I am new to the forum and honestly am a Cummins guy. After the bailouts, I bought a 2001 Excursion with the V-10. It has just over 100,000 miles on it and runs like a champ. We love it.

I just landed a job in Alaska. I will be pulling a 10,000 lbs of of belongings with me. I have driven the Alcan before. I am considering buying a Mega Cab with the cummins. Last summer when money got tight I sold my 05 Quad.

Trying to be responsible I don't want a big truck payment that will come along with the Dodge. Those who have been using the Excursion for a while, do you think it is a reliable pulling truck to pull the Alcan? Mountains, flats, hills.... The Alcan has it all and is rough on any vehicle.

Thoughts?.....

 

The ex will handle the load and haul nicely. I have not used the V10 except for the F350 work truck though and cannot comment on the hauling aspects. I use WD (weight distribution hitch) when using my 20' trailer on the ex, the seats pull down to make a nice warm sleeping quarters as well. Congrats on the new job and good luck

 

Good luck on the new job.

Don't worry about the v-10 and the hauling. It just may take alight bit more fuel and it loves the revs. Don't be afraid to let it sit at 4K rpm all day.
If you have a bit extra you could always catch the marine highway in Belligham Washington and enjoy the scenery in comfort.

 

where are you moving too? i'm in anchorage.

best thing i'd say to do is change all the fluids, reg maint stuff and hit the road. you should be all set. if your coming in the summer you should be fine gas station wise winter it can be alitle scary.

goodluck with the trip and take pics!

 

if you dump and renew all yoru fluids do it a couple weeks before you leave so you can drive around town and check them a few times to make sure everything went ok with the change.. do not trust a jiffy lube to do it right, unless you want to end up broke down in canada.

 

Nothin wrong with being broke in Canada!

Not worse than in the States, besides maybe having to pay twice as much for parts n things. We don't bite!

We may even invite you into one of our igloos!

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

I would take the ferry, but it is SO expensive! I rode on it once, it was awesome!

I'll be working at the base hospital developing medical training for the military. I was stationed there from 3005-2008 and still have my home in Eagle River. I have been trying to find a way back since I left.

 

Congrats, I would LOVE lo land a job in Alaska so I could move. Good luck on the trip

 

I love our V-10. Gas mileage wont impress you, but overall- what it can do it's worth it. If you want to improve some of it's traits, look at improving her breathing... air in, exhaust out. ( I am in the process of a K&N intake, and a Gibson cat back)

 

[QUOTE=dadsrig;9933228]I am new to the forum and honestly am a Cummins guy. After the bailouts, I bought a 2001 Excursion with the V-10. It has just over 100,000 miles on it and runs like a champ. We love it.

I just landed a job in Alaska. I will be pulling a 10,000 lbs of of belongings with me. I have driven the Alcan before. I am considering buying a Mega Cab with the cummins. Last summer when money got tight I sold my 05 Quad.

Trying to be responsible I don't want a big truck payment that will come along with the Dodge. Those who have been using the Excursion for a while, do you think it is a reliable pulling truck to pull the Alcan? Mountains, flats, hills.... The Alcan has it all and is rough on any vehicle...........





I have made the Alcan Hwy trip twice. Once in a Pinto and once with a 1996 Bronco/Pulling a 9200 #/30 ft. travel trailer. (No problems with either)

I have pulled my current 9200#/33 ft. Travel Trailer with my 2003 Excursion V10 with no problems or concerns. (East to West / North to South).

I would suggest the same as others - change fluids, check tires, brakes,etc.

Also consider Hoses, Serpentine belt and new Greaseable U-Joints. The following link : https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-bearings.html

will show you how to grease the Front Hub Bearings (4x4). I just did mine in preparation for a 6000 mile - two month Camping Trip West.

 

[quote=Richard2212;9946776]if you wait tell the needle bearings fall out then you dont gotta waste yoru time greasing them.

 

haha!

this post made me take a look at the belts on both my daily drivers. i think they are both factory and cracked not terribly but need to be replaced IMO. so i know what im doing this weekend.

 

u aint the only one, i have a new belt here waiting to be installed since last year! im just to lazy to get in done. maybe tomarrow night.

 

before i do another road trip i'm def going to change them...dont need it breaking outta town.

 

[QUOTE=b-uno;9947698]As I mentioned I greased my front Hub Bearing last week. On the left side I pulled the Hub Assembly off the truck to check the Needle Bearings. My Excursion has 73000 miles with about a 100 miles in 4WD. The Needle Bearings looked like new with plenty of fresh Factory grease in them.

If you use the 4WD a lot then the greasing of the Needle bearings may be an issue for you.