Community Forums

iamdf1 · 05-04-2016, 03:41 PM

Hello - new to Rv life, but can't wait. Had a basic budget so my wife & I purchased a 1999 Sunnyvale 33 ft travel trailer. Looking now to purchase a truck to tow this beast. Started looking now for a f250 used. Any opinions whether an Ford Excursion will tow this trailer. Max trailer weight - 10,000 lbs. any other suggestions will be helpful.

MSHappyCampers · 05-04-2016, 04:08 PM

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Bruce C · 05-04-2016, 04:31 PM

If I remember right the Excursion is built on the f250 platform, if so you may be alright. But I'm not completely sure. In any case look in the drop down above [RV Forums] under towing and tow vehicles, you should get help there. Good luck.

iamdf1 · 05-05-2016, 04:46 AM

Thx for the suggestion.

suza · 05-05-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdf1

Hello - new to Rv life, but can't wait. Had a basic budget so my wife & I purchased a 1999 Sunnyvale 33 ft travel trailer. Looking now to purchase a truck to tow this beast. Started looking now for a f250 used. Any opinions whether an Ford Excursion will tow this trailer. Max trailer weight - 10,000 lbs. any other suggestions will be helpful.

We towed a 26 ft Nash (not sure of the weight) with a 1998 Ford Expedition. It was probably the limit, but the Excursion is larger. Our Expedition did have an OEM tow package. My dad used it to tow a 21 foot 1990's Komfort Lite.

Good Luck!

MJArellano · 05-09-2016, 12:32 PM

Excursions were rated at 11000 pounds "when properly equipped" what ever that means. I do know that maxing or near maxing out your towing capabilities makes for an unpleasant towing experience. My first tow truck was a '14 GMC crew cab. It pulled the trailer but it was at it's limit and the truck had to work. New truck is a '16 super duty. There is no comparison. No matter what you get I recommend something that can pull at least 20% more that your trailers GVWR. Good luck.

Gordon Dewald · 05-09-2016, 12:48 PM

Check out the GCWR and rear axle capacity of the Excursion. As mentioned a bit more is better than not quite enough.

suza · 05-09-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJArellano

Excursions were rated at 11000 pounds "when properly equipped" what ever that means. I do know that maxing or near maxing out your towing capabilities makes for an unpleasant towing experience. My first tow truck was a '14 GMC crew cab. It pulled the trailer but it was at it's limit and the truck had to work. New truck is a '16 super duty. There is no comparison. No matter what you get I recommend something that can pull at least 20% more that your trailers GVWR. Good luck.

Can't complain about our F-350 Super Duty for towing our 5th-wheel. Diesel engine makes a huge difference.

"Properly equipped" most likely means the vehicle has a "tow package" whatever that means. I know, our Expedition had the package and it towed lighter trailers very well.

JerryP · 05-09-2016, 10:40 PM

You did not mention the engine type in your Excursion that your are considering. If it's the 6.0 liter diesel you might want to compare the reviews for the 6.0 and later year engines. I think the progression was 6.0, 6.4 and then 6.7. The 6.7 are Ford engines and have good reviews. The 6.0 was designed by Navistar and had a mixed reliability record. If it's a V10 Gas engine, those are very reliable. I have owned several of the V10 Gas engines in various motorhomes. I owned one SuperC RV with the 6.0 Diesel. I didn't own it long and never had an engine problem. But it was always a concern in the back of my mind. I paid for a Good Sam Extended Service plan in case it blew up.

Welcome to RVing.

Jerry
2013 Newmar Bay Star 3002 - 2004 Toyota Tacoma

**TonyDi** · 05-10-2016, 02:04 PM

Glad to have you here with us.

Happy Trails!!

suza · 05-11-2016, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryP

You did not mention the engine type in your Excursion that your are considering. If it's the 6.0 liter diesel you might want to compare the reviews for the 6.0 and later year engines. I think the progression was 6.0, 6.4 and then 6.7. The 6.7 are Ford engines and have good reviews. The 6.0 was designed by Navistar and had a mixed reliability record. If it's a V10 Gas engine, those are very reliable. I have owned several of the V10 Gas engines in various motorhomes. I owned one SuperC RV with the 6.0 Diesel. I didn't own it long and never had an engine problem. But it was always a concern in the back of my mind. I paid for a Good Sam Extended Service plan in case it blew up.

Welcome to RVing.

Jerry
2013 Newmar Bay Star 3002 - 2004 Toyota Tacoma

Good advice! Our F350 is the new 6.7; Ford solved engine reliability problems by building their own diesel engines.

Our Expedition was the larger V8 gas; not sure of the displacement. I'm sure they don't put a V10 in these larger SUVs as they wouldn't meet EPA requirements (Expedition, Excursion, etc are classed as passenger vehicles so have stricter limitations for emissions and fuel economy). Our Expedition got 20 mpg avg (12-16 towing). Towing puts more demand on a vehicle in many ways. Another consideration is the transmission. I expect the "tow package" includes a different transmission (I'm not real good with automotive details)

Gordon Dewald · 05-11-2016, 09:15 AM

According to Ford news releases by 2006 the Navistar 6 liter had the fewest complaints of any of their engines.

We live next door to a Ford HD tech. He says if you do regular maintenance on the engine, leave it stock and drive it sensibly the chances of it going away are very small. Most of the engines in question he works on have been chipped.