Weight Distribution and Brake Controller Recommendation for a 2008 Ford Expedition

Updated 05/16/2016 | Published 05/12/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW

(171)

$856.63

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(2594)

$18.45

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

(1781)

$21.34

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2706)

$137.45

2" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000

(3785)

$16.19

Question:

I am purchasing a 7600 lb GVW of 8600 lb 35 foot travel trailer. I would really like to tow this with an SUV and like the Ford Expedition EL the best. I specifically found a 2008 Expedition EL with a tow capacity of only 6,000 lbs. But, the Max Trailer weight with a WD hitch is 9000 lbs. I cannot find if the towing capacity also increases to 9000 lbs. I would like to use a WD hitch, sway bar, rear axle air bags, and electronic break controller to be as safe as possible. The wheel base is 131 inches, so I do max out the normally accepted recommendation on trailer length. Do you feel this is a safe combination for moderate travel a 1000 mile trip once per year, with several small trips closer to home. Thank you!

asked by: Laura S

Expert Reply:

The 2008 Ford Expedition you mentioned could pretty easily tow the trailer you are buying as long as you do use a weight distribution system. I would recommend a hitch for the Expedition but all of them came with hitches so then for a weight distribution system you would want the part # RP66084 which has a tongue weight range that would work well for your trailer and features the only sway control designed to help fight sway before it starts.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

With a properly rated and installed WD system you would not need suspension enhancement either.

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying and applies a proportionate amount to the trailer brakes.

Then for an install harness all you would need is the part # 3035-P. I attached an install video that shows this harness being used to install a controller in a 2008 Expedition just like yours.

Be sure to obey any and all tow capacity restrictions listed in the owners manual of the vehicle. From the research we did it looks like the tow capacity of the Expedition EL is different if the vehicle has the tow package or not as well.