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RE: Family of 6: Which TV to buy?
Just to add my 2 cents: I've owned a 1999 V-10 12 passenger E350, a 2005 6.0 diesel Excursion (sold), and now a 2006 V-10 12 passenger E350. Hands down, the E350 is a better tow vehicle for holding more stuff, more comfortable with multiple kids (mine are 12,11,10) and ride stability - I added Roadmaster Active Suspension ($400 installed) that stopped sway while adding more hitch weight capacity.
The V-10 with 4.10 rear end has plenty of power stock - my TT weights over about 9,000lbs loaded. If one were really going to drive a lot of miles, a 6.0 might be preferable for fuel mileage, but they have their own issues like gunked EGR valves, head gaskets, noise, higher cost fuel, higher vehicle purchase price.
Make sure you buy the Ford 5 speed transmission (5R110) , because the prior 4 speed transmission (4R100) is almost a sure thing to fail eventually. I don't see the longer van as a big deal with the RAS installed. I'd rather have one seat per kid anyhow - unmentioned is the how much stuff one can stuff under the van seats, and trust me - that Excursion 3rd row isn't for anyone over 5 ft tall. Buy two flip-down TV's and have a great life!!!
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ClevelandJim
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02/01/10 12:53pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Nomad by Skyline
My experience is Skyline builds less sophisticated RV's - no under belly enclosure, they just came out with tinted windows a couple years ago. When one considers they are really buying a little house on wheels, I think Skyline does a good job of that.
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ClevelandJim
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12/31/09 03:56pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: I have been thinking of going gas
If I want to go 188mph I will take my Kawasaki ZX-11 and look for a long straight road but there is no way I am going to use my van to go over 100mph.
Yeah, my tires start shaking after about 83MPH.
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ClevelandJim
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10/23/09 06:21pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: I have been thinking of going gas
I had a Ford V-10 van, went to a diesel Excursion, and last year I went back to a V-10 van, and recently sold the diesel Excursion.
The Ford V-10 will easily last 250,000 miles with routine maintenance. The V-10 is less expensive to maintain, quieter, plenty powerful, less headache. It gets about 7MPG towing vs. 11MPG with diesel Ex, but we only tow a couple thousand miles per year. Mom and the kids like the van better - it holds more stuff.
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ClevelandJim
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10/20/09 10:58am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: HA weight ratings
I looked at the ProPride when looking at a new hitch system. ProPride tells you they've adopted ideas that Hensley refused to jump on when they had the chance. Hensley tells you they looked at the ideas but found them to be more problems than improvements so it's hard to know who to believe.
I settled on the Hensley only becuase it has a much longer track record. That being said, the ProPride is an impressive hitch system and has many satisfied customers. I would tow with one no question, but I had to choose one.
$1000 for EITHER hitch is good deal - assuming it's in mechanically sound shape. We bought new and couldn't be happier. At 1/3 of that price, you wont regret it.
Jim Hensley designed both, but has no financial interest in Hensley Mfg. The 3P has the updtes that Hensley Mfg refused to update.
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ClevelandJim
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09/24/09 06:42pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: HA weight ratings
Look into a ProPride. Its run by the former President of Hensley MFG. Its a better hitch for less money.
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ClevelandJim
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09/23/09 07:33pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Liability suit(s) for towing with TV over GVWR
Shouldn't be civil or criminal liability unless GROSS negligence can be proved. Very hard to prove that Joe Schmo going camping with the kiddos in a fully serviceable TV and RV intentionally and knowingly overloaded his vehicle into an unsafe condition if it was by a "few hundred pounds" as the OP describes.
This, IMO, is the reason that there isn't a lot of lawsuits like this. Ben, your gun analogy doesn't hold water because the basic rules of firearm safety that everyone knows, are a) to always check to see if a gun is loaded, and b) never point a gun at anybody, loaded or not.
Now, with RVs, it is NOT a generally accepted practice that you should always weigh your RV whenever you get ready to drive it (members of this forum notwithstanding).
I can hear a conversation like this:
ATTY: Did you know your rig was overweight?
RV GUY: No, it looked OK and it drove fine. I had no indication that it was overweight.
ATTY: Did you weigh the RV?
RV GUY: No, I didn't weigh the RV because I had no indication that it might be overweight, and therefore had no reason weigh it.
ATTY: Were you aware that you were creating a hazard on the highway and endangering others due to your overloaded RV?
RV GUY: No, I had no idea, because I had no indication that the RV was overweight. There were no signs that would have indicated to a reasonable person that the RV was overweight.
Soooo.....really no way to make a case out of this. I could see a case where the rig was so GROSSLY overloaded that the rear bumper was dragging, the brakes caught fire, or some such thing that would have indicated to the reasonable person that the rig was unsafe for public travel. Otherwise, almost impossible to establish negligence.
Just b/c you don't know you're overweight doesn't mean you aren't negligent. Not knowing could be negligent. The jury decides negligence and damages which somewhat leves it up to chance.
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ClevelandJim
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09/18/09 06:33am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2007-2008 Ford 6.4 Engine Problems
Do any of you guys remember gas engines around the 1974 model year? All the air pollution equipment nutted the engines and fuel mileage. I think some of the late model diesels are struggling with the same type issues - especially the International/Ford diesels. Some of that equipment may cause more pollution, but increasing fuel mileage is a good thing too.
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ClevelandJim
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09/17/09 05:36pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Liability suit(s) for towing with TV over GVWR
Has anyone ever heard of or been involved in litigation over an accident allegedly cause by towing with the T/V a few hundred pounds over its GVWR ? Anyone ever been ticketed for doing so ?
There are lots of posts about this practice being illegal, dangerous or placing the driver in a position of liability, so Im just wondering how often the outcome has been the disaster some predict.
As usual, a lot of posts telling all about "I think", and describing getting tickets for overweight (usually over the REGISTERED weight!), but NO direct answer to either of the OP's questions.
This leads me to believe that neither of the listed scenarios has ever happened, at least not to anyone who hangs out on these forums.
I answered him, so reread my post. People need to separate the legalities of towing overweight from the civil proceedings that will ensue contributing to an accident while towing overweight.
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ClevelandJim
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09/17/09 07:10am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: pulling with a van
Just to throw my 2 cents in: I've pulled my TT with a deisel Excursion and a V-10 E-350, and there's not all that much difference except on some higher grades where the van drops down and hold 60MPH while the more powerful diesel will take the grades generally at whatever speed you want.
To Bryan's point, the V-10 is much less complicated and less prone to breakdown. The V-10 is much less expensive to purchase and costs less to own except for fuel mileage where the diesel will get about 30% better mileage. The van holds alot more stuff too.
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ClevelandJim
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09/17/09 06:46am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Liability suit(s) for towing with TV over GVWR
If one caused a victim injuries in a car accident while towing an RV, AND it became known that the tow vehicle was overloaded by some reasonably recognized standards, a good plaintiff attorney would jump all over the possible negligence of the driver for being overweight. A plaintiff attorney is going to pursue whatever increases the value of his case. If he didn't, he's risk being negligent himself and being sued for malpractice. I'm not saying it would even contribute to an accident, I'm just saying a plaintiff attorney would exploit its value if he/she could.
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ClevelandJim
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09/16/09 05:55pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Michelin XPS Traction Tires For F-250?
I had my XPS Ribs installed at the Ford dealer just like you will. Also, I've got them on my TT, and both the Excursion and TT have gone hours at 75MPH+ hooked together. They are the best tires I've ever owned.
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ClevelandJim
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09/15/09 07:54pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel Back to Gas!
I just went from a diesel tow vehicle back to gas by selling the diesel Excursion for a V-10 Ford van. We only tow a couple weeks a year anymore, my wife hated the noise of the diesel, and it doesn't make sense for a diesel to only go 3,000 miles per year. After reconsidering our situation, I switched back to the gasser.
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ClevelandJim
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09/15/09 06:17pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Michelin XPS Traction Tires For F-250?
I just sold my Excursion that had XPS Ribs. I would assume the only difference is the tread. The XPS ribs have a comfortable ride, and they definitely provide more stability than the OEM BFG's that I now use for a winter tire. You're won't be disappointed.
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ClevelandJim
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09/15/09 06:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 6.0 FORD MECHANIC.......HELP
Its the Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM). The induction heat flash Ford introduced to help cold starts fries the FICM over time.
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ClevelandJim
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09/01/09 07:06am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Is 35' too long and other bunkhouse ramblings
I've never had trouble with a campsite. Long 5th wheels and motorhomes don't have trouble, so why should a TT?? It might just take a little more time to get into the spot. Fort Wilderness is tight - I got into my spot. I saw people pulling 40 ft travel trailers into Ocean Lakes at Mytle (not the stored ones either - their trucks with their 40 ft TT's). Go for it!!
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ClevelandJim
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08/27/09 07:32pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: FORD 6.0 HEAD GASKETS?
My dealer did the head studs - its the way to go. There will be no more head gasket problems after installing the studs, so don't worry about the warranty.
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ClevelandJim
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08/26/09 02:45pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: So in the end I'm keeping my Excursion!!
Funny, my 44,000 mile Excursion is in Autotrader right now, and I'm getting all those calls too. Because I'm getting so many call, I've been annoyed that I may have underpricing it. Maybe I shouldn't sell mine either.
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ClevelandJim
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08/22/09 08:53pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 6.0L PSD experts help a friend of mine?
It is the FICM = Fuel Injection Control Module. It is the computer that controls the injectors. He will need to go to a Ford dealer for a new FICM - covered under warranty.
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ClevelandJim
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08/10/09 06:46pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Is Forest River Wildwood (Salem) really that bad?
An RV is really just a house-box on someone else's frame with someone else's appliances under someone else's rubber roof with someone else's slide mechanism.
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ClevelandJim
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07/23/09 05:03pm |
Travel Trailers
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