If I had a boat that big I'd get rid of my excursion and put a little side by side on the back of the yacht and live on that.

 

Lived on her for 2 years, it gets small real quick. But it was a lot of fun. The Excursion was purchased as a Land Tender for the yacht, needed something big to haul all the crap that goes along with boating.

 

That sounds like a great plan, Virgin Islands and south would be best for cat charters.

 

C O M P L E T E L Y missing the point!!!

Nevermind...just try to wreck well away from me.

 

Youre completely missing the point... You're telling this guy to guy buy an F-450 that weighs LESS than the excursion to tow his 10,000 lb boat that is well within the limits of the stock truck, cooling system, brakes, hitch, and far far far below the capacity of a 2 5/16" ball mount and ball because of all the "weak links." Are there individual bolts that won't handle a 10,000 lb load on the excursion? Sure. The ones holding in the door handle, for example. But the truck is designed to pull far more than that. You think ford rates them to tow 12,500 lbs because they are gonna fall apart? How many lawsuits do you think they would have if that was the case??

Your argument that because its a lot of weight its too much is just silly and you haven't backed it up with anything.

 

What thread are you reading and responding to? Go back and red the 20 posts above this and find ANYWHERE I said to by a 450.

Guess what - you won't find it because I didn't type it. Stop twisting posts to fit your opinion.

No, YOU are replying to a comment I made ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THREAD because you happen not to agree with it.

If you READ, you will see I agreed with another posters comments that the best thing IN OUR OPINION was to stay within the factory specs. Here, if you didn't take time to READ the post, I'll link back to it:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11288070

I would suggest that YOU actually read a post and reply to the comments on THE THREAD, not commenting on stuff NOT CONTAINED within the thread.

 

It's amazing how a "discussion" like this brings out such a broad range of information/mis-information.

I'm sure there are "EXPERTS" (Whatever definition you choose to use for that term) on this forum that will always dis-agree.

Bottom line is that it is an individual decision as to what you do , the safety risk you are willing to assume, and the potential for mechanical failures you are willing to live with.

I have a Class V hitch that is, in fact, rated for up to 12,500 lbs of combined trailer weight. I have a 2 5/16 ball that is rated more than that as well.

Ford recommendations from the towing tables for 2002 (w/ a 2.73. rear end and 7.3L diesel) indicate a maximum GCWR of 20,000 Lb & a maximum trailer weight of 11,000 ibs.

The EX weighs in at 8,065 lbs WITHOUT the typical gear in the back when we head off for a weekend and only the Driver aboard. So-----

Could I tow a 12,500 trailer - YES.
Would it exceed the Manufacturers Recommendations - YES
Would I exceed GCWR - YES

Would I do it ---- NO WAY. I have too much invested in the Trailer, Vehicle and my family.

BTW - I did the "yacht thing" as well (biggest was a 66,000 lb Kong & Halverson Motor Yacht). Decided it was time to do some land Yachting instead.

Best Wishes for Success and Safe Towing, D

 

Yea...that wasn't me. That was TXSailor:
And from the look of it, I think he has some serious real world experience that backs up not trying to second-guess the engineers.

Lou:
I think TXSailor's advice is dead on and he has the experience to back it up.

 

Don't tow with an excursion; they are inherently unsafe. Spend your time private messaging other forum members to harass them about their opinions on towing.

 

Lou,

You are making a wise decision (as myself and others have stated).

 

Well said.

Guys, agree to disagree, but keep it civil. I've gotten "Report a Post" notifications because of the bickering.

All y'all are adults and can disagree with each other without getting heated.

I'm gonna leave the thread as is, but that's because it has calmed down.

Take it to PM's if you guys wanna argue with each other. And if one guy wants to PM and the other doesn't, just ignore the darn PM!

Lou, you've been presented with good info, and good opinions (right or wrong, it doesn't matter). More than enough to help you make up your mind.

Stewart

 

Yes, very good info. So where do people go to weigh their load? I can estimate based on what my owners manual states as to the boat and trailer and avg weight of people and luggage or gear but would like a way to confirm the load weight. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

We take our FD trailers to the state scales on the highway. For us we just call ahead to make sure what direction scales are open, then call on the cell when we get in line with the rigs. Not sure if non-commercial drivers can get weighed where you are or not...your state's DMV page should give you some direction.

 

Stewart said it well !

 

Just load it up. That's what I do. My old 6.0 ex would pull damn near anything. Had a single wide 60 foot mobile home tide to the back. Wide open throttle for 2 hours 58 mph!!

Unfortunately for the old 6.0 she died with 237,000 miles on her.(bad egr cooler and blown head gaskets)