Tow rating change?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
Tow rating change?
I have a simple yet maybe complex question. By switching out the shocks and springs in my Ex have I as well changed the towing rating to something beyond the 10,000 lbs that Ford says our trucks have or are we simply limited by the hitch on our system. I would think that the hitch on our trucks only speaks towards the tongue weight of the trailer and the towing rating of the truck is changed by the suspension system but since I dont have my engineering degree, I welcome anyone that knows better than I. Thanks guys.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mount Royal, NJ
The shocks, brakes, and springs were the same throughout all model years. The real issue is the hitch and rearmost frame.
Through the work of various people here, it was found that the earlier hitches used smaller bolts to hold them on the frame. If I remember correctly, the Bolt holes in the frame were smaller in the early years also.
So, the only thing that we can determine is that it was basiclly a hitch and bolt change.
Through the work of various people here, it was found that the earlier hitches used smaller bolts to hold them on the frame. If I remember correctly, the Bolt holes in the frame were smaller in the early years also.
So, the only thing that we can determine is that it was basiclly a hitch and bolt change.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
The shocks, brakes, and springs were the same throughout all model years. The real issue is the hitch and rearmost frame.
Through the work of various people here, it was found that the earlier hitches used smaller bolts to hold them on the frame. If I remember correctly, the Bolt holes in the frame were smaller in the early years also.
So, the only thing that we can determine is that it was basiclly a hitch and bolt change.
Through the work of various people here, it was found that the earlier hitches used smaller bolts to hold them on the frame. If I remember correctly, the Bolt holes in the frame were smaller in the early years also.
So, the only thing that we can determine is that it was basiclly a hitch and bolt change.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2012
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So, same question for the later years with beefier hitch and hitch bolts: If you upgrade springs and shocks, do you in theory increase your safe towing limit? Or was the hitch or wheelbase still the limiter? The F-250's of the same year had tow ratings of 12,500 to 15,000 (for same rear ratios, so I assume that difference was springs and suspension) and the Excursion was at 11,000.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Ohio
Nothing you do will raise the actual tow rating. The rating comes from the manufacturer and it is what it is. How they come up with the rating is based on probably hundreds of factors, one of which is surely warranty concerns. (Moot point for an Excursion of course)
That said, upgrades like springs, shocks, bolts, airbags, etc may raise the capability, and therefore increase your comfort level when towing. Technically speaking however, you are still RATED at 10K.
For instance, the rear axle itself is rated at 7K. But the GAWR of an EX is only 5250. What Ford did with the other 1750 lbs you'd have to ask an engineer, but I would say it all has to do with the rest of the system working together. No doubt that's true of many other parts in the system. Hard (impossible?) to say for us amatuer engineers what the weakest link in the system is.
That said, upgrades like springs, shocks, bolts, airbags, etc may raise the capability, and therefore increase your comfort level when towing. Technically speaking however, you are still RATED at 10K.
For instance, the rear axle itself is rated at 7K. But the GAWR of an EX is only 5250. What Ford did with the other 1750 lbs you'd have to ask an engineer, but I would say it all has to do with the rest of the system working together. No doubt that's true of many other parts in the system. Hard (impossible?) to say for us amatuer engineers what the weakest link in the system is.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
Well then I guess I'm not going for the super nice trailer I was looking at. GVWR on it was around 10.2K. I will now put more energy into the one thats around 9K. Anyone out there say go for it with the 10.2K one?
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From: Morgantown, WV
Look at the body builder specs in the revised tech folder that TrdLtly keeps bumping. (You're welcome for the plug.) It gives more detail about various components. Even though the hitch is rated at 10,000 or 12,500 pounds, the GCWR and GVWR actually allow less than 10,000 in some cases. (the V10 4x4 with the more common 3.73 for example)
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Logistics Pro
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From: Ohio
Really have to look at all the different weight ratings, just picking one and being under it doesn't always tell the whole story.
I just had mine weighed 3 weeks ago with the trailer, 3 people, full tank of gas, and whatever misc junk in the back. Came to 8580, only 300 lbs under max GVWR . That's towing a trailer that's only 6800 lbs.
At 14,400 total, it's still 3600 under the GCWR limit. Also 3200 under the max trailer weight.
A 10k travel trailer should have a tongue weight of at least 1300 lbs, about 400 more than mine. 1300 is also over the receiver rating. A 7.3 drivetrain with 4X4 is 900 lbs heavier than my 4X2 V-10. GVWR is 300 more on the 7.3, but as you can see that will put you over by around 700 lbs. Toss in a couple more people, and you'll be 1000+ over GVWR.
So you can see the big limiter is the GVWR of the truck. I am sure many people are routinely over that with little or no issues. I would personally try to avoid going over too far if I could help it. Sure, the truck will pull it, but it's surely pushing a safe limit
I just had mine weighed 3 weeks ago with the trailer, 3 people, full tank of gas, and whatever misc junk in the back. Came to 8580, only 300 lbs under max GVWR . That's towing a trailer that's only 6800 lbs.
At 14,400 total, it's still 3600 under the GCWR limit. Also 3200 under the max trailer weight.
A 10k travel trailer should have a tongue weight of at least 1300 lbs, about 400 more than mine. 1300 is also over the receiver rating. A 7.3 drivetrain with 4X4 is 900 lbs heavier than my 4X2 V-10. GVWR is 300 more on the 7.3, but as you can see that will put you over by around 700 lbs. Toss in a couple more people, and you'll be 1000+ over GVWR.
So you can see the big limiter is the GVWR of the truck. I am sure many people are routinely over that with little or no issues. I would personally try to avoid going over too far if I could help it. Sure, the truck will pull it, but it's surely pushing a safe limit
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Princeton, MN
Nothing you do will raise the actual tow rating. The rating comes from the manufacturer and it is what it is. How they come up with the rating is based on probably hundreds of factors, one of which is surely warranty concerns. (Moot point for an Excursion of course)
That said, upgrades like springs, shocks, bolts, airbags, etc may raise the capability, and therefore increase your comfort level when towing. Technically speaking however, you are still RATED at 10K.
For instance, the rear axle itself is rated at 7K. But the GAWR of an EX is only 5250. What Ford did with the other 1750 lbs you'd have to ask an engineer, but I would say it all has to do with the rest of the system working together. No doubt that's true of many other parts in the system. Hard (impossible?) to say for us amatuer engineers what the weakest link in the system is.
That said, upgrades like springs, shocks, bolts, airbags, etc may raise the capability, and therefore increase your comfort level when towing. Technically speaking however, you are still RATED at 10K.
For instance, the rear axle itself is rated at 7K. But the GAWR of an EX is only 5250. What Ford did with the other 1750 lbs you'd have to ask an engineer, but I would say it all has to do with the rest of the system working together. No doubt that's true of many other parts in the system. Hard (impossible?) to say for us amatuer engineers what the weakest link in the system is.
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From: Ohio
Not so sure anyone could give you a definitive answer on that mrad. Seems like the axle itself should hold up fine strictly based on that parts rating. How that extra weight affects the handling and the overall pakage is anyone's guess.
Does it make it any less safe? Beats me, but my gut feeling is it must degrade the safety some and probably wear things out faster. Enough to truly worry about? Up to you. I know, cop out answer.
Anytime we go over any rating we should be aware and concerned. Doesn't mean it can't safely be done, nor can anyone guarantee it's perfectly fine either.
It's all such a gray area trying to account for tons of variables. Take the speed limit for example. Let's say it's set at 75 for all vehicles and drivers. That would include a brand new Ferrari vs a 30 yr old tractor trailer loaded to 80K. Or the teen who just got their license vs Jimmy Johnson. Someone decided that 75 is safe enough for all, yet all things are hardly equal.
Does it make it any less safe? Beats me, but my gut feeling is it must degrade the safety some and probably wear things out faster. Enough to truly worry about? Up to you. I know, cop out answer.
Anytime we go over any rating we should be aware and concerned. Doesn't mean it can't safely be done, nor can anyone guarantee it's perfectly fine either. It's all such a gray area trying to account for tons of variables. Take the speed limit for example. Let's say it's set at 75 for all vehicles and drivers. That would include a brand new Ferrari vs a 30 yr old tractor trailer loaded to 80K. Or the teen who just got their license vs Jimmy Johnson. Someone decided that 75 is safe enough for all, yet all things are hardly equal.
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Senior User
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
It's all such a gray area trying to account for tons of variables. Take the speed limit for example. Let's say it's set at 75 for all vehicles and drivers. That would include a brand new Ferrari vs a 30 yr old tractor trailer loaded to 80K. Or the teen who just got their license vs Jimmy Johnson. Someone decided that 75 is safe enough for all, yet all things are hardly equal.
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