Tow ratings
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Tow ratings
Hey guys, I was just thinking about the trucks we drive today, and have come to an interesting realization. Diesels have higher tow ratings obviously, but why? A 5.4 truck has the same tranny, brakes, frame etc. I understand that the diesel or V10 will accelerate better, but is there really any reason why a 5.4 couldn't pull the same load as a diesel or V10? I am in NO WAY saying that towing over ford's ratings should happen, but was just wondering why the differences are there. Thanks!
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Boise id
I think its because engines are air pumps. The more air you move, the more work you can do. Or I look at it like having a husky pull a sled ,vs a pomeranian. Both much move it, until you find a hill... That's how I look at it anyways!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
That doesn't answer the question though, I mean, the engine WILL pull what a diesel will, but slower. Yet not as slow as a transport thus not breaking any traffic regulations for acceleration. Any thoughts?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
Not sure you want real answers given the tone of the post 
but here goes:
Towing is about much more than just the engine doing it one time !
it's about longevity...
I can pick up 400 lbs, but ask me to do it 100 times a day or for 10 years in a row and guess what happens - I break down...
then you have to think about fuel mileage, wear and tear on all the components, rear end, max weight ratings...
it's called the correct tool for the job at hand
but here goes:Towing is about much more than just the engine doing it one time !
it's about longevity...
I can pick up 400 lbs, but ask me to do it 100 times a day or for 10 years in a row and guess what happens - I break down...
then you have to think about fuel mileage, wear and tear on all the components, rear end, max weight ratings...
it's called the correct tool for the job at hand
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
If plug spitting doesn't eliminate the engine from heavy work, I don't know what else can.
No doubt it is way more complicated, but generally all gasoline engines are build as light duty, while diesels Fords puts in the truck having bad general reputation don't have problems to exceed 1/2 million miles.
Other issue is that gasoline engine in order to pull 30,000 lb would have to run 5000 rpm all day long. Even if the engine would handle that, i don't think the mpg would look good enough to publicize.
No doubt it is way more complicated, but generally all gasoline engines are build as light duty, while diesels Fords puts in the truck having bad general reputation don't have problems to exceed 1/2 million miles.
Other issue is that gasoline engine in order to pull 30,000 lb would have to run 5000 rpm all day long. Even if the engine would handle that, i don't think the mpg would look good enough to publicize.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
But it won't pull what a diesel will pull. There is always a bigger hill, or higher altitude. At some point there is a job that the diesel can do, and the 5.4, or the V10 for that matter, cannot.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
I have a 2010 5.4 and I have driven basically every motor ford has put in a truck over the last 15 years. Diesels for sure have more power but a 5.4 will pull whatever a diesel or a V10 will pull, just not as fast. Diesels will give you better fuel economy but diesel fuel also cost more, and the maintenance on a diesel is WAY more than a gas motor. I'm not saying the diesels aren't awesome but I think it comes down to personal preference. If you are consistently pulling 8k+ trailers then you should be in a diesel. I pull a horse trailer 20 times a year and occasionally a utility tractor or 2. I don't think I will ever be pulling 10,000 lbs. but if I ever need to, i'm sure I can.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
There's no reason a 5.4 couldn't tow what a diesel is rated to tow, but obviously it's going to be working much harder to do it. Some people here have reported towing 20K lbs with their 5.4s. Doing that occasionally wouldn't really hurt anything, but doing it all the time would cause some serious wear on the engine. The 5.4 is a great engine, but it's just not designed to be worked that hard all the time like a diesel is. I wouldn't hesitate to occasionally tow more than my owners manual says I should with my 5.4, but if I had big loads to tow all the time I would have a diesel.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
It looks like all the diesel guys have found this thread. They like nothing better then to say how useless the 5.4 is, don't let them get to you. As for gas engines being considered "light duty" I don't know if I would agree. Yes, the triton will rev more while pulling a load, but thats how they were engineered. The 5.4 or the 6.8 can hold 4,500 rpm's all day long with no issues. And as far as reliability, the spark plug issue was fixed long ago, and I will put my 5.4 under and endurance test over a diesel any day. And if I do need some repairs along the way, the $8,000 I saved will get them done.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
True, but if you have a load so big that a 5.4 simply can't pull, you aren't going to be towing it with any diesel pickup either.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Not ragging on 5.4 owners. Just trying to answer the question. The diesel can pull more. Simple fact. Will you ever see the load that the 5.4 cannot handle? Probably not if you've got half a brain. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
I get the point perfectly. Diesels pull better than gas, I have towed with many diesels and many gas engines, and I agree 100% that diesels pull better. My point is, if you are moving a trailer from A to B, a gas truck will get it there just like a diesel truck will get it there. If it was a 14,000 lb trailer, I would much rather be driving a diesel, but the 5.4 will get it there all the same. And if the point I am not getting is durability and reliability, I will have to disagree. If you are pulling heavy loads constantly, I do not believe a gas motor will require more maintenance, I believe it will be the other way around, as diesels, as a rule, require more maintenance. And to reiterate my point, If I had a choice to pull with a gas or a diesel, I would choose the diesel any day of the week.