Excursion tow hitch Options
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Correct, the pickup truck hitches will not work on an EX as the rear frame sections are different, the truck hitch will mount but the receiver will be pointed down about 30 degrees.
The Curt seems to be a good replacement that pretty closely matches the factory hitch. The SuperHitch from TorkLift is a very stout piece of hardware, I love mine but I needed something a little stronger than the factory unit, our TT's tongue weight is over 1800lbs, but its obviously overkill for a rig that doesn't see as much weight.
The lowest tow rating for any year EX was 10K, and that was later increased to 12K (or 12.5 I don't recall) by the use of slightly larger hitch to frame bolts, the hitch was exactly the same except for having the holes for those bolts matched to size.
If you are going to DIY the hitch replacement have a plan in place for dealing with the round headed bolts, they can be a real pain to deal with. I found that dropping the tank, which is a fairly easy job, to give the best hitch access. The factory used blue thread locker on the bolts, so a bit of heat from a propane torch will make spinning them out much easier, just watch that flame if you leave the tank in place...........
The Curt seems to be a good replacement that pretty closely matches the factory hitch. The SuperHitch from TorkLift is a very stout piece of hardware, I love mine but I needed something a little stronger than the factory unit, our TT's tongue weight is over 1800lbs, but its obviously overkill for a rig that doesn't see as much weight.
The lowest tow rating for any year EX was 10K, and that was later increased to 12K (or 12.5 I don't recall) by the use of slightly larger hitch to frame bolts, the hitch was exactly the same except for having the holes for those bolts matched to size.
If you are going to DIY the hitch replacement have a plan in place for dealing with the round headed bolts, they can be a real pain to deal with. I found that dropping the tank, which is a fairly easy job, to give the best hitch access. The factory used blue thread locker on the bolts, so a bit of heat from a propane torch will make spinning them out much easier, just watch that flame if you leave the tank in place...........
https://letstowthat.com/what-is-the-...ord-excursion/
Last edited by Forresth; Apr 16, 2021 at 02:12 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 60
From: Central NH
This is what I used on my hitch pin to keep the bent part of the pin from egging the hole. On mine, even the allen bolt was stainless, so it's guaranteed to never shrink, stink, wrinkle, or rust.
Last edited by IMASAP; Apr 16, 2021 at 02:51 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 171
From: SoCal
That's a great price! I bought mine from Amazon and it was ~$258. With a new re chromed bumper and the bumper trim coated with Bullet Liner, it looks like a new truck from behind. I couldn't be happier with the results.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 180
Mine is a 2000. in 2000, the tow rating ranged from 6,200lbs to a max of 10,000lbs. Mine is rated for 9,600lbs. None were ever rated for more than 11,000lbs
https://letstowthat.com/what-is-the-...ord-excursion/
https://letstowthat.com/what-is-the-...ord-excursion/
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 704
Likes: 40
None in 2000? My 03 sticker on the factory hitch said 12,500 weight distribution with a 1250 pound tongue weight and 5000 weight carrying with a 500 tongue capacity. As tom said, it had to do with the bolts. Though, I'm not sure I doubt that in 2000 they were wildly different as it seems there are definitely differences in that specific year.
Lou Manglass
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Ford used the Excursion hitch as an underride bumper. They made a bid deal about a front lower beam as well on the Excursion. Other rear hitches became the main bumper beam around then as well. I was actually involved with ford bumper engineering way back then.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 248
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None in 2000? My 03 sticker on the factory hitch said 12,500 weight distribution with a 1250 pound tongue weight and 5000 weight carrying with a 500 tongue capacity. As tom said, it had to do with the bolts. Though, I'm not sure I doubt that in 2000 they were wildly different as it seems there are definitely differences in that specific year.
the excursion is another low one. I compare my v10 excursion to Dad's v10 pick-up. I think his is rated 50% more. the extra seats don't weigh that much.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 261
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From: Colorado
I just ordered the Torklift for the YETI, yes it's overkill, but even my boat has too much tounge wieght for the factory hitch, yes the boat is big, but even my 2011 ecoboost f15 had more tongue weight on the hitch
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 180
look at my link. even the diesel 2000 was rated at 10k. top tow ratings jumped up to 11k later. I really don't get Ford's tow ratings. some definitely seam artificially low. Look at the Transit. The passenger vans have lower GCVWR than the cargo vans. so the lower tow rating isn't just the weight of seats and carpeting. for some reason they say the passenger version just can't handle trailer weight. Look also how the heavy van with a 3.5T compare to tow ratings of the F150. it makes very little sense.
the excursion is another low one. I compare my v10 excursion to Dad's v10 pick-up. I think his is rated 50% more. the extra seats don't weigh that much.
the excursion is another low one. I compare my v10 excursion to Dad's v10 pick-up. I think his is rated 50% more. the extra seats don't weigh that much.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
the sticker on the hitch is just the Hitch's rating, not the trucks rating. I have seen those exact same number from multiple searches on the subject. It seems way too low to me, especially the 5.4 ratings, but as I mentioned, Ford seems to like to do that. The vehicle weight is a bit over 7,000 lbs, or 2,000 lbs more than many pick-ups. I've got to think the equivalent pickup would be rated to tow at least 15,000lbs. It should be quite a bit higher, but that is what Ford rates them at.
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 8
From: Northport, NY
So I know this thread has gone cold but I figured I would light it up again instead of starting a new one. I too run the single stinger pro pride with my 11k lbs 35 ft camper. I am also considering switch to a 13k lbs toy hauler. I would assume the ratings torklift is giving is only for use both receivers right? And as a little background..1 ton springs/ airbags/ hellwig bars and factory wheels with e rated tires. I ask because after the last 2 trips cross country has wrecked the stock hitch. I am at about 80-100k mile of towing since I bought this rig!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,886
Likes: 3,422
From: Ohio
The Torklift is rated at 20K in either hole. https://www.torklift.com/rv/superhit...hitch-original
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 889
Likes: 156
From: Gainesville
The Torklift is rated at 20K in either hole. https://www.torklift.com/rv/superhit...hitch-original
If you get a Torklift hitch, you should get one of these. It doesn’t tow any better, but looks cool.