I have a 2002 Excursion 7.3L PSD 4x4 automatic. The diesel booklet that came with the truck says its rated for IIRC 11,000 lbs max trailer.

I am thinking about buying a Keystone Raptor Toy hauler travel trailer(link below). The dry weight is 9,470 lbs. Thats dry weight not counting options like the 5500 watt generator and 30 gallon fuel station. I plan on carrying a golf cart and/or at least one ATV in the back most of the time, along with all my other normal camping stuff.

http://keyperformance-raptor.com/?page=detail&year=2007&model=3110TT

Can I tow this without breaking my excursion ?

Trailler has electric brakes on all 3 axles.

I am thinking about doing a few things to help the excursion out. Like putting a set of air lift air springs on to help level out the load and help the rear springs.

Might even change out the 3.73 gears for a set of 4.10 or even 4.30's.

With those mods what do you think then ?

Also I live in Maryland I am not sure what to call this area. Its not really mountains like the rockies but its not flat like kansas either.

 

I don't think it's going to have any problems hauling the load even stock, you main problem is going to be stopping it even with the trailer brakes. The main reason the manual says 11,000lbs max is due to the fact that you brakes have to hold that kind of load. You also have to consider not only the trailer weight, accessories, toys, but also gear and people in the excursion. So are you going to have problems pulling it I doubt it even stock you should be fine. As far as stopping, you may want to consider and up grade; meaning and a newer F-350 crew cab or something else that can better handle stopping the load.

 

You are looking at 10k without adding any toys, equipment, or clothing/etc. That's pretty tight for that kind of truck. That engine won't have any issue pulling it, but the rest of the truck will be straining to handle that trailer long term.

 

Silly idea in my opinion. You have failed to factor in any Safety at all. You need to have safety in your weight. If you get in a wreck no matter who or what is at fault your claim may not get approved and you will get fined. Please do not be that stupid to put your family's life at risk for toys. So far I agree with the last 2 posts that say the engine is fine. The problem I have is with the ammount of weight in the trailer and your cargo in the X. You will be way over ford's rating. Check your tires... what is their rating? Will 20% of the trailer plus the normal load on the X over load them? I say 20% ecause trailers bounce and put extra strain on the vehicle. So if your tires are rated at 2000 each and the X weighs 3500 in the rear you only have room for 500LBS which is good for a 10000 lb trailer's tounge weight minus the load dist hitch compensation. Just keep that in mind... My 8 ply load c's on my SD are good for 2700 each and my truck weight 7K so.. 3500-5200=1700 payload for trailer ball weight cargo fuel blah blah blah.

Also think about if a tire blows out. Will the other tire be able to compensate?

Just my Humble opinion

 

8 plys are Load Range D, FYI. Most super duties and x's should come with 10-ply tires on them, which should be plenty. If you have a good brake controller with brakes on all 3 axles you should be able to stop that load with no problem. Just make sure your brake controller is setup to handle all 3 axles (its gonna be expensive).

 

How about this ?

Weekend Warrior 6400 lbs
http://www.warriormfg.com/8rkd.html

Same scenario different (much lighter) trailer.

I am basically looking for some type of toy hualer camper. I was at the hersey camper show this past weekend and these two were the best ones at the show. I liked the Keystone Raptor better but the Weekend Warrior was nice also.

 

Just checked I have 10-ply's on there. Does that make them load range E?

I have a good brake controller(Tekonsha Prodigy) and it can handle up 4 axles and a trailer weighing "over 40% of tow vehicals weight".

 

How much will the contents of the trailer weigh? Are we talking 1000lbs of equipment and toys, or 5000lbs?

Don't get all excited about Prodigy's "40%" hype; that's what they claim the "boost" function can handle. That's not true at all; depending on YOUR setup, it may be able to handle more, or less. ANY gooseneck horse trailer, fully loaded, will easily outweigh the tow vehicle by 100%, and the Prodigy can handle that just fine. On the other hand, I prefer the handling charactoristics of the boost setting "2" on my setup, which according to the manual only needs boost setting 1. Its all how its set up, not what they want to claim. Make sure that the controller is rated for four AXLES, not 4 brakes (which is a very common way to advertise). I'm pretty sure it is four axles, but double check that.

The rule of thumb I've always been taught, and that I suggest to other people, is to calculate your total weight, then make sure that the truck can handle 120% of that weight. So in your case, if the tow rating is 10k, I'd suggest sticking to a weight around 8000-9000lbs fully loaded. And take any extra weight in the truck into consideration; that rating is for the truck, EMPTY, with a full tank of gas and ONE person inside. Every extra 100lbs of stuff/people you add is 100lbs off your tow rating. I know PLENTY of people disregard the tow ratings as "suggestions", but unless you know exactly how that rating is achieved and what is taken into account I don't suggest it, especially with a tag-along trailer. Goosenecks are a little more flexible, but you stress the vehicle more with a tagalong trailer, as far as weight is concerned.

 

10-ply is a Load Range E yes. Make sure you get a weight distributing hitch to go with your trailer, whatever you buy. The lighter weight would be better, but I think you would be ok with the heavier one.

 

I'd get the lighter one, more room for toys