What rear ratio do you have? I'd think with the 6 spd in the newer truck you would get better mpgs. What size tires are on it?

 

It wasn't the shocks that were the problem. It was the ball joint nut that just spun on the stud that wouldn't come off. I had to grind/ cut it off after that. Didn't want a repeat on other side. The coil spring compressor wasn't doing the job so I decided to take control arm off. I'm sure I could've done it a better way. Should've just used the spacers.

 

Also I'm going to be towing about 7000lbs this summer. Has anyone towed anything heavy and then got a programmer and towed the same weight? Was there any real improvement? If so what programmer?

 

I have an 09 XLT XCab 4x4 5.4 with 146,000 miles on the clock. I have towed 30ft. travel trailers weighing in at 7800lbs, weekly commutes of 160 miles with a cargo trailer that weighed about 3500lbs loaded and running 75-85 mph. I have a lead foot and don't hesitate to work this truck at all. Only mods are a hypertech programmer, 2" leveling kit, air silencer deleted, and tinted windows. Only repairs have been 1 passenger side exhaust manifold replaced under warranty due to leak at 99,000 miles, a battery, and 2 VCT solenoids just replaced that eliminated the cam phaser knock that I have lived with since it had 20,000 miles. Total out of pocket repair expense - $230.00. Other than that, routine maintenance and LOTS OF GAS! I average 16-18 MPG on the highway running 70-85MPH and 14 MPG around town. I run 1900 miles round trip about 4 times a year and usually with a 3500lb cargo trailer behind it. By far, the best vehicle I have ever owned with the least repair cost. I wouldn't hesitate to drive this truck anywhere at anytime.

 

That's great to hear. Have you tried towing without programmer? Just to compare?

 

I have towed without the programmer, not a huge difference but with the programmer it definitely doesn't take as much throttle to get moving, loaded or unloaded. As for gas mileage, no change with or without the programmer. A friend of mine bought a 2011 xcab 4x4 with the 5.0. We ran them both to see how bad the 5.0 would walk the 5.4. Much to our surprise, we both were side by side until 30-35mph then he started to ease in front. We ran to 70mph with my front bumper alongside with his back bumper. Although he beat me, it wasn't by much at all. Mine has 3.55's and his has 3.73's but his was bone stock while mine had the programmer and the air silencer deleted. Both are great engines and transmissions in my opinion. I also had my tranny serviced at a local Aamco recently since it was coming due, they hadn't seen the first Ford 6R80 come in other than the case connector seal while they have had several GM 6 speeds that failed.

 

That's a lot of boat for the truck, but you should be fine.

 

Hopefully I won't need a wdh . Hitch has a v5 rating on it

 

WDH is often a good idea even if you are well within the ratings of the hitch and rear axle. Can help a lot to balance out the load.

 

Get the WDH, I won't tow w/o it. Get it on, use it and no need to worry about it, as the WDH is doing its job and making it easier on the Driver and what you are towing.

I'm coming up on my 1st tow with my 10F150 towards the end of this month, be towing 200 miles 1-way, starting off at 5400ft elevation and the campsite is at 8900ft.
All highway driving with speeds in the 55-65mph range. No steep forest service roads on this trip other than a gravel section for the last 12 miles.
EDGE Insight has been installed and I have been monitoring my trans temps, unloaded my F150 avg's 185F Temps on the interstate cruising 75 (not level terrain here), city driving stop and go, it climbs up to 195F till the cooling fans kick on, then it drops down a little but never gets back over 195F.
Highway driving through a Mountain Range with elevations ranging from 5400ft to 8700ft then back down to 6700ft (80 miles 1-way) the trans avg's around 178, tops out around 194F, this is non-towing driving.
Also installed the Towing Mirrors, Ford look-alikes off of Ebay.

MPG I have no complaints, over the years I have learned what works and what doesn't work for improving mpg.
Street thread tires/17" Wheels and the axle rating, mine being 3:55's.
Highway driving through the Mountains I constantly avg 21mpg, slower speed limits helps here and the 6-speed tranny as well. Interstates it stays right under 20 @75mph, in city driving at 18. I use 88 octane as 87 isn't available here. I also use the cruise control as much as possible.
When Towing I will use cruise control very little, if at all.
I'll post my results when I get back.

 

I'll be towing my boat from md. To tenn. I'm not sure what kind of grades I'll hit but I don't expect good gas mileage with a 6500-7000 lb boat and loaded truck

 

I hear ya, me too. With me towing this small Toyhauler Trailer and the fact it catches the wind, my mpg is going to drop like big time but that is expected.

 

I own a 2010 SuperCrew 5.4 XLT with 54,000 miles. Just recently took her in to have all four tires replaced. Two issues were uncovered with the first being worn rear brakes. This is not a biggie to me as I do tow a lot with her and expect to have some high wear. The one shocker to me is having blown ball joints that need replacing which I am going to do myself and not pay a grand to have the shop do it. Question for all, has anyone else on here had to replace their ball joints within the 50 to 60,000 mile range or sooner? I will be installing the greaseable version as what is stock sucks. Thank you all.

 

I only have 37K on mine and still good. Good call on the greasable ones, I'd do the same. I do grease mine though, I poked a tiny hole in the boots and inject grease with a homemade needle for blowing up a soccer ball. I figure its gotta get in the cracks sooner or later and I get grease from work free as a heavy equiptment operator. I do it when its warmer out so the grease flows better

 

As it turned out I didn't take my small toyhauler as the campout was shorten too many days. I did notice in city driving while getting out of town and my F150 loaded for the campout that my trans temp stayed at 192F, on the 3 plus hours on the highway it never went over 176F, not towing.
June 2nd I have another campout to go on, if the Toyhauler comes along, I'll report my Trailer Tow Temp readings when I get back on June 7th.