The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV truck that looks the part. People admire the big family hauler’s settled ride, roomy interior, and cabin design of the Ford Expedition. It is a large three-row SUV in the classic sense of the term.
It has rugged body frame construction, plenty of good clearance, and a four-wheel-drive system to get you where you’re going even if the path ahead is a little rocky.
The feature of interest for anyone reading this article might be that it tows more than a similarly sized crossover SUV.
What is a Tow Package?
A tow package is the complete collection of all the necessary vehicle parts required to tow a load of your own choice safely and reliably.
Simply put, a tow package upgrades the weight rating of the towing vehicle and allows them to tow more weight reliably.
It is common to think of the tow package as nothing more than a trailer hitch, but it is not as simple as that.
There is a lot more that goes into a tow package to ensure that you can safely put the load on your truck without compromising your safety or the condition of your truck.
Also check out: How to tell if F150 has Max Tow Package?
Along with a hitch platform, a tow package for your truck might mean:
- A more powerful engine
- Sturdier transmission and brakes
- A more robust electrical, wiring and cooling system to handle heavy loads
- Upgraded suspension system (i.e., enhanced shock absorbers etc.)
- Upgraded rear-end (differential) gearing for easier towing
It is important to bear in mind that not all of these features will be included in a tow package offered by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
Some may contain only a small proportion of the features mentioned above. The features vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and the type of tow package that has been factory-installed onto your truck.
How to check if Ford Expedition has Heavy Duty Tow Package
The Heavy Duty Tow Package is a standard on the Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum editions of the Ford Expedition.
Following are the features included in this package that can better help you identify the HD Tow Package:
- Comes with a 3.73 electronic limited-slip differential.
- The newer versions of the Ford
- Expedition (2017 onwards) equipped with Heavy Duty Tow Package include both a 4-pin and 7-pin connector. No 7-pin connector means no HD Trailer Tow package.
- Comes with Class-exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
- Includes Integrated Trailer Brake Control
- Two-speed automatic 4WD (four-wheel drive) with neutral towing capability (4×4 only).
These upgraded features can help you identify if your Ford Expedition has a Heavy Duty Tow Package installed or not.
If you’re still unsure, another way might be to look up your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the Ford ETIS website or other websites that contain such data (or consult your dealer) and look over the various specifications to confirm whether your truck comes with a heavy-duty tow package or not.
If you are still unsure, you can watch this short video:
">Reasons to go for a Heavy Duty Tow Package
1. Upgraded Electronic Rear Axle
This addition means that power will be distributed evenly to both rear wheels which improve traction on poor surfaces while simultaneously improving off-road performance when the situation requires it.
This will be the difference maker in your trailer moving or not in sticky roads with mud or snow. The 3.73 axle ratio is designed for better fuel economy and improved torque for towing applications.
2. Integrated Trailer Brake Control (TBC)
The TBC helps make braking with a trailer attached smooth and effective. The Trailer Brake Control automatically applies the trailer brakes when the tow vehicle’s brakes are pressed.
The TBC control is located at the center console and includes a manual slide control lever with a plus-minus gain adjust button that applies the trailer’s electric brakes independently of the tow vehicle.
The adjust buttons control how much or how little power the TBC sends to your trailer brakes and can be monitored through the built-in dashboard.
The simple and intuitive system makes stopping a trailer much simpler and safer. Further improving safety, if at any time you lose an electrical connection to the trailer, you’ll be prompted with a warning message on the dashboard with an audible alert sound.
3. Pro Trailer Backup Assist
The Ford Expedition with a Heavy Duty Tow Package comes with “Pro Trailer Backup Assist”. This feature makes maneuvering a trailer in reverse or launching a boat easy as ever.
Instead of steering a wheel in opposite direction, you can now control the steering of the trailer with a knob. This means whichever direction you want the trailer in reverse to go, just turn the knob in that direction and the system will take control over the steering.
How To Use Expedition Pro Trailer Backup Assist?
To use it, press the center button on the Pro Trailer Assist knob located above the TBC. It will prompt you with the list of available trailers and from there you can select the desired one and control its steering in reverse.
You need to turn the knob with your hands off the steering wheel and control only the accelerator and brakes. Side view mirrors should be used as your primary aid in determining whether you’re steering in the right direction or not.
Once the trailer is moving in your desired direction, release the knob. You may need to make slight adjustments with the knob to keep the trailer moving in the desired direction. The trailer will follow the vehicle’s path as soon as the knob is released or is brought back to the center position.
Conventional tow ratings across the Ford Expedition lineup range from 6,500 to 6,600. Through all these upgraded features, the Ford Expedition equipped with a Heavy Duty Tow Package has an incredible towing capacity of 9,300 lbs.
The four-wheel-drive version of the Expedition with HD Tow Package reduces the towing capacity of the vehicle to about 9,000 lbs.
Conclusion
For active drivers that demand hefty towing capabilities, the Ford Expedition full-size SUV equipped with the Heavy Duty Tow Package offers pick-up like towing capabilities not found on many competitors out there.
It consists of a 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness, Class IV receiver hitch, 3.73 electronically limited slip differential, auxiliary transmission, and engine oil coolers, an integrated trailer brake control (TBC), and Pro Trailer Backup Assist Feature.
What is the Price of Ford Expedition with Heady Duty Tow Package?
The Ford Expedition with heavy-duty tow package starts at $63,345 with the Limited Edition up to the Platinum Max Edition at $76,965.