X towing - Diesel Forum

farmtruck · 06-01-2008, 12:14 PM

Bought an 01 Excursion two weeks ago, absolutely love it, to tow my 30' TT. Last year I pulled the TT with my brother's 02 F-250 CC Longbed 4X4 equipped with airbags. Never really used the airbags, set the WD hitch up like the Camper Dealer had showed me. Hooked to the X last week and went for a little ride. Besides noticing the paddle mirrors are not going to make it I also noticed that the ride was real soft compared to the F250. No noticable sway just soft bouncing inside the X. I apologize for not weighing everything yet, but my question is do I need to increase tension on the WD arms to take the softness out? I realize the X has a softer ride unloaded compared to the F250, but I was not expecting this hooked to the trailer. Or should I ignore it and be grateful it is soft?

SmokeyWren · 06-01-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

but my question is do I need to increase tension on the WD arms to take the softness out?

No.

The purpose of the weight-distributing hitch is to distribute the tongue weight of the hitch onto the front axle of the tow vehicle and the trailer axles.

You won't really know whether you have it hooked up right and adjusted properly without before and after scale tickets. But you can get an idea with a tape measure.

With the Excursion ready for the road, including full tank and normal passengers, measure the distance from the front bumper to the ground. Measure the distance from the rear bumper to the ground. Then hook up the trailer, tighten the bars to where you think they should go, and measure again.

The front bumper should be a bit closer to the ground with the trailer than without the trailer. The rear bumper should not be more than a couple of inches closer to the ground with the trailer than without the trailer. Adjust the weight-distribution system until you achieve that goal.

After you have the weight distribution properly adjusted, be sure the floor of the trailer is level front to rear. If it is not level, you need to disconnect the weight-distribution system, then adjust the ball mount up or down on the shank to make the trailer level after you get it all hooked back up.

Next, it's time to hit the scales to verify your preliminary steps. Go to a truckstop with a CAT scale, and fill up with fuel. You need these weights:

1] Tow vehicle front and rear axles without the trailer tied on.
2] Tow vehicle front and rear axles with the trailer tied on but without the weight-distributing hitch bars tightened.

Add the front and rear axle weights to get GVW.

Determine hitch weight. Tow vehicle GVW without the trailer subtracted from tow vehicle GVW with the hitch weight included.

3] As many trips though the scale as it takes, with he trailer tied on and the weight-distribution bars adjusted, to get it set up the way you want it.

Your goal for adjusting the weight-distributing bars is to transfer about one fourth (or a bit more) of the hitch weight to the front axle and another one fourth (or a bit more) of the hitch weight back to the trailer axles. That leaves about half (or a bit less) of the hitch weight on the hitch.

So the front axle of the tow vehicle should weigh more with the trailer hooked up and the weight-distribution system hooked up than without. And the trailer axles should weigh more with the trailer tied on and the weight-distribution system hooked up than without. The rear axle should weigh more too, but not nearly as much more as the hitch weight.

To help with your "bouncy" problem, you probably need a stiffer suspension. Better shocks might be a good first step. But air bags in the rear suspension will probably be your best fix.

HowieE · 06-01-2008, 03:34 PM

I have often written and helped other on how to set up a WD Hitch but I have to admit "SmokeWren" has posted one of the best descriptions I have seen to date.

I would however strongly suggest you do a search on Excursion Sway while towing before you do a lot of towing. The Ford Excursion as manufactured is a bigger death trap then the Corvair ever was.You will see a lot of suggestions that range from respringing the truck to radius rods.

Having almost lost my trailer to uncontrolled swaying the first time I towed I have so far installed Bilstien shocks and Hellwig sway bars front and rear. While I have not yet achieved a level of control with the Excursion I had while towing with my Sub and would say I am about 90+% there. My knuckles are flesh tone again and my wife no longer has to be within reach of the brake controller.

farmtruck · 06-01-2008, 04:19 PM

Thanks Smokey, your response will definitely help me, when I bought the camper last September the dealer set up my hitch for the F250 and to be honest I have used it just like they set it up and ran 80-85 mph with no sway or any problems, now with the X I don't feel that confident pulling with it like I do with the F250. HowieE, I have been researching the X forums this past week and to be honest I am overwhelmed with all of the suggestions about springs,etc. My brother offered to give me his airbags off of the F250 but I really wanted to hear what other people have tried and what works before I robbed them off of the truck.

HowieE · 06-01-2008, 05:16 PM

There are several things you can do but air bags is not one of them. The problem with the rear suspension of the Excursion is it is grossly under designed as far as springs and sway bar. As a result when cornering or once sway has started the rear becomes a steering axle and amplifies the problem.

I am waiting for the results on a friend that is about to install radius rods on his Ex so I can compare his results what I have so far.

boatpuller · 06-01-2008, 10:37 PM

FarmTruck: The Excursion can be set up to do a nice job pulling your trailer. The problem is Ford did not know if they wanted the Excursion to be a soccer mom's car, or a heavy work truck with a large storage compartment instead of a bed. The ended up missing both marks by a mile. Business school classes will do case studies on the marketing mistakes Ford did with the Excursion, and compare them to the Edsel(sp?), and Ford will end up looking clueless all over again. Okay, rant over.

You'll need to do a little work to fix Ford's suspension failings, but afterwards, you'll have a nice truck that pulls your trailer well. YOu'll get more insight on the Excursion forum than here on the trailering forum, where people tend to favor pickups and fifth wheels.

dmd · 06-01-2008, 11:50 PM

Just to add to Smokey, on thing he forgot.

In the end you will also want the bars to be parallel with the frame of
the trailer. To do this you will need to add or remove some spacer
washers between the hitch head the bars attach to and the shank that
goes in the truck. You usually need to remove the big bolts to
do this. If the chains are cranked up too high, there may not be enough
chain slack when making turns and the bars could come in contact with
other parts.

If you have to crank the bars tighter and they come too high in the
rear, then add a washer to two. This will tip the top of the hitch back
and will make the bars tighter when they are parallel.

It is a real PITA to get the hitches adjusted right, but once they are there
they work much better. I have seen very few that are adjusted
correctly.

caryt · 06-02-2008, 10:43 AM

Changing to modded SD B code rear springs and also adding front V codes along with a SD 30 mm rear sway bar will help! Properly valved Bilsteins and towing will be better.

I can help ..PM me.

Cary

farmtruck · 06-02-2008, 06:54 PM

Thanks to all responses! I guess I am going to work on the suspension, going camping in a couple of weeks and will be lucky to get the mirrors changed out in time, so the first trip may be a handful!!!

SmokeyWren · 06-02-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

I have often written and helped other on how to set up a WD Hitch but I have to admit "SmokeWren" has posted one of the best descriptions I have seen to date.

Thanx for the flowers, Howie. But as dmd pointed out, my answer wasn't complete.But thanx to dmd, the total thread is pretty complete now.

With one exception. Folks mentioned sway but nobody mentioned the cure. Not cheap. But if I'm going to tow a tag trailer that weighs more than about 5,000 pounds, I'm going to do it with a Hensley Arrow hitch. No sway. A tag trailer with a Hensley Arrow hitch tows as good as my 5er. Hensley Arrow - Trailer Towing Safety

dmd · 06-03-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

Thanx for the flowers, Howie. But as dmd pointed out, my answer wasn't complete.But thanx to dmd, the total thread is pretty complete now.

With one exception. Folks mentioned sway but nobody mentioned the cure. Not cheap. But if I'm going to tow a tag trailer that weighs more than about 5,000 pounds, I'm going to do it with a Hensley Arrow hitch. No sway. A tag trailer with a Hensley Arrow hitch tows as good as my 5er. Hensley Arrow - Trailer Towing Safety

Yep, my dual cam setup is in a box for when I sell my TT. Hensley
orange is on the TT. Almost like the TT isnt there, no worries, just kick
back and drive. I thought the dual cam was nice before I put the
Hensley on. Once you try one, you will see the difference. May even
tow better than a 5er, and I have my bed space.

Maverick4x4 · 06-10-2008, 09:47 PM

V's up front and sway bar/ bags in the back. I set it up like Bruce1954 with the tank and LOVE it. I did that right after I bought it, June 2005. It worked great until I put 315's on it last fall and it got a little wobbly again...but a balljoint was toast and it needed shocks. Tows great again, in spite of the 315's...and then the tranny went last week (kind of expected). Once the tranny is done (built!) I'll put gauges and tuner in it.

Anyway, V's and bags REALLY help it out and make it tow great.

pabrannan · 06-11-2008, 07:48 PM

My .02.

Have had TT's from 5.4k to 9.5k with a stock X, and dual sway cam by reese hitch. Have towed in excess of 50k miles from Fla to Grand Canyon to Nova Scotia and all places inbetween and have had zero problems. No rear sway, no fancy shocks, no oversized tires, etc. All TT's road rock solid.

I think maybe my 2wd has something to do with it over a 4x4. Most folks with 4x4 seem to have the problems and need the fixes above.

This is just my experience. I also just use the stock paddle mirrors and although not ideal are adequet. I have been looking for tow mirrors though.

Like Smokey I feel I have a great hot-rod towing machine.

JMHO...........

Paul B

farmtruck · 06-11-2008, 08:02 PM

I put the towing mirrors on last Sat. and then hooked up for a test drive on the highway. I took my dad with me(professional rver). He laughed and said you are driving 70 mph with one hand on the steering wheel, what's the problem? I am leaving Sunday with it, will see how it does. I think I need to drive it and become comfortable with it, I drive a 99 Dually F-350 with work body everyday, I am use to the hard ride, the X is just soft for what I am use to.