Bad choice?
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: NH
Bad choice?
From what I'm hearing a either made a bad choice in the truck I bought or the camper! I picked up a 2006 F-350 SD Crew Cab about 2 months ago. It has the 5.4L V8 with the 3.73 axle. The travel trailer I bought will be 7500lbs dry and about 8500 loaded. I will be towing with a weight distribution hitch and anti sway bars. Is this to much trailer for this truck?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
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From: Millersburg, OH
An lot of people will poo-poo the 5.4 in a Super Duty but it will do fine. You are well within Ford's recommended towing limits using a WD hitch.
You'll have the proper expectation and know you'll need to let it rev, you'll lose speed on longer, steep grades and you'll suffer from low MPG if you are working it hard but it will do the job. My advice is hook up your trailer and go on a couple trips you might just be perfectly happy with the way it performs.
If you want a little more than I would recommend re-gearing to 4.30 (if using stock tire size) and getting some tunes from 5 Star.
You'll have the proper expectation and know you'll need to let it rev, you'll lose speed on longer, steep grades and you'll suffer from low MPG if you are working it hard but it will do the job. My advice is hook up your trailer and go on a couple trips you might just be perfectly happy with the way it performs.
If you want a little more than I would recommend re-gearing to 4.30 (if using stock tire size) and getting some tunes from 5 Star.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: NH
Thanks
Thanks for the reply Mike
I did do my homework as I will be towing with my family in the truck and do not want to put them in an unsafe situation. Any idea on what the cost of changing over to a 4.10 from a 3.73 ratio? I did look at 5-Stars website and I'm interested. Could this "add on" really make a big differance?
I did do my homework as I will be towing with my family in the truck and do not want to put them in an unsafe situation. Any idea on what the cost of changing over to a 4.10 from a 3.73 ratio? I did look at 5-Stars website and I'm interested. Could this "add on" really make a big differance?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
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From: Forest lake minnesota
I have a 2003 f250 4x4 crew cab with a 5.4 I pull a 10,000 pound fifth wheel with it and it does just fine , it will slow down on long grade hills but I know that. I think your truck will do just fine 
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
As far as a gear swap dont waste your money on 4.10 its not enough go with 4.30 if you are keeping your stock size tires. I am in the process of changing from 3.73 to 4.30 and two shops quoted me about 2400.00 to do the change.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: NH
Thanks Again!
All helpful replies as always here!!
I don't want to change the axle ratio if I don't have to. I guess I will see how it goes this season and make that decision later.
Again, thanks for the help
I don't want to change the axle ratio if I don't have to. I guess I will see how it goes this season and make that decision later.
Again, thanks for the help
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 18
From: Millersburg, OH
Thanks for the reply Mike
I did do my homework as I will be towing with my family in the truck and do not want to put them in an unsafe situation. Any idea on what the cost of changing over to a 4.10 from a 3.73 ratio? I did look at 5-Stars website and I'm interested. Could this "add on" really make a big differance?
I did do my homework as I will be towing with my family in the truck and do not want to put them in an unsafe situation. Any idea on what the cost of changing over to a 4.10 from a 3.73 ratio? I did look at 5-Stars website and I'm interested. Could this "add on" really make a big differance?
If you still think you need a little more power after that I would look at getting a tuner from 5 Star. While the tunes themselves will not put down a huge amount of hp/tq Mike's tunes do net some nice additional power especially at WOT and also help compensate for ethanol over stock tuning. If you think you still need more then re-gearing is going to be the next step. I wouldn't waste to much money on CAI, exhaust, etc since the stock stuff in the 3V is pretty darn efficient.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
I had an 06 with the 5.4. 3.73 axles 4x4. I pulled my 8K TT just fine all over the place. Does require that you give it some RPMS but it did the job just fine.
Gets a little thirsty running 70 mph though.
Gets a little thirsty running 70 mph though.
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