It sounded like you didn`t have a WDH. yes you need one with a TT. you will need at least a 12,000/1200 lb hitch. and I would get the Dual Cam (Reese straight line) sway control while your at it!
Good luck!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 11yrs
Daughter Marissa 10yrs
Dog Shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear 5Star tuner Y-pipe mod Hellwig sway bar
Reese HP dualcam Prodigy brake controller
A bad day of camping is
better than a good day at work!
You need weight distribution. By adding 1300+ pounds behind the rear axle, you remove a lot of weight from the front axle of your Ex, causing significant reduction in steering response, and control. Turn off the air bags, stop buying suspension parts, and focus on a good WD hitch. I recommend at least 1500 pound bars, even though you have a toy hauler which may actually reduce TW from dry spec. I like my Reese Strait Line, but I do not recommend it for a TH with varying loads. It's very picky about adjustment, which most people do not want to do every trip, every time they load a different toy in the RV. You will need a very long drop shank as well.
You need weight distribution. By adding 1300+ pounds behind the rear axle, you remove a lot of weight from the front axle of your Ex, causing significant reduction in steering response, and control. Turn off the air bags, stop buying suspension parts, and focus on a good WD hitch. I recommend at least 1500 pound bars, even though you have a toy hauler which may actually reduce TW from dry spec. I like my Reese Strait Line, but I do not recommend it for a TH with varying loads. It's very picky about adjustment, which most people do not want to do every trip, every time they load a different toy in the RV. You will need a very long drop shank as well.
souraider wrote: I use a standard trunnion bar style #14,000/1400. I think that is where you would want to be. Fairly inexpensive, about $250-300, it works well for me. I'm actually surprised the dealer let you leave without a WDH on a trailer that size.
You may also look at upgrading your hitch if it is the stock hitch.
I am too and while the 'X' is a fine TV a 34' 12K GVWR trailer is going to be a lot to keep under control. Also, IIRC the later x's had the hitch integrated and it was not upgradable.
There are no aftermarket hitches (receivers) made for the excursion as it is considered part of the safety equipment of the vehicle. I tow a 35' with mine and a v10. It tows like a dream totally stock. raising the vehicle has thrown off the geometry and will cause unstable hard travel. You need a WD hitch for sure. I still use the trunion style with left and right side friction sway controls. I tow at 70 and 75 mph and its rock solid and a smooth ride. Do NOT buy into the you need this or that to make it a good vehicle its not true. Your biggest issue after WD is that it has been raised.
You will need a good hitch setup for sure. I was very happy with the Reese Dual Cam for my 41'/18,000 pound trailer.
But more importantly, you will need to firm up the Ex's rear suspension. High-quality Monotube shocks will also dramatically improve your Ex's towing characteristics. I really like the KYB monomax shocks, but there are other good ones also.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, ~350,000 miles
New Desert Fox in the works!
1. Get rid of the lift kit.
2. Put stock tires on it.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
ok i put in the helwig anti sway bar and the road master active suspension. it made a huge difference, very impressed. But still doesnt feel like i want it to. so was wondering about the wdh. the tv has a six inch lift. with the trailer tongue height my drop hit of 8inches is good for hooking it up now. i know i need a different set up just giiving the lengths. reciever i have says 12500 max trailer weight for wd and 1250 for tongue weight. gvwr on trailer says 12500. I want a wdh that has the anti sway built into it if possible. sorry for the ramble just giving any info i can think of.
2012 raptor 30fs hauling 09 rocker c, 2010 883
2005 excursion 6.0 6in lift,37in tires,sct programmer,sinister coolant filter and egr delete,arp head studs,cold air intake,4in turbo back exhaust.
muttjeff wrote: ok i put in the helwig anti sway bar and the road master active suspension. it made a huge difference, very impressed. But still doesnt feel like i want it to. so was wondering about the wdh. the tv has a six inch lift. with the trailer tongue height my drop hit of 8inches is good for hooking it up now. i know i need a different set up just giiving the lengths. reciever i have says 12500 max trailer weight for wd and 1250 for tongue weight. gvwr on trailer says 12500. I want a wdh that has the anti sway built into it if possible. sorry for the ramble just giving any info i can think of.
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