Excursion towing blues
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Excursion towing blues
I have a 2002 Excursion 2WD 6.8 that gave me some towing problems first time out. At 55-60 on the highway 15 mph crosswind on light rain asphalt trailer started to fishtail.
I have a 26' travel trailer with sway control and brake controller. I have towed this same rig loaded the same way using a 99 F150 2WD and a 2001 GMC 2500 (non HD) 2WD and never had this problem.
The tires are not 10 ply but are brand new cooper discoverer h/t set at 40 psi cold. The back end dropped about 2 - 2.5 inches with the camper on. The tires did not flatten at all that I could see.
The rig is 5200 lbs loaded so it is way under the tow capacity on the Ex.
I have been checking the Interweb and this seems to be a common problem. I have also seen solutions that cost more than I paid for the truck.
I am considering replacing the Ex rear springs with B code F250 springs and a new set of Monroe Gas Magnum shocks. I have also read a great deal about the Hellwig 7643 Anti Sway bar kit and new shocks.
I would like to retain the current ride height.
For my application what advice can you give.
Thanks in advance.
I have a 26' travel trailer with sway control and brake controller. I have towed this same rig loaded the same way using a 99 F150 2WD and a 2001 GMC 2500 (non HD) 2WD and never had this problem.
The tires are not 10 ply but are brand new cooper discoverer h/t set at 40 psi cold. The back end dropped about 2 - 2.5 inches with the camper on. The tires did not flatten at all that I could see.
The rig is 5200 lbs loaded so it is way under the tow capacity on the Ex.
I have been checking the Interweb and this seems to be a common problem. I have also seen solutions that cost more than I paid for the truck.
I am considering replacing the Ex rear springs with B code F250 springs and a new set of Monroe Gas Magnum shocks. I have also read a great deal about the Hellwig 7643 Anti Sway bar kit and new shocks.
I would like to retain the current ride height.
For my application what advice can you give.
Thanks in advance.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
The first thing I would do is shift some weight forward. Where is your fresh water tank? Do you normally tow with it empty or full? If it is behind the axle(s) tow with it empty. If it is forward of the axle(s) fill it up and see what it does for your problem.
Of course, the best thing to do is actually weigh the trailer in camping trim and then weigh the tongue. If the tongue weight is less than 10% (13% preferred) of the total weight then you've identified the problem.
Of course, the best thing to do is actually weigh the trailer in camping trim and then weigh the tongue. If the tongue weight is less than 10% (13% preferred) of the total weight then you've identified the problem.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 543
Likes: 33
From: Extreme NW Ohio
Freshly paved road? Rutted asphalt from heavy truck traffic? Trailer tire pressures correct? What pressure do the Ex tire sidewalls call for? Door jamb sticker tire pressure? I would think that an Excursion should be on LT rated tires that /should/ be inflated to approx. 65lbs for towing. How's the alignment on the Ex? On the trailer? There are a multitude of things that could have caused the sway. You'll have to eliminate them one by one until you find the one that caused the issue.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 24
I think you are marginal at best on load capacity of your tires and 40 PSI is probably not high enough. If your tires are load range D you should be running 65 PSI, if they are load range E which I doubt because you said they are not 10 ply, they should be at 85 PSI. You just don't have a stiff enough sidewall in that tire and if you are not loaded heavily enough on the tongue you will have severe swaying problems. You need to load everything up that you normally pack and go to a scale and get accurate weights. I think the biggest improvement you could make would be load range E tires all the way around.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 695
Likes: 4
I wouldn't even want to run those tires at 40 psi without a trailer on an excursion! You are driving a heavy duty truck with a trailer on the back. GET SOME REAL TIRES! You should be running some 10 ply tires at 80 psi.
That is where I would start if I was in your situation.
Let us know how you come out.
That is where I would start if I was in your situation.
Let us know how you come out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
Get your weights for sure. find a CAT scale near you, spend the ten or twelve bucks, and get your axle weights.
Get Excursion weights without trailer, weights with trailer and no WD bars hooked up, and finally with WD bars adjusted to your "normal" setting.
Post them up if you have troubles figuring out what they mean. Or just search all the threads where folks have mentioned CAT scales, there is some excellent info out there.
Get Excursion weights without trailer, weights with trailer and no WD bars hooked up, and finally with WD bars adjusted to your "normal" setting.
Post them up if you have troubles figuring out what they mean. Or just search all the threads where folks have mentioned CAT scales, there is some excellent info out there.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
I recommend visiting the Excursion forum on here. These guys know the Ex inside and out.
I have the 6.8 2001 Limited 4x4 with BFG KO'S on them tow with 55/65 psi, Bilsteins front and rear, sway bars stock springs I believe. Our trailer has a 6000# GTWR. Equalizer hitch with built in sway. Ours tows perfectly. I'm sure you'll get this figured out.
I have the 6.8 2001 Limited 4x4 with BFG KO'S on them tow with 55/65 psi, Bilsteins front and rear, sway bars stock springs I believe. Our trailer has a 6000# GTWR. Equalizer hitch with built in sway. Ours tows perfectly. I'm sure you'll get this figured out.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,049
Likes: 1,546
From: Media PA
I have a 2002 Excursion 2WD 6.8 that gave me some towing problems first time out. At 55-60 on the highway 15 mph crosswind on light rain asphalt trailer started to fishtail.
When the fishtailing started how did you react to it? The best way to safely stop a trailer sway event (hopefully before the big wreck that's about to happen!) is to manually apply the trailer brakes...HARD while maintaining tow vehicle speed at first, then once the trailer brakes are having some effect start to gradually slow down the TV. Keep the trailer brakes activated until you are almost stopped, then be sure to pull over and stop. Don't continue on your way until you do something to help prevent the event from occurring again. Adjust the hitch, check/reset tire pressure, move trailer contents to redistribute weight....something. A properly setup combo should not experience trailer sway.
I have a 26' travel trailer with sway control and brake controller. I have towed this same rig loaded the same way using a 99 F150 2WD and a 2001 GMC 2500 (non HD) 2WD and never had this problem.
By "sway control" what exactly do you mean? Are you using a weight distribution hitch? Did you perform a complete re-setup of the WD hitch after changing over to the EXcursion as a tow vehicle? If those pickup had a longer wheelbase than the EX that would explain some of the handling differences.
The tires are not 10 ply but are brand new cooper discoverer h/t set at 40 psi cold. The back end dropped about 2 - 2.5 inches with the camper on. The tires did not flatten at all that I could see.
What load range are the tires if not "E", are they "D"? Many EXs came new with 'D" load range tires and they should work OK with the weight of the EX and your middle weight trailer. How did you come to decide to tow with 40PSI cold tire pressures? Are your tires the stock size of 265/75R16 or larger? What does your door jamb sticker recommend for cold tire pressure?
The rig is 5200 lbs loaded so it is way under the tow capacity on the Ex.
Yes, your '02 RWD V-10 EX should be rated to tow 10k if I recall correctly. but that's only going to be comfortable if everything is properly setup and balanced.
I have been checking the Interweb and this seems to be a common problem. I have also seen solutions that cost more than I paid for the truck.
Excursions came with different spring combinations than similarly equipted pickups of the same vintage and sometimes are a challenge to get properly dialed in for tow duty.
I am considering replacing the Ex rear springs with B code F250 springs and a new set of Monroe Gas Magnum shocks. I have also read a great deal about the Hellwig 7643 Anti Sway bar kit and new shocks.
I swapped my Ex stock springs for a set of B codes, but I did mod mine for an additional 4.5" of ride height. New shocks are always good if the old ones are in need of replacement. The Hellwig rear sway bar makes a nice handling improvement on our big wagons, and it may help a little with you towing issues but it shouldn't be "the fix' for them.
I would like to retain the current ride height.
Give this thread a good read, it is from the EX part of the forum here (where there is more info on the EX than anywhere else on the planet), it contains a ton of info on ride height changes from various suspension mods done by EX owners. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...easurents.html
For my application what advice can you give.
My best advice would be to answer up as many of the above questions asked (in all of the posts above, not just mine) so that we can better make recommendations and get some accurate scale weights of your "ready to travel" setup. Once the group here (and over in the Ex forum where you WILL be posting
) have a chance to see all of that new info we can comment on changes that should help you get all sorted out.
Thanks in advance.
When the fishtailing started how did you react to it? The best way to safely stop a trailer sway event (hopefully before the big wreck that's about to happen!) is to manually apply the trailer brakes...HARD while maintaining tow vehicle speed at first, then once the trailer brakes are having some effect start to gradually slow down the TV. Keep the trailer brakes activated until you are almost stopped, then be sure to pull over and stop. Don't continue on your way until you do something to help prevent the event from occurring again. Adjust the hitch, check/reset tire pressure, move trailer contents to redistribute weight....something. A properly setup combo should not experience trailer sway.
I have a 26' travel trailer with sway control and brake controller. I have towed this same rig loaded the same way using a 99 F150 2WD and a 2001 GMC 2500 (non HD) 2WD and never had this problem.
By "sway control" what exactly do you mean? Are you using a weight distribution hitch? Did you perform a complete re-setup of the WD hitch after changing over to the EXcursion as a tow vehicle? If those pickup had a longer wheelbase than the EX that would explain some of the handling differences.
The tires are not 10 ply but are brand new cooper discoverer h/t set at 40 psi cold. The back end dropped about 2 - 2.5 inches with the camper on. The tires did not flatten at all that I could see.
What load range are the tires if not "E", are they "D"? Many EXs came new with 'D" load range tires and they should work OK with the weight of the EX and your middle weight trailer. How did you come to decide to tow with 40PSI cold tire pressures? Are your tires the stock size of 265/75R16 or larger? What does your door jamb sticker recommend for cold tire pressure?
The rig is 5200 lbs loaded so it is way under the tow capacity on the Ex.
Yes, your '02 RWD V-10 EX should be rated to tow 10k if I recall correctly. but that's only going to be comfortable if everything is properly setup and balanced.
I have been checking the Interweb and this seems to be a common problem. I have also seen solutions that cost more than I paid for the truck.
Excursions came with different spring combinations than similarly equipted pickups of the same vintage and sometimes are a challenge to get properly dialed in for tow duty.
I am considering replacing the Ex rear springs with B code F250 springs and a new set of Monroe Gas Magnum shocks. I have also read a great deal about the Hellwig 7643 Anti Sway bar kit and new shocks.
I swapped my Ex stock springs for a set of B codes, but I did mod mine for an additional 4.5" of ride height. New shocks are always good if the old ones are in need of replacement. The Hellwig rear sway bar makes a nice handling improvement on our big wagons, and it may help a little with you towing issues but it shouldn't be "the fix' for them.
I would like to retain the current ride height.
Give this thread a good read, it is from the EX part of the forum here (where there is more info on the EX than anywhere else on the planet), it contains a ton of info on ride height changes from various suspension mods done by EX owners. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...easurents.html
For my application what advice can you give.
My best advice would be to answer up as many of the above questions asked (in all of the posts above, not just mine) so that we can better make recommendations and get some accurate scale weights of your "ready to travel" setup. Once the group here (and over in the Ex forum where you WILL be posting
) have a chance to see all of that new info we can comment on changes that should help you get all sorted out.Thanks in advance.
Have faith, your EX should make a fine tow rig with a little tweeking.
My '05 4X4 V-10 EX serves as our dedicated tow rig for our 41' 11,000lb TT and it is a super capable and comfortable combo that sees 3 to 5,000 miles a year towing all over the Eastern US.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
This right here, is solid gold.
Read and heed.
Reps sent.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dennis Galante
All Things Towing
26
Jun 10, 2018 04:35 PM
rhc43
2007 - 2014 Expedition & Navigator
15
Jun 24, 2008 10:31 AM
the4by4freek
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Jul 29, 2004 08:44 PM