Hey folks, I’m about to pick up a 4th gen Expedition with the HD towing package. I’ll be towing an 8400lb boat a couple times a month, with some longer trips thrown in (up to 1000 miles). The boat ramps can be slippery, so I’m curious—what aftermarket upgrades are worth it? I’m already maxing out the towing capacity. Also, is there any real advantage of one trim over another? Timberline looks cool, but not sure if it’s actually better for towing.
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I’d actually go with upgraded brake pads and rotors. The factory setup is okay, but for heavy towing, you’ll want better stopping power. Trust me, on a downhill, you’ll appreciate it.
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Timbren suspension upgrades really made a huge difference for me with a heavy camper. Helps reduce sag and keeps the rear end level. Easy install too—took me an hour with basic tools.
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Timberline is mostly aesthetic. It’s cool-looking, but no real benefit for towing. Stick with Limited or Platinum—more practical features.
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And if you’re dealing with slippery ramps, definitely invest in better tires. Some all-terrain tires with good wet traction could be a game-changer. Factory tires just don’t cut it when you’re pulling a big boat.
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I’ve also got a Timberline, and I’ll admit—it’s mostly for looks. If you’re towing that much, I’d say focus more on functional stuff. An upgraded hitch might help too, something beefier than stock.
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Oh man, I do a lot of boat towing. Get a weight distribution hitch. Seriously helps balance the load and improves handling. Also, trailer brakes—don’t forget those if you haven’t already thought of it.
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Those Timbren things sound interesting. Does it really make that much of a difference? I’ve seen mixed reviews online, but for an hour’s worth of work, I might give it a shot.
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@EliteWings Yep, it’s night and day. Before, my rear end would sag a lot, but with the Timbren kit, it stays level. I’m towing about 9,000lbs, so it’s close to your setup. Worth the small investment.
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@4x4Expedition I absolutely agree on the weight distribution hitch. It helped me a ton when towing my camper on long trips. You don’t feel the trailer as much when it’s balanced properly. Feels way safer too.
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@EliteWings 4th gen Expeditions handle towing pretty well, but if you’re on slippery ramps, traction matters more than trim. Timberline might look rugged, but without the right tires, you’ll still be slipping and sliding.
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100% agreed. I went with KO2 tires on my Timberline, and it made difference. The factory ones are… If you’re pulling out a heavy boat, you don’t want to be spinning your wheels.
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It’s like magic when you first use a weight distribution hitch. So much less sway and stress on the suspension. Surprised more people don’t use them for towing big loads.
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I’ll look into that hitch for sure. I can already imagine the difference with sway on the highway. Thanks for all the tips, guys.
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