Set-up with new tow vehicle

chip.litch wrote:
---We are 1/2 inches high in front and 3/4 low in back. We just couldn't get it back to stock level.---

---In your opinions do you tihnk I need to mess with the combo anymore to make the Excursion level?---

"Level" means different things to different people. By, "stock level", do you mean the stance of the TV with no occupants or cargo and no TT attached?
If so, IMO, a better reference for the before and after measurements is to use the stance of the TV when it is loaded for camping -- including the weight of the WDH.

Then, I believe Ford says that the WDH should be adjusted so the front of the TV is returned to within 1/2" of the unitched height.
If you get the front right, the rear end should take care of itself.
Just be sure you don't exceed the TV's GVWR, the rear GAWR, or the receiver's tongue weight rating.

If you are 1/2" high, you are at the upper limit of Ford's specification for the Excursion.
You might want to increase the rearward tilt of the ball mount by one increment if you can do so.

Ron

I never heard it stated quite like Bob said but if you get the TV pretty much back to level then you moved weight to the front thus if it looks good and tows well you have done what you needed to.

I have never weighed anything, would not even know where to go to weigh anything but as long as I am comfortable with the tow I don't worry about it.

I would leave it as it is and then, when the opportunity comes, drive it over the scales to see exactly where you are on WD. Good job. Wish more would take the time necessary to get it right! :)
Barney

chip.litch wrote:
After a couple rain soaked hours my son and I were able to dial in a hitch combination - that we think - looks about right.

It looks good to me and you appear to be about as level as you can get it. With a slight dip toward the back as you have you'll want to make sure you go slowly down drive-ways or where ever there is a dip in the road/street to make sure you don't scrape your rear stabilizers. But it looks like you have good clearance.

Javi1 wrote:
The only sure way to know if the W/D is adjusted correctly is to hit the scales loaded and unloaded then compare the individual axle weights..

Bingo, We have a winner.

That said, if you followed the instructions and are that close to the original heights and have already taken a test drive and all went well, You likely are in good shape. Now you have to decide if you want to be COMPLETELY CONFIDENT it's right or your willing to take off on your first big trip fairly comfortable that it is. FOr a few bucks and my own piece of mind, I went and weighed mine and made myself feel very safe loading my family in the truck.

chip.litch wrote:
I guess I should have added more detail to the original post. I followed the instructions in the sticky thread on the towing forum. After setting up we went for a 20 mile test drive and it went great. The leveling questions stemmed from the continuing debate about when is it good enough. Fully understand the idea of the hitch.

I like the front of the trailer to sit slightly low, but it really isn't a big deal if the trailer tows well..

The only sure way to know if the W/D is adjusted correctly is to hit the scales loaded and unloaded then compare the individual axle weights..

Sounds OK to me

I guess I should have added more detail to the original post. I followed the instructions in the sticky thread on the towing forum. After setting up we went for a 20 mile test drive and it went great. The leveling questions stemmed from the continuing debate about when is it good enough. Fully understand the idea of the hitch.

If it's set up correctly, it will drive right, but if you are one of those who likes to "experiment" with different ball tilt angles and chain links until it just looks good, then by all means, feel free.

Yeah,you wouldn`t want it to "drive right"! What?