Most important thing is going to be trailer setup. 4 outboards hanging off the back of ANY boat is going to turn the trailer into a teeter-totter when going over bumps. Again, trailer setup is going to be KEY.

Well back to the question, Yes it will do it but the real question is safely?? Hope you never have a moment like I did on the way too Florida, I sold mine right when I got back and bought the dually.
Thats alot of boat to pull around with the entire family in it.
Think about it??

Make up a bracket for trailer so you can use load equalizering bars. Should solve problem with heavy trailer on 1/2 chassis. If trailer has surge brakes you have to play around with angle of chains to make brakes work properly. But remeber to take bars off when moving trailer into tight turns ie backing into 90 degree turns. But nothing beats a dually on long trips

[QUOTE=daredevil;2779222]The leafspring on an Exursion are the same then on a 1/2 ton truck :eek:

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm:food-smiley-007:

BILL,,,,,,,ok ok ok ,,,maybe not. But i quess we where talking stock.
Not your 120 K Exursion.:D

Yes you are exactly right. The older I get the less chances I am willing to take...especially with the family.

My most frequent trip would be from Ocean City to Annapolis.

I can make the trip with boat by traveling up coast an then through C & D canal.

Wouldnt take too long to do but it would definetly be less time and fuel to trailer. Something I really have to think about.

I use to use a GMC extended cab 4 X4 Dually to pull my 27 Avanti in mid 90's and it was effortless. But the ride without any thing hooked up was terrible.

Again this will be a secondary vehicle...so may be better to get a extended cab dually and start planning more trips with famliy to warmer destinaions!!

I would really like to start meeting the mebers of OSO and hanging out. There are not many performance boaters or destinations in Ocean City to go to.

The two posts that really got my attention where the above and Damndonzis overall weight of truck, boat and most importantly people in vehicle.

This is why OSO is so valuable, a lot of knowlege and experience on the boards and a lot of good people with good advice.

Thankyou:)

Another very important factor. I wasn't going to bring it up yet..........didnt want to add more to the confusion, but that was another major concern. I have been looking at trailers 4 foot longer than hull length to compensate for this.


So with most of the safety issues covered....what about high end mileage on diesels. What does everyone think of that.

Trying to get most bang for buck without spending a fortune but want something reliable and nice looking. I have been looking at a lot with mileage over 100K mostly due to the price.

I can most likely find something at the auctions for a lot cheaper than what I am seing onE-bay and trader.com (I have a friend that can purchase at auctions)

I dont want to start a brand :party-smiley-004:war but Gm or Ford????

I have the 01 with a 7.3 with 112k no problems over $30, I have a fair amount of mods too that helped with alot more power and mpg when I keep my foot out of it. If you buy one with a 6.0 I would stay away from 03 1/2-04 1/2 and I wouldnt do any mod's to it. The 6.0 is just not as good of a motor and dosn't like mods unless you do a ton of block and head work first, it's nicer to drive stock than the 7.3. Stay away from 00 and early 01 also they run a diff. trans and it wasn't strong enough. Unless you just swap it out with another one, the better one bolts up and plugs in no problem.

If you want to build a great one find a gas Excursion and get the kit to run the Cummins eng & trans put 410 gears bigger tires and it would pull a house down. A buddy of mine is doing this right now, he got a nice EB Excursion loaded with a v10 for $3500, 03 27k mile Cummins motor and trans and elec. from a salvage yard for $3000 with 90 day warr. the swap kit for $1500, and sold his motor and trans for $1500

danggg! :eek: You most now I like projects!!! Thanks for the info

This whole GCWR thing that Damdonzi brougt to the table....thanks DD :D is a lot to consider. I see the Excursion with diesel is rated for 20K thats defintely getting close if not over the limits when you add everything together.

Looks like non dually F350s are also rated at 20,00 1999-2004


EXCURSION GCWR and
5.4L 4x2 13,000
5.4L 4x4 14,500
6.8L 4x2 20,000
6.8L 4x4 20,000
6.0L 4x2 20,000
6.0L 4x4 20,000
7.3L 4x2 20,000
7.3L 4x4 20,000