 10% of the TT's GVWR) added back (since it is counted in the TV's payload). If it were me I'd set the max TT GVWR at 15,000-7,300=7,700lbs (and then start worrying about payload).

massspike

That's what I use but you are lucky that the specs (min/max) are the same for all the models -- I get 3 different numbers so I have to use the Ford towing guide.

mparker172

wonder why Vin numbers different from manual? So it could pull 6,800# with no problem? Any suggestions about rear shocks?

rogerroger

This site is wrong. I put my serial number and gave me a 145 in, scab with a 6.5 ft box.......my truck is 163 in wheel base, 8 ft box hdpp..........so many things wrong on that site.....beware.

mparker172

Rogerroger,

Thanks for the response and warning. At this stage I think I might just buy a tent. I have been using the Vin Decode to check on capabilities of used trucks so....I guess this is a waste of time as well.

kbroderick

For decoding VIN info, check out Ford's ETIS site:
http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do (need to select 'vehicle' in the menu and enter a VIN); for late-model vehicles, it's much more detailed than most of the VIN decoders out there.

mparker172

Kbroderick,

Thanks for the help. ETIS info is very detailed.