Can anyone tell me what the factory hitch is rated at on a 2005 Excursion?

I understand they have a 11,000 pound tow rating but that is with a weight distribution hitch. What is the rating on just the hitch alone?

5,000.

The W/D is painless and makes for much more pleasureable, comfortable towing. Thake about 2 minutes to do all the connections once it's set up.

The Ex benefits more from a set of Firestone Ride-Rite airbags than any other heavy tow vehicle out there.

Thanks, I was affraid that was the case.

The W/D hitch cost me $249 and it took less than 1/2 hr to set up the first time. Nothing to fear. Lots of upside.

If the only trailer I towed was my own personal boat, that would be a viable option.

The problem is that I tow several different trailers throughout the year for a couple of dealers. I really need the weight carrying capacity to be higher. On my previous trucks, I have always upgraded the hitch to a Titan or a Putnam class five. Since upgrading the hitch is not an option on the Excursion, I will just have to stay with a crewcab truck and just live with the limited passenger capacity.

That is the best investment you could make. Reese makes a line that is compatible with trailers without modifying the trailer.

Up to a 24' Baja!

You can pull anything you want with it. I've pulled my 47 Fountain, but no matter what you do, you are obviously limited by the legality of the truck or the hitch. The limits on the truck are 11K.

Hey, 25 foot.

That is just one of the boats I tow though. I tow quite a bit around boat show season and that can be just about anything that fits on a trailer. I currently use a 3500 Dodge dually and it is a six speed manual. My knee has gotten much worse in the last year so with surgery on the horizon and such, I am going to be making the switch over to an automatic as much as I hate to. I actually prefer a manual.

I am also going back down to a 2500 I think. I am probably going to end up with a GM or Chevy Crew Cab but I thought I might give the Excursion a look. It would be nice around holiday season to be able to travel with the family instead of everyone taking separate cars.

It really is not that big a deal. I am not sure I am ready to give up my truck bed just yet.