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Bladeswell
Captain

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USA
490 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/17/2016 : 06:39:52

Hello Everyone,

Just bought a new used tow vehicle for the boat. I hope it will work out well. I bought a 2001 Ford Excursion limited edition. Its a 3/4 ton. Built on the Ford F250 chassis I'm told. A V-10. Should have plenty of power. What do you think. Thanks.

Bladeswell

C25 TR FK Hull #973 1979 L-Dinette. So.Cal.

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 10:58:46

Very good choice - that is other than it being a Ford

1989 C25 TR/WK, #5822
1973 McVay Minuet 19
1975 Jester 12
1981 C25 SR/SK, #2428
1981 C22 SR/SK,
Tanzer 16
Sunfish

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Kenneth Grahame

offshoreaccount
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 13:35:11

might be a bit underpowered. best to avoid the hills.

Offshore Account, 1977 Hull #243. SR, SK

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 13:58:12

That will make for a great tow vehicle. Yes, same as F250, plenty of power, great chassis, great transmission. How many miles old are the spark plugs?

Seth
"Outlier" 1987 Catalina 25 SR/SK/Traditional Interior #5541
"Zoo" 1977 Morgan Out Island 30
"Nomad" 1980 Prindle 16
"Lost" 1988 Catalina Capri 14.2 (sold - yay!)
"Marine Tex 1" Unknown Origin POS 8' Fiberglass Dinghy
https://whichsailboat.com/2014/07/27/catalina-25-review/

Edited by - sethp001 on 05/17/2016 13:59:29

Bladeswell
Captain

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USA
490 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 14:13:08

Hello All,

Yeah, I've never been a Ford man but hey its what I found and
bought. Might be under powered, a v-10 ? I really hope that was a joke.
I don't know how long ago it had it's last tune up but it isn't missing just now. But here I was all jazzed that it had plenty of rubber left on the tires when on the drive back to my truck yard one of them decided to throw off it's tread. Bummer, had to spend $200 for a new one this morning. Well better now than while towing the boat. Thanks Guys.

Bladeswell

C25 TR FK Hull #973 1979 L-Dinette. So.Cal.

offshoreaccount
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 14:37:51

It was a joke. looks like capacity is 11000 lbs. more than enough.

Offshore Account, 1977 Hull #243. SR, SK

sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 15:14:19

quote:
Originally posted by Bladeswell

Hello All,

I don't know how long ago it had it's last tune up but it isn't missing just now.

Bladeswell

In your year Excursion, the length of the threads on the spark plugs is approximately half of typical plug thread length and the aluminum heads casting may be softer than typical. So the threads in the head can be stripped easier than on other engines. Being aware of the issue, some mechanics under-torque the plugs, which then wiggle loose and blow out.

If you do your own mechanic work, be careful to torque the spark plugs to the proper spec. There are several incorrect torque specs floating around on the Internet. If you have a shop do the work, make sure its a good one familiar with the issue or maybe go to a dealer.

I hope this doesn't sound too negative. If you run into spark plug issues later, there's a great retrofit that's relatively inexpensive. The Excursion is a great truck.

Edited by - sethp001 on 05/17/2016 15:19:22

Bladeswell
Captain

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USA
490 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 16:42:43

Hi Again,

So glad that was a joke. And thanks for the info regarding the plugs. I was not aware yet that my heads were aluminum. Hopefully the years have made progress with them. I remember that the early aluminum heads and blocks were really troublesome. Thanks again.

Bladeswell

C25 TR FK Hull #973 1979 L-Dinette. So.Cal.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 17:56:12

Written humor can be tricky... For tongue-in-cheek respnses, we have some built-in hints...

, etc.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

offshoreaccount
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 19:38:47

Yes, but then it doesn't seem as dry if you include the hint. Part of the joy is the other person sweating for a moment.

Having said all that, I am in the market for a second vehicle in the next year or so for towing, and the excursion is one I hadn't considered. I had an '04 durango in the past, but buying one for a tow vehicle seems foolish given how god damned unreliable the thing proved to be. I loved that car so much, but anything that could go wrong did.

Offshore Account, 1977 Hull #243. SR, SK

Edited by - offshoreaccount on 05/17/2016 19:40:04

Bladeswell
Captain

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USA
490 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2016 : 22:07:34

Hi Again,

And for a moment I did. Mission accomplished...lol.

Bladeswell

C25 TR FK Hull #973 1979 L-Dinette. So.Cal.

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2016 : 06:47:41

quote:
Originally posted by offshoreaccount

Yes, but then it doesn't seem as dry if you include the hint. Part of the joy is the other person sweating for a moment

Akenumber
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2016 : 17:38:44

Do pay attention to the sparkplugs. If you wait until the factory service interval, it's too late. Better replace them now and with antiseize before they try to come threw the hood.

Ken
San Diego
84 C25 SR/FK 4116
The KRAKEN

MrKawfey
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
124 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2016 : 18:02:10

quote:
I had an '04 durango in the past, but buying one for a tow vehicle seems foolish given how god damned unreliable the thing proved to be. I loved that car so much, but anything that could go wrong did.

I had a 97 Dakota with the 5.2 and 3.92 gears and it towed the boat great. I sold it and a few years later decided to get another one because it had the highest tow rating of any compact/midsize truck. I ended up buying an 06 and it turned out to be the most failure prone vehicle I have ever owned. It also struggled to tow the boat despite having a higher rating than the 97. I loved the truck and kept it for seven years but after the latest high dollar repair this winter I decided to cut my losses and let it go. I bought a '15 tundra and couldn't be happier.

There is a great website, trailer life magazine, that has detailed guides with tow ratings for every vehicle in every configuration available for that year. It's worth noting that tow ratings are pretty subjective and the manufacturers can set them just about anywhere. There is a new standard rating system but only a few companies certify to it.

Chris
Sacandaga Lake, NY
1984 C25 SRSK
"Les's Moor"

Edited by - MrKawfey on 05/19/2016 18:02:57

offshoreaccount
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2016 : 18:04:59

Yeah, my family was a dodge family, and we had a dakota that was a few years older than the durango (purchased new). Same story with reliability. Needless to say, we haven't touched a chrysler product since, and I'm not too fond of fiats.

Offshore Account, 1977 Hull #243. SR, SK

Edited by - offshoreaccount on 05/19/2016 18:05:14

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2016 : 18:43:32

Actually, most of the manufacturers are onboard with the SAE standard as of 2015. The advantages of the new trucks include amazing, for a truck, mpg. My F-150 gets 20 city, 22 overall, and 25 highway and the other brands have also improved significantly. Chrysler"s small diesel gets rave reviews for smoothness and excellent economy with really good tow capacity.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

MrKawfey
Navigator

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USA
124 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2016 : 18:48:46

Man, those mpg numbers are making me jealous. The only thing I don't like about the tundra is the 15 mpg I get on the highway

Chris
Sacandaga Lake, NY
1984 C25 SRSK
"Les's Moor"

Bladeswell
Captain

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USA
490 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2016 : 19:11:06

Hi Again,

Wow, I am surprised to hear that the Tundra gets such poor mileage. I would have thought it would be better. I am not looking forward to seeing the mileage mine is going to deliver being a V-10. And I bet the fuel tank is at least 30 gallons. I haven't yet had to put gas in it.

Bladeswell

C25 TR FK Hull #973 1979 L-Dinette. So.Cal.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2016 : 19:19:11

quote:
Originally posted by offshoreaccount

...and I'm not too fond of fiats.

Ahhh, the Fiat 850 Spider--our first and last disposable car (1969-new). Drive it for two years, and then throw it away. Every component has reached its useful life.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2016 : 17:01:22

I just hope it isn't your daily driver and a 20 mile commute.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

MrKawfey
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
124 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2016 : 17:14:06

No daily commute, I work from home. But we did intend for it to be the road trip vehicle

Chris
Sacandaga Lake, NY
1984 C25 SRSK
"Les's Moor"

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4275 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2016 : 20:03:37

Friend of mine had a F-350 Ford dually with the V-10 when they first came out. He got about 10 MPG pulling boats but he could pull a 28' cruiser at 80 MPH and not even feel it!

And yes, he was a little crazy!

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - GaryB on 06/14/2016 20:05:48

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2016 : 17:12:27

We got a 2015, 2500 dodge ram diesel. Have gotten about 21 on the highway, about 17 or 18 in town. Just pulled the boat on about 130 mile round trip getting about 15. Not a hitch on the drive.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider 5411
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

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