Ford Expedition (2018 year). Manual — part 68

Note:

The trailer tongue load

figures into the payload for your
vehicle. Reduce the total payload
by the final trailer tongue weight.

Consult an authorized dealer to
determine the maximum trailer
weight allowed for your vehicle if
you are not sure.

Maximum Trailer

Weight

Maximum GCWR

Towing

Package

Vehicle Type

6,000 lb (2,722 kg)

12,000 lb

(5,443 kg)

Standard

Short Wheel

Base 4x2

6,000 lb (2,722 kg)

12,300 lb

(5,579 kg)

Short Wheel

Base 4x4

6,300 lb

(2,858 kg)

12,500 lb

(5,670 kg)

Long Wheel

Base 4x2

6,000 lb (2,722 kg)

12,400 lb

(5,625 kg)

Long Wheel

Base 4x4

9,200 lb (4,173 kg)

15,300 lb

(6,940 kg)

Optional

Heavy Duty

with 50%

Load Distrib-

uting (FALR)

Short Wheel

Base 4x2

9,200 lb (4,173 kg)

15,500 lb

(7,031 kg)

Short Wheel

Base 4x4

9,000 lb

(4,082 kg)

15,200 lb

(6,895 kg)

Long Wheel

Base 4x2

9,000 lb

(4,082 kg)

15,500 lb

(7,031 kg)

Long Wheel

Base 4x4

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•

Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).

•

Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.

•

See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.

•

Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.

•

If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.

For load specification terms found on the
tire label and Safety Compliance label and
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load, See Load Limit (page 257).

Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.

Trailer Towing Connector
(Vehicles with a Trailer Towing
Package and 7–Pin Connector)

E163167

When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions. Some seven-position
connectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,
which confirms that it is the proper wiring
connector and works correctly with your
vehicle.

Function

Color

Left direction indicator and
stop lamp

Yellow

Ground (-)

White

Electric brakes

Blue

Right direction indicator and
stop lamp

Green

Battery (+)

Orange

Running lights

Brown

Reverse lights

Grey

Hitches

WARNING

Do not cut, drill, weld or modify the
trailer hitch. Modifying the trailer
hitch could reduce the hitch rating.

Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.

Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.

Integrated Hitch Rating

WARNING

Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight
exceeds the limit of your vehicle and

could result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural damage,
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and
personal injury.

The standard integrated hitch has two
ratings depending on mode of operation:
•

Weight-carrying mode requires a draw
bar and hitch ball. The draw bar
supports all the vertical tongue load of
the trailer.

•

Weight-distributing mode requires an
aftermarket weight-distributing
system, which includes draw bar, hitch
ball, spring bars and snap-up brackets.
This system distributes the vertical
tongue load of the trailer between the
truck and the trailer.

Maximum Tongue Weight

Maximum Trailer Weight

Mode

600 lb (272 kg)

6,000 lb (2,721 kg)

Weight carrying

920 lb (417 kg)

9,200 lb (4,173 kg)

Weight distributing

Note:

These are hitch ratings only. Actual

vehicle ratings are dependent on engine,
transmission and axle combinations.

Weight-distributing Hitch - Vehicles
without Automatic Leveling
Suspension

WARNING

Do not adjust the spring bars so that
your vehicle's rear bumper is higher
than before attaching the trailer.

Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause
unpredictable handling, and could result
in serious personal injury.

When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:

1.

Park the loaded vehicle, without the
trailer, on a level surface.

2. Measure the height to the top of your

vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.

3. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle

without the weight-distributing bars
connected.

4. Measure the height to the top of your

vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.

5. Install and adjust the tension in the

weight-distributing bars so that the
height of your vehicle's front wheel
opening on the fender is approximately
half the way down from H2, toward H1.

6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly

nose down toward your vehicle. If not,
adjust the ball height accordingly and
repeat steps 2-6.

When the trailer is level or slightly nose
down toward the vehicle:
•

Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.

•

Check that the trailer tongue securely
attaches and locks onto the hitch.

•

Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer
brake controls as required by law or the
trailer manufacturer.

Weight-distributing Hitch - Vehicles
with Automatic Leveling Suspension

WARNING

Do not adjust the spring bars so that
your vehicle's rear bumper is higher
than before attaching the trailer.

Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause
unpredictable handling, and could result
in serious personal injury.

Note:

If you do not move the loaded vehicle

for approximately 12 hours, the leveling
system may bleed down to a lower height.
This can be especially apparent if you leave
a trailer attached to the parked vehicle for
long periods. You must drive your vehicle in
order to re-level the suspension.

When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:

1.

Load the interior of the vehicle to a
weight similar to that which you intend
to carry when towing. This includes
things such as passenger weight and
cargo.

2. Drive the vehicle for approximately 2 mi

(3 km) to re-level the suspension.

3. Park the loaded vehicle, without the

trailer, on a level surface.

4. Measure the height to the top of your

vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.

5. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle

without the weight-distributing bars
connected.

6. Make sure you securely attach and lock

the trailer tongue to the hitch.

7.

Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer
brake controls as required by law or the
trailer manufacturer.

8. Drive the vehicle and trailer at

20–25 mph (32–40 km/h) for
approximately 2 mi (3 km) to re-level
the suspension.

9. Park your vehicle and trailer on a level

surface.

10.

Measure the height to the top of your
vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.

11.

Install and adjust the tension in the
weight-distributing bars so that the
height of your vehicle's front wheel
opening on the fender is
approximately half the way down
from H2, toward H1.

12.

Check that the trailer is level or
slightly nose down toward your
vehicle. If not, remove the trailer,
adjust the ball height accordingly and
repeat steps 5-11.

When the trailer is level or slightly nose
down toward the vehicle:
•

Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.

•

Check that the trailer tongue securely
attaches and locks onto the hitch.

•

Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer
brake controls as required by law or the
trailer manufacturer.

Safety Chains

Note:

Do not attach safety chains to the

bumper.

Always connect the safety chains to the
frame or hook retainers of your vehicle
hitch.

To connect the safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning tight corners. Do
not allow the chains to drag on the ground.