well, my dad bought a brand new 2011 dodge ram. and as you could imagine, it out performs my truck in every category. so im looking to upgrade. new is not an option, but ive found some of this gen in my price range. the things im looking for are

smooth ride
towing stability
bed-load stability
smooth power.

the dodge tows this trailer beautifully. it acts like its not even there. fast take off, easy stopping, trailer dosent push the truck. truck dosent even squat. can these f150s do this?


EDIT!!: im not looking for something to only tow trailers. ill be a DD. but i want something that can handle a trailer when i need it to.
EDIT 2: i also haul firewood in the bed. i dont want it squatting like my 97 does, or how the dodge dosent lol. hows it do with weight over the axel?

 

In the 14 years since Ford made your truck, there have been MASSIVE design changes. Like most people on FTE, I think Ford is the best truck on the market. My advice or you is to go out and drive a couple new trucks, see what you like, and buy that one.

Also, if you have any specs on that trailer, I'm sure someone can chime in. Things like weight, tongue weight etc would help a lot. Just looking at a picture isn't that helpful.

 

I would look for an 06-08 with a 5.4 engine. For a smoother ride I would also look at XLT's and above (Fx4 and Lariat).


I am always loading up my bed or trailer on a weekly basis and have never had any problems. I just turn the OD off and away I go.

 

well, even my truck is a nice ride when its empty. i want to hear from people who tow with there truck, thats its a good tow vehicle. as for that trailer, i dont remember exactly what the weight was. but ill see if i can find it today.
i was looking at 05-06 trucks. my price range is between around 10k. so im finding trucks up to 06 at the newest. and all ive ever owned was XLTs. i like the bench seat better then a center console

and i load my 97 up on a weekly basis too. and i tow a trailer a month just about. but i want a truck thats gonna do it like its not even there. the dodge, you hook the trailer up, and i swear, sometimes you forget its back there.

 

Over the summer I use my truck ('06 XLT w/ 5.4 and 3.73) to tow a 6000 lbs. as well as a 9500 lbs. boat. I tow the 6000 lbs. one just about every weekend and it has no issues with this weight. I tow the heavier one about 2 times a year and you can tell that the boat is there but it still has no issues towing it, just go a little bit slower.

I'm not sure the weight of that trailer but as long as you go with the 5.4 I think an '06 would be just fine for you.

 

one suggestion....i know technology has come along way since i have messed with ford trucks since my 97, but i superchiped mine, and not only did it give a bit more respectable power, but shifts were butter and that thing would just flat out light my 35's up. it also had the 4.6

 

Is that dodge a 5.7? If so I had one of those 2011's for a week about a month ago when a deer decided to run into the side of my truck. Unloaded the 5.4 can't compete with the 5.7, at least in stock form. Loaded I'm not sure, the rental company wouldn't let me hook a trailer to it. Ride and handling I'd say is pretty close, brakes seemed a little stronger, but mine are just about due to be replaced, and it had a little less road noise, but again I have more aggressive tires. However, I will say that the 5.7 didn't seem to have the low down power the 5.4 does, it generally needed to wind up to about 2000 rpm before the power came on, but after that it was a beast. Overall the 5.4 has a smother response though. I hated the interior... and exterior.

Bottom line, I'd keep my Ford, but I also wouldn't go toe to toe in the power department with the Dodge.

 

An F150 in this Gen is the way to go. If you really want to kick that Dodge's butt all over town get yourself an F150 8600 GVWR. Its considered the HD F150 and will really haul firewood stacked as high as corn grows tall. They are just harder to come by. Look for the 7-bolt lugs on the rims!
Your Gen of F150, these truck were called F150 7700, and later the F250 Light Duty. FYI.

 

they are nice but as a DD you have to keep in mind stiffer ride and 4.10 gear mpg. also if you like aftermarket wheels, good luck.

 

nope this dodge is a 4.7... but it still hauls ***. and dont forget the dodges have dead pedals. the fly-by-wire doesent open the TB to WOT until about 2-3k.

so, the ford dosent have as much power as the 5.7? but by how much? enough a tuner can comp for?
they make a upgraded version of 04-08 too? like the 7700?

 

No, a tuner isn't enough, the 5.7 has something like 90 more horses and 40-50ish more ft-lbs. The 5.4 is stronger then the 4.7, but the 4.7 also has an extra gear to work with. I think you'd be really happy with an 06 5.4 though, I sometimes wish I had more power on the highway, but my trailers are all enclosed giant sails.

 

I still prefer the 5.4 over the hemi. My truck doesnt redline everytime I step on the gas. I hate that. Ive noticed it with the new GM trucks as well. Horespower and going fast arent what make a good truck. I wonder what the dodge will look like in 14 years?

 

That is totally true. It would ride almost like an F250 empty and not offer the best mileage. The stock wheels are pretty boring even compared to XL / STX options, too bad Ford couldn't make them a little more flashy.

 

Correct. Actually they still offer it so its 04-11 you can get an F150 Heavy Payload Package. Some of us unofficially call them F150 8600, whereas the previous heavy duty was F150 7700 or F250 LD.

Here's the deal:
2004-2011 is only offered in 8ft beds, with standard or super cabs, and only in XL or XLT trim. Used models are a little harder to locate and were likely used well since these were the ultimate half-ton working truck.

 

well, im getting a 4 door. so i guess the HD package is outa the question.

but thanks guys. i appreciate it. ill have to make up for the power difference with some forced air...

one last question, what type of MPGs with a 5.4?