Mugenlude,

I know what you are going thru...really...

I have just helped numerous folks both on this board and on RV.net with getting their Ex's setup to tow...it can be a tricky vehicle to get stable and likely the first time out you will not be pleased unless you do enough prep.

Also I know quite a few Ex owners that went with a Hensley (a $3000 hitch) to help stabalize the Ex's characteristics (myself included).

I truly feel you really have to WANT an Ex as there are better tow vehicles out there. Payloads on these things are a joke (IMO)...1670#'s on a 4wheel drive V10 and 1440#'s on a 4wheel drive PSD...WTF was Ford thinking with those paltry numbers!...well it's the springs...those darn weak springs are the root of our issues.

If it were just the wife and I...I would go F250 and get a cap to lock...the F250 PSD is a pleasure to tow with and can be had for much less than a PSD Ex...true you would have less interior seating space but sounds like you are going to rip out the third row anyway...

For pure TOWING performance...the Ex CAN certainly be beat...but if it is what you want...be aware that some mods will likely follow to tow the weight you are looking at coupled with the gear inside the Ex...while the PSD is certainly strong enough...you too will find that Ford sprung this BEAST like a little girl and for us that want to utilize the truck for towing fight that little girl and she whoops our butts most of the time! LOL

Good luck...I can certainly help you out with any questions you may have as can many of the others on this board...

joe.

 

Thanks again X_Hemi_Guy...

The other issue I have with the F250 is the longer wheelbase (21" long on the extended short bed versions), I don't have all that much room to back my trailer up with and I think the extra 20"+ is going to hurt me, maybe I'll just go and test drive one to see.

I'm used to towing with a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7L Hemi), I have a hard time believing it's going to be softer than the GC, but I could be wrong. I think the longer wheelbase alone would make the ride better.

 

Mugenlude,

Please to take it as i am trying to talk you out of the Ex...it can be a GREAT tow vehicle...but I see too many posts of people that buy this BEAST of a truck and then post here or on RV.net with questions about how to cure the sway...one would think (myself included) that a truck this big and strong would be a naturally GREAT tow vehicle...sadly it isn't that way...I just didn't want you to be disappointed if you get one and try to tow 10K#'s and have a horrible experience...many have been there...that's all...there ARE options if you are set on the Ex...most not too expensive if you can do the work yourself...the hitch...well that is always your last resort...

Again...please don't take it as I am trying to talk you out of the Ex...just trying to give you all the info you need so you can make an informed decision...

Joe.

 

I appreciate it, I really do... that is exactly why I post things like this on the board.

I really don't think either is a bad decision, as I think both will be an improvement over the Grand Cherokee...

 

how much weight did you tow with ur grand cherokee?

 

I've been towing ~5000 lbs with my GC w/ a Reese weight-distribution hitch without a problem. The gas mileage is terrible though, probably on par with a V10.

 

and ur saying that ur gonna upgrade to a 10,000 pound travel trailer?

 

Personally in your price range I would look for a V10 X. I picked up mine with 70,000 miles, 4x4 XLT with Limited options (Leather, DVD, Duel screens, Power drivers seat) for $13,000. And it had a new tranny.

 

FWIW, I have an 05 EX 4x4 with the 6.0 and love it. I only have 12k on it and the only problem I have had with it is the back door glass rubs the barn doors. I have changed the oil twice and getting reday for #3 oil change. Keep in mind that the oil change is about $60.

I don't tow anyting so I can't speak about towing with it. I do carry a lot of kids. I like the 3rd row seats AND the massave storage behind the 3rd row seat. I was going to get an Expedition but the price was higher for a smaller vehicle.

I'm 6'3" and don't have the seat all the way back. I love the way it drives. It's pretty quick too. I traded in an 02 Ex with the 5.4 on this one. My old Ex had the transmission replaced at 25K and the brake rotors were turned twice. All under warranty.

The 05 Ex is definately a dream, plus since they stopped making it you see less and less of them on the road. As for fuel milage I get 14.6 on the 6.0. My old 5.4 got 12. I don't do much highway driving.

Bottom line is you can't go wrong with this vehicle. Good Luck.

 

in the next couple years I will be upgrading to an enclosed car trailer, which is really the purpose of purchasing a diesel now (for the future). I can tow the 5000 lbs fine with a gas, but the GC lease is up and I'm going to purchase a tow vehicle/weekend hauler. I'm not going to invest into an enclosed trailer until I have something to pull it with, the diesel.

So basically, the V10 isn't an option for me... and really if i was going to purchase a gasser it wouldn't be the 6.8L V10, it would be a 8.1L V8 in a Surburban/Yukon XL.

I've been looking at pricing on a F-250 diesel and the price isn't really that much cheaper than the Excursion, maybe a $1k cheaper, but getting much less in my eyes. The E350's are a bargain, I really need to talk myself into it though (your not the only one suggesting it)... If I need to spend some money to make the X a better tow vehicle I'm OK with that. My main reason for the X are SUV and diesel.

 

Interesting thread..

I'm looking for at least sometihng with 8 passenger seating and some infrequent towing - boat, tractor, trailer. Is the V10 a good option for me? Or should I check out the Suburbans and/or Exxx vans?

 

MadMedic.. where did you find your $13K Ex? I have sights on a 2002, 47K miles, XLT base (cloth seats) for $17K. It's in excellent condition, but $17 seems a tad high.. for that I might be able to wait it out and find leather.. thoughts?

 

kevin.ford.trucks, i thinkthe v-10 is a awesome puller. I like the way it pulls. Infact, i dont know why you would choose the 8.1l over the v-10. My buddy had a 8.1l in his burb until he sold it because it got worse gas mileage then the v-10. I thought the v-10 was more powerful. I raced him on the high way and he only beat me by 6 feet. The v-10 has less hp and tq, weighs more by alot and he only beat me by 6 or so feet! Mugenlude, if u were going to by the gas why would u choose the 8.1l over the v10?

 

You should definitely get what you want...

If you do go Ex...I would suggest a spring pack swap https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...on-report.html

In hind sight with all I have tried...I should have done this FIRST...I think it would cure most of the issues. THere is a member here S_Harvey that has also done this and has high marks for its results...

Overall for 10K#'s...you will likely need to plan on doing something with the Ex suspension wise...also make sure it comes with Load Range E tires as some came with D's...that helps out a bunch with handling. Also a rear sway bar is a MUST.

Good luck with the search...

joe.

 

Listen to Hemi Guy he is right on!!

He helped me get my 04 6.0 Ex on the right track for towing my 11k toy hauler!! But, I will say even on it's best day my Ex doesn not meet my expectations for towing 11k, it still is not as stable as my older Mega Cab I used to have or my new LMM PU! Don't buy the Ex thinking it's the ultimate tow vehicle, cause trust me it's not, it OK though.....If you have towed with a 3/4 ton PU before as I have you may be dissapointed as I have been! For carrying people and lots of stuff they ROCK though!! I had to install air bags, dual steering stabilizers, and a $600 dollar Equalizer hitch to get my to tow 11k and I still am white knuckiling it depending on my weight, croswinds, semi's passing etc......I use my Ex now as a grocery getter and for trips if I am not towing I reserve my LMM Dmax which makes a huge difference over the EX!