2018 Ford Expedition Leapfrogs Chevrolet Suburban Towing Ratings
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The 2018 Ford Expedition was revealed as a pretty extensive update to Ford’s full-size SUV. Arguably, General Motors has had the segment locked down with the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban and 2017 GMC Yukon XL. However, Ford is making a case that it builds a better body-on-frame SUV.
Ford Authority reports the 2018 Expedition has the capability to tow up to 9,300 pounds—3,000 pounds more than a regular Chevrolet Suburban and 1,000 pounds greater than a Suburban equipped with the optional trailering package.
Ford cites data stating 50 percent of Expedition owners value towing capability. Furthermore, 15 percent use their Expedition to tow weekly or monthly.
General Motors will likely have an answer to these towing ratings after the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra debut. The full-size trucks make up the foundation for GM’s body-on-frame SUVs, meaning whatever improvements are found in the trucks, will more than likely find their way to the SUVs, too.
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These towing capacity wars are all fine and well, it helps you sell product. But what scares me is, the guy behind the wheel. Is he capable of safely handling all that weight he is towing?
The Expedition really should’ve gotten the F150 front end. I would’ve been just fine with that!
The Silverado should have got the Tahoe front end (minus the Elvis sideburns on the headlights).
I’ll go one further and say the Silverado should have also got the Tahoe’s interior (dash) and the Tahoe’s side sheetmetal design. No gaudy fender bulges, just clean and mean like Chevrolet trucks used to look like.
Had the Silverado had all those things for this generation And the gmt-900’s, the F-150 and Ram sales wouldn’t be near what they are. Chevrolet would have been cleaning house the last 10 years. I truly believe Chevrolet on it’s own would have taken on Ford sales head to head if not surpassed them.
GM sells full size SUVs 5 to 1 to Fords junk. Ford realized they had to do something so they copy the Suburban/Tahoe. Great job Ford, “can’t beat them so copy them!” That should be their new slogan. How effin obvious can they make it? If you’re just looking at their new Expedition from the side, 9 out of 10 people will think it’s a Suburban or Tahoe. Too bad for Ford it looks like $hit from the front. LOL! Not only that, it has their worthless 6 cylinder ecobust.
Exactly and why are GMAuthority editors posting this needless info on here?! FurdAuthority has their own page for those interested in cheap junk.
The full size suvs are a hugely lucrative product and not something that GM needs to give up market share in. I’d be phasing in that 10 speed as soon as possible on these. GMC claims that the majority of buyers in this market like to option them out (think SLT and Denali), so premium stuff is in, and people are willing to pay.
A base Suburban only has a 6300lb tow rating?????? WTF That really stinks!!! Not really hard for anybody to beat that.
A 6 cylinder unibody (with independant rear and coil springs) Honda Ridgeline has a 5000lb tow rating. Toyota Tacoma is 6800lbs and even the colorado is up to 7700lbs.
This is due to gm putting useless 3.08 gears in the standard suburban. This is stupid for everyday driving and capability.
Bob White, that was Ford comment , Everybody knows ,that if you buy that type of vehicle for towing ,you get the HD 8500 towing package , on the Sub . I say they know that or maybe not !!
this is why ford went to aluminum bodies, not better MPG
One reason the suburban need the 6.2
They could put the 6.2 in there tomorrow
How stupid?
That’s the reason I got the gas F250, 70 ft# more torque over old Chevy 6.0. Lower RPM too
Not buying an ecoboost until the long-term reliability under real work loads is established. And the side view really does have cues from the Suburban/Tahoe.
The best thing that GM can do is cure any and all reported vibrations/pressure issues and what they are already doing – provide the 6.2 and 10-speed in more varieties of their GM body-on-frame trucks.
Ford is taking advantage of GM’s decision to monkey with the 2017 Suburban HD (fleet only, bogus tow rating). The Yukon Denali is listed at a max towing of 8,400 lbs with the 6.2 engine. Payload is listed as 1530lbs.
Let’s assume people tow with these SUVs because they need more seating than the trucks provide. When towing with passengers, you often run into the payload limit before reaching the towing limit. We need both numbers listed to make informed decision.
Was very unimpressed with a 2017 rental Ford Expedition with the 3.5 EB and 3.55 rear gears. Unless Ford has a very improved 3.5 for this new 2018 and it loses weight don’t expect that 6 cylinder engine to be very lively with that much weight behind it. It also sucked down gas at the rate of 15.2 MPG or 2 less than a former rental 2017 GMC Yukon with the 5.3 and 6 speed automatic
I have an older Suburban. Towing is not just towing in a straight line!
1. The tow package so we don’t burn up the transmission.
2. The axle ratio of the rear axle – for towing not gasoline mileage alone.
3. The suspension.
4. The braking.
5. The patient ability of the driver to learn and continue to learn towing up and down hills, through curves, in and out of filling stations, and yes…a straight line.