FordExcursions.com Forums
timsexcursion
 |
|
• Northeast, VT, USA |
|
• Registered on 2/8/2004 |
|
• 27 posts |
|
|
|
 Posted:7/30/2005 20:28 |
|
|
Just got back from a 6000 mile trip from Vermont to Yellowstone Park in Wyoming and thought I'd share some things from this trip. Towed a 2002 Hornet 32 foot travel trailer that weighed about 9500 pounds loaded. I weighed myself on some scales in the midwest with full fuel and 6 passengers and came in right at 18,000 lbs which is the factory max combined gross vehicle weight (GCWR).
I did a few things before hand that I was REALLY glad I did. First I installed a transmission temperature gauge. Second, I installed a Tru-Cool 4450 transmission cooler and put it in series after the factory cooler. I installed it right smack in front of the A/C condenser right behind the grill to get the most effect. Third, I installed a K&N air filter that goes right in the stock airbox. And last but not least, I installed the 'Tow Safe' mode of Superchips' tuner.
I towed for about 18 days and the average temperature was 90 degrees (F) and across some of the midwest it got up to 99 degrees! I never saw the transmission temperature get above 160. I climbed up over three mountain passes, each close to 10,000 feet. I saw my transmission temp get up to about 200 degrees on these climbs. Going down the other side of these mountain passes (6% grade for 18 miles) I put the automatic transmission in 2nd and the engine actually held back the load at around 45 mph with only an occasional brake stab.
I cruised all across the country at 65 mph with the cruise control on and transmission in overdrive. The only time I turned my O/D off was in towns going slow or on long hill climbs. I've heard discussions that you should turn the O/D on and some say turn it off...take it from this experience, if you have a diesel, leave it in overdrive. I found if I drove 55mph the truck would shift in and out of O/D more often then if I set the cruise at 65, so thats what I did. I also found it helpful to turn the cruise control off on the interstate on the occasional hill and let the speed drop so it wouldn't shift down. If this is confusing, write to me! The trip went fantastic and the Excursion performed great. The only thing I wish I had done beforehand is install Landyot's Radius Rods. The heavy trailer amplified the rear axle twist. It will be my next project.
I also bumped up the tire pressures to 63psi in the back and 55 in the front. I also changed my oil about half way through the trip.
I was looking for information like this before I took my trip so I hope this will help someone else contemplating a similar trip.
Tim
2000 Ford Excursion 7.3L
Superchips 'Tow Safe'
K&N Air Filter - Stock Airbox
Tru-Cool 4490 Trans Cooler
|
|
E. Long
 
 |
• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
|
• Atlanta, GA, USA |
|
• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
|
• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
|
|
|
Posted:7/31/2005 00:57 |
|
|
Sounds like a fun trip, Tim. It's fun when the fruits of your labor pay off and you've anticipated everything needing to be done to the X before the long haul. How did you do on fuel economy, out of curiousity? At 65, you were cruising in the sweet spot, so I'd be interested to hear what you ended up at for an overall trip average.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
|
timsexcursion
|
|
• Northeast, VT, USA |
|
• Registered on 2/8/2004 |
|
• 27 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:7/31/2005 07:01 |
|
|
The overhead console said I got 13.5mpg, but by my figuring it was closer to 11mpg. I was very pleased! I paid around $2.20 per gallon in the western states and a high of $2.60 in the east. I-90 service centers in New York were charging $2.75...that's absurd!
Tim
2000 Ford Excursion 7.3L
Superchips 'Tow Safe'
K&N Air Filter - Stock Airbox
Tru-Cool 4490 Trans Cooler
|
|
Tantrum
 |
|
• Bergen County, NJ, USA |
|
• Registered on 7/26/2005 |
|
• 52 posts |
|
|
|
|
Posted:8/3/2005 08:45 |
|
|
Great feedback
Thank you for sharing.
2005 PSD Limited 4x4 |
|
|
|
