Re: [A/S] Towing with Big Iron and Low CoG

[chasm@xxxxxxxxx]

>Don't leave us hanging Charles;  what's the problem?

this is an OFF ROAD (add more shocks, skid plates, etc) 4x4 with Camper set up
(major springs front and rear for a 2 ton in-bed camper) with trailer tow set up
with LONG bed, (add another spring) and Crew Cab.

clearance is ca 9.5" under the differential.     the top of the running board is
_4"_! higher than that on my wife's Expedition (same as F250)

this truck has the same frame as the F450

all I really wanted was a LWB F250.  for roadability!!  they don't make it.

so, I have a heavy truck that sits too damned high that I will be afraid to
drive on wet streets, etc.  CoGravity is again, way too damned high.

the manual warns the driver to drive this truck carefully with hazardous roads
and states that the driver must learn to drive the truck as a completely new
experience because of its height above the road among other considerations.

I am considering removing the 4" riser under the rear springs and putting in a
2" riser.  also, swap out the tires for lower tires.  getting the clearance at
or under 7" would be great.  

it is oversprung and shocked (4 rear and I think, 4 front) which stiffens the
ride so it will not "Give" in a corner.  that is bad in a vehicle with a high
cog.  I may pull a leaf from the rear on each side.  point is, this thing is too
tall to get into the MD Anderson Garage (7.5' tall) which is where I mostly
drive away from the house.  I do not tow with this all the time.  in fact,
during the 30 months I owned the E350 van, I only towed the trailer with it one
time... to Lubbock where it is now stored.  If I can get better control of my
aliens in my liver, I would hope that we would start getting on the road again.
We really hope to see Banff, BC and AK before it all burns up or blows up or
slides into the ocean.  At least this truck will haul it full of water, etc into
jellystone thru any gate.  

I may also, buy a few of those water bladders and fill them and carpet my truck
bed with them.  600lbs of water might make for a more secure feeling ride.

I just wish that the salesman had reminded me that the Excursion has the same
intercooled 6L diesel in it that comes on the Super Duties.  sigh!

oh well.  still thinking about putting it on blocks and storing it for 3 or 4
yrs and in teh meantime, find a used Avalon to drive to the hospital.

cheers
chas