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I research the junk out of decisions that I make, so I've read A LOT, talked to people, and am currently at one of those places I feel more lost than before because of all the information swirling around my head. Background/current situation: I've got a 2010 Ford Expedition EL 4x4. I had to dump my F150 with the front bench when my wife tricked me into a 5th kid (another story for another time). Its the vehicle I drive and she has a minivan. We had a tent trailer, but "upgraded" (questionable at this point) to a travel trailer. I can't remember exact specs, but dry weight is under 6000 lbs. My expedition has all the changes that make it the "heavy duty" tow package, so should be able to tow about 9k lbs. I live in southern utah and made a 5 hour drive up north to pick up the trailer. There are several significant passes and coming back, it seemed to tow pretty decent. I was flying down the highway because I had to get back for something urgent and was doing 70+ most of the way. Even up the passes the expy easily kept it over 60 mph. I had a heavy duty radiator and transmission cooler to make towing softer and (to me) ever since, it hasn't towed up hills the same. Power is largely lacking. Pedal to the floor and cant get above 50-55 mph. Towed the trailer to California last summer to camp at the beach for a week and it took an extra 3-4 hours. I was white knuckled the whole way because we were getting blown all over. It was a nightmare. I wanted to leave the trailer in California. I started looking at suburban diesel conversions because in my mind an excursion was too old, not made anymore, so would be a problem to repair. Diesel conversion are just too much money, risk that they were done right, etc.
I have a neighbor who loves cars, sells luxury cars, and has a nice jacked up f250. It talking to him he told me he's owned 3 excursions and his family have owned another 2, so he is a fan. Explained to me that they are built on the F250 frame and lots of parts are cross-over until you get behind the second row of seating. I started looking into an excursion. Based on his recommendations and what I had read, I've been looking for a 6.0 that was bulletproofed. What I've found is either too many miles or too much money (either high price and no bulletproofing or even high price with it done). I drive mostly around town and tow a handful of times from spring to fall to camp so I've thought maybe I just suck it up and keep the expedition. Talked to a guy yesterday that suggested I look at a v10. Since then, I've spent a lot of hours reading forums and such online. Most of the "should I get a v10 or 6.0L" threads are years old. I've seen a couple posting that are more recent, but I decided to post this to get a more fresh perspective...something more current than a thread from 2013 or 2010. I recognize I probably don't need a diesel. I've leaned that way for longevity and ease of towing my load (tt under 6k lbs dry, family of 7 and gear). I figured a v10 engine doesn't have a chance to last the life of a well maintained diesel. I see the fuel economy of the v10 and my heart sinks. I don't drive a lot of miles...maybe 9k-10k a year? We try to take trips that don't require towing in our minivan for fuel economy, but I like having a 4x4 to travel up north in the winter when snow may be an issue.
For all of you out there -- because its safe to say you all have more experience with this vehicle than I do...what are your thoughts now that we are in 2018? I was looking at listings and I was surprised that a lot of the v10s are only a few thousand less to the same or more than some of the 6.0L listings I've seen. If I could save $10k, that would probably be an easier decision. With how old these are now and what's out there, based on my mostly around town driving and occasional towing, should I be more open to the v10? should I just keep my expedition and know when I tow its not going to be awesome? Should I keep looking for a 6.0L because the fuel economy and potential longevity is worth the added upfront cost and ownership (maintenance) costs? Diesel fuel here is more than the cheap gas. Its usually the cost of premium or a little over premium fuel here. I guess I'm also curious, I know sitting isn't great for a diesel, but what would it do for the v10? If I found a v10 at a fair price and got it just to mainly tow with and with the savings bought a more fuel efficient vehicle to drive around town, would that be a good idea and just use a v10 as a tow vehicle, or is that bad because I'd end up putting a bunch of money into it for issues that might arise by having it sit?
Are there any other questions or factors I should be thinking about?
Thanks to all ahead of time. As I've been researching, this has been my top pic forum and you all seem like an awesome community to be a part of.
If you pull any TT with any Tow Vehicle above 60 - 65 MPH you are a menace on the road. Not only unsafe - most ST Tires are speed limited to 60 - 65 MPH. No USA State allows more than 65 MPH. http://www.doityourselfrv.com/state-towing-speeds/
I hope you find a nice tow vehicle that helps with the hills. A V10 6.8 L handles my 9600# 33.5 foot TT just fine.
With larger TT's 8000#+ nothing pulls like a Diesel. Good Luck.
2003 EX 6.8 L 3.73 and 2002 Montana Mountaineer 33.5' with a Pullrite Hitch.
If you pull any TT with any Tow Vehicle above 60 - 65 MPH you are a menace on the road. Not only unsafe - most ST Tires are speed limited to 60 - 65 MPH.
I hope you find a nice tow vehicle that helps with the hills. A V10 6.8 L handles my 9600# 33.5 foot TT just fine.
With larger TT's 8000#+ nothing pulls like a Diesel. Good Luck.
2003 EX 6.8 L 3.73 and 2002 Montana Mountaineer 33.5' with a Pullrite Hitch.
If you are towing that slow on interstate where people are going 75-80 you are causing a hazard.
One thing nobody has discussed is buying a clean v10 6.8 or 5.4 v8 Ex with a toasted motor (frankly quite a few out there), and doing a Cummins conversion.
Don't hate on me, but reliability wise if the conversion is done right it's another option.
I also just saw a very nice 6.o_OH! on Facebook of all places in Texas with a newer front clip and a lot of upgrades. Not sure if they originally branded the title but have a look.
If you are towing that slow on interstate where people are going 75-80 you are causing a hazard.
Nah, not at all.
Towing in California means a driver is limited to 55MPH on freeways and Interstates. Freeways and Interstates that have a max speed of 70 and 75 in places for vehicles not towing.
Drive on I5 with a trailer and obey the speed limit and you'll be passed by cars doing 75-80 all day.
Worth a call! I have seen these two on there for a while. I thought about buying the first one just for parts and selling the motor...
V10 with 3500 miles on new motor CHEAP! 2000 Ford Excursion - V10, 4x4 - 2CoolFishing
If you are towing that slow on interstate where people are going 75-80 you are causing a hazard.
"Special Trailer (ST) Tire Speed Ratings. Industry standards dictate tires with the ST designation are speed rated to 65 MPH (104 km/h) under normal inflation and load conditions."
Above that speed you are a menace to yourself, your passengers and the other drivers on the road.
"Special Trailer (ST) Tire Speed Ratings. Industry standards dictate tires with the ST designation are speed rated to 65 MPH (104 km/h) under normal inflation and load conditions."
Above that speed you are a menace to yourself, your passengers and the other drivers on the road.
My 16" all steel Load Range G 14 Ply Rating ST tires are speed rated L for 75 MPH also, I respect but don't totally agree with your opinion about all towing over 65 MPH being a menace, some driver present a greater menace at only 25 MPH. . What would make 65 the magic number? In the past obviously the max speed rating of the older (and still current bulk of China Bombs) would set that as the top towing speed but now......?
"Special Trailer (ST) Tire Speed Ratings. Industry standards dictate tires with the ST designation are speed rated to 65 MPH (104 km/h) under normal inflation and load conditions."
Above that speed you are a menace to yourself, your passengers and the other drivers on the road.
I started another post on this but it seems the conversation is going to continue here.
Florida Trailer Speed Limit Laws
Unless otherwise posted, 30 mph in business and residential districts, and 55 mph at any time at all other locations. Turnpike and other designated highways 65 mph, except where posted 70 mph (minimum speed 50 mph). Different states have different laws. In Fla and Ga, trailers are allowed to go as fast (speed limit) as normal traffic. Your statement is not correct and/or outdated.
I'll play,
I have a 2005 6.0 with 151k. Stock engine with an edge chip, 4" exhaust.
I've had 2 other 6.0 Excursions and 1 7.3.
I've owned this black one for 47k over nearly 4 years. My prior one I spent 3 months finding the lowest mileage, cleanest EX I could find, bought it and totalled it 200 miles later...that one doesn't count. Then I found this black one.
A couple years ago we bought a second 6.0 a Red 2004. It was mint and had 195k. I checked the oil / water temp deltas and had an oem oil cooler done and an Egr delete, surfaced 1 manifold before we drive it. That cost 1700.
That was bone stock with 265 tires on it. I realized how much better it towed my 6500# trailer than my lifted black 05 did. My black one has 35" tires. We sold the red 04 after about a year.
Since then towing was done with my 05. We since moved to a heavier 28' enclosed trailer for 2 sxs and it's
9500 loaded. We live in a valley so when we go to ride we hit good hills.
After getting tired of not getting into OD unless I'm doing 70 or so, I made the jump to 4.30 gears.
It gives me an effective ration of 3.93 or so if I had stock tires. It's a new animal.
SO
My end point is if you plan on doing big tires and even a small or medium lift your mileage will take a hit and gearing will help the powe but not a lot on mileage.
I have done nothing to this 05 6.0 and I daily drive it.....3 miles to work in town or tow heavy with it. And it's chipped.
I'll take my chances on it and have more power and a better towing Trans than the 7.3 counterpart.
NOW,
After owning a gasser v10 35' Class A weighing around 19k plus towing...the v10 did great and shifted great with the 5 star Tuning tuner. If I had to buy another EX I would not balk at a v10 for power wise.
In the end adding big tires and a lift killed mileage in the 2 lifted EX's I've had. You will not come out ahead money wise with a diesel. They cost more up front, more to maintain, and more to repair, and the mileage will not make up for it, at all.
Buy a diesel if you want one, not from and economical standpoint.
When discussing the towing performance of the various EX power plants in STOCK form I feel that the V-10 needs two separate entries on the list, I've had the opportunity to tow heavy with 3.73, 4.88 and 4.39 for many miles and there are vast differences with the different gears.
Mr. bsevans5 has a 6k lbs dry TT so let's figure a 7500 GVWR, so <7500 going down the road, that's a manageable weight for even a 5.4 if you are willing to listen to a modular motor sing at high revs (just like Ford designed it to do!). But since he lives in UT he will be pulling through some decent sized mountains and at high elevation, so I would not recommend the 5.4. From my personal EXperience and all that I have absorbed here over the years I would rank the totally stock drivetrains (there are still a few of each out there I'm sure) towing performance for a 7,500 lb TT in this order.
1. 6.0
2. 6.8/4.30
3. 7.3
4. 6.8/3.73
5. 5.4/4.10
6. 5.4/3.73
I think the biggest gap is between 1&2 and the and the closest gap is between 2&3 with gaps between 3&4, 4&5 and 5&6 all being significant steps of about equal levels. Of course once any mod to any one of the motors has been done the ranking may change order or really tighten up a gap. Another curiosity that may not be what one would expect is that the deeper gears on a gas rig will not only increase the towing fuel mileage, but it usually also increased the in town or city mileage as well. The increased ratio making it easier to get the big wagons moving from a stop, but the trade off may be a small reduction on highway mileage.
thanks for making that list. I know modification can make a MASSIVE difference, but as much as I like the idea of modification, I don't know how long it would take me to do it, so I think for me, starting with stock comparisons is a good frame of reference to go off of.
. What would make 65 the magic number? In the past obviously the max speed rating of the older (and still current bulk of China Bombs) would set that as the top towing speed but now......?
