Hi everyone,

I currently have a Ram 1500 with the 4.7. The wife drives it around during the day while I'm at work, and it is my truck evenings/weekends and pulling our 7500# TT. Even with the 4.56's on it, it is frustrating to tow the TT, especially in the hills. So we are looking to upgrade. We are a family of 5, and we would like some extra room for possible camping trips with the brats' friends down the road. The Excursion is our main focal point, as I don't really like Suburbans (plus the issues with the cracking hitches). I suggested an E350 to the wife, but she refuses to drive it. lol

So on to my questions. I have done quite a bit of reading on here which has been very helpful so far.

Looking around, I see several that mention they have the tow package, but I see the tiny mirrors on them. Is it possible to have the tow package without tow mirrors? What exactly does the tow package entail (besides the hitch of course)?

I am dead set on a 6.8, as I am looking at 03+, and I don't want to have to worry about the 6.0. Plus most of the daily trips by the wife will be too frequent and short for a diesel IMO. Did the Excursion get the 3V in 2005, or was that only on the F250/F350?

Thanks guys. Taking my time to find a decent one within 200 miles or so, so this may be a relatively long wait...

Jason

 

Ok, did some more reading and found my answer on the tow package...it sounds like there really is no "tow package" as all Excursions come with the capability of towing, but some come with the telescoping mirrors and/or rear anti-sway bar as options.

The odd thing is... while looking for an Excursion, I found one that actually did not have a hitch. I cannot imagine wanting to go thru the hassle of actually removing the hitch, so is it possible it came from the factory without it?

 

Nope. They all came with hitches outta the factory.

Stewart

 

Jason,

sounds like you found the answer on the tow package...you are right on what came with them.

As far as finding an Ex withOUT a rear receiver...that would be highly unlikely from the factory since Ford put that on there as a "blocker-beam" which keeps small ferrin' cars from slipping underneath the rear of the Ex and damaging our non-metal 44 gallon fuel tank! ... so STEER CLEAR of any Ex withOUT a rear receiver!

To answer your remaining question...NO Ex ever got a 3V ANYTHING from the factory in 2004 for the 5.4L or 2005 for the 6.8L...Ford knew they were doing away with the Ex so they didn't bother updating the motor choices to a 3V which also would have included the 5R110 5 Speed Torqshift trans!

As far as a 6.8L moving your 5 member family AND your TT...it will do it with ease...from my experiences...the 6.8L "prefers" 4.30 gears as a final drive (tire size and axle ratio)...but the 3.73's with stock tires does a good job on high wind profile trailers up to about 8000#'s...after that...you may want to look for one with 4.30's...but I towed our previous 7500# TT to and thru the Rockies with my 6.8L and 3.73's and it did just fine...I found that if you lock out OD and simply run in 3rd gear...the 6.8L was much happier in that RPM range...

Hope this helps.

Good luck and hopefully you find a nice Ex for your family.

Joe

 

Thanks for the reply guys.

Joe, thanks for all the info. I had a hunch that was the answer on the engine, unfortunately. My brother used to have a 2001 with the V10 and 3.73 and it towed his 9000# (loaded) TT pretty easily, especially compared to my little truck. I would love to get 4.30's, but were they very common? I think all I have seen so far is 3.73's (or gearing not listed).