All Ford Nationals and Paragon run, (PA) May 2003!!

[X24]

I was planning on leaving my place around 7am to get there around 2 or 3. Chris, if I left at 7 I would be at your house between 9 and 10. Will that work or do I need to leave earlier. I dont think there will be a blizzard this time so it won't take me 7 hours.

 

[Skunk]

sounds good to me.... snow sux

 

[sunbum]

I figure, ok, I have a Class III tow hitch, rather than futzing with the back end and installing a new tow hook, why not just insert a tow hook into the trailer hitch? So I do a lil research and find that my III has the following weight restrictions:
3500lb towing and 5000 distributed

Groovy right? So I'm thinking as long as the X doesn't weight more than 3500 that would be a good solution without inconveniencing anyone for the back?

Anyhow, in my quest to find out the true curb weight I call Ford (some main number from the owner's manual as I couldn't get a straight answer of the actual vehicle's weight from the sticker on the door as it has front/rear and MAX operating weight).

Basically, that's all Skippy could give me on the phone were these numbers and a "max operating weight.
I said, great, I can run it safely at like 5230lbs(max op. weight) but I'm not running it loaded to the gills, I just need to know the base weight so I can figure that into the towing equation and see if the hitch assembly is safe to use for said purpose... then he said some other number like 7800lbs as a guess or something?
I said basically, "Unnh no, the H2 (Hummer) only weighs like ~6450lbs! I'm pretty sure the X is lighter than a hummer." heh
So I'm told I should goto some truck stop off the highway and they could give me the weight of the vehicle. (and yes, I realize the curb weight varies depending on tires, mods, interior equipment, etc. but mine is pretty stock aside from the tires with regards to weight so the base weight would've been pretty close if Ford could've came up with that figure. ) Just seems if these manufacturers are stamping out vehicles for user comsumption, someone should have a clue as to their base weight with whatever package... they don't vary that much in production.

Has anyone else "weighed their somewhat base X' (4dr 4wd preferably) and found this out?
We're full of computers (among other things these days) yet people are still having to run around to find things.
I did some basic searches via google as well as one here but didn't come up with anything, so I thought I'd ask before getting laughed at when I drive into the truck stop.
Maybe I'm just thinking too hard and need a drink.

Additionally, I did research hook installation, prices and found they go for (didnt see any for $7 but...) ~$12-$100+ I'm sure the $15 are fine, and appreciate the installation offers... just trying to save some time and work for whoever. The install doesn't look too extensive, so maybe I will give that a go.

Thanks again for your support.

 

[Skunk]

ummmm... the weight of your truck should be in the drivers side door jam on the vin sticker, a class 3 hitch is just fine for a rear tow point, dont worry bout that. the $7 tow hooks can be found at AutoZone, PepBoys, or other auto parts stores like that, they come with the bolts and all. just be sure to bring a pin for the hitch, what we do is put the end of the strap into the reciever, and put the pin through the loop, that is perfect for recovery.

 

[Holty]

Anybody heading to Carlisle on saturday 5/31/03 from the Pittsburgh area? I"ll be leaving around 7am to get there by 10 or 11am depending on traffic.

Is everyone putting there explorer's "in the show" or just parking in the regular parking lot? My x is by no means "show quality" but if everyone else is entering into the show i might as well too -

I'm hoping to have my East Coast Explorer's tshirt by then as well so everyone from here can come up and slap me silly and I won't know who they are LOL but they'll know i'm from this site and i must be cool right? lol

 

[IAmTodd]

I'm going from the pittsburgh area! I think we're leaving by 5 cuz we're meeting everyone at the hotel at watever time they are...i think its 8 30. We go through Indiana and on to Altoon to Bedford to get on the Turnpike. So if you interested, let me know, we can meet somewhere!

EDIT- I'm fully stock and i'm still entering. Don't worry about it! You won't have to worry about parking

 

[sunbum]

Thanks Liz... that's where I was looking but didn't see the base weight.. just a front, rear and max.
I'll look again, perhaps snap a pic and if I'm wrong, drinks are on me.
I guess I'll start cranking on the administrative side of things and get registered everywhere so I'm not sleeping atop the X. Hmmmmm, then again, with two rod extenders, that might make a good hammock rack.
________________
Update: 5230lbs is the only real cumulative number surely these things really weigh that much?!! (If it does, that surpasses the specs on the Class III then and no wonder we need something shy of a Columbia rocket on our engine to make it off the on ramp .)

I still need to do the admin work, as well as install an antennae, horn, front hook AND find a bloody locksmith to get the pin out of my hitch as, even though it has plastic caps on each end, water/cond. seems to have got inside and has rusted it internally to where the key doesn't work on the locking mechanism.

 

[Skunk]

Im pretty much stock, and im entering the show

 

[Holty]

Todd,

We will be getting on the turnpike in pittsburgh and following it all the way to Carlisle exit. I do love driving through Bedford. Gotta love those windy mountain roads!

Guess we'll see you there!

 

[IAmTodd]

Originally posted by lizardtrac
Im pretty much stock, and im entering the show

Uh...yea...ok

Holty, that sounds good, we're a lil outta the way anyways, I live around apollo.

 

[Doug]

damn there have been alot of posts... anyway. i got the powersteering fixed today, it was the rack that was leaking, shaun and i got that swapped out. i got my new header panel today but it was broken and theyre gonna send me a new one. As far as meeting up i should be to 81 around 11:30 im guessing depending on when i meet up with mike.

 

[Muskrat]

pfft, I need to take my mom to the hospital that Friday, I might be able to hit the road around 1 or 2, but who knows

 

[X24]

Chris, you gotta tell me what exit you are again. Is it 145?

 

[Skunk]

yeah 145 will work

 

[IAmTodd]

Well mine is back on all fours waiting to get the bumpers aligned and bolted down and i'll be pretty much ready. Its lookin good guys

 

[Doug]

Well i checked the weather for next weekend and friday is supposed to be nice but there is a 40% chance of showers on saturday. :\ but its supposed to be in the 70s so hopefully it wont be to bad. but i did get this from the weather.com and they dont know the weather until after its happened. Hopefully it'll work out and be nice.

 

[STEVE-O]

Ha, yea hopefully the weather is nothing like it has been lately. cool and rainy....blah. i hate rain, why cant it just snow again?

 

[Doug]

Originally posted by lizardtrac
Im pretty much stock, and im entering the show

If you're pretty much stock what does that make my truck? here's a pic of the truck with the 35s and herculiner but no header panel or headlights.

Also! Lindsy do you have a list of all the people going to carlisle? as well as the people wheeling thier trucks and who's riding along? it would suck to have more ride alongs than seats in trucks.. as it is i have 3 empty seats in my truck and any one is welcome to ride with me as long as you dont mind riding with a psycho offroader....

 

[explornj]

it's fun to ride with doug, just as long as mpb isn't there

 

[Doug]

Originally posted by explornj
it's fun to ride with doug, just as long as mpb isn't there

no more kristen... she's gone thankfully.