New TV Expedition or Excursion?

[bwbarnes]

I'm trying to decide on a new tow vehicle. We just got a new Primetime Avenger 26BH, loaded weight approx 5500lbs. I am partial to Fords and good used Expeditions and Excursions are about the same price. The Expedition is rated to tow 8600lbs and the Excursion 11000lbs. Our trips are within 4hrs of home and go about 1/month. The Excursion is definitely a better TV, but I'm concerned in the lower fuel mileage. Help me decide, please.

Bruce
2012 Avenger 26BH
Yorktown, VA

[grhodes50]

The listed base weight of your tt on PT's web site is 5,088 lbs (yellow sticker on the side of the tt will be the actual weight as it left the factory. Dealer options such as propane and battery not included) and the cargo carrying capacity is listed at 2,516 lbs. So GVWR of the tt would be 7,604 lbs.
I don't think you'll load 2,516 lbs of gear and food. People usually pack anywhere from 800 to 1,200 lbs, but if you did max out you would probably get close to the Expedition's max ratings by the time you load it up with family, pets and gear. Remember, whatever you load in the vehicle (including the weight of the hitch) takes away from it's towing capacity. But IMHO either vehicle should work, so it's really up to which one you prefer.

Good luck and happy camping!

[acadianbob]

The Excursion is a beast. I'd go with an Expedition but try to find one with the long wheelbase. The longer wheelbase would make a better towing platform than the shorter one.

[ng2951]

I usually recommend getting the TV FOR YOUR NEXT RIG. It always seems like I try to get TV that can comfortably handle my current TT, only to find out that the RV gods conspire and I need to get a capable TV.

That 5,500# probably does not include the A/C amoung other things, but I agree that you are likely to have minimum of an additional 1,200 pounds (water, propane, etc). Also if you use generators then you might want to add another 250 or so for the genset and its accessories...

[EdJunior]

I'm not too sure you're mileage will be all that much different between the two. The 5.4L in the Excursion maybe, but if you could find a V10 or even a diesel Excursion, you would do much better. It may end up being overkill, but you sure would have a nice towing experience. And as ng2951 says, you would be prepared just in case you decide you need a bit bigger trailer.

[Dave_Monica]

I'll add my 2 cents...a V10 Excursion will probably be the worse choice in terms of fuel mileage...because of gearing and displacement they're hogs. I'd vote for a diesel Excursion as best choice. I'm not sure that the Excursion came with a 5.4L...wouldn't recommend it with the heavier weight compared to an Expedition...wouldn't be happy in the hills.

Dave

[bwbarnes]

Thanks for the input everyone. I was leaning toward the V-10 Excursion because from things I've read online people towing with the V-10 are getting about the same mileage as those towing with the 5.4L Expedition, about 10mpg.

The more I read the more I'm becoming scared of buying either one. This is because it appears that both engines have problems blowing out sparkplugs. Has anyone here experienced this?

Bruce
2012 Avenger 26BH
Yorktown, VA

[daverain]

As a owner and use of both the expi and the excursion as tow vehicles, if you stay with the v10 excursion, you won't sacrifice any mileage loss with the excursion as a tow vehicle. The diesels will get 2 mpg more, but will be offset by the .40 cents a gallon difference. Plus you can find good low mileage ex's reasonable. They ride harder, but they are a real truck. I take some umbrage that they are pigs on gas, towing, they are most reasonable on gas, although as a commuter vehicle they are NOT the best economical choice. I get 9.7 -10.4 mpg pulling a 8500lb. sabre.
Dave and Rainy

[daverain]

Oh, forgot to mention, if you get a later model vehicle, the threads are deeper on the 5.4 and v10, which eliminate the problem, I cant remember the specific years, but it's on the net, out of a 97 -99 expi and a 01 and 02 excursion, I did get one plug loosened and popped on the 01 v10, but it didn't do any damage and was a non issue.
Dave and Rainy

[EdJunior]

I believe the spark plug problem with the 5.4L was fixed in the 2003 year. My old F-250 had 125,000 miles on it and never popped a plug. I changed them at 105,000 miles. The guy who bought my truck still tows a 7,000 pound trailer with it. It was a great truck. Still is. The V10's I think were fixed in 2004. And they quit making them in 2005. I would not be too worried about plug popping.

They did put the 5.4L in the Excursion, but only the 2V version of it. So yes, I would stay away from that for sure. Not for reliablility, as I said, the 5.4L is a great engine. But it is just not the right engine for the Excursion. It did okay in my truck for what I used it for, but with the jump to the 5er, I needed the right tool.