400 Mile Test Run on the new Excursion-Thanks

[JumpJ]

Thanks to the input on this section I purchased the Excursion. Yes despite your advice, I went with the 6.0 Diesel but this one was lifted and had a few other things on it I was going to spend additional money on. As was indicated by an earlier thread it pulled our custom trailer without effort. Much to the sadness of our Range Rover Sport we headed out after installing a Rhino Rack with Foxwing awning, 30 gallons of water, food and kids entertainment. I put new tires on which I was not happy with as I went with a thinner Michelin which felt squishy and I spent a lot of time driving like I was in an old Carry Grant movie with the steering wheel moving back and forth. Despite this it performed flawlessly and the tires will be replaced this week. It handled the highway speed without issue and driving both on dirst roads and through the water of the Box Canyon it was never faced with an issue. I alwaus wanted a Minivan but the Central Control Unit-CCU (wife) would not allow us to have one. The Excusrion has all the room of a Honda Odyssey (except without the 16 cup holders.....LOL). My son loves it and since I am a helicopter pilot he loves to pretend he is flying a big helicopter. The test took us south from Santa Fe to the Very Large Array then south to the Monticello Box Canyon then cross country back to the I-25 and North to home.
On Wed we will repeat this trip but with trailer, Kayaks and bikes in tow as part of the final equipment test. Thanks again for all the input.
TOYS TO COME-Howling Moon RTT, Winch to load and unload the boats, lights and ................?

 

[Bella PSD]

Love it. Looks like it has a lift too. For some reason I can not open the pictures up bigger.

 

[Rot Box]

Holy smokes that is one good looking rig :elkgrin:

Best of luck with it. Did you get any history on the engine?

 

[EMrider]

Thanks to the input on this section I purchased the Excursion. Yes despite your advice, I went with the 6.0 Diesel but this one was lifted and had a few other things on it I was going to spend additional money on. As was indicated by an earlier thread it pulled our custom trailer without effort. Much to the sadness of our Range Rover Sport we headed out after installing a Rhino Rack with Foxwing awning, 30 gallons of water, food and kids entertainment. I put new tires on which I was not happy with as I went with a thinner Michelin which felt squishy and I spent a lot of time driving like I was in an old Carry Grant movie with the steering wheel moving back and forth. Despite this it performed flawlessly and the tires will be replaced this week. It handled the highway speed without issue and driving both on dirst roads and through the water of the Box Canyon it was never faced with an issue. I alwaus wanted a Minivan but the Central Control Unit-CCU (wife) would not allow us to have one. The Excusrion has all the room of a Honda Odyssey (except without the 16 cup holders.....LOL). My son loves it and since I am a helicopter pilot he loves to pretend he is flying a big helicopter. The test took us south from Santa Fe to the Very Large Array then south to the Monticello Box Canyon then cross country back to the I-25 and North to home.
On Wed we will repeat this trip but with trailer, Kayaks and bikes in tow as part of the final equipment test. Thanks again for all the input.
TOYS TO COME-Howling Moon RTT, Winch to load and unload the boats, lights and ................?

Great looking rig, contrats.

Check out www.powerstrokehelp.com for some excellent info and videos on the 6.0psd. It has issues, but the internet echo chamber amplifies them quite a bit. Maintenance is key and well covered in the videos.
R

 

[JumpJ]

Thanks ALL again for your help in the decision. if anyone can help with how to get the bigger pictures on here I'll put them up. Thanks Will

 

[housedad]

Glad it worked out for you. that is a real nice Ex. I can't wait to get going camping this year. I'm jealous of all that area you have out ther to roam. You lucky dog!!

One thing I would like to point out. You are buying tires, and you may be tempted to get the 'D' load range to save a couple of bucks. Don't.

Ford originally produced the Superduty and Excursion lines with D load tires. Within a couple of years, they finally realized why so many people were complaining about the wandering and understeer problems. The tires had too much side flex for the vehicle weight. Ford re-spec'ed and recalled the vehicles and put on E rated tires. E rating is almost, but not as good for off road, but the on road manners are much much better.


Many people over the years at the FTE forum have tried to save the bucks and end up having to rebuy tires. A few that never tow anything have gotten by with it, but if you tow at all, E range tires all the way.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

As a general market trend in tires, the industry is kind of getting away from the 8-ply (D) rated tires.
Trucks have gotten much bigger, and their load hauling capabilities have jumped considerably in the last few years. Tire manufacturers have been producing more and more 10-ply (E) model tires and most have figured out that it really isn't cost effective to continue to produce the 8-plies when most people/vehicles require the 10-plies anyway.

Strangely enough, most tire manufacturers make the size 285/75R16 (and 70R17) in only the 8-ply rating. I think Toyo might make it in the 10, but they seem to be the only ones doing it.
I have no idea why the 285 size is so special, but there it is...

 

[JumpJ]

I had some 20 inch BF Goods on there when I got it and I went to a thinner Michelin and no hum and yesterday we drove through some pretty soft sand and then terrible gravel and it did superbly. I'll figure how to make the pics bigger and post them. I wish I had done an Excursion years ago over the Land Rover because the size and power it just fantastic. Like a living room that can go anywhere!!