I have an 01 X that has never tow anything over a 1000-lb. brush trailer. I am in the process of boat shopping and wondering how much I really want to tow with my X. My ability to tow is not a problem, as I run Macks with no problem.
The boat, motor, and trailer I'm considering is about 6,500-lbs. I would get a tandom axle aluminum trailer, disk brakes, and weight distributing hitch. Can this be comfortably hauled 1,500 miles from Connecticut to Minnesota in the summer and Connecticut to Florida in the winter?
My X has extra tranny cooling and guages...but a mechanical diode second gear clutch. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] The tranny now has 67K with NO problems (knock on wood) so far. I am a fanatic about changing fluids and maintenance. Eng Oil every 2,500 / tranny every 15,000 / coolant every 30,000
Am I looking for an early death to my X by taking on this load???
Thanks for the help!
tginz
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2001 PSD Excursion Limited, 3.73LS - White/Beige, minus the roof rack crossmembers, Door Badged, Quad Pod - 4 Autometers (EGT, Eng Oil, Trans Oil, & Coolant Temps. on the A-pillar), Turbo Temp Monitor, Firestone Ride-Rite Rears, Edelbrook IAS Shocks, X-pel Light Protection, Weather-Tech Window Deflectors, Grill Guard, GoRhino Hitch Step, Bob Riley's Coolant Filter System, Magnefine Tranny Filter, Garmin Street Pilot III GPS. Fumoto Drain Valve, Gofia Bug Screen, Custom Built Wheel-less Trailer, XM Radio - Always detailed body, undercarriage, & engine.
Tginz,
I tow a 31 ft travel trailer(see sig) fairly regularly with
my X and do fine. I also have the same diode as you and at 94k
have had no problems so far. My trailer weighs in at about 8k.
Mike
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2001 X 7.3 Limited 105k AFE Stage2 Intake, DI 4Way, Magnaflow 4" Stainless Exhaust w/ 6" ITP Tip, Autometer Triple Cobalts From Bob Riley,
Sonnax valve & Tricummulator Springs, Aux Tranny Cooler
1995 F-350 XLT CC SRW Powerstroke, Manual Trans,
4:10 LS, Front End Replacement, Procomp 265/75 AT, 145K. Banks Stinger Plus Kit. Kitty ran away and took the muffler with it.
Pulling a 2002 Starcraft 31SKS Travel Trailer
You'll be fine! I tow a boat about the same weight on a tandem trailer with surge drum brakes and it did great last season. Prior to that I towed it with an Expedition and did ok, so I know you will be alright. There are several other guys towing much heavier boats with their X's.
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2000 X ltd.,white/parchment 4X4 loaded,285/75/16 BFG's,dvd,converted 06 oem grill,Xtint,New style clear headlights & clear corners w/ Plasma white bulbs,Fumoto,cut front bumps,Bilstein's,ass'd X badges & ass'd door PSD badges,ISSPRO EV gauges,clear cab lights, Wet Okole front seat covers, Weathertech visors,Pro-Comp steer stab.,Tymar Perf.intake, AIH removal mod w/boost tap,muffler delete turbo back Magnaflow 4" SS exhaust,WW,ATS Housing,Turbomaster controller,CCV Bypass,Edge Evolution Programmer(Extreme every day tow heavy in 80HP Mode),Power Slot rotors all around w/Hawk LTS pads,Duralast Gold Batteries, etc.); BTS tranny & new programming if oem ever dies.
In betweeen boats so now I have a custom 2003 HD Heritage Softtail I Love! Will return to boating when sons get older at 2mm LOTO, MO! Ride with friends now...Harley much cheaper on fuel! http://community.webshots.com/user/jweiler27
Work hard, play hard; strive to be the best at whatever you are doing!
Just bring lots of spares. I would suggest 2. Thats a long way not to have a flat. I tow a boat about that size and when one tire blew it took out the other tire. Good luck
To the best of my knowledge, you cannot use a weight distributing hitch on a boat trailer because they use an impulse-type master brake cylinder in the trailer's tongue. However, a good boat trailer will allow you to adjust the rollers and stops in order to maintain an acceptable tongue weight ... and/or you can install air-bags.
I tow a 8000 lbs travel trailer all over the place with the X, no problems at all. I used to tow it with a 87 Ford van with a hopped up 5.0L man what a difference the X with a PSD made.
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]
__________________ Excursion Pics
2000 Excursion Limited 4x4 Dark Satin Green Arizona Beige 7.3 DIT, AXDO, 3.73 LS, DP Tuner F5, TERMINATOR II w R-IPR, Adjustable Boost Regulator, Turbomaster, EBPV Delete, Air Dog, ITP Regulated Fuel Return, Fuel Cooler, Tags 1&2, Harpooned Tank, Magnaflow XL Exhaust w Aeroturbine 4040L, Sonnax/Tricumulator, 8 Autometer Sport Comp 4 Gauge A Pillar 4 Gauge Overhead, Ford APCM, Crimestopper Remote Starter With Remote Fast Idle, Ford AIS w Zoodad, W Code Front Modified B Code Rear springs, Rancho RS9000X, Rancho 5406 Stabilizer, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, BFG Rugged Trail TA, V10 Trans Cooler w Dual Electric Pusher Fans, Coolant Filter, IAH Delete, (((XM))) Line Of Fire Light, Ford Cab Lights, 05 Headlights w GOS Conversion Harness, Jimmi Jammers, 03 Lighted Painted Tow Mirrors w C-BETR, PSD Badges, Pullrite Hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller, Born 01/29/00
We pull 7,000lb trailers from Northern California thru LA,AZ,NM to Texas and back the other way during the winter and summer,nothing but clean towing [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I will mention we're not one of the typical owners that are booking 80 MPH+ with that kinda weight,I keep it down around 60-65 to take care of the engine and drivetrain not to mention the MPG's gained. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
__________________ 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L 4x4 XLT 9th Annual Powerstroke Rally this Oct 3-5 2008 in Caddo Mills,Texas CLICK HERE for more Information & Register Here
One more boat tow'r! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Mines about 7500# and as long as the trailer is set up right, you're good to go. If you don't have a rear sway bar, I'd get one but that's it. I generally tow at 60-65 MPH max, which is where it feels good. With the Excursion I actually use the cruise control and sit back and enjoy the ride. Greatly reduced driver fatique than with the Expedition.
As far as WD, you don't need it with a boat trailer. There is one made for surge brakes specificly but you really don't need it. Boat trailers are much better balanced and carry less tongue weight.
If you're buying the boat and trailer new, definetly get SS disc on both axles and watch the trailer weight rating and go over if you need to. At 6500# you're well under what a typical tandem will rate with standard 3700# axles and 14" tires.
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
I really appreciate all of the information and reassurance. I agree with the 60-65 towing. Who are those guys that pull trailers at 80+ mph? Not only are you stressing the mechanicals, but you're asking for a c-r-a-s-h. I will have to look into the feasibility of a WD hitch.
To answer Coldpizza's question...The mechanical diode is a tranny clutch that Ford tried for about 9 monthes in the 4R100 trannies. It was a gross failure in the F-150. As the motor spooled up, the clutch fell apart. Many people have had trouble with them behind their PSD. At 67K, I feel fortunate to have avoided that disaster. You can do a search at this site and find hundreds of posts. Or this website gives info. on the F-150 problem. http://www.f150online.com/forums/arc...ic/9333-1.html
I feel I have avoided the problem, because I simply don't rev my PSD. I let it shift nicely at 2,000 rpms. or less each time a start up. When I 'm in my X, I'm in no hurry. Its a diesel and should be driven in the torque band, not hot rodded to redline. If I want to hot rod, I drive my "daily commuter" a 1996 Buick Roadmaster wagon Collector's Edition with a LT-1 350. One of the finest "sleepers" to come out of Detriot. Noth'in better than tak'in a hopped up rice burner at light in my 5,000-lb. station wagon!
AGAIN, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR WEIGHTING IN ON THE TOWING SITUATION! I feel more comfortable about pull'in and about pull'in the trigger on the boat purchase.
tginz
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2001 PSD Excursion Limited, 3.73LS - White/Beige, minus the roof rack crossmembers, Door Badged, Quad Pod - 4 Autometers (EGT, Eng Oil, Trans Oil, & Coolant Temps. on the A-pillar), Turbo Temp Monitor, Firestone Ride-Rite Rears, Edelbrook IAS Shocks, X-pel Light Protection, Weather-Tech Window Deflectors, Grill Guard, GoRhino Hitch Step, Bob Riley's Coolant Filter System, Magnefine Tranny Filter, Garmin Street Pilot III GPS. Fumoto Drain Valve, Gofia Bug Screen, Custom Built Wheel-less Trailer, XM Radio - Always detailed body, undercarriage, & engine.
Ah ha! Here's the info on Equal-i-zer, the WD set up for boat trailers with surge brakes.
So tell us about the boat! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
I bought the X specifically to tow a 24' boat. GTW is about 8200#.
(boat, fuel, gear, and trailer)
I'm using the stock hitch (without equalizer) and it does just fine.
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2002 X Limited PSD 4x4 - Mineral Gray, WeatherTech floor mats, cargo liner, and Weather Visors, Ford "Tire Organizer", Silverstar headlamps, Hellwig rear sway bar, "Steveracer" fog light mod, TTM, XM Roady 2, completely stock drivetrain. Tow 24' Osprey Fisherman on Long AL2570 trailer.
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Good idea. Or some other helper system in the back. The Ex's are sprung very lightly and yours did not come with an anti-sway bar so they can be unstable when towing at speed. Helwig anti-sway bars are popular as are leaf springs from SD pickups.
I have pulled my boat 9,300 LBS with all 3 of my Excursions. I had 2 01's Gas/Diesel and my current 04. Niether of the 01's had airbags or rear swaybars, but they did ok. The 04 has both and is much better at it. My Dad pulls a 12,000 LB express cruiser with his 04 X.
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