Tow Vehicle Question

wheatie · 02-03-2005, 07:53 PM

Does any one out there drive an Excursion? We have a s.c pickup and a Windstar. The truck does all our towing. Looking at a 2003 Limited V-10. Is the EX. too big for my wife to drive everyday in place of the van and or, how do you like yours?? Thanks!

SLEDDER · 02-03-2005, 08:11 PM

The V10 is a thirsty machine.

justcastn · 02-03-2005, 09:06 PM

Depend's on if your wife is good at Parking...It's a tank.But the mileage I'd go diesel...Just my .02

riverfisher101 · 02-03-2005, 09:45 PM

the V10 is almost to much. get a diesel, it will out tow the V10, and is a little better on feul milage. but then again im driving an older pickup that gets 9 mpg, if im lucky! :shocked:

Tacklebuster · 02-03-2005, 10:27 PM

I had a F350 with a V-10. Loved the truck, hated her drinking problem. I got 10 MPG on the average and was always at the pump. I have a diesel now and would never go back.

Intruder · 02-04-2005, 05:34 AM

Don't go for the V-10, you will regret it and won't be able to sell it. A couple friends bought them and they can't get rid of them!!! If the wife is driving it I would go with a V-8. They have plenty of power for towing and a lot better milage. A diesel is also an option, I had a F-350 and loved it but my wife hated the noise

and the smoke.

INTRUDER

MOLDY · 02-04-2005, 05:52 AM

Just made a trip down to Sacramento and back in my buddies F350-V10. Mileage calced out to just over 16. Not to bad for heavy pickup.

trap50 · 02-04-2005, 06:02 AM

I have the 5.4 triton in my light duty 250. All the towing i need. get about 14/15 with boat.

MacFish · 02-04-2005, 12:45 PM

An Excursion is just like driving a crew cab with a canopy. Don't give up on the V-10 completely, it's a good engine that doesn't have a great resale because of its economy, you might be able to buy it really right.

weekender · 02-04-2005, 01:05 PM

My buddy gets nearly identical mileage with his v-10 excursion as he did with his 5.4 liter x-cab super duty. Its hard to beat a deisel, but that extra $$ upfront can make a person think twice.

feisty's wife · 02-04-2005, 02:34 PM

I just purchased a 2004 Toyota Prerunner, which is a v6, auto, 2 wheel drive...sweet!!! I towed a 1964 Aloha trailor[15 ft] up to Kelso from Vancouver, did not even know thjetrailor was there.

Orion · 02-04-2005, 03:22 PM

Wheatie,

I drive a 04 Excursion with the V10. Yes, the mileage is just over 10mpg. I went with the V10 for a couple of reasons. Cost was the first issue. When you figure the cost different for the diesel divided by the difference between gas and diesel fuel, you will be able to establish a point in time when you might start to save money. Resale value comes into the picture however as stated above, you can get a pretty good deal on a gas model right now. I don't know how gas and diesel compare when you figure the cost of general maintenance such as oil changes, filters tune-up and the like, but that could be a factor as well. The other factor for me was the smell. No matter how you slice it, diesel stinks, but they sure sound cool!

Good Luck
Orion

TH · 02-04-2005, 04:03 PM

I'm with Orion
my wife drives a 200o Ford Excursion 4x4
it is sweet
she loves it!
She thought she wanted a smaller SUV
so we sold my PU and bought a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherookee
nope
she does not like driving it... and prefers the bigger SUV.
She likes the visibility and the safety feeling!

She gets 12-14 on the highway
10 around town
but at $1.97 compared to $2.31 to desiel, it's a no brainer...
resale is a factor, we are looking at selling to 2000 and getting an 04
not reel impressed with what it's worth
but... IT IS A SWEET family rig!
and pulls my 24' NR Commander with no problems!

wheatie · 02-04-2005, 05:48 PM

The pick up I have is a Diesel and I love it, but it is not a turbo. The reason for the gasser right now is basically the price difference. The '03 Limited with 52K is at a dealer for 25k, about 10k less than a Powerstroke right now. I figured the 5.4 would probably out tow my non-turbo, but this particular rig is the limited and most were either the v-10 or diesel. I don't think she would like the diesel for everyday driving and I would be jealous anyways. I figured she would have to give it a try first. If everthing measured right it should fit in the garage.

Beer Waggin · 02-04-2005, 06:35 PM

I have an 04 F350 PSD that sits in the drive way. Why? Diesel is expensive and they really don't get that good of mileage. Diesels got a great reputation in the late 90's of getting great mileage (as you know, you drive one), but since, horse power and torgue have gone through the roof, hence the crappy mileage.
As long as gas stays 40 cents below diesel, I'll stick with driving the 90' F250 with a big block. Just about the same mileage diving back and forth to work, cheaper on the pocket book and no miles get run up on the new PSD.

Do some research on thedieselstop.com. They have a v-10 forum as well with tons of info.

wheatie · 02-04-2005, 07:40 PM

You have to get your diesel at the truck stops! Last week Flying J at Troutdale, that is on my way home from work, was $1.94 for auto diesel. The stations up in down have always been way too high. There is a lot of talk on the web at various sites about gas vs diesel, costs new, maintenance an all. I thinks alot of it boils down to what you want and what you are willing to pay for.

wheatie · 02-04-2005, 07:48 PM

I go to the truck stop for the diesel, Flying J in Troutdale. It's on my way home. $1.94 for auto diesel last week.
That diesel-stop .com is a Great site. I didn't notice the V-10 forum, I'll have to head back there!