Don't think it's gonna work?

[Philos3]

Interesting, so I did a bit of research. The Excursion was designed as an SUV.

"Although using the 3/4 ton chassis of the F-250, the Excursion was rated with a GVWR of 8,900 lb (4,000 kg) when equipped with gasoline engines, and 9,200 lb (4,200 kg) with equipped with diesel engines." Tow Capacity I believe around 10,000 lbs.

Since I'm thinking in terms of a current Super Duty 3/4 truck designed with a heavy duty suspension and chassis, equipped for towing, I don't think I was too far off.
GVWR 8,500 lbs, rear stabilizer bar, trailer sway control, 12,500 to 18,500 towing capacity.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Philos3

Pulled this off airforum.com today:

"We hit the "perfect storm" and rolled our beloved 2003 Airstream Classic (thankfully we were not injured). A cold front coming in with wind gusts, down steep hill and tractor trailer going to fast by us caused the trailer to sway and tip both trailer and TV (Ford Excursion V10). We pulled our '75 Airstream Excella for 10 years without sway problems."

Unfortunately, I don't know the length of the trailer or its weight, nor the capacity of the Ford Excursion V10, though it could easily be researched. Obviously, the owner successfully "pulled" that trailer for many (10) years

Unless I'm mis-reading your quote, the trailer he rolled was NOT the trailer he pulled for 10 years. Of course, that doesn't mean he didn't pull the 2003 for 10 years. Just pointing out what he DID say (or what I think he said).

[drittal]

Originally Posted by Philos3

Interesting, so I did a bit of research. The Excursion was designed as an SUV.

"Although using the 3/4 ton chassis of the F-250, the Excursion was rated with a GVWR of 8,900 lb (4,000 kg) when equipped with gasoline engines, and 9,200 lb (4,200 kg) with equipped with diesel engines." Tow Capacity I believe around 10,000 lbs.

Since I'm thinking in terms of a current Super Duty 3/4 truck designed with a heavy duty suspension and chassis, equipped for towing, I don't think I was too far off.
GVWR 8,500 lbs, rear stabilizer bar, trailer sway control, 12,500 to 18,500 towing capacity.

2003 F250 had a GVWR of 8800. Both when equipped with the v10 had GCWR of 17k or 20K depending on axle ratio.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...s/2003_All.pdf

[Philos3]

You are not misreading. I figured it was about the same on their second one. 2003 plus 10 roughly 2013, assuming they bought new. A bit of interpolation, their original post around late 2012 if I remember correctly.
=============================
"2003 F250 had a GVWR of 8800. Both when equipped with the v10 had GCWR of 17k or 20K depending on axle ratio." All the numbers provided by others or myself still come to the same place = probably not a good enough match of tv and trailer...too close on the numbers.
==================
The SUV was not really designed for that much trailer and at least as of this post, no-one seems to be willing to suggest otherwise.

[lbrjet]

"We used an anti-sway hitch with chains and bars ..."

Sounds to me like the airstream owners had a basic WDH and not a true integrated sway control WDH like the Equal-i-zer 4 point or Reese Dual Cam. They are now learning and asking about the Hensley, the holy grail of sway control and the whole point of their post.

Nothing may have prevented this accident, too few details to really tell. Extremely likely not the fault of the tow vehicle. The older Excursion is a very capable 3/4 ton truck and commonly used by Airstream owners, as are other large not as capable SUV's.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

"We used an anti-sway hitch with chains and bars ..."

Sounds to me like the airstream owners had a basic WDH and not a true integrated sway control WDH like the Equal-i-zer 4 point or Reese Dual Cam. They are now learning and asking about the Hensley, the holy grail of sway control and the whole point of their post.

Nothing may have prevented this accident, too few details to really tell. Extremely likely not the fault of the tow vehicle. The older Excursion is a very capable 3/4 ton truck and commonly used by Airstream owners, as are other large not as capable SUV's.

We Owned an Excusrion Limited 4x4 with the V10.. it felt a much more capable tow rig than a like minded suburban.. think small tank.
They were a tad softer sprung IMO than the 3/4 ton truck they were based off of, but held onto it's roots much more so than other Large SUV offerings.
I can't imagine it being a TV issues.. I mean I have seen Semis overturn on the interstate under the right circumstances with wind.. Think it was probably just plain ole bad luck all around.

[Philos3]

I'm not sure I'm willing to buy into bad luck. I doubt that situation would be considered a one-shot unlucky unsafe driving experience.

However, I'm willing to consider that the tv was not properly set up, assuming it was a proper match to the trailer: "not a true integrated sway control WDH like the Equal-i-zer 4 point or Reese Dual Cam. They are now learning and asking about the Hensley, the holy grail of sway control and the whole point of their post."

[wildcatter]

I pulled a 27hfs with a 99 silverado 4.8l V8, I would never do it again, I was right at capacity, like several others have said you will be white knuckling it and good luck at stopping it, and then there are the hills, the first big one you hit and almost get read ended on the inter-state/highway because your speed dropped so far you will wish you had the bigger truck/engine. The sway was terrible as well, even with a WDH and anti-sway set up.


Curt

[5picker]

Originally Posted by doc73

Yeah I am in the $200 range for a class 4a registered weight.

Me too. Per year.

[checkmate99]

I pulled my first TT (6700 pounds loaded) with my 1978 Buick Lasabre. I pulled it from NE Ohio to Florida and back....did it make it? Yes. Did I pull it with the Buick again? No! A week after I returned, I bought a new 1981 Chevy Suburban 3/4 ton with a 454 c.i. V8 and a 3:43 axle. That was when one could buy a HD Suburban. That was a trip I'll never forget...couldn't make the big hills over 45 MPH, and I had to turn off the A/C continuously. I was young and dumb, but it was a fun trip as long as I wasn't pulling the trailer! To the OP....don't buy the small displacement Ram!