Realistic towing capability
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2022
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Realistic towing capability
2000 Excursion limited, V10. Might get a good deal on one with under 100k miles. I have a 37ft camper which weighs around 8500lbs. Would the excursion tow it fine? Excursion novice here!!! Sorry if this has been answered already!
FTE Remembers
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
The weight isn’t really the issue the windage or side surface area is a major concern. Basically and wind from the side has far greater pressure on the trailer than the excursion has wheelbase/stability to easily cope with.
hitches like the Hensly Arrow do an ok job of coping with this but the better answer is more wheel base and preferably dual rear wheels.
hitches like the Hensly Arrow do an ok job of coping with this but the better answer is more wheel base and preferably dual rear wheels.
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2022
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The weight isn’t really the issue the windage or side surface area is a major concern. Basically and wind from the side has far greater pressure on the trailer than the excursion has wheelbase/stability to easily cope with.
hitches like the Hensly Arrow do an ok job of coping with this but the better answer is more wheel base and preferably dual rear wheels.
hitches like the Hensly Arrow do an ok job of coping with this but the better answer is more wheel base and preferably dual rear wheels.
Since the excursion is built in an F250 frame (or so I read) shouldn’t it tow the camper as well as an F250 would?
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
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From: Kent Station, WA
Excursion springs are softer, frames from the firewall back are different. The hitch may be rated at 5/10k lbs, a couple years later hardware was upgraded to allow for 6/12k lbs. What gear ratio does it have?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 983
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The Excursion is shorter wheelbase and shorter bumper to bumper than a four door short bed f250.
Think about it, there isn't a full short beds worth of length behind the second row of seats. I was actually a little surprised when I parked the Excursion next to my f250 how much shorter the Ex was. Guess that's why my four door short box f250 has a two piece rear driveshaft and the Excursion has a one piece rear driveshaft.
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Think about it, there isn't a full short beds worth of length behind the second row of seats. I was actually a little surprised when I parked the Excursion next to my f250 how much shorter the Ex was. Guess that's why my four door short box f250 has a two piece rear driveshaft and the Excursion has a one piece rear driveshaft.
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2022
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Honestly I have no clue! Would there be a code in the VIN #?
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
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From: Kent Station, WA
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4wd Low
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it’s the 4.30 axle
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2022
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which tire size would you recommend?
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
Factory is around a 31-32" much more than that and you're going to lose some power from the gears. I'd probably stick to 33" at max, giving at least a 4.10+ effective ratio.
Are you planning on leaving the suspension stock?
Are you planning on leaving the suspension stock?
FTE Remembers
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Single cab 137”
super cab short bed 142”
Super cab long bed 158”
Crew cab short bed 156”
Crew cab Long bed 172”
99-05 Excursion 137”
they answer is yes, the Ex tows as well as a single cab f250
if you want a the best tow rig available while staying legal with a class C license get a f350 crew cab long bed dually to tow your 37’ sail, Errrr trailer.
Or do what myself and many others with 40-ish footers do and get a properly sized tow rig. i picked this one up for less than a 7.3 excursion cost. Just sayin
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
Likes: 1,573
From: Media PA
A few questions…….
Is the TT 37’ of box or hitch to bumper?
Is the 8500lbs an actual scale weight? Advertised “dry” weight? Or listed GVWR?
Do you know the actual loaded tongue weight?
Do you have much towing experience?
If you already have this TT which WD hitch do you use and how does it perform for you?
Would your future towing plans be long distance or shorter local trips?
I have a V-10 EX that doesn’t see any daily driving these days, it’s our dedicated tow vehicle for our 41’ (hitch to bumper)12,000lb TT. I have logged about 40K towing this big TT and another 15K on our old 9500lb TH, it does pretty well roaming all over the Eastern states. I did some work on the EX to help it be a more stable tow rig and I use one of the Hensley Arrow hitches that Pirate mentioned, it’s the key to comfortably towing the big TT with the short-ish EX in my opinion. This year we have over 10K miles of towing trips planned, I’m working to get everything ready every day here lately.
Is the TT 37’ of box or hitch to bumper?
Is the 8500lbs an actual scale weight? Advertised “dry” weight? Or listed GVWR?
Do you know the actual loaded tongue weight?
Do you have much towing experience?
If you already have this TT which WD hitch do you use and how does it perform for you?
Would your future towing plans be long distance or shorter local trips?
I have a V-10 EX that doesn’t see any daily driving these days, it’s our dedicated tow vehicle for our 41’ (hitch to bumper)12,000lb TT. I have logged about 40K towing this big TT and another 15K on our old 9500lb TH, it does pretty well roaming all over the Eastern states. I did some work on the EX to help it be a more stable tow rig and I use one of the Hensley Arrow hitches that Pirate mentioned, it’s the key to comfortably towing the big TT with the short-ish EX in my opinion. This year we have over 10K miles of towing trips planned, I’m working to get everything ready every day here lately.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,357
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
We have a 2000 F250 super cab short bed and tow a 28' 5th wheel. Prior to that, we towed a 38' 5th wheel. Prior to that we towed a 33' travel trailer. We tow long distances, cross country and sometimes from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
As a matter of fact, we towed the 33' travel trailer from GA to Seattle WA and back one summer. We had a weight distribution hitch (not a Hensley or similar) that was set up properly and it did fine. Even through WY, SD, MT, etc where cross winds are brutal at times.
That said, once we went 5th wheel (not an option for you) there was no going back to travel trailer.
As a matter of fact, we towed the 33' travel trailer from GA to Seattle WA and back one summer. We had a weight distribution hitch (not a Hensley or similar) that was set up properly and it did fine. Even through WY, SD, MT, etc where cross winds are brutal at times.
That said, once we went 5th wheel (not an option for you) there was no going back to travel trailer.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 892
Likes: 160
From: Gainesville
8500 lbs. is doable. I just purchased a max weight 7600 TT, but have upgraded the suspension to F-350 specs. To counter the sail boat effect I also swapped out the front away bar for a bigger one and added a rear. I also swapped out all the rubber bushing I could for polyurethane, including the body mounts. This should help a lot, since the average Ex for the year 2000 outweighs the F-350 by some 1400 lbs.
I took a lead from WE3ZS and also put on a 20,000 lb. capacity hitch.
Oh yea, I forgot the transmission cooler swap with the 6.0 one that is at least 3 times as big. Might throw in a transmission temp gauge, as well.
With a 4:30 ratio, I would keep it with your OEM size tires and see how it does before making a switch to bigger tires.
Speaking of tires, if you haven’t switched to E rated ones, you can wait till the ones you have wear out, but switch as soon as you can. They have a stiffer sidewall and allow for higher pressures. At the current temperature, I’m running 64 hot.
Have fun with the new ride. The Ex may not be the ideal tow vehicle, but it does so many other things. It’s like having a Swiss Army Knife.
I took a lead from WE3ZS and also put on a 20,000 lb. capacity hitch.
Oh yea, I forgot the transmission cooler swap with the 6.0 one that is at least 3 times as big. Might throw in a transmission temp gauge, as well.
With a 4:30 ratio, I would keep it with your OEM size tires and see how it does before making a switch to bigger tires.
Speaking of tires, if you haven’t switched to E rated ones, you can wait till the ones you have wear out, but switch as soon as you can. They have a stiffer sidewall and allow for higher pressures. At the current temperature, I’m running 64 hot.
Have fun with the new ride. The Ex may not be the ideal tow vehicle, but it does so many other things. It’s like having a Swiss Army Knife.
