bigburg
Washington
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Joined: 03/14/2006
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I have noticed on this site and a few others there is a lot of F-150 5.4L bashing in terms of its performance as a tow vehicle.
I seem to be one of very few people who ishappy with the ability of the 5.4L. My 28ft TT loaded for a trip weighing 7200lbs tows great. On the flats she does well, in stop and go traffic great low end power. On ramps she merges into traffic with no issues. In the mtn passes here in the pacific northwest she may not break any speed recoerds but she maintains enough speed and all temos stay at normal levels.
Sure she is not as fast as a V 10 or diesel and yes they pass me by going over the mtn passes. But she still does the job well enough for me. I now have 105,234 miles and still running strong no major repairs.
All that being said are there any other happy F-150 owners towing out there?
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DHDW&2dogs
Brockville, ON
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Joined: 04/11/2007
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I agree with you, although I tow with a half ton Silverado, I'm also towing 7200lbs loaded. Like you I have no issues with the truck's towing ability. It's not the fastest going through the mountains but it's not the slowest. It does a very good job.
DH, 1946
DW, 1949
Daughter #1 Miniature shnauzer
Daughter #2 Cockapoo
2004 Chev 1500 Silverado Z71,1/2 ton Crew,5.3L,4:10,Timbren SES kit, Toyo Open Country HT LT265/70R/17
2008 Jayco, Jay Feather, 31E (Yes,it's a 1/2 ton pulling it)
Kipor IG2000P
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TomG2
Central Illinois
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Joined: 03/07/2004
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I was one, as long as I kept the trailer weight about where yours is or less. I loved all three late model Ford pickups that I owned with the 5.4 V-8. Would I trade my Chevy 2500HD for any F-150 to tow my fifth wheel? No way. Don't automatically assume people are bashing when they make comparisons or relate their experience.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Mine is just getting broke in with 152,000. I plan to keep it another 8 to 10 years. It is an art to get by on a little less and use just what is needed.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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LIKE2BUILD
Mt. Zion, IL
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Joined: 09/30/2004
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bigburg wrote:I seem to be one of very few people who ishappy with the ability of the 5.4L. My 28ft TT loaded for a trip weighing 7200lbs tows great.
All that being said are there any other happy F-150 owners towing out there?
Nah, I think you're not in the minority. There are plenty of people happily towing with a 150/1500 truck. RV.net member SkipnChar has put thousands of miles on a heavy half F150. I think he used to call it his F200  I think his truck has a 7600# GVWR, so it's a little more capable than a standard issue F150.
Personally I had a bit of a skittish jump when I bought my 2500HD five years ago. When I bought my TT in the fall of 2004 I towed it for a while with a '97 Chevy 1500 that had 3.42 gears. Between the high gear ratio, soft springs, and P-rated tires I could feel the trailer pushing the truck and wiggling things. I think the truck had either a 6100# or 6600# GVWR so it was a pretty light duty truck. I soon concluded I need a 3/4 truck to pull this 34' rig.
Since that time I've become more educated on the various aspects of towing: GVWR, GCWR, TV wheelbase, WD hitch setup, etc..... Knowing all that information, I probably could have found a properly equipped 1/2 ton truck that would have been suitable for my towing needs. However, I'm not the least bit sad that I have way more truck than I need.
I think the main thing is to know the limits of your vehicle and stay within those. If you do that, and you're not trying to set land speed records while towing, you can be very satisfied with a 1/2 ton truck.
KJ
2002 Jayco Qwest 324G
2004 Chevy 2500HD CrewCab |6.0L|2X4|4.10:1 | Eaton Posi-Trac
Curt MagnumV receiver
Eaz-Lift Hitch with Reese Dual Cam
1981 Seastar 18' Runabout
1996 Polaris SLT780 Waverunner
3 Wonderful Sons (10, 4, & 2)
1 forgiving wife!!!
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SAR Tracker
USA
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Happy with mine!
Rusty & Cheryl & Serendipity (dog & Chief Security Officer)
2000 F150 4x4 5.4L/3.55 (117k miles and goin' STRONG!)
2008 Weekend Warrior FB2100
"Common sense is in spite of, not the result of, education" - Victor Hugo (1802-1885)
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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I think a lot of the problems folks have is trying to tow a 5er with a 150 and have too much weight in the bed. not towing a TT.
bumpy
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MeandMyLabs
Clinton, Illinois
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Joined: 11/07/2008
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I think the most important thing is matching your trailer to the tow vehicle. When choosing the combination, one must carefully look at the numbers and anticipate the type of travel you desire. I like my F150 and do not have to be careful about weight when loading because it is very adequate for my trailer. Many who buy a 1500/150 are at the extreme limits or beyond of the towing capacity and those owners should step up to a heavier duty vehicle.
I have changed tires from stock to C rated and use a wd hitch and friction sway control and feel that I am set up correctly and safely. As others have stated, the 5.4 is not a fast high performance power plant but a dependable steady source of very adequate power. If I want quick driving performance, I will sell my rig and buy a Corvette or similar and stay in hotels...not!
2009 Jayco 19BH
2006 Ford Supercab XLT 5.4L
Yamaha 2400is
Camping Buddy-Caramel (chocolate lab)
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Tvov
CT
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Joined: 07/19/2003
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More than a few 3/4 ton and up trucks have the 5.4, like my 2008 F250! I have the 3.73 rear end and it works fine. I towed up and down the east coast with it. The newest F150s have some incredibly high tow capacities for a "1/2 ton" truck.
See you on the road!
_________________________________________________________
2008 F-250 CrewCab 5.4L,
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
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Beartoo
Perham MN
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Joined: 08/31/2002
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My 5'er makes the rear of my F150 go down pretty good. I am thinking of going to a F250. Just for the heavier springs, larger breaks, and a few more horse power. At least I will feel better and safer.
DH - Bear
DW - Marge
Buster - English Springer Spaniel
03 F 350
2008 Wild Cat RL24
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