5.4L towing
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Southern NH
5.4L towing
In an effort to add info for those wondering, I'll offer a recap of my trip yesterday. Hauled a 6K horse trailer on a 350 mile round trip from southern NH to northern Vermont, 20 miles short of the Canadian border. Truck and trailer measure 47 feet together. Added about 1000 lbs of horse for the return trip. I drive a 2008 F250 CC 4X4 5.4L auto with factory tow package. Truck ran great all day. Set the cruise control at 65mph and let the computer do the work. Pulled up the mountains well, maintaining 65 all the way. I'm not one to worry about RPM, so the hill climbs at 4-4500 rpm didn't bother me. Truck pulled the trailer out of a rain soaked, grass/mud, uphill parking area. Needed 4 low, but I'm open front and rear. The extra horse weight for the trip home was seat of the pants unnoticed. Returned an average MPG of 9.5. Keep in mind, this trip went through the White Mountains and also hit the highest point on I-91. Lots of climbing in both directions. Very pleased with my 5.4. after my longest haul with this combo to date.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
Good to hear. And thanks for sharing.
We pull a camper weighing 6,525 lbs. Our truck is a 2010 F-250, CC, 4X4, Torshift, 5.4L, 4:10 LS, and it weighs 7,825 lbs loaded with firewood, bikes, and people (and one dog). All weights are actual scaled weights. We camp all over PA, MD, VA and pull the Allegheny and Blue Ridge "hills" with no problem. On some of the bigger, longer hills the engine will rev (in the low 4k rpm range) to maintain some of the higher speed limits (when I feel like it
). But those instances are short lived and far between. Understand I am comfortable with a gas engine doing what's its suppose to do under load. Most of the time it pulls along at speed limit in the 2-3k rpm range. Passing and merging has never been a problem. Last summer on a very hot day (94 degrees) on a big ol' hill I saw the trans temp hit 184. The rest of the time it runs in the 170's under load.
The F-250 as a truck does great. And here's another vote of endorsement for the 5.4L for how we use it.
We pull a camper weighing 6,525 lbs. Our truck is a 2010 F-250, CC, 4X4, Torshift, 5.4L, 4:10 LS, and it weighs 7,825 lbs loaded with firewood, bikes, and people (and one dog). All weights are actual scaled weights. We camp all over PA, MD, VA and pull the Allegheny and Blue Ridge "hills" with no problem. On some of the bigger, longer hills the engine will rev (in the low 4k rpm range) to maintain some of the higher speed limits (when I feel like it
). But those instances are short lived and far between. Understand I am comfortable with a gas engine doing what's its suppose to do under load. Most of the time it pulls along at speed limit in the 2-3k rpm range. Passing and merging has never been a problem. Last summer on a very hot day (94 degrees) on a big ol' hill I saw the trans temp hit 184. The rest of the time it runs in the 170's under load.The F-250 as a truck does great. And here's another vote of endorsement for the 5.4L for how we use it.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
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Happy with my 2010 5.4L also. Recently pulled 8K travel trailer 1200 miles and hit 5 campgrounds. Was total 15,650 lbs at CAT scale. I don't mind the RPM's either and ran up to 4400 a couple of times passing trucks up grades. My TC unlocked up some hills when I know it wouldn't have with 4.1 gears (I have 3.73), but I will live with what I got, because I already got it. Had some very windy days and overall MPG was 8.15. I know I can do 9-9.5 with some less agressive driving always trying to keep 65. This was my first trip so it was mostly a learning experience. My highest trans temp was 182, but the weather was cool in the 70's.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
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From: Western Connecticut
My last tow vehicle was an '03 Expy with the 5.4L and 3:73 rear gears. I towed my 7k TT all over New England including Niagra Falls. Between the five of us in the Expy, and a heavily loaded trailer, that was the limit I felt comfortable towing. The truck ran out of breath on long inclines and mountainous terrain with 4500 revvs not unusual. I know people can and would pull heavier trailers with this setup, but I wouldn't.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 317
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I pull my 28 ft. camper at 8,000 pounds and just saturday i had a load of pavers and firewood on a trailer that weighed 10,000.It took alittle while to get up to speed taking off but im not out to win any races anyway.kept up with traffic and on the moutain by my house in pa was the only time it hit 4k and still pulled 60 with traffic.I wouldnt want to do it every day.thats a 99 with 157,600 miles.
my vote goes to 5.4 also
my vote goes to 5.4 also
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Forest lake minnesota
I pull a 10,000 pound fifth wheel almost every weekend and my 5.4 just keeps coming back for more 
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 426
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From: Queens, NYC
And i-91 does have some hills. That stretch up through NH just seems to go on and on and on.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
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From: Western Connecticut
That stretch seems to last forever. I rode it on my Harley a few years back....all the way to exit 15, then cut through to NH into Lincoln for a w\e of white mountains riding. Did the Kanc several times and Mt. Wash auto road. A challenge on two wheels during rain, hail and fog.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
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My last tow vehicle was an '03 Expy with the 5.4L and 3:73 rear gears. I towed my 7k TT all over New England including Niagra Falls. Between the five of us in the Expy, and a heavily loaded trailer, that was the limit I felt comfortable towing. The truck ran out of breath on long inclines and mountainous terrain with 4500 revvs not unusual. I know people can and would pull heavier trailers with this setup, but I wouldn't.
I love the 6.2, but man do I miss my Expedition...
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Southern NH
And i-91 does have some hills. That stretch up through NH just seems to go on and on and on.[/quote]
We were in Evansville, VT. Seemed like it was all uphill to get there and uphill to leave. Beautiful scenery until the fuel gauge got in view. LOL
We were in Evansville, VT. Seemed like it was all uphill to get there and uphill to leave. Beautiful scenery until the fuel gauge got in view. LOL
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
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From: Fort Worth
Don't kill me here guys, but camping is not using a travel trailer. Camping is going into the wild and sleeping on the ground, or maybe the bed of the truck.
Camping in a trailer must be a Northern thing.
Camping in a trailer must be a Northern thing.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 719
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