Hey guys, I just returned from a solo-drive 5000 mile haul in my 2000 X 2-wd PSD from San Francisco to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, and back. Here are a few highlights.

I pulled my 24' Pace Shadow enclosed trailer at 8000 lbs going out, and 9000 lbs coming back, at the speed limit plus 3 mph on cruise control all the way. East-bound fuel mileage was 11 mpg, and 9 mpg coming back, for a 10 mpg average. Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska all have a 75 mph speed limit, so that 10 mpg fuel mileage includes at least 3000 miles of towing at nearly 80 mph.

Contrast that with my old '76 Econoline, which gets 7 mpg at 55 mph with the same trailer (5 mpg going up over the passes) and wouldn't do 75 going downhill on a suicide run...!

I have weight distribution bars on my trailer, and trailer tongue-mounted anti-sway bar, but the X still needs a chassis-mounted anti-sway bar. Get good shocks while you're at it, too. The cheap no-name ones on my truck were badly overpowered by the trailer on any but the smoothest roads.

Speaking of roads, none of them are real smooth, but Iowa's are the worst in my opinion. Oddly, Iowa's section of I-80 is the newest, too. But it is poorly laid concrete, and rough as a cob. Nobody in that State must travel far from home, either, because what they have for Rest Areas wouldn't hold a fair sized family reunion, much less a constant stream of cross-country travelers. Dinky parking lots and dark, dingy restrooms don't impress the travelling public. OTOH, Indiana's Rest Areas ought to be required visits for the heads of every other State's DOT. HUGE lots and bright, spotless restrooms. Hats off to Indiana!

The truck burned 1 quart of Rotella 15w-40 going out, and another coming back (82K miles on the clock when I left home). It didn't consume any other liquids. I did have a flat on the Michelin ATS A/S 265/75 R16 tires in Nevada while driving back, and the passenger side battery was in thermal runaway when I got home. It was venting and stayed very hot for over 24 hours after getting home. I don't know what the problem was, but a replacement battery is working perfectly.

My overall assessment? I love the truck, and am very happy I bought it. Last year I made the same trip in my old rig, and it was nearly 5 days of torture, even with my wife along to help drive.

Feedback and questions are welcome.

Stan

 

Yes, they are great for travelling aren't they !?!

Had an '02 4x2 7.3L Ex myself...
and the Hellwig rear sway bar was the best mod I did to it...
Gave the day to day driving much more of a 'comfortable' feeling in that corners where much less of an adventure !
Some don't feel it helps... I can only say "You're result may vary!"
I guess I take corners faster than they do !

 

We took our first trip in our V-10 4x4 this weekend.
We went from North Carolina to northern WV, About a 6 hour drive. I loved the power. Our 4.6 Expy would kick down on a lot of hills, where this thing just chugged right along, not to mention how people get out of your way when they see you coming.
STill wish it rode better, it rides much worse than our expy, but the suspension is alot stiffer, and I understand that. All and all a good experience!

Ron
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 V-10

 

I haven't really towed much of anything behind my Excursion. I've only towed a few small things like my 74' VW Thing and a small trailer loaded with wood. Other than that, my X hasn't seen too much action (besides a few road trips). I would like to get or rent a boat or some kind of RV for a road trip. My X has the 7.3 Liter Powerstroke, so I've got plenty of power for anything. 76Econoline, you should have gone with the LTX/MS tires. They're much better than the A/S tires your're running and they handle loads (trailers) better. But then again, alot of stores don't carry the LTX/MS or even the LTX/AT. Most of the time they have to be special ordered. On another note, what is it like towing an RV or a boat? What is the ride like? What happens while you're towing? How does the X drive? I've seen some fellow X owners pulling RVs or boats, and it looks as if they aren't towing anything. The X just hauls along as if theres nothing behind it. What is it like?

 

I've just recently purchased a 29 foot Sportsmen travel trailer that weighs in at a hefty 6800lbs unloaded. Using only a weight distribution hitch ( no sway control) the ride is fine. The trailer only dropped the truck 1 inch w/o the WDH and leveled it when on. The only time towing it it was incredibly windy but no drastic sway. I'm impressed with my X's towing capabilities despite it's rather short wheelbase for towing the longer trailers, i.e. 30ft or greater.

 

Is that a square nose or a sloped nose?

I have a 24' Pace Shadow and I got the Aero package on it because I raised the roof 1' (7' inside) so that my '48 Dodge pickup will fit in it.

My max. weight will be 8000-8500 lbs, but usually 6500-7500 lbs. If I got 12 mpg, I'd be delirious.

 

I just took a road trip that had a total of 14 hours unloaded driving. 2003 4x4 PSD and I got a calculated 18.5 and 18.7 on the overhead. half the trip was at 70-75 and half was 60 or so. I only had 1300 miles on her when I started and now I have 2100 so it is still breaking in. Stanadyne and #2 only. I love this truck!