Heavy weight towing with PSD Excursion

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 30, 2006 | 10:25 PM

OpenTrackRacer

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 75

Likes: 0

Heavy weight towing with PSD Excursion

I was wondering if anyone has upgraded their Excursion to tow more than 11,000 pounds? I'm looking at a few Toy Hauler trailers that gross out at 13,000 pounds. I don't think I would ever get that heavy but I might hit 12,000.

I'm currently in the market for an Excursion or (another) Suburban. The Suburban is rated to 12,000 pounds but obviously, the PSD Excursion has more grunt. The Excursion is rated to 11,000 but the GCWR is 20,000 (compared to 19,000 for the Suburban).

I've heard lots of stories of people beefing up their Excursions with a better (custom) hitch, springs, sway bars and air bags. Can anyone comment?

I know the Excursion chassis has been compared to the F250/350. Looking at Ford's towing guide, the F250/350 SRW has a max towing capacity of 12,500 pounds.

Thanks!

Sep 30, 2006 | 11:02 PM

rockcj

Freshman User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

From: So. California

14,500 - 15,000 lbs

with mine.
7.3 PSD Titan 17,000 lbs/1,700 lbs eq. hitch and two sway bars. Added Firestone air bags filled to 80 lbs. RSX 9000 set yo level 7 at rear and 5 at front.

Weekend Warrior 32' HD floor and ramp, 100 gal h2o, 38 gal gas, stuff, tools, food plus 5,300 rockcrawler.

well over 20,000 miles of towing.

David

Sep 30, 2006 | 11:30 PM

cumminpwr11

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 239

Likes: 0

From: Las Vegas nv.

do you like your DMV? I put 1 ton "suspension", and had a letter from a suspension and offroad shop. I summited the info, had my Ex reinspected, and now my truck is lisensed as a 1 ton vehicle able to LEGALLY TOW 13K with load distributed hitch.

Really, I have not done anything to my Ex yet, but I am legal people, and my registation backs it up. RockCJ has the setup I am going with. even down to the trailer. Good luck

Chris

Oct 1, 2006 | 12:38 AM

OpenTrackRacer

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 75

Likes: 0

Wow, that's a lot of weight. How did you come up with the Titan hitch? According to Reese, they don't make one for the Excursion.

So, you're still on stock springs? How does it feel when towing? What about stopping?

Thanks (again)

Oct 1, 2006 | 10:03 PM

rockcj

Freshman User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

From: So. California

Titan

Drop hitch. The receiver is stock. I was on stock springs and they worked fine with airbags. I am now running F250 springs. For 20k miles, I never had an issue.

David

Oct 1, 2006 | 10:50 PM

OpenTrackRacer

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 75

Likes: 0

Are you serious? That receiver is only rated to 12,500 pounds and there are questions about how strong the attachment to the frame is (ie: the 11,000 pound tow rating for the vehicle).

That's way over weight.

Oct 2, 2006 | 11:35 AM

rockcj

Freshman User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

From: So. California

I check the hitch everytime I tow, before and after. One thing that went bad on my receiver was the pin hole stretching by 1/16" (due to chrome pins). I have added 2-1/4" plates on each sides and made custom hitch pin. (extended one to compensate the 1/2"). I know it is over the limit. If you don't feel comfortable, don't do it. I have been towing this setup for 3 years before getting a diesel pusher. My Ex also is a toad to the diesel pusher. (Remco disconnect + Blue Ox tow bracket + Brake Buddy).

David