It has been recommended to me that I choose between a Reese Deluxe Trunnion Style Weight Distribution Hitch and a Hensley Arrow. I've been doing some research, but was told by a dealer of the Reese that neither the Reese nor the Hensley can be used on my 2005 Ford Diesel Excursion. That I need to contact Ford for a recommendation. This comment surprises me.
As long as the vehicle has the correct class receiver, I would not understand why you could not use any hitch you wanted to. I am a GM man and have no experience with the Fords.
If you can spare the bucks go with the Hensley.
If you want to save some bucks, look at the Equal-i-zer hitch. I had a Reese hitch with a Reese friction sway control on an SOB and did not like it. When we got the Airstream we went to the the Equal-i-zer and I love it. It is easy to hook up and disconnect and works great.
I am sure others will chime in on the issue too.
__________________
Carl, Elaine & Bailey Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package
1987 34' Excella 1000
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed
AIR #14487
WBCCI #7429
It has been recommended to me that I choose between a Reese Deluxe Trunnion Style Weight Distribution Hitch and a Hensley Arrow. I've been doing some research, but was told by a dealer of the Reese that neither the Reese nor the Hensley can be used on my 2005 Ford Diesel Excursion. That I need to contact Ford for a recommendation. This comment surprises me.
I will be pulling a 31' Classic.
If you pull with an Excursion what do you use?
thank you!
kfrere
knoxville, TN
I was the vice president of the orange company for 10 years and never heard THAT one before. It will work GREAT with that combo. Of course, it isn't the hitch I would recommend anymore...
even with auto leveling or airbags the haha will work...
since the w/d is totally independent of sway control, it can be dialed way back as needed.
the ONLY situation i can imagine, where the haha wouldn't work with an excursion is...
IF the ex' has been LIFTED higher than available drop bars that fit either the haha OR the propride...
cheers
2air'
Hi kfrere,
2Air is correct, I have a 2005 Excursion 4x4 as well, and have used both an Equal-i-zer and Hensley.
I will say that the Hensley, by design, is far superior to the Equal-i-zer. The only drawback to the Excursion is the softer springs that Ford puts in, as compared to a F250 pickup. Its softer and therefore weight distribution is really important or you will be white knuckling it coming down a mountain pass at highways speeds with a light steering feel. The Equalizer never could get dialed in perfectly, probably because of the Excursion's huge 44 Gallon diesel tank. Full with diesel both the truck and trailer would act differently than with 1/2 tank.
I overcame the above with rear Airbags (set at 15 psi at all times) E rated tires @ 65 psi, aftermarket shocks (Rancho) and a Hensley. Perfect setup for me.
Also be aware that the rear sway bar is optional on 2005 Excursion unless you get the 4x4 trailer tow group, which will include Power heated manual telescoping mirrors and rear stabilizer bar. This makes a huge difference as well. If you don't have one, you can get a nice (31mm I think) from Hellwig, or take one off at a junkyard, or order a new one from Ford. If you do order one or take one from a junkyard, get one from an F250 or F350, as the stock one used on the Excursion was much smaller in diameter and less effective than the larger diameter ones. Hellwig is a nice good diameter product superior than the factory.
Going back to your original question, yes you can use the Hensley with the Excursion. You don't need to go as far as I did, but just make sure you have the Excursion set right, and most any hitch will work.
__________________ Kevin & Prim Li Bandit the Siberian Husky & "G" the Min-Pin Cosmo the Custom 2008 27FB Intl CCD
2008 Ford F-250 King Ranch Diesel 4x4 AKA "The King"
WBCCI # 11809
AIR # 6155
2nd love - 2006 28' Safari LS
1st love - 2004 19' CCD Bambi
My Excursion towed a 31 foot Keystone for many many miles with the Reese Dual Cams and the setup worked admirably. When I got the Airstream the seller included an Equal-i-zer and it works equally well. It makes a little more noise but is a little easier to hitch up. Either would work just fine. I doubt you need to spend the big bucks for the Hensley.
I don't have any modifications to the Excursion. And you can't beat 14 mpg.
Steve
__________________
2006 25' Safari SS SE
2005 Ford F-150
Wow! This is more information in a short time than I was able to find after hours surfing the net. Thank you! My Excursion does have the tow package because we bought it originally to tow a 25' boat, which it did nicely. Of course, that only weighed 5,000 - 6,000 pounds. We also have not lifted it in any way.
Next novice question: Is this Hensley hitch going to provide both weight distribution and anti-sway in the one device?
I also have a similar 2005 Excursion diesel and I agree with Keystone. I tow a 25' Classic ( about 2000 lbs less than the 31 I think) with the Reese Dual cam hitch with no problems. I did upgrade the shocks with high performance after market which likely stiffens the ride a little but otherwise stock. Although I haven't completed any mountain descents. this rigs hauls great! Good luck and happy trails!
Pull a 28' slide with our Ex diesel and use Hensley Arrow... love it and wouldn't use anything else.
Tom
__________________
Tom and Frank
Evanston, Illinois
2004 Safari 28 ft Slideout "Lucy" 4 HI CAMP
2004 Ford Excursion 6.0 PSD PWRSTRK,
and Brittany, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
the ONLY situation i can imagine, where the haha wouldn't work with an excursion is...
IF the ex' has been LIFTED higher than available drop bars that fit either the haha OR the propride...
The ProPride 3P will have up to a 12" offset available within two weeks.
I will also have it available for the haha but the over-center-latches will have to be changed to a shorter latch due to the wedges being closer to the hitch bar tabs. This will also move the effective pivot point more forward for the haha like it is with the ProPride 3P.
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