STUPID FACTORY HITCH

[coldair]

Has anyone found a replacement hitch rated at 10,000lbs? Why does ford claim a high towing capacity when the hitch is rated at 5000 lbs?
a load equalizer hitch is out for boat trailers so what gives will the f350 hitch fit? thanks mike

[Grindoc]

Why is an equalizer hitch out of the question? I tow a 15000lb boat with my Excursion (we had the hitch reinforced), and the hitch place installed an excellent equalizing setup. I asked other stores, and they said that you can't use equalizing bars with hydraulic surge brakes. That is a load of crap. If the store knows what they are doing, it can be done. Our hitch place even had a display in their showroom showing how it could be done. Good luck.

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2000 Excursion Limited 4x4, V10, all options

[HorseTrucker]

Troutly, Had an X ordered and cancelled it when he found out that the hitch was considered part of the collision system and after market makers, Drawtite etc. would not make a a true 10K plus hitch because of the liability issue.

Regards

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99.0 F350 Lariat CC DRW 3.73/00 Excursion Limited
3.73LS.

[ExcursionPSD]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Grindoc:
Why is an equalizer hitch out of the question? I tow a 15000lb boat with my Excursion (we had the hitch reinforced), and the hitch place installed an excellent equalizing setup. ...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have seen several decent (expensive) surge brake controllers that can be used with equalizer bars.

What did you do to assist the rear springs, add a leaf ? air bags? How much tongue weight?



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2000 Excursion Limited born 11/99 4x4 Toreador Red ext./gray int. 7.3PSD, 3.73LS, Skidplates, Pwr/Htd TeleMirrors, 6CDchanger, HtdBuckets, LT265/75R16D AT, Ford Wraparound deflector, PSDV8 badging, RoofMarkerLights, Tekonsha Sentinel brake cntrlr

[Grindoc]

We did nothing to modify the excursion, except for reinforcing the hitch. Our boat trailer came with a 20,000lb surge brake, and each of the three axles has brakes on it. We measured the tongue weight of the trailer, and it was 1600lb (about 10% of the total weight). The equalizer bars that we have are rated for 1700lb. The hitch store said that as long as the chains holding the bars up are perfectly vertical, there would be enough lateral travel for the surge brakes to work. With it all hooked up, the truck sits perfectly level, and, let me tell you, the truck pulls that massive boat like a dream.

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2000 Excursion Limited 4x4, V10, all options

[coldair]

Grindoc, What did you do to reinforce the factory hitch? do you have any pictures of the hitch set up? my trailer dealer said I would bend the dayligts out of my loadmaster trailer so who's right. thanks mike

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2000 excursion limited,psd,diablo extreme chip, vdo tri guages,eclispse,oz+orions 1200 watts ppi, arb air locker front, aubuorn ls rear, 4" skyjacker lift 35*12.5*16.5 bfg at's

[Grindoc]

Our hitch dealer reinforced the factory hitch by extending the receiver tube forward to about the front of the gas tank, and attached a cross member to that, which is then bolted to the frame. When he looked at it to give us an estimate, he said that it was the strongest looking factory hitch that he's seen. He said that the hitch on the new Suburban (which is rated at 12,000lb) is worthless, and will be ripped off the car in no time. I have some pictures of the boat/trailer hooked up to the truck, but none of the hitch itself. If I can get my hands on a digital camera, then I will take some pics. BTW, the hitch dealer that worked on ours was JD Hitch, in Wheaton, IL. If you give them a call, maybe they can give you more info on the installation. The trailer that we have is a Vanguard trailer. Because of the long tongue, they had to custom make the equalizer bar attachments. Good Luck.

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2000 Excursion Limited 4x4, V10, all options

[Whozatdiesel]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Grindoc:
Our hitch dealer reinforced the factory hitch by extending the receiver tube forward to about the front of the gas tank, and attached a cross member to that, which is then bolted to the frame. When he looked at it to give us an estimate, he said that it was the strongest looking factory hitch that he's seen. He said that the hitch on the new Suburban (which is rated at 12,000lb) is worthless, and will be ripped off the car in no time. I have some pictures of the boat/trailer hooked up to the truck, but none of the hitch itself. If I can get my hands on a digital camera, then I will take some pics. BTW, the hitch dealer that worked on ours was JD Hitch, in Wheaton, IL. If you give them a call, maybe they can give you more info on the installation. The trailer that we have is a Vanguard trailer. Because of the long tongue, they had to custom make the equalizer bar attachments. Good Luck.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Grindoc: If you have them, post some pictures of the boat. Sounds like it's a nice one! Would be interested in seeing them.


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Waiting on 2001 PSD, 4X4 Limited with every option from Ford. Plus painted to match: bug shield,window vent guards, all in Estate Green. molded mud flaps & auto running lamps! ETA 8/15/00

[Grindoc]

How do I post my pics? If it isn't easy, I can just email them to you. Anyways, it won't be until Thursday when I can get access to a scanner.

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2000 Excursion Limited 4x4, V10, all options

[Whozatdiesel]

Grindoc: You can just email them to me, that would be the easiest to do after you scan them. (wgeorge@kc.rr.com) Thanks!


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Waiting on 2001 PSD, 4X4 Limited with all option's from Ford. Plus painted to match: bug shield,window vent guards,Rear deflector, all in Estate Green. molded mud flaps & auto running lamps! ETA 9/15/00