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I am in the process of buying '03 Excursion Limited, 7.3L, 111k miles, excellent shape. I have been searching a long time for an SUV that will BOTH carry my family of 6 and 70# dog AND pull our 32 foot 8000 pound TT (Dutchmen Aspen Trail 3210BHDS) . This seems to be the only thing that is even close. Everything out there will do only EITHER/OR. I currently pull it easily with my '16 RAM 2500 6.4L (keeping) but the 6 of us in there is WAY uncomfortable. Being shoulder to shoulder while navigating turns is difficult to say the least. This was fine when the kids were small but they are all growing rapidly! Taking 2 vehicles for short trips is no big deal but we are expecting longer trips in the future. I know I will be slightly over the cargo weight of the EX but looking to upgrade the springs to accommodate for that. 2500 Suburbans are borderline and have a shorter wheelbase.
One thing I have not been able to find is information on the weight limitation of the hitch. The dry hitch weight of the camper is 1052# and I do have a WDH. No sticker on the draw bar. I don't believe the previous owner did any pulling as there is no brake controller in the truck. Anyone know where I can find information on tongue weight limitations? Advice on a good brake controller?
Unless it was changed out you should have a class 4 hitch.
1,250lbs tongue weight. 11,000lbs towing weight.
The truck weighs +-8,000lbs. Truck load around 1,800lbs. = 9,800lbs GVWR
I believe you can't be over 19,900lbs. GVWR+Tow load. That may be a state by state thing. I know I do not have to have weighted tags if I stay under 19,900lbs.
Thanks. That is what I am figuring too. Just wanted to verify. It did not have the cargo capacity sticker in the driver door frame either. GCWR will be less than limit. GVWR will be slightly over
This is the sticker on our 2000 Excursion 7.3L 2wd with the tow package. It's kind of a joke, but when I hook up to a trailer it's typically with my 2000 F350 7.3L 4wd, and I upgraded that hitch assembly many years ago when the 2.5" unit came out from Ford for the Superduty trucks. I think in later years that was even increased again to 18k-19k.
I don't know if the 2003 Excursion would have the capacities increased as aforementioned, but it looks like with a weight distribution ball mount setup, you should be fine even though this is for a 2000...
I towed a Rage'n toyhauler with my 02 7.3 4x Ex, loaded the trailer was appx 10.5-11k, only issue I had was blowing a CAC boot off the turbo after I let off, then got back on it going up the grapevine after a truck pulled in front of me. Yes WD hitch and you'll be fine.
The 2000-2001 Excursion hitch rating is 10,000 because it's a Class IV hitch. Ford being Ford, they left some on the table. (Think advertised vs actual horse power of the 60's Ford muscle cars) Basically, they can pull more than they advertised.
The 2002-2005 Excursions got the Class V hitch from the Super Duty. Load range E tires and the addition of a rear sway bar for the 2003 model year (as part of the "4x4 trailer tow group") allowed for better, more stable towing. Plus Ford had the 3/4 ton Suburban to compete with that also advertised being able to tow 12K when equipped with the 8.1 Vortech and the 4L85.
My brake controller of choice: Tekonsha Prodigy P3
I have a P2, but love the P3 so much more. You have way more options for varying brake types: hydraulic, electric, and one other that escapes me. Either way, I got mine in 2016 and it's served me well ever since.
For springs, contact Junior at ATS Springs in PA. He really helped me with spring rates and lift.
For hitches, look at TorqueLift. I got the 20,000 pound one. It fits snug as a rug.
The 2000-2001 Excursion hitch rating is 10,000 because it's a Class IV hitch. Ford being Ford, they left some on the table. (Think advertised vs actual horse power of the 60's Ford muscle cars) Basically, they can pull more than they advertised.
The 2002-2005 Excursions got the Class V hitch from the Super Duty. Load range E tires and the addition of a rear sway bar for the 2003 model year (as part of the "4x4 trailer tow group") allowed for better, more stable towing. Plus Ford had the 3/4 ton Suburban to compete with that also advertised being able to tow 12K when equipped with the 8.1 Vortech and the 4L85.
The wife's 2000 Excursion has the tow package, but the only thing I see that may be different is the larger round 7 pin trailer connector in the housing at the hitch. It also has a V-10 transmission cooler as opposed to the smaller regular unit, but that may be a Ford thing as you say, given the Excursions typically got things before the F-series trucks. So out of curiosity, what was included in 2000 for the Excursion which had the tow package?
Thanks All! Picked up the EX last Friday. An hour and a half drive home across I-78 in PA (actually fairly flat) and was presently surprised to 18.8 mpg doing 70-75. That 7.3L didn't really need to downshift when accelerating from 65-75 when passing someone. Will take some getting used to driving it. Definitely a LOT more body roll than my '16 RAM. This vehicle will actually be a daily driver for the Mrs. It replaced our '19 Suburban. She loves it already.
Spent Saturday afternoon going over it to see what I really got. Un-did some wiring to the radio for an XM radio booster. Removed some old brackets for what I assume were aftermarket fog lights. Found a couple of drops of oil under it that weren't under it where it was parked at the dealership - will investigate. Cruise control does not work nor does the OD button on shifter - fuse?''
Found a rusted out cross member under the front end behind the front bumper. I think its called the front bumper impact reinforcement bar? Its connected to the frame on either side with 3 studs in the frame bottom. I am looking for a good diagram showing it. Anyone know if the same part from an '03 F250 would be interchangeable?
First order of business, you must adhere to one of the strictest rules of this forum: Pics or it didn't happen lol
Second: Conrgats! Glad it was clear sailing for you back home!
The Blocker Beam from the F250 should bolt right up. V/B code springs, Bilstein 5100 shocks, and a Hellwig anti sway bar or Roadmaster Active Suspension should fix you body roll issues and smooth out the ride. I myself use the RAS along with the factory anti sway bar that came with the "4x4 trailer tow group" for the 2003-2005 MY. Might be overkill, but the Excursion rides smooth and barely squats with a load behind it.
LOL. Gotcha on the pics! Hopefully I can recreate and document next time. I wasn't familiar with the RAS - just checked into it. Seems like a better choice than air bags. No need for air pressure adjustments loaded vs unloaded and NO chance of air leaks! Looks like helluva easier install as well. Thanks!
LOL. Gotcha on the pics! Hopefully I can recreate and document next time. I wasn't familiar with the RAS - just checked into it. Seems like a better choice than air bags. No need for air pressure adjustments loaded vs unloaded and NO chance of air leaks! Looks like helluva easier install as well. Thanks!
You're welcome!
You can knock it out in about two to three hours with the right jack and jack stands. I did it in my driveway both times.
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Glad it was clear sailing for you back home! 
