ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

Help!!!

Looking at a new 2004 F150 SuperCrew 4x4 with the 5.4L Triton engine. Book shows 9,200lb max towing capacity.
I have an older 280 Baja that with trailer my guess weighs near 9,000lbs. Anyone own one of these and can give me some advise as to how well it will tow my boat? Any Ford reps? Yes I know, the more capacity the better. I am working on a budget.

Thanks in advance, JimmyBaja

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

I have a 2000 250SD 4x4, extended cab with the 5.4 and it tows my 32 Fever with absolutely no problem. Just a bit slower getting up to speed, but once there, I can cruise right along at 80. Mine seems to have a dead spot at 65 while towing where it is harder to maintain speed without alot of throttle jocking, so I just tow in the 70's. It actually tows easier at the higher speeds. I assume because it is running higher up in the torque band. I'm probably in the same tow weight area as you.
Can't comment on the 250 vs 150.

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

I don't think you'll have a problem with it......plus the new 5.4 has plenty of power to pull it.

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

Thanks for the input. Do you run the 3.73 gears?

JimmyBaja

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

Yep. 9 mpg towing. 12 non

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

Ford trucks are ok (I have new F250, 5.4 pull over 9k) but they are unquestionably the worste when it comes to warrantee coverage. Hope you luck is better than mine..

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

Cant say from experience cuz my new f150 is due to arrive anyday but a buddy of mine has the exact truck i ordered a 04 supercrew with the tow package and the 3.73 limited slip. He tows a 29 foot baja outlaw single engine and it tows fine. He said he forgets the boat is behind him sometimes. I am not sure of the weight of the boat. :)

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

Is there a reason that you aren't looking at a used diesel? I bought a 2003 Ram 1500 4wd 4.7L to pull my 24' Pantera last year. I didn't pull the boat until this spring. It did 'okay' but the mileage was terrible and I never felt very safe pulling out in traffic. I decided to start looking at diesels. Of course, a new one was way out of my price range. As a matter of fact most of the ones that I found in my price range had about 120k miles on them. I found a 2001 Ram 2500 4wd with the HO engine/6sp transmission for $20,998. It had 54k miles on it. Believe it or not it was at Carmax. They sell a 36/36k warranty for $1800, but I didn't buy it. Cummins warranties the engine for 5y/100k. I towed the boat to Lake Hartwell(SC) two weeks ago and got 14mpg (through the mountains of NC) running 70-75. I filled up after two weeks of city driving yesterday and got nearly 18mpg. Diesel here is about $.35/gal cheaper, plus the better mileage, plus the resale value, plus the longevity. You get the point. I have a few friends with PSDs and they love them, too. I don't think I will ever buy a gas truck again. I think it would be worth your while to look at a 1-3yr old diesel.

Chris

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

BTW, it is a Quad Cab with 4.10 gears...

Chris

Re: ADVISE NEEDED- 2004 F150 5.4L Triton
 

Had a 97 150 supercab with the 5.4 motor. kept it for 5 years, no problem at all. Traded up to a 03 250 supercab with same motor So far, no problem with this one either. Only went up to the 250 because I wanted a little beefier truck , bigger brakes, etc. With the f150, sometimes felt like I got yanked around a bit more by the weight of the boat, especially when having to stop quickly, but other than that, all else was fine. Put 140k on other motor, without any problems. New 5.4 motors are even a little stronger than the older ones. Change to k&m filter and drill some more openings around the airbox, and picked up another mpg. They really choke them up coming out of the factory.