Towing 38"with PSD Excursion
 

Need advice on towing a 38'Scarab with aluminum trailer(guessing 12-13klbs).I' seen everything from a C4500 Topkick to a 1500 Tahoe towing this kind of boat .How many of you tow this size of boat with this set up? I know the 4x4 Ex is rated at 11k (I think). I have the normal Banks stuff-trans command,exhaust,wastegate,6 pack,ottomind chip.As well as trans and ex temp.I have ladder bars,Firestone airbags a small lift with 315 75 16 tires.I have an upgraded torque converter and modified trans fluid pump.I want to put 4.10 gears(up from 3.73).It already has an LSD.thanks Mike:confused:

It won't do it either safely or legally. If you're willing to ignore the legalities and take a chance that your insurer will deny payment on liability and wronful-death claims, it will certainly be a handful on the highway. Sure, it will move the boat and unlerss it's breezy, pulling on the highway won't be terrible. The first guy who changes lanes in front of you will make you wish you had the right truck for the job.

Just like Chris said, the insurance company will have its way with you if you exceed your towing limitations. What is the GVWR of the vehicle? You need to take that into consideration before you tow anything. Figure 10% tongue weight of the trailer & boat to add to your GVWR, in this case probably at least 1500lbs.

you really need to know the exact weight of what you are towing, are there any scales nearby?
call scarab or a dealer and find out the exact weight of the boat, air bags and ladder bars really help for towing , but you just don't want to go over what it is rated to tow for insurance reasons, Va has some weird laws for vehicles with "truck" tags, allows you to haul/tow more, not sure about other states.

One other issue- the stock hitch is rated for several tons less than the truck's rated towing capacity. Real smart on the automaker's part- but they all pull that $hit.

I would not advise it. The EX is pretty heavy and squishy in the back.

4.10s won't help you with braking and control, which is the obvious safety issue.

You DEFINITELY would need a new true Class-V hitch from Putnam or Reese. You would definitely want electric/hydraulic trailer brakes to control braking the boat. Upgraded cross-drilled or slotted rotors on the truck and HD pads on the brakes, and SS brake connector lines are also good investments.

Good point- the gearing switch will make up for the oversized tires, but not slowing down. The Ex had alot of brakes but the powerslots and EBC green pads do help.

If you're gonna' pull with it anyway, I'd really suggest you un-do whatever lift was put on it and replace the front springs with the Superduty units. You'll get the clearance height for the 315's and you'll loose the Excursion mush and wandering. Edelbrock shocks are my recommendation. The stock Ford shock is OK for a big wagon, not a tow vehicle. If you do the SD springs up front, you'll need the factory blocks in the rear- and the longer U-bolts.

My humble opinion. I attempted exact thing with 3500 suburban, same boat and approximate weight. Purchase a dually at least. Just pulled 5000 miles to FPC Key West run and back and can't say how glad I am that I did the dually deal.

I am not aware of a 3500 Suburban produced in the last 10 years.

The Excursion is more stout than the 2500 Suburban; but you are right. There is NO substitute for towing with a dually.

No one going to say do it, you'll be fine, because you may not be. But, the Excursion is a SRW superduty truck, and can do a lot. Mine regularly pulls 10-11,000 lbs nicely. I once pulled 14-15,000 lbs for a short distance, and was glad to be done with that trip. WD bars would help, but I just did not feel safe doing it. Maybe with practice.... But, if I had to do it often, I'd try hard to get a dually.

I would never tow cross country,but do drive to Havasu (about 260 miles each direction) a few times a year..The lift IS new heavy duty springs,not just blocks.My friend ,who I bought it from, towed a Formula 419 .He ripped a rear end out of it when the trailer dropped off the end of a launchramp.He then decided 17k lbs was too much for an Excursion(although he didn't tow very far at all-from storage to the ramp only)I think it has a whole F350 rear end assembly in it now.The Suspension is very stiff.When I put the trailer down on the hitch it drops about 1-1.5 inches only with only 20 PSI in the airbags.We'll see,the boat is waiting for engines right now so no hurry.Mike

can you get a dually kit for it.......??

we need byrd for this one......:D

H optioned 94 GMC (3500) package with upgraded brakes, springs, rear end. It would handle short haul fine, stability was the major issue, get the dually you won't be sorry.

Mike I may have what you need. F550 crew cab dually hauler bed with 7.3L turbo diesel and Magnaflow exhaust with air ride, no stiff springs gives you a much better ride. It with safely and legally tow your rig in comfort. I pull my 38 Top Gun behind it with a 1500 lb hummer cart on the bed along with up to 6 people inside. My boat has a pending sale and the truck is available.

If you put the airbags, sway bar, upgraded the front springs, then how else is the Excursion different than a F-250?? other than the excursion comes from the factory with 11K rating and 250 comes with 12K? I am still contemplating which one to buy in the future.
I really like the EX, but the 250 is less expensive and no suspension modifications are needed???

YWAIT,that could be an idea,I could drag my sammi around.how much you asking?Mike

sold

That excursion is not fit for towing squat....stick with the 4500 or dually....jeeeeze....you already know it can't tow anything...grocery soccer hot mom express....thats about it:evilb:

The Excursion towing limit is not over 10K.

I think your right,I am going to step up.For now the boat has no motors and won't for a couple of months,so no big deal to tow back and forth to the boat shop.BUT if somebody is looking for an Excursion,its for sale.2000 4X4 limited 7.3 PSD.Heavy duty lift springs(about 4" lift) w/315 tires(about 34"),122k miles,Banks ---6 gun,ottomind chip,power head wastegate,exhaust system,trans command,air filter.EGT gauge,trans temp gauge,Firestone airbags with onboard compressor,ladder bars,remote start,Alpine DVD,recent super duty torque converter and trans pump modifications($1000).3 month old Interstate MTP65 batteries(both). Runs flawlessly,mechanic owned and maintained.I'll post pics in the classified section.Call Mike 909-576-4337

I'm surprised by all this. My 6.0PSD 4x4 X with airbags and Edge lift does absolutely fine with a my 28 (barely know it's back there)/ Obviously, there's a world of difference between 28 and 38 -- but with the proper hitch replacement -- I've always felt that the X would generally have no problem with a 38 Cig, Hustler, etc...

I went from my Nordic 28 to 33 PowerPlay and trust me, I know it's there...big difference, I have a F350 PSD.

in2deep,Yeah there is a big difference.I have a friend with a 28 heat and I noticed a big difference between that and my last boat a 31 Scarab.I think a 28 heat is about a 5900 lb boat,meaning about 8500(?) on the trailer vs. 11,000 on with a 31' and maybe 13,500 for the 38'.Like I said,I love the Excursion,I just think people are right about the stability.

We sold our Excursion after towing a 35' Cafe about 7 times. Even with air bags it did not feel safe towing long distances. It towed our Velocity fine, but the added weight we did not want to take any chances. We switched to a F350 Dually and it tows alot better.

i knew you would help this guy understand....:evilb: :evilb: