Towing with gas trucks
12-07-2022 | 08:31 AM
#102
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 402
From: Cheboygan, MI
I drive an '05 Excursion most of the time. I pull my skidsteer, mini ex, and dump trailer quite a bit. I also have a Boss V plow and move quite a bit of snow on our properties every winter. I cannot even tell that my 28 Skater is following me, so that is not much of an issue.
Today I found out the needle bearings were found in the low pressure oil pump and the 6.0 "bulletproofed" Powerstroke engine may be junk. A zero mile rebuilt is about $9,000 installed. The truck is about worthless without it. I look at it as 18 months with a $500 payment. Past 18 months, I am back in the good. Truck and body is in great shape with about 225k miles on it.
After owning it for 60,000 miles over the past 4 years I can certainly say that it is way more expensive to maintain. Hell, even an oil change is expensive! Not loaded I will get about 18 mpg, BUT, with diesel being a third more in cost than gas, that would be equal to 12 mpg in a gasser.
I like my Excursion allot, so I am going to do it, but damn it hurts!
Today I found out the needle bearings were found in the low pressure oil pump and the 6.0 "bulletproofed" Powerstroke engine may be junk. A zero mile rebuilt is about $9,000 installed. The truck is about worthless without it. I look at it as 18 months with a $500 payment. Past 18 months, I am back in the good. Truck and body is in great shape with about 225k miles on it.
After owning it for 60,000 miles over the past 4 years I can certainly say that it is way more expensive to maintain. Hell, even an oil change is expensive! Not loaded I will get about 18 mpg, BUT, with diesel being a third more in cost than gas, that would be equal to 12 mpg in a gasser.
I like my Excursion allot, so I am going to do it, but damn it hurts!
12-07-2022 | 07:14 PM
#103
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 160
From: central IL
Wanted to let y’all know this post wasn’t in vain.
Installed some RC airbags over the weekend and had the chance to test them out yesterday. At 60psi the bed is completely level and really pulls like a different truck when towing.
I’d recommend them to anyone towing with a half ton, regardless of boat size/weight.
FYI - the Rough Country instructions are a throw away. My wife walked into the garage about 4 hours in and said “so that’s how it’s going” 😂
Damn U Bolts were cross threaded out of the gate, fittings leaked, bolts that were too short. A typical 1-2 hour job lol
Installed some RC airbags over the weekend and had the chance to test them out yesterday. At 60psi the bed is completely level and really pulls like a different truck when towing.
I’d recommend them to anyone towing with a half ton, regardless of boat size/weight.
FYI - the Rough Country instructions are a throw away. My wife walked into the garage about 4 hours in and said “so that’s how it’s going” 😂
Damn U Bolts were cross threaded out of the gate, fittings leaked, bolts that were too short. A typical 1-2 hour job lol
12-08-2022 | 11:27 AM
#104
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 27
From: Clearwater, Mn
For those with 25-30 footers towing with half tons… I have a 6.2 1500 that pulls my 27’ Fountain. It does pretty good from a suspension perspective, but when I get into areas with rolling hills, the motor is working!
I’ve looked into diesels, but I just don’t want any to pay the premium. I like my half ton and if it had a little more juice, it would tow just fine.
Seems heat is the issue with most gas/turbo tow setups. Has anyone done a low comp setup with a small turbo for a tow application?
I’ve looked into diesels, but I just don’t want any to pay the premium. I like my half ton and if it had a little more juice, it would tow just fine.
Seems heat is the issue with most gas/turbo tow setups. Has anyone done a low comp setup with a small turbo for a tow application?
Runnin 75-80 mph she is in the 5.5 MPG range. Stay about 65 and picks up to about 6.5 mpg. Some days a touch over 7.
Dose it drink the gasoline? Yes it dose. How ever it is a fraction of the cost on maintenance,repairs and purchase price vs a diesel and will still pull a house down. Literally you can probably fix the entire truck in the parking lot of a parts store with a hammer LOL. Injector chits it's pants on a Damx. You are looking at what, a $4-5k repair bill? Maybe look for a 8.1 (2001-2006) and use it to tow only. Keep your 1500 for daily driver .
Last edited by 92nsx; 12-08-2022 at 12:13 PM.
12-08-2022 | 11:36 AM
#105
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,967
Likes: 6,456
From: Chicago
I drive an '05 Excursion most of the time. I pull my skidsteer, mini ex, and dump trailer quite a bit. I also have a Boss V plow and move quite a bit of snow on our properties every winter. I cannot even tell that my 28 Skater is following me, so that is not much of an issue.
Today I found out the needle bearings were found in the low pressure oil pump and the 6.0 "bulletproofed" Powerstroke engine may be junk. A zero mile rebuilt is about $9,000 installed. The truck is about worthless without it. I look at it as 18 months with a $500 payment. Past 18 months, I am back in the good. Truck and body is in great shape with about 225k miles on it.
After owning it for 60,000 miles over the past 4 years I can certainly say that it is way more expensive to maintain. Hell, even an oil change is expensive! Not loaded I will get about 18 mpg, BUT, with diesel being a third more in cost than gas, that would be equal to 12 mpg in a gasser.
I like my Excursion allot, so I am going to do it, but damn it hurts!
Today I found out the needle bearings were found in the low pressure oil pump and the 6.0 "bulletproofed" Powerstroke engine may be junk. A zero mile rebuilt is about $9,000 installed. The truck is about worthless without it. I look at it as 18 months with a $500 payment. Past 18 months, I am back in the good. Truck and body is in great shape with about 225k miles on it.
After owning it for 60,000 miles over the past 4 years I can certainly say that it is way more expensive to maintain. Hell, even an oil change is expensive! Not loaded I will get about 18 mpg, BUT, with diesel being a third more in cost than gas, that would be equal to 12 mpg in a gasser.
I like my Excursion allot, so I am going to do it, but damn it hurts!
Hopefully yours is better, the Baja was 12k #
12-08-2022 | 03:11 PM
#106
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 402
From: Cheboygan, MI
My magnetic struts went and I replaced the whole system with the Arnott/Bilstein setup, what a difference. Auto leveling works perfect and ride is so much smoother and it has built in resistors to fool the computer. Best part is lifetime warranty. You get the best of both worlds.
12-08-2022 | 03:16 PM
#107
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 248
Likes: 99
From: St. Louis, MO
Thanks
12-08-2022 | 03:25 PM
#108
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 874
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa, LOTO, Cape Coral Fl.
I found the Excursion to be the worst tow vehicle Ive ever had , after an hour towing I felt exhausted. Short wheelbase and the loose steering , it was a lot of work to keep in a lane. The 7.3l was a good engine and I loved the rest of the truck but what a difference once I got a longer wheel base vehicle.
Hopefully yours is better, the Baja was 12k #
Hopefully yours is better, the Baja was 12k #
Airbags made a huge difference in towing.
12-08-2022 | 06:24 PM
#109
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 318
From: Lafayette,La
I drive an '05 Excursion most of the time. I pull my skidsteer, mini ex, and dump trailer quite a bit. I also have a Boss V plow and move quite a bit of snow on our properties every winter. I cannot even tell that my 28 Skater is following me, so that is not much of an issue.
Today I found out the needle bearings were found in the low pressure oil pump and the 6.0 "bulletproofed" Powerstroke engine may be junk. A zero mile rebuilt is about $9,000 installed. The truck is about worthless without it. I look at it as 18 months with a $500 payment. Past 18 months, I am back in the good. Truck and body is in great shape with about 225k miles on it.
After owning it for 60,000 miles over the past 4 years I can certainly say that it is way more expensive to maintain. Hell, even an oil change is expensive! Not loaded I will get about 18 mpg, BUT, with diesel being a third more in cost than gas, that would be equal to 12 mpg in a gasser.
I like my Excursion allot, so I am going to do it, but damn it hurts!
Today I found out the needle bearings were found in the low pressure oil pump and the 6.0 "bulletproofed" Powerstroke engine may be junk. A zero mile rebuilt is about $9,000 installed. The truck is about worthless without it. I look at it as 18 months with a $500 payment. Past 18 months, I am back in the good. Truck and body is in great shape with about 225k miles on it.
After owning it for 60,000 miles over the past 4 years I can certainly say that it is way more expensive to maintain. Hell, even an oil change is expensive! Not loaded I will get about 18 mpg, BUT, with diesel being a third more in cost than gas, that would be equal to 12 mpg in a gasser.
I like my Excursion allot, so I am going to do it, but damn it hurts!
I would checkout Kill Devil Diesel .
https://killdevildiesel.com/collecti...ngine-packages
I have my 7.3l there in line to be re built. They do a lot of 6.0 and may have 6.0 long blocks in stock if the 6.0 ARP rod bolt backorder has been resolved .
12-08-2022 | 08:08 PM
#110
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 627
Likes: 408
From: Indiana
