I thought I read that Ford put a Class IV on the Excursion as part of the standard purchase. Is this correct?

I also found these Class IV specs. Can any of you confirm that these two bullets are accurate?

Up to 10,000lbs weight capacity & 1000lbs tongue weight
Up to 12,000lbs weight distributed & 1,200lbs tongue weight

Thx,
HD

 

Stock on an Excursion 2000-2001My is the Class IV hitch, 2002-2005s have the Class V hitch.

 

Thanks. So if Class IV is standard for the 2000 & 2001 I'm good to go. Mine is also an '01 like your's.

Thx again.

 

The weight carrying capacity is only rated for 5000lbs and 500lbs tongue weight without weight distribution.

 

So you're saying that the Excursion with just a stock hitch receiver (no extra weight distribution kits added) is only rated to pull 5000lbs with a tongue of 500lbs?

My Toyota Sequoia has better numbers than that...how can that be?

 

It's the hitch that's the limiting factor. Unless your Sequia has a 2.5" receiver, I guarantee you it has the same 500/5000 load bearing capacity. 2" chrome ***** with a 1" shank are normally limited to 6k. Weight distribution, 2 5/16" ball, brakes, and sway control all start figuring in at different points after the 5000# trailer weight mark.

 

Heck no. The Sequoia takes a standard 2" reciever.

So I guess, what this means is that the Excursion and receiver are rated at 10,000 lbs but that is with a weight distribution system.

W/O the WD, 5,000 lbs is the recommended maximum for pulling and 500 lbs for tongue.

Thanks guys. I have a much much better understanding of these ratings now.

Much appreciated.
HD

 

There should be a tag permanently mounted to your hitch that tells you all the details. Regardless of the ratings on the hitch, towing a tagalong over 10000# is something that takes more than screwing in a ball and driving, so if this is your plan, you owe it to the other people on the road to keep reading and learn a few more things, mainly WD, brakes, and sway control.

But that's what FTE is here for

Here's the towing forum:
Towing, Trailers & 5th Wheels - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

Here is from a 2005. Even my 2003 Dodge Dually had a 500lb rating.

 

Ok, well I definitely gained some info in this thread. Thanks big time.

By the way, your wives and children are safe - LOL - I'm not towing anything that would exceed my 5,000 lb safe rating

The heaviest payload I've got is my boat trailer and that's somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,500 to 4,000 lbs. But we bought the Ex knowing that a larger boat and/or a travel trailer is probably in the future. Just trying to learn as much as I can about payload and limits before I get the next toys.

Cheers!

 

To be brief...YES withOUT a WD hitch...that is a TRUE statement!!!

The hitch IS the limiting factor.

Notice the tag posted by Red...

There are TWO numbers.

One is called weight CARRYING and that is pure drop the trailer on the ball and go...

The other is called weight DISTRIBUTING and that is with a weight distribuTION hitch...

Most of the receivers on the market are rated like this but there are a few of them out there that can CARRY 1500#'s or MORE of tongue weight withOUT a weight distrubution hitch...while I would like to assume that many of the construction workers hauling heavy construction trailers without a WD hitch have upgraded their hitches on their F250's/350's...sadly they are ignorant to the dangers and are putting those around them in danger too...sadly others "think" that because a RECEIVER is rated at 12,000#'s that they can pull that much with a Ranger or other smaller vehicle...but I digress.

Some of the early Ex's as Toreador points out came with hitches that were rated 1000#'s of tongue weight and 10,000#'s max tow WITH a WD hitch...and based on everything we have been able to locate the limiting factor there over the 1250/12,500# version above are the frame mounting bolts on the reciever...the lighter rated hitches have a 14mm bolt while the heavier ones use an 18mm bolt...scroll down to post #14 of this thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-hardware.html and you will see the DRASTIC difference in the size of these two mounting bolts and understand the rating change!!!

So...I think HD has his answer...that to haul the upper numbers you need a WD hitch...and if you are in the market for a WD hitch...besides the upper end premiums like Hensley, ProPride and Pull-Rite...the only two I would consider for a heavier and longer trailer would be the Equal-I-zer BRAND hitch and the Reese/Drawtite Dual Cam (DC). Both of these hitches not only include WD but also real sway control...for anyone out there using a simple friction bar on a trailer over 25' in length...you should really consider upgrading to one of these two hitches...while both of these hitches sway control also use "friction"...they do it with so much more efficiency it is crazy...those simple friction bars do work and are effective...don't get me wrong...but for heavier and longer trailers...they aren't effective enough under the "wrong" conditions many of us will encounter if you tow long and far enough in your travels...for a few hundred $$$ more...upgrade your hitch to one of the two I mentioned...

And if anyone has any questions on how to properly set up their WD hitch...drop me a PM any time...it isn't hard at all and makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world in how well your Ex or any other vehicle will handle as you tow on the highway.

Okay...sorry to be so long winded....have a great day everyone!

Joe.

 

Thanks to everyone who commented. Staying safe on the road and not endangering other motorists around us should always be #1.

Thank you.
HD

 

I know I am raising this thread from the dead but has anyone used grade 8 18mm bolts from a hardware store with lock washers and nuts vs paying 120 bucks from ford?

 

FOR SURE.... EVERYONE

 

A few things here to help you out.

Metric bolts do not come in grade 8, the metric equivalent would be 12.9

if you go looking for bolts you will want to refer to the thread diameter
Not the head diameter.

Ford bolts are an odd ball with the 18mm head size, most m12 bolts you will run across will have a 19mm head

I think what you are asking about is a M12 -1.5 x ? 12.9 bolt
( m18 bolt would have a 27mm head..... )

Anyhow, I would likely just use a ASE 1/2" grade 8 fine thread bolt as they are easier to procure locally.

My apologies if you are really looking for a M18 bolt for some reason. ( you might try M20 as m18 is not a standard bolt )