Looking at an Excursion for towing
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Looking at an Excursion for towing
I've decided to hit the road and live out of an RV for a while. I'm looking at towing a 30'-ish travel trailer (~9000 lbs) with a diesel Excursion. I plan to do quite a bit of driving and possibly hit all 50 (ok, 49) states. I like the mountains and I'll probably spend a lot of time there. I'd really like a turbo-charged motor so it has enough power to get the job done at higher elevations.
My main concerns are the cost of maintenance and reliability. I don't know whether I should go with a 7.3/4R100 or a 6.0/Torqshift. I know the 7.3 is legendary in terms of high mileage, but I don't know much of anything about the 6.0 or how the two transmissions compare in terms of reliability.
I've seen references to "bullet-proofing" the 6.0 but I don't know what that involves. I've never owned a diesel. I don't mind getting my hands dirty though.
Thanks for any advice.
My main concerns are the cost of maintenance and reliability. I don't know whether I should go with a 7.3/4R100 or a 6.0/Torqshift. I know the 7.3 is legendary in terms of high mileage, but I don't know much of anything about the 6.0 or how the two transmissions compare in terms of reliability.
I've seen references to "bullet-proofing" the 6.0 but I don't know what that involves. I've never owned a diesel. I don't mind getting my hands dirty though.
Thanks for any advice.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
I love my 6.0. I've never driven a 7.3 but there's a reason they replaced it. 6.0 bulletproofing involves EGR delete, head studs, some coolers, and other stuff. Not terribly complicated. My EGR went on my 6.0 unbulletproofed at 220k, and again at 230k. I drove it like i stole it for nearly a decade.
If you go for #50, make sure you roll up the windows first
If you go for #50, make sure you roll up the windows first
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 13
From: ramsey mn
I love my 6.0. I've never driven a 7.3 but there's a reason they replaced it. 6.0 bulletproofing involves EGR delete, head studs, some coolers, and other stuff. Not terribly complicated. My EGR went on my 6.0 unbulletproofed at 220k, and again at 230k. I drove it like i stole it for nearly a decade. If you go for #50, make sure you roll up the windows first
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
From: Hamilton Ontario
7.3 are ballsy but slugs from the line
6.0 are land rockets but not as solid
Ps I'm not saying 6.0 are gutless on the bottom end. Either will pull you around the country
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
They are land rockets. I feel like i'm driving a race truck that does not feel like it's 9000lbs. I've abused it, pulling stumps out of the ground, pushing stumps over, towing excessively heavy trailers. But I maintained it well and don't blame the EGR for popping when it did. I'm surprised the transmission is still shifting smooth as butter.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Siesta Key, FL
Depends on how long you want to shop. There are some bulletproof 6.0 Excursions out there. And if you can find one, that's what I'd go for...or get it done yourself. Once you get rid of the EGR, replace the oil cooler, and some other annoying items it truly is an amazing motor. I've got mine how I want it and love driving it. It definitely "Sounds like a plane...pulls like a train"!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Depends on how long you want to shop. There are some bulletproof 6.0 Excursions out there. And if you can find one, that's what I'd go for...or get it done yourself. Once you get rid of the EGR, replace the oil cooler, and some other annoying items it truly is an amazing motor. I've got mine how I want it and love driving it. It definitely "Sounds like a plane...pulls like a train"!
Sent from my mind thanks to the Internet and an app.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 5
From: chicago northwest suburbs
I know you are thinking you need a diesel, but don`t rule out a V-10! with 4.30 gears the V-10 will haul *** up a mountain with 9k lbs in tow!!! my trailer weighs in at 9200lbs ready to travel. the slowest I have dropped to on any significant grade is 55 mph. I avg. 8.3 mpg on our trip to Myrtle Beach this summer. I`m very happy with the V-10.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: MI
We use our 6.0 Excursion to pull a similar load as what you're planning. The motor has 202K and pulls just as strong through the smokies as it did when I bought it. The transmission is fantastic IMHO. We have had most or all of the common problems with the 6.0 but they're well documented and fixable. This is my first diesel anything and I don't think I'll go back to a gasser. I'm sure the gassers can pull fine but you hardly even know a diesel is working with a heavy load.
Good luck with you're decision and vehicle search. We love our Ex for traveling!
One more thing about the Excursion... in order to tow that weight you'll want a sway bar and RAS or bags at a minimum. A lot of guys are putting v/b springs to better handle heavy loads. Take a look through the forum to get a good feel for the suspension tweaks needed for towing heavy.
Good luck with you're decision and vehicle search. We love our Ex for traveling!
One more thing about the Excursion... in order to tow that weight you'll want a sway bar and RAS or bags at a minimum. A lot of guys are putting v/b springs to better handle heavy loads. Take a look through the forum to get a good feel for the suspension tweaks needed for towing heavy.
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
I bought my '02 Excursion just for towing. I did some research on the 6.0 motor but decided on the 7.3 instead. They both have issues. Oil cooler just went bad and dumped 16 qts of oil into the coolant. Cooler installed cost was around $900. The tranny cooler does need to be upgraded it heats up every time I haul our Toy Hauler through the mountains. Toy hauler loaded is about 14,000 lbs. Engine has 330,000 and is still running strong. Installed a TS performance tuner which brought my mileage from 13 to 16/gal. I was told that "bullet proofing" the 6.0 would cost about $6000.00 but number changes depending who you talk to. Pretty involved process the dealer pulls the cab off the frame to do the service work. Once done the motor is great from what I have heard. I also an '04 stretch limo Excursion with a V10 and it hauls 16 people up the hills of N. Ca no problem just would rather have the torque of the diesel for towing. Don't think you will go wrong with which ever Excursion you choose. They tow great.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
I've thought about a V10 but what about the mileage when it's empty? It still sucks right? From what I understand I can get 17 or 18 empty with a 6.0. Are those numbers realistic?
V10 Excursions are quite a bit cheaper. But I also know that a diesel is going to last far longer than a gas motor. And most of these trucks already have 100k+ on them, if not far more.
What bugs me the most about naturally aspirated motors is the *difference* in power between sea level and 8000 or 9000 feet. You can lose half the horsepower. From what I've read and understood, a turbo diesel just stuffs more air in the intake and bleeds less pressure off the wastegate at higher altitudes, making up for much of the difference. I think I would rather have the same truck at sea level and at 8000 feet. This might sound nit-picky but if you knew my personality and how OCD I can be it would make sense.
V10 Excursions are quite a bit cheaper. But I also know that a diesel is going to last far longer than a gas motor. And most of these trucks already have 100k+ on them, if not far more.
What bugs me the most about naturally aspirated motors is the *difference* in power between sea level and 8000 or 9000 feet. You can lose half the horsepower. From what I've read and understood, a turbo diesel just stuffs more air in the intake and bleeds less pressure off the wastegate at higher altitudes, making up for much of the difference. I think I would rather have the same truck at sea level and at 8000 feet. This might sound nit-picky but if you knew my personality and how OCD I can be it would make sense.
Elder User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 547
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
When we were looking I wanted a diesel too. After realizing that I would have to spend about $7k more to buy a vehicle that had another 100k miles I felt like I could buy a lot of gas. Yes the mileage is not all that great but it will take me a long time to make up for $7,000. Your situation is different especially with the benefits of the turbo and elevation.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, TX
My 6.0, no trailer, fully loaded on the interior posted 24.8 hand calculated summer mileage during a recent road trip, 80% interstate or US Hwy, 15% state hwy, 5% city/rural roads. Stock tune, auto, 4x4, full emissions package still installed.
Last edited by slowlanemcvane; Nov 7, 2014 at 03:44 PM. Reason: Clarity
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Siesta Key, FL
Very realistic...but not in stock form unless you drive like someone's grandmother downhill with a tail-wind. With my EGR delete, CAT delete, SCT tune from Innovative, and the Atlas 40 tune on my FICM from PHP, I can pull 20-21 on the highway at 70 mph. I live in Florida, so the biggest hill I have is at the McDonalds drive-thru. But as a daily driver it it pulls around 19. Which is tough, because at my config the motor is putting out about 405hp and can be so tempting to really romp on it.