Sorry, I know this has probably been asked a million times before but I didnt see the thread yet.

Thinking on getting a 2004 or 2005, primarily as a tow vehicle (not a daily driver) for our travel trailer and car hauler. Maybe 8-12 trips and less than 9K miles a year.

I can't decide??? plusses and minuses both ways, looking to the experts to answer the question....If you had to do it all over again you would....????

Thanks guys!

 

Oh man....

Guys, keep it civil, PERIOD!

Stewart

 

Daily driver with a commute less than 15 miles each way, I would pick a gas. Daily driver longer, I would be tempted by diesel.

How much weight are you wanting to tow? And what part of the country? The diesel will be the winner in this category, but at a steep price premium.

Do you know the downfalls of the 6.0 PSD and what needs to be done to make it reliable (or more so)? When this engine fails, its expensive. A bullet proof will cost $3-6K depending on what you get done and by whom. EGR delete, oil cooler (or Bullet proof diesel oil cooler which moves it from in the valley to an air to oil cooler in front of the other coolers), head studs, new head gaskets, lots of labor involved.

If your towing a trailer that doesnt weight to much, throughout the midwest, I would lean towards the gas. If its a big 30'+ travel trailer that you are going to tow through the Rockies, then I would lean diesel.

The cost per mile might favor the diesel slightly, without included the bulletproof costs. Both sides will steer you towards their side. I would drive both, and see what you like. The 6.0 is going to cost at least a couple grand more than a gas Ex, so keep that in mind. Personally, the diesel aspect is what got me into an Excursion. The only other SUV's offered with them are the older Chevy's with 6.2/6.5 IDI(T) diesel's, and the Jeep Liberty CRD, and if you want to consider it...the Centurion edition Fords (think extended bronco on a larger frame that was offered with both gas and diesel (IDI and PSD)). Didnt want an older Chevy, Jeep Liberty is nice but has tranny problems, Centurion Fords are rare and expensive for what they are.

I think I remained pretty neutral in the above

 

Well I have a 2005 diesel 4x4 EX, (love it) AND I have 2003 F250 4X4 with a V8 gasser. There is no comparison to the experience of driving the 6.0l. The power, sound, vibrations, everything about a diesel is better. My brother has a V10 4x4 excursion and it's treated like a red headed step child just kind of banished to the side yard.

 

The Gas engines will do exactly what the Diesel's will do. Might not be as fast, might not get as good of mileage, but they will all get from point A to B.

Here is a comparison between a V10 and 6.0. Same run (steep 15% grade), same 11,500 trailer.

V10

6.0

Ford new(ish) 6.2 gas

 

Double post*

 

FWIW, I have a 2000 V10 EX, and find the power perfectly acceptable towing our 7000 lb travel trailer, even in the Rockies at fairly high elevation. No doubt a diesel would be even more powerful, but it's not required for what I do. Yes, it likes the dead dinos!

From what I understand, diesels tend to like to be driven and not sit. The V10 doesn't seem to care. Mine sits in the garage for 5 months or so each winter. It's mainly a tow vehicle, though I can't help but drive it just because I like to when it's not in storage.

Cheaper purchase price, simpler maintenance offset the advantages of a diesel.... for ME. YMMV!!

 

This is good stuff guys, currently I have a Ford F150 King ranch (2003). I have had gas all my life except for an old VW Rabbit diesel back in the 80's, and all I remember was that it was a serious pain when I ran out of fuel!
Currently I do all my own gas engine light tune ups and oil changes etc., but diesel is a foreign language to me, completely out of my element.<O</O

Although I have been looking at diesels I just don’t know what to look for, so I think I am leaning back towards a V10 now. I am an IT guy/technician by trade so I could probably figure it out, but if it breaks down on the road and I couldn’t fix it the wife will NEVER let it go!<O></O>
<O
My travel trailer is <7,000 unloaded, I want the Excursion vs a truck for the extra room so we can take longer trips and I can load the trailer up with tanks full (do a lot of boon docking) and not worry about it much.<O</O
<O
So I am still sitting on the fence, wish I knew a good diesel mechanic around the Naperville, IL area, that would probably help a LOT!<O</O

 

I think this is EXACTLY our same game!

 

The diesel just has so many things going agains it right now. Go V10 and smile for 150,000 miles.

 

What about this one??? Ford : Excursion XLT in Ford | eBay Motors

Just kidding BTW

 

And keep a few extra Spark plugs in the glove box to replace the ones that blow out or break off the good old V10.

 

If I spent that much, I would want a 6.4 or 6.7!

 

Ive had both, I would say V10 with 4.30 gears is the mot practical . Diesels do not like sitting and with the 6.0 unless its been treated right by the PO can be a headache. Again V10, 4.30 gears, add a helwig rear sway bar and your ready to tow!

 

for what your doing i'd vote V10 with 4:30s