Posted 2010-10-02 1:03 PM (#125397) Subject: 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive expedition for BP 2-3 horse trailer?
Member
Posts: 30
I am looking at used Ford Expeditions for pulling a 2-3 horse bumper pull. It appears that 2 wheel and 4x4 can pull about the same towing weight.
I haul horses very little and almost exclusively on paved road (live on gravel road tho) I live in MN so snow, ice and "black ice" is an issue so I have always driven 4x4 Explorer as my own transportation. As I move up in size to Expedition (for hauling purposes) there is quite a price difference in 2 wheel versus 4 wheel drive.
What are the pros and cons of 2 wheel versus 4 wheel drive generally, but especially regarding hauling horses? In an emergency I may need to haul in bad winter weather to get to equine hospital facility.
Posted 2010-10-02 5:50 PM (#125401 - in reply to #125397) Subject: RE: 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive expedition for BP 2-3 horse trailer?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I live in the North Eastern part of the states and we have four seasons. All of our tow vehicles have been four wheel drive, and we use this feature many times each year. We are not "off roaders", but often have to go into grass fields, mud, snow, sand and soft footing.
We had an Expedition for a few years and pulled a three horse trailer, along with various boat and utility trailers. Without the 4 wheel drive, it would have been worthless on anything except the open road.
We are a show/trail family and frequently are around others who enjoy the same hobbies. Several of them are two wheel drive owners, and even worse, two wheel drive duallys. While hooked up to our trailer, I have pulled several of their rigs over wet grass and show ground fields, to the nearest roads. One dually had to stop on a hill at a light when it was raining, and could not restart without spinng its tires. The horses had to be unloaded and walked up the hill for reloading, before the rig could be moved.
You will pay more for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. You will enjoy it more, be less frustrated while you own it, and when you sell it, you will realize part of your investimate with a higher sales price.
If you're going to pull in less than ideal conditions, don't consider anything other than a 4 wheel drive vehicle.
Posted 2010-10-02 6:14 PM (#125403 - in reply to #125397) Subject: RE: 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive expedition for BP 2-3 horse trailer?
Member
Posts: 30
Thank you Gard and KentuckyRain, I appreciate your advice. I will definitely go with the 4WD. Scary about the 2WD scenarios, Gard. KentuckyRain, all the Expeditions I have looked at are V8, 5.4L, so I think I am good. I am also getting the heavy duty tow package as they have medium and heavy. Only with the heavy duty tow package do you get the upgraded radiator cooling and braking power. You also get a 7 pin wiring to support the horse trailer brake hook-up. Thanks again to you both and any other advice is welcomed. PS Gard, I am getting more knowledgable and am glad you set me straight last month about the inadvisability of considering hauling with an Explorer. Thanks again to HorseTrailerWorld folks like you who are there to help us make good decisions!
Posted 2010-10-03 9:39 AM (#125419 - in reply to #125397) Subject: RE: 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive expedition for BP 2-3 horse trailer?
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
All our vehicles that tow are 4WD... it is not because we are "mudders" and want to get in bad spots, just the added weight in the front end and the added traction when having to go with very little notice for Mounted search/rescue. Grew up towing with 2WD and made it, but can't believe what an asset the 4WD can be, even just on soft shoulder or wet grass.........living where you do, I would certainly get the 4WD if possible. Good luck in your vehicle purchase!
Posted 2010-10-03 12:37 PM (#125422 - in reply to #125397) Subject: RE: 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive expedition for BP 2-3 horse trailer?
Member
Posts: 30
Am I ever glad I found you folks! Am getting ready to buy a used Expedition if the deal is right in the next week. Your experiences are so helpful.
Gard, unfortunately I have to buy used, but if I get the used Expedition (circa 2006-2008) with the factory heavy towing package it is supposed to have:
a) heavy duty V-5 rated Class IV trailer hitch with weight distribution capability
b) heavy-duty radiator
c) heavy-duty auxiliary transmission fluid cooler
d) hitch mounted 4 and 7 pin trailer electrics connector
e) factory prewiring for electronic trailer brake controller module (under the driver side dash)
I am getting this stuff from Wikipedia but I think that is a good source. For those of you able to order from the factory this might be helpful to know what to order.
Gard, I am assuming if you get the factory heavy duty tow package that includes the hitch arranged so you can get to the spare? But if I can't get exactly what I need and have to mount a new hitch to the frame and add wiring, it is so VERY helpful to know to tell them NOT to obstruct the spare. You are tops, Gard!
PS It would be a dream if I could find The Expedition with the heavy tow package and also with the optional adaptive electronically controlled pneumatic suspension system with self-leveling, payload leveling and trailer load-leveling capability. It also has sensors on the left and right sides of the SUV to monitor and compensate for load listing to keep running straight and level while towing. (Although I worry if this part broke that you may have more difficulty than without this, but perhaps it just reverts back to standard operation.) Again, those that can afford to order new, this might be a good feature.
2 wheel or 4 wheel drive expedition for BP 2-3 horse trailer?
