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Tristan, I wanted to add something for you to consider while you pondered your options regarding the hitch capacity and what you are towing around. IF there is an issue or a failure regarding the hitch or equipment associated with the hitch and (God forbid) someone is hurt or there is damage to property. You may be held liable and if you were hauling something with your business name on it or for purpose of business, that could be a big problem for you if a lawsuit was pursued.
It seems people will sue about anything in modern times trying to win the lottery through the court systems. This is the main reason why I installed a dash camera on my truck and the car we travel cross country in most of the time. Too many problems caused by "he said she said" incidents.
Just something to think about sir.
As for the air bags, I really like my air bags and the safety factor they bring. When we bought our 1st RV 8+ years ago and there was a bit of sag in the rear, I replaced the springs and shocks and installed a Hellwig rear sway bar. I wanted the truck to travel at unloaded height front and rear, so air bags went in. I put 45 PSI in when the 5th wheel is on and 5 when the 5th wheel is off. They make the ride and the truck height great for long distance traveling and it is much safer and more comfortable in my opinion.
Below is a link to a thread I created recently after drawing lessons learned, details and advice from many FTE'rs. I learned a lot my first go round with air bags and the 2nd time around is much better and rock solid.
So far from the looks of it basing my hitch off of everybody else's, it seems my truck has a sissy hitch. Everyone else's is rated a good bit higher than mine. Maybe I should just replace the whole receiver. Then throw in some air bags, and I do want to get a dash cam. Just haven't done it yet. Did you use the atoto dash cam or did you get a different one? And I'm sure it's probably relatively simple to set up.
And also of course it gets more complicated with the airbags because you have to pick which one you want. One of them won't allow you to get a gooseneck ball on there, one of them won't let you have a fifth wheel attachment, so on so forth. Which kit did you get? They have some that mount on either side of the springs, on top of the springs and all kinds of what not. EDIT* I see you linked your install. Thanks!
It is possible that somebody replaced the hitch on this truck at some point. There ain't no telling, it's been around for so many years there's just no way of knowing.
All of that being said, if I am to replace my entire receiver, which brand is recommended? Reese makes one, and there are a bunch of other brands that make them for these trucks too. I would like one that maybe has bigger hook points for the chains. As always thanks for your help!
At some point after 2001, the Excursions got a "hitch upgrade" but it was just an increase in the diameter of the bolts that hold it on. I'm not sure if this applies to the trucks.
Nothing you do changes the weight rating of the truck from a legal perspective. Check the door plate to see what it says. Airbags and larger hitches may increase you capability, but they don't change that tag.
The factory hitches are really strong and can hold more than what they are rated , but of course they have to put a limit on them for legal purposes, as long as the hitch ain't rusted thru, missing bolts or cracks you should be good.
At some point after 2001, the Excursions got a "hitch upgrade" but it was just an increase in the diameter of the bolts that hold it on. I'm not sure if this applies to the trucks.
Nothing you do changes the weight rating of the truck from a legal perspective. Check the door plate to see what it says. Airbags and larger hitches may increase you capability, but they don't change that tag.
Mark
That makes sense because it looks like the trucks also got the increased capacity starting with 2001. I assumed it was just on paper, I didn't know about the bolt sizes.
I did the same as kbeefy and installed a 2.5" receiver from a newer truck about 10-12 years ago...it was $50. It had subtle differences, but the attaching bolts were bigger. I've hauled the same weight of 13,000 lbs. with no issues. However, when I first bought the truck back in 2001, I shortly thereafter purchased a Convert-a-Ball mount from Cabelas which makes a big difference when the weight getting towed gets up there...I've had friends comment about it. So you might look into that...
Whether the existing hitch is capable or not is irrelevant. Truly the only thing that is relevant is the load limit put down on paper. If any incident were to ever happen that number will be the deciding factor of liability. With a personal business in play to boot it's just not worth putting that potential liability on yourself for the sake of $500. Not trying to sound preachy or anything but honestly it's just the smart play. Doesn't have to be a right now thing, but definitely want to start figuring out how to work it into the budget.
In all reality, it's not like I'm going to be towing that much very often. When I get my big enclosed trailer I'll probably be getting close to 8 to 10k but I will definitely not exceed it. It's a rare occasion that I have to tow that much. If the need arises where I'll be towing over 10K more often I will get a bigger hitch. I might do it anyway at some point just because I don't like the factory safety chain hookup spots. They are a bit small for the hooks I use on my main trailer. But I don't need it right now. Thank you all for all of your help! I will probably be getting air bags around the same time I get my big trailer just because it is a heavy trailer and with all my stuff will probably be close to 10k. I'm thinking around 8K Fully loaded.
One possibility that might be bolt in affair would be a hitch off one of the many blown up 05-11' 6.0 & 6.4 trucks. << nevermind yall beat me to it
I believe some if not all are 2.5" and rated higher. I'm not sure what year my 01's hitch came from but I'm guessing 05-16' truck.
I have a 10,000 lb "stinger" on right now. I honestly didn't think the gravel was going to be as heavy as it was. Which is why I was not prepared in advance. I definitely do want to replace the stinger at least and a new ball.
Check out a Weighsafe hitch with the scale that displays the vertical pin weight if you want to get chance-y with a lighter duty receiver like that. Personally I would spend the few hundred extra bucks to upgrade it to a 2.5" class V but that's just me. These are nice...I've had the 180 turnover version without the scale for a couple years and it's mucho solid.
Tristan, I wanted to add something for you to consider while you pondered your options regarding the hitch capacity and what you are towing around. IF there is an issue or a failure regarding the hitch or equipment associated with the hitch and (God forbid) someone is hurt or there is damage to property. You may be held liable and if you were hauling something with your business name on it or for purpose of business, that could be a big problem for you if a lawsuit was pursued.
It seems people will sue about anything in modern times trying to win the lottery through the court systems. This is the main reason why I installed a dash camera on my truck and the car we travel cross country in most of the time. Too many problems caused by "he said she said" incidents.
Just something to think about sir.
As for the air bags, I really like my air bags and the safety factor they bring. When we bought our 1st RV 8+ years ago and there was a bit of sag in the rear, I replaced the springs and shocks and installed a Hellwig rear sway bar. I wanted the truck to travel at unloaded height front and rear, so air bags went in. I put 45 PSI in when the 5th wheel is on and 5 when the 5th wheel is off. They make the ride and the truck height great for long distance traveling and it is much safer and more comfortable in my opinion.
Below is a link to a thread I created recently after drawing lessons learned, details and advice from many FTE'rs. I learned a lot my first go round with air bags and the 2nd time around is much better and rock solid.
Does the the 88298 kit allow you to keep 5th wheel/ goosenecks brackets? I want airbags but, I don't want to have to get rid of my 5th wheel brackets for a later date. I know the 88298 and the 57298 are the same except for the 88298 having the jounce. Which I want. I believe that's what I read the other day on that forum you linked.
Yes, Get the highest rated hitch that you can.
After 12 years dragging my 11k-13k Toy Hauler around I found this when I arrived at camp 1100 miles from home last March. Luckily I caught it before complete disaster struck.
Does the the 88298 kit allow you to keep 5th wheel/ goosenecks brackets? I want airbags but, I don't want to have to get rid of my 5th wheel brackets for a later date. I know the 88298 and the 57298 are the same except for the 88298 having the jounce. Which I want. I believe that's what I read the other day on that forum you linked.
Yes, if you have the universal L-bracket style, the 57298 and 88298 kit will fit just fine. If you have the longer brackets that are made for the truck and run along the frame, some additional modifications will need to be done, but nothing you cannot handle.
Which 5th wheel brackets do you have?
There is a lot of detail and instruction in the thread I linked, stop by and check it out. Also, two other kit installs are linked in that thread. Since then, FTE'rs AKCooper9 and SJBJ have installed similar kits. AKCooper9 has the longer style brackets.
Yes, Get the highest rated hitch that you can.
After 12 years dragging my 11k-13k Toy Hauler around I found this when I arrived at camp 1100 miles from home last March. Luckily I caught it before complete disaster struck.
How did you resolve the Ford frame lower flanges that also got bent down?
Yes, if you have the universal L-bracket style, the 57298 and 88298 kit will fit just fine. If you have the longer brackets that are made for the truck and run along the frame, some additional modifications will need to be done, but nothing you cannot handle.
Which 5th wheel brackets do you have?
There is a lot of detail and instruction in the thread I linked, stop by and check it out. Also, two other kit installs are linked in that thread. Since then, FTE'rs AKCooper9 and SJBJ have installed similar kits. AKCooper9 has the longer style brackets.
I read a little bit of your forum, but not a whole lot. Just being honest I kind of just read what I needed to read and moved on but, obviously I have not read everything I need to read. I need to circle back.
I do not know which fifth wheel brackets I have but I can post pictures. They may even just be gooseneck brackets I do not know. I will say that these brackets are rather long and only have a small little flange sticking off under the bed for a bolt to go through. There are four holes in my bed and one little flange sticking off of the frame onto all four corners of the bed. Little short flanges. I do not have a picture of those little flanges at this current moment and I am currently on the road so I will post those pictures in a little while but for now here are some side views of my brackets. I will post more pictures when I get stopped at my next destination.
