Jeep Wagoneer vs Expedition for towing MKE17

[sean76]

I am stuck in between getting a Jeep Wagoneer 2023 or Expedition 2023 model for towing a MKE17. Wagoneer says towing up to. 10K lbs, while Expedition is 9300 lbs. However, I am getting tripped at Payload. Wagoneer says the payload is 1450 lbs while Expedition's payload is around 1800 lbs.

We are a family of 3 with a dog that comes to around 850 lbs passenger + cargo weight. Even though Wagoneer has higher towing capacity the payload is making me think twice. Not sure, if I am missing something here especially with MKE17 tongue weight around 750 lbs or so.

I like both Wagoneer and expedition but just want to make the right choice here.

 

[NB Canada]

Towing capacity is meaningless imo. So you can completely forget about it

Payload is what is important. Available payload is simply the gvwr minus the actual weight of the vehicle

You will likely be over on either of them by time you are ready to go camping to be honest

Are you looking at actual payload numbers from the doors or from a book?

 

[sean76]

The payload I mentioned is from the door jam.

 

[BoredWeasel]

I would never buy a wagoneer, have acquaintances who tell of service nightmares and the one gal said hers was at the dealer more than in her garage.

I don't believe either have the payload you need, you should look at at 3/4 ton class truck. It is never a good idea to tow at max capacities.

 

[NB Canada]

I would never buy a wagoneer, have acquaintances who tell of service nightmares and the one gal said hers was at the dealer more than in her garage.

I don't believe either have the payload you need, you should look at at 3/4 ton class truck. It is never a good idea to tow at max capacities.

The majority of the members with 3/4 tons on this forum are at or over capacity

 

[BoredWeasel]

The majority of the members with 3/4 tons on this forum are at or over capacity

true but many/most are hauling 5th wheels not a 20 foot bumper pull.

 

[sean76]

I would never buy a wagoneer, have acquaintances who tell of service nightmares and the one gal said hers was at the dealer more than in her garage.

I don't believe either have the payload you need, you should look at at 3/4 ton class truck. It is never a good idea to tow at max capacities.

How much payload do you think I will need here?

Passengers + Cargo = 850 lbs (this is at the highest limit I can imagine). In normal scenarios it will be around 700 lbs
Tongue Weight of MKE17 = 750 lbs (12% of GVWR 6395 lbs). - This is also at high limit Grand Design Website quotes Hitch/Pin Weight as 480 lbs

So even with High limits that I can imagine, I am getting 850 + 750 = 1650.

Ford expedition says 1800 lbs (payload). Would that not be enough?

 

[NB Canada]

How much payload do you think I will need here?

Passengers + Cargo = 850 lbs (this is at the highest limit I can imagine). In normal scenarios it will be around 700 lbs
Tongue Weight of MKE17 = 750 lbs (12% of GVWR 6395 lbs). - This is also at high limit Grand Design Website quotes Hitch/Pin Weight as 480 lbs

So even with High limits that I can imagine, I am getting 850 + 750 = 1650.

Ford expedition says 1800 lbs (payload). Would that not be enough?

It would haul it fine imo

 

[David and Marla]

Welcome to the forum. We towed a 2022 MKE17 with our 2016 Expedition EL with towing package and equalizer hitch for 12 trips throughout 2022. It’s just the two of us; however our two folding eBikes probably exceed your child and dog. We have a tendency to stay at the load limit of the Expy (NOT RECOMMENDED) and 500 - 700 pounds under the trailer load limit (CAT Scale frequent flyer). The combination provided a safe, comfortable, stable ride on the interstate, two lane roads, hilly roads and through the Blue Ridge “Mountains”. There is plenty of power and the braking was smooth. Crosswind and passing semis were hardly noticeable. On our second trip, an SUV entering the interstate would have sideswiped us if I had not made a sharp lane change; Expy and trailer reacted as a single unit. On another trip, another SUV slammed on his brakes to make a left turn he’d already missed; the Expy antilock brakes and trailer brakes did their job even though we had to pull over on the gravel and pavement shoulder to avoid rear ending the other SUV. Needless to say, we are Expy fans. Of course, we did purchase a first year 1997 Expy, sight unseen and no test drive, upon returning to the US from an overseas assignment. When we donated the vehicle to charity, it registered 326,000 miles which included a transcontinental trip.

We upsized to a 23 LDE in January (additional 6 ft in length and 500 pounds in weight). After six trips, the new truck and trailer combo continue to work very well together. That said, I would add an air bag system if I could (none available for the 2016) and did install Sumo spring donuts to get the rear end almost level with the front end. I also replaced the factory shackles and bolts with MORryde CRE3000 parts (not needed on the 17 MLE). If there was a 3/4 ton version, I would “probably” have bought one of those.

WAY too much information. Send me a PM if you would like more. ;-)

 

[sean76]

Thank you all.

Thanks David and Marla.. that was a lot of confidence boosting information. 326K is mind boggling. Cheers!

 

[Stealth13777]

Either truck can pull a 17MKE. Like you noticed, the wagoneer is heavy, while the aluminum expedition gives you more of a payload buffer.

They have similar wheelbases, both of which work for the 17MKE, but like the earlier poster longer is better if you were considering the el expedition.

You’re doing the right calcs. It may be worth considering the very different personalities of the wagoneer motor versus the expedition. Of course then you also have to decide which motor you’re getting in the wagoneer.

Ignore the tow capacities here. They don’t matter, you’ll never be able to pull an rv at max tow capacity - either truck has plenty of tow. Having not driven the wagoneer, I would probably look at an EL expedition if that’s an option for you. But look at the brand I currently drive…

 

[sean76]

Thanks Stealth. I ended up getting Ford Expedition (not MAX)

 

[Stealth13777]

Thanks Stealth. I ended up getting Ford Expedition (not MAX)

Glad to hear it and glad you’re still around. Hope you enjoy that trailer as much as we enjoyed ours!