Towing with a 5.4 L
 

Do any of you guys tow with a Ford F250 5.4 L gas?

How is it??

I came across a pretty good deal on a leftover 2003 F250 Crew cab Lariat. But it has a 5.4L. Maybe thats why its such a good deal.

I know that a 5.4 doesn't compare to the 6.0 PSD but this is gonna be my primary every day vehicle and long distance towing maybe 5 or 6 times a year. And I can save some big dollars.

Anyway ....Im looking for some input

thanks in advance

I picked up a 35 Cafe from Ft. Lauderdale to Maryland with a 2001 F250 with the 5.4, 2 WD 410 Rear and no issues. Heavy boat and brakes were limited on trailer. Bear in mind most of trip was flat and highway. Didn't have to pull on ramp or climb too many hills.

Ed

Oh I forgot ..its a 4x4. That would help on the ramps . I dont anticipate towing through the mountains too much

How heavy is your rig Bruce?

Boat and trailer somewhere around 6500#.


I dont know what the future will bring .hopefully a bigger boat. But thats it for now

I tow a 37 Ford street rod on a steel trailer back and forth from Cincinnati to Pigeon Forge and it does OK, not great but ok. On flat ground it is fine on the hills it struggles a little. But then again for a daily driver that will be a tow rig it will be fine. I do the same thing with a GM 5.3 4wd truck. I wish I had more power but I don't want to drive anything else everyday.

I figured it would. But im saving over 10k from a fully loaded gas vs fully loaded diesel. Im just concerned bout the towing ability.

I have an 01 5.4L super-screw Lariet w/ 3.55 and tow approx 5,200 and it does o.k. much better than my old 5.0L. looking to move up to a 28 single approx. 6,500 and having concerns.. think I need a larger tranny cooler.. I also have the factory installed tow package, anyone know what the rating on it is,, I think 500/5000. so I would be over..

Super screw??? i never heard of that model ;) ;)

no problem with the 5.4. if you plan try to keep up with friends going down the hiway, i would suggest an aftermarket trans cooler. im sure your truck has a factory cooler but an aftermarket with a temp guage is the way to go. i would also flush the trans every year. my 2cents

good to know..thanks

Factory tow package has tanny and oil cooler I believe.. just thinking I should upgrad, the thing is tiny, I had an aftermarket one on my old 5.0 flareside that was atleast 3 times the size.

I would say I would have to pass it up. You are getting it cheap because they are not in demand. Therefore when you get sick of it and go to sell it it wont sell or you will take a big hit so what are you really gaining in the long run?? You will hate towing with the 5.4 at least I did. Constant down shifting on hills, no passing power, terrible mileage. Have you ever driven a diesel??? Neither had I until 2 years ago. I will never own another gasser truck. The 7.3 PSD really opened my eyes as to the potential of iesel engines. They are simply awesome. Sure everyone argues about the extra cost of the diesel comapred to a gasser but go comapre resale values of diesels and gassers. There is no comparison. If you are trying to save ome money, look for a '99 PSD with high miles. People think 100,000 miles are high. Thats when these diesels are just starting break in. Last week I saw a 1999 crew cab 4x4 lariat PSD with 150K for $15,000. Dont be scared by the miles, thats a good investment in my eyes. Just my opinion. Good Luck!!

I know exactly what you mean. Im pulling with a 2000 Chevy 6.5 TD Dually and love it. But its too big for an every day truck. Im trying to consolidate my vehicles into one. I also have a 1997 Ford E350 Van 7.3 PSD 150k miles and runs like a bull. So, I guess your right and I'll probably hate the 5.4 after having the diesels.

thanks for the 411

Bruce,

I used to tow about 7K with a 5.4. I didn't have any probs. It was a little weak climbing steep hills at higher speeds, but other than that it was fine. No issues with ramps or anything.

Dean

Do they make a chip or anything like that for the gas engines to increase the power?

This is a great thread. I'm looking for a truck right now too. Notice the tow ratings on all trucks. Once you get into the diesels the ratings increase dramatically. I'm looking at a Chevy 2500HD. The standard gas 6L has a rating of 10K with a 4.10 rear. I am reading that these trucks are only getting around 12 mpg. The diesels can tow 12K and get close to 20 MPG, (so I read). I don't use my truck as a daily driver but I do like to use it on weekends and road trips. My current boat is only around 5K lbs and I have a 10K lbs camper. So, having the higher tow rating would be nice. It's tough to justify that 5K difference in the price between gas and diesel though. I know chevy and ford both have larger gas engines. I read that they are real gas hogs. I had a Chevy w/5.3L, towed my boat good at around 15 MPG. Non-towing I got around 18. I know tow vehicles and gas consumtion go together but it's something to think about. I had extended cab last time this time I want a crew cab.

I have an 02F150 Supercrew FX4, no complaints at all. Of course I'd rather have the F250 diesel but just too much truck for what I need. I'm only towing a 22ft Baja Hammer but it tows it like it's not even there, I'm very pleased with it, plenty of power too.

Superchips or Hypertech both make a programmer for that engine.

Buck

Bruce,

A few friends of mine that race cars and friends of the family that haul custom show cars in enclosed trailers have Fords with the 5.4 in them. I know that they just stiffened the rear suspension and said it hauls fine. I am not sure about what kind of gas mileage they are getting though. I can find out for you and give you the details this Saturday at Randy's. Let me know.

DPT
:cool: :cool: :cool:

Thanks Dennis...that would be great

Thanks Troutly

I was just lookin at the ford site. with the 4:10 rear towing cap. is 8400#. vs 6900# with the 3:73 rear.

I'll have to do some more research before I jump into anything.