Looking at a 2002 Excursion, and I am confused.Specs:2002 Ford Excursion XLT Limited6.8L V10, RWD173k miles, $4900Ford's books say 10,000+ depending on the axel ratio. We are looking at a TT that weighs about 7000 loaded. We are a family of 6 (four small kids), and we weigh 550-600 lbs total. The sticker inside is what has me confused. It looks like the GVWR is 8600. The back bumper says 5000. Is this because an aftermarket bumper and hitch are required to increase the tow capacity?Any input would be great, we were really looking for an excursion to tow with and now this has me wondering if it won't tow what we want.

That Excursion has a GROSS Vehicle Weight Rating of 8600# (Total that it can weigh with passengers/stuff and tongue weight of any trailer)Bumper....5000# That is the MAX Capacity of trailer that the receiver is rated to tow.That Excursion is what it is.........as equipped and as rated on data stickerThe Ford's 10,000# MAX Tow Rating is mfg. magical number based on base model, 150# driver, 20# cargo and lowest ratio of rear different

Old-Biscuit wrote:That Excursion has a GROSS Vehicle Weight Rating of 8600# (Total that it can weigh with passengers/stuff and tongue weight of any trailer)Bumper....5000# That is the MAX Capacity of trailer that the receiver is rated to tow.That Excursion is what it is.........as equipped and as rated on data stickerThe Ford's 10,000# MAX Tow Rating is mfg. magical number based on base model, 150# driver, 20# cargo and lowest ratio of rear differentWould I be right in assuming that if the receiver was replaced with a weight distribution hitch that had a higher rating, we would be okay?I am completely rethinking this now. We sought out the 6.8L V10 because of Fords published tow capacities (from the Ford Fleet RV and Trailer Towing Guide), so it's really confusing to me as to why they advertise the make/model/motor as being able to pull 10000, when the sticker inside says 8600.

Somewhere there should be a curb weight of the vehicle. Take the GWVR, subtract the curb weight, family, gear, and about 100 lb for a weight distribution hitch set up. That is your remaining cargo capacity. That remaining cargo capacity is what you have left for the tongue weight of anything you want to tow. Tongue weight of a trailer should be 10-15% of its loaded (not dry) weight. So your trailer shopping should be limited to trailers with tongue weight in your available cargo weight. You are probably going to find this is the limiting factor in your trailer weight, rather than the tow capacity of the X.

Based on all the variables, that leaves us with a tongue weight of 1000-1500 lbs,leaving 15% safety margain. Does that sound reasonable for trailer shopping?

coolmom42 wrote:Somewhere there should be a curb weight of the vehicle. Take the GWVR, subtract the curb weight, family, gear, and about 100 lb for a weight distribution hitch set up. That is your remaining cargo capacity. That remaining cargo capacity is what you have left for the tongue weight of anything you want to tow. Tongue weight of a trailer should be 10-15% of its loaded (not dry) weight. So your trailer shopping should be limited to trailers with tongue weight in your available cargo weight. You are probably going to find this is the limiting factor in your trailer weight, rather than the tow capacity of the X.So I guess it's just frustrating then, seeking out this vehicle based on Ford specs, and seeing the actual vehicle, and the bumper has on it MAX TONGUE LOAD 500 LBSMAX GROSS TRAILER LOAD 5000 LBSSo is the reality of an Excursion that it can't tow 10k like it's advertised to?

Looking at an X...thoughts? | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

MolinuWanderer
Explorer
Aug 22, 2015
Based on all the variables, that leaves us with a tongue weight of 1000-1500 lbs,leaving 15% safety margain. Does that sound reasonable for trailer shopping?
coolmom42
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2015
Somewhere there should be a curb weight of the vehicle.

Take the GWVR, subtract the curb weight, family, gear, and about 100 lb for a weight distribution hitch set up. That is your remaining cargo capacity.

That remaining cargo capacity is what you have left for the tongue weight of anything you want to tow. Tongue weight of a trailer should be 10-15% of its loaded (not dry) weight.

So your trailer shopping should be limited to trailers with tongue weight in your available cargo weight. You are probably going to find this is the limiting factor in your trailer weight, rather than the tow capacity of the X.
MolinuWanderer
Explorer
Aug 22, 2015
Old-Biscuit wrote:
That Excursion has a GROSS Vehicle Weight Rating of 8600# (Total that it can weigh with passengers/stuff and tongue weight of any trailer)

Bumper....5000# That is the MAX Capacity of trailer that the receiver is rated to tow.

That Excursion is what it is.........as equipped and as rated on data sticker

The Ford's 10,000# MAX Tow Rating is mfg. magical number based on base model, 150# driver, 20# cargo and lowest ratio of rear different

Would I be right in assuming that if the receiver was replaced with a weight distribution hitch that had a higher rating, we would be okay?

I am completely rethinking this now. We sought out the 6.8L V10 because of Fords published tow capacities (from the Ford Fleet RV and Trailer Towing Guide), so it's really confusing to me as to why they advertise the make/model/motor as being able to pull 10000, when the sticker inside says 8600.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2015
That Excursion has a GROSS Vehicle Weight Rating of 8600# (Total that it can weigh with passengers/stuff and tongue weight of any trailer)

Bumper....5000# That is the MAX Capacity of trailer that the receiver is rated to tow.

That Excursion is what it is.........as equipped and as rated on data sticker

The Ford's 10,000# MAX Tow Rating is mfg. magical number based on base model, 150# driver, 20# cargo and lowest ratio of rear different

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Looking at an X...thoughts?

24 Replies

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