towing?

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Apr 19, 2010 | 08:56 PM

Civilian

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 31

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towing?

Ok what do you tow weight wise with your Excursion?
What model do you have engine/drive line?
Any after market items for towing?
What extra maintenance/Pm or other do you perform because of towing?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
The wife wants to get away from our aging motor home and pick up a trailer though I would want to upgrade our 02 XLT 5.4 2WD.

Apr 19, 2010 | 09:08 PM

roadhammer dave

Junior User

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 66

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From: calgary,alberta

I tow a 7500# TT and my only mod was a rear helwig sway bar. I do find that the truck still doesn't track all that well but I think it's my trlr and not the X that's the problem. All EXs run 3.73 rear end ratio so that will be the same no matter what truck you get. I'm not sure which trucks have the torqshift tranny(I believe its '03 and up) but the tow mode works great. In tow mode the tranny will change the shift points for better acceleration, downshift while braking and the cooler works really well for keeping tranny temps down. I don't have gauges yet but it's on the list.

Apr 20, 2010 | 07:30 AM

fordboy67

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2,822

Likes: 0

From: Minnesota

I tow a 26' TT theat weighs about 8000lbs loaded. I flush the transmission every spring and fall, may be overkill, but still cheaper than a new trans and being broke down on the side of the road. Also, make sure you have the proper hitch setup for your load. You may need to get a weight distibution hitch, depending on the trailer set-up. As for the gearing, some X's do have the 4.30 gears, which are better for towing. Also you can do a search for the Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS). Alot of guys on here run this with good results in handling a heavier tongue weight. Also search the Helwig rear sway bar if your rig doen not already have one. Hope this helps a little.

Apr 20, 2010 | 08:17 AM

TeamMudd

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 8

From: central Louisiana

i'm a weekend tower......... the trailer i just bought weighs in at 1800lbs, and i throw on 2 650lb atvs.... so i'm looking at 3100lbs give or take what else i might strap down to the trailer.

no suspension mods (yet), no engine mods, and no programmer/tuner mods. factory 4.30 gears with LS, V10, and 265/75/16 tires.

i use mine as a daily driver as well, so regular oil changes, change the rear diff fluid about every year, and keep a check on the trans fluid. i picked up the truck with 140K so i don't know for a fact that the trans fluid has ever been changed, i hate to drop the fluid and the new stuff loosen up the varnish and i lose my trans.

but trans upgrade on the list include a BD Diesel bypass tube elimination kit, and a TransGo Tugger shift kit.

Apr 20, 2010 | 08:54 AM

rlh68050

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 1,089

Likes: 1

From: Michigan

I've towed a 30' 9,500lb travel trailer with my 2001 since it has been new. Helwig rear sway bar, Timbren rubber springs (these work great) and Bilstein shocks. The key is to use a good hitch set up. I have a Reese trunnion style weight distribution hitch with 1,000lb spring bars. An anti sway device is also good to have. Set the hitch up right and it'll tow fine. The more tongue weight you can handle the better to keep sway to a minimum.

Go here -> RV.Net RV and Camping Forum ? RV, Trailer, Camper, Motorhome, Camping and Campground Information for all you answers regarding RV's and towing.

Apr 20, 2010 | 10:56 AM

roadhammer dave

Junior User

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 66

Likes: 0

From: calgary,alberta

My mistake about the rear end ratio's. That's what happens when you spend a lot of time in the 6.0 forum. My X did not come with a rear sway bar so I went with the Helwig. If I had known about the RAS I probably would have chosen that instead. I think for the purpose of towing it would work better.

Apr 20, 2010 | 12:38 PM

DSMMH

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,589

Likes: 20

I have a 10,000 lbs. GVW Bri-Mar dump trailer(trailer weighs 3,300 lbs) that I have towed to WV empty and back with 7,000 lbs of rock.

I also tow a 6,000 lbs. Scarab on the weekends.

I now have no problem towing either anywhere.

I had the usual front end wander so here, in order first to last, is what I did to fix it.

1. Changed the OEM 24MM sway bar to an OEM 30MM sway bar.

2. Adjusted steering gear.

3. Installed Landyot Radius Rods.

4. Adjusted steering gear.

5. Installed Firestone Air Bags.

6. Adjusted steering gear.

7. Replaced OEM steering gear with Red Head steering gear. Wander problem solved. Tows like a dream.

DSMMH

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Apr 21, 2010 | 12:55 AM

scottman70

Posting Guru

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 1,714

Likes: 0

Ok what do you tow weight wise with your Excursion? 11K Toy Hauler
What model do you have engine/drive line? 6.6.0 Diesel Excursion, 3.73's
Any after market items for towing? Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 900XL's, exhaust
What extra maintenance/Pm or other do you perform because of towing? Just the regular scheduled maintenance...

I love my 6.0 Excursion, it tows awesome! Took some mods to get it there but now it tows like a dream! With the Diesel it's pretty effortless for the motor!

Apr 21, 2010 | 11:36 AM

#10

Civilian

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 31

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Very cool, thanks for all the responses (especially the mods you've made).
Would anyone say there is an advantage to the 4WD model all other things being equal?

Apr 21, 2010 | 11:46 AM

#11

howler4x4

More Turbo

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 530

Likes: 2

From: LI, NY

4wd vs 2wd front suspension is different.

I never want to tow into soft sand in 2wd. That's a real concern for me. You have to decide.

Apr 21, 2010 | 01:53 PM

#12

VR6Nutt

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 370

Likes: 3

From: SoCal

I pull a 28' WW and had to pretty much do the 'standard' list of mods to get this thing to pull well. Dry weight is 9500lbs. Tongue is 1100lbs. Loaded I am estimating 12000lbs. See my sig for the list of stuff done. Only thing I am pondering is the red head steering box. Otherwise, it does very well now!