Camper Guys! Give me some help here, new to camping and went ALL IN!
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: WisCONsin
Camper Guys! Give me some help here, new to camping and went ALL IN!
Okay here is the deal
I have quite a few boats: I'm selling my Scarab and we are going to Get a Camper. No need for that fast amazing twin engine 16 cyl of dinosaur burning performance. Who really wants to go across the water at 70mph anyway. Ahh, forget it!
So what do we do?
Let us become campers! Puma 32dbks Campers to be exact.
Started by looking at that 26-28' units and came into a really NICE set up on a deal that we could not pass up. So, here we are and I need to pull it
6.8L, box stock X, Towing this pig! 8700# 36'9" LOA Brick!
Help me out here camper haulers.
What do I need for a Hitch, Suspension upgrades, etc.
Wanted to do the spring update but not until it was a bit warmer. Anyway. Shoot some ideas and experiences.
Palomino RV - Manufacturer of Quaility RVs since 1968
I have quite a few boats: I'm selling my Scarab and we are going to Get a Camper. No need for that fast amazing twin engine 16 cyl of dinosaur burning performance. Who really wants to go across the water at 70mph anyway. Ahh, forget it!
So what do we do?
Let us become campers! Puma 32dbks Campers to be exact.
Started by looking at that 26-28' units and came into a really NICE set up on a deal that we could not pass up. So, here we are and I need to pull it
6.8L, box stock X, Towing this pig! 8700# 36'9" LOA Brick!
Help me out here camper haulers.
What do I need for a Hitch, Suspension upgrades, etc.
Wanted to do the spring update but not until it was a bit warmer. Anyway. Shoot some ideas and experiences.
Palomino RV - Manufacturer of Quaility RVs since 1968
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More Turbo
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From: WisCONsin
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
Best advice I can give you is don't be in a hurry when towing its not a race, I stay right around 65. I have seen more than my share of bumper pulls rolled in the ditch still attached to the tow vehicle. You might want to post down in the RV/Trailer towing section as well.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 104
From: Martinsburg, WV
The Excursion receiver hitch is fine for that, you will want a high quality weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, reese dual cam or Hensley arrow come to mind. Keep it under 70, don't tow like a bro... If you don't have a brake controller already, get a Tekonsha P3, the adjustability and the diagnostics are a must for someone with more than one trailer and multi axle brakes. A big help will be the Hellwig rear sway bar or RAS.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,888
Likes: 3,435
From: Ohio
Hopefully WE3ZS will be along to tell his story, he's got the setup you will need for that home away from home.
You'll be 10K + going down the road in that trailer. With that size, I would definitely go with a Hensley or Pro-Pride hitch. No other viable option IMO.
You'll also need to upgrade your receiver bolts to get the capacity up to the later model rated 1250 lbs. Even at that, you'll probably be over.
Springs or airbags or both. Rear sway bar. Does your truck wander? If so, you'll need to cure that first.
4.30's are nearly a must with the 285's you have on plus the weight of the trailer.
Goes without saying (I'll say it anyway), you want everything in the suspension and brakes to be in excellent condition.
That's a lot of trailer for an EX to pull. It can be done, but don't do it casually so you don't end up a casualty!
You'll be 10K + going down the road in that trailer. With that size, I would definitely go with a Hensley or Pro-Pride hitch. No other viable option IMO.
You'll also need to upgrade your receiver bolts to get the capacity up to the later model rated 1250 lbs. Even at that, you'll probably be over.
Springs or airbags or both. Rear sway bar. Does your truck wander? If so, you'll need to cure that first.
4.30's are nearly a must with the 285's you have on plus the weight of the trailer.
Goes without saying (I'll say it anyway), you want everything in the suspension and brakes to be in excellent condition.
That's a lot of trailer for an EX to pull. It can be done, but don't do it casually so you don't end up a casualty!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 4
A 36' 3-slide camper that weighs 8,700 lbs empty? The first thing you should do is weight that beast. With a GVWR of 10,900, your numbers can add up wrong pretty quick. Water weighs around 8 lbs per gallon. Full tanks alone will eat up a big chunk of your available payload.
Make sure you have E rated tires with a fairly stiff sidewall on your X. And invest in a good weight distribution setup.
Make sure you have E rated tires with a fairly stiff sidewall on your X. And invest in a good weight distribution setup.
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From: WisCONsin
Best advice I can give you is don't be in a hurry when towing its not a race, I stay right around 65. I have seen more than my share of bumper pulls rolled in the ditch still attached to the tow vehicle. You might want to post down in the RV/Trailer towing section as well.
I didn't know we had that section. I will be there shortly. Thanks for the info
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: WisCONsin
Hopefully WE3ZS will be along to tell his story, he's got the setup you will need for that home away from home.
You'll be 10K + going down the road in that trailer. With that size, I would definitely go with a Hensley or Pro-Pride hitch. No other viable option IMO.
You'll also need to upgrade your receiver bolts to get the capacity up to the later model rated 1250 lbs. Even at that, you'll probably be over.
Springs or airbags or both. Rear sway bar. Does your truck wander? If so, you'll need to cure that first.
4.30's are nearly a must with the 285's you have on plus the weight of the trailer.
Goes without saying (I'll say it anyway), you want everything in the suspension and brakes to be in excellent condition.
That's a lot of trailer for an EX to pull. It can be done, but don't do it casually so you don't end up a casualty!
You'll be 10K + going down the road in that trailer. With that size, I would definitely go with a Hensley or Pro-Pride hitch. No other viable option IMO.
You'll also need to upgrade your receiver bolts to get the capacity up to the later model rated 1250 lbs. Even at that, you'll probably be over.
Springs or airbags or both. Rear sway bar. Does your truck wander? If so, you'll need to cure that first.
4.30's are nearly a must with the 285's you have on plus the weight of the trailer.
Goes without saying (I'll say it anyway), you want everything in the suspension and brakes to be in excellent condition.
That's a lot of trailer for an EX to pull. It can be done, but don't do it casually so you don't end up a casualty!
Excellent: that's what I'm looking for is the info on what hitch system to go with! We don't plan to pull it often but when we do I want to have the best.
Sway bar is OEM F250
Brakes are all fresh and working well, just need a controller and some other goodies!
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: WisCONsin
The Excursion receiver hitch is fine for that, you will want a high quality weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, reese dual cam or Hensley arrow come to mind. Keep it under 70, don't tow like a bro... If you don't have a brake controller already, get a Tekonsha P3, the adjustability and the diagnostics are a must for someone with more than one trailer and multi axle brakes. A big help will be the Hellwig rear sway bar or RAS.
Also, I'm rolling a F250 Rear sway bar, how is that in comparison?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
I can't say enough positive about the P3 the adjustment is fantastic and I haven't had to mess with it every time I've hooked up. My trailer is only 7500 GVWR, 5500 empty it towed fairly well with just a basic WD hitch and the stock springs with a rear swaybar and E tires. I picked up a hensley hitch that I'm going to use and I'm looking at the RAS to beef up the rear suspension.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Reno, NV
I'll chime in here as I have a similar setup.
As others have said, Weight Distributing hitch is a must. A good dealer shouldn't let you leave without having one attached or selling you one there. Personally I'm a fan of the BlueOx SwayPro - it's extremely easy to set up and take on/off.
I ended up going with AirBags for my rear end. I do like them, mainly because I'm a fan of being able to adjust them - HOWEVER - if you want a 'set it and forget it' solution then the RAS may be the way to go. I do check my airbags about once a week to make sure my ride is even. You'd be surprised how much one airbag being down 10PSI will affect the ride of your truck.
If you have the F-250 Sway Bar, personally I think you are fine as it is much better than having nothing on there.
As others have said, the Brake Controller is a must.
If you can, never tow with full tanks. Fill with freshwater once you get close to your campsite (or have hookups). Dump whenever you can.
I found putting a reverse camera on the back of my Ex made it a cinch to connect up.
As others have said, Weight Distributing hitch is a must. A good dealer shouldn't let you leave without having one attached or selling you one there. Personally I'm a fan of the BlueOx SwayPro - it's extremely easy to set up and take on/off.
I ended up going with AirBags for my rear end. I do like them, mainly because I'm a fan of being able to adjust them - HOWEVER - if you want a 'set it and forget it' solution then the RAS may be the way to go. I do check my airbags about once a week to make sure my ride is even. You'd be surprised how much one airbag being down 10PSI will affect the ride of your truck.
If you have the F-250 Sway Bar, personally I think you are fine as it is much better than having nothing on there.
As others have said, the Brake Controller is a must.
If you can, never tow with full tanks. Fill with freshwater once you get close to your campsite (or have hookups). Dump whenever you can.
I found putting a reverse camera on the back of my Ex made it a cinch to connect up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 0
From: Rothesay, New Brunswick
Here is the one that my mom used to pull with her previous 2004 V10 Excurion:
2009 Pilgrim 2500 Lite 31PBHSS Travel Trailer
It was bone stock: 3.73 gears, factory springs, no airbags etc etc. 10 ply tires for sure. Can't remember what brake controller she used. She used a Reese STRAIT-LINE and it worked great. The truck pulled well enough, but she hated that on the long, steep inclines she would need to almost floor it. Eventually switched to the 6.0 that I eventually bought from my parents, but with 4.30 gears I am sure there would be a huge difference over the 3.73. I guess if they had been thinking the gear switch would have been more than enough and a lot cheaper.
Cheers,
Nate
Pics for reference:
2009 Pilgrim 2500 Lite 31PBHSS Travel Trailer
It was bone stock: 3.73 gears, factory springs, no airbags etc etc. 10 ply tires for sure. Can't remember what brake controller she used. She used a Reese STRAIT-LINE and it worked great. The truck pulled well enough, but she hated that on the long, steep inclines she would need to almost floor it. Eventually switched to the 6.0 that I eventually bought from my parents, but with 4.30 gears I am sure there would be a huge difference over the 3.73. I guess if they had been thinking the gear switch would have been more than enough and a lot cheaper.
Cheers,
Nate
Pics for reference: