Yea Its a super duty...I had a 2002 f150 regular cab 4x4 that only got 14 mpg and I sold it not long after I bought the f250...I didn't see any point in keeping it since the 250 got better mpg

 

Mine is also the bare bones model other than the fx4 package

 

Is that hand calculated for a full tank or just watching the max number on the mpg lie-o-meter?

 

I'm with Josh, I don't believe those mileage figures for 1 second. I've never EVER heard of a non-diesel SD getting more than about 16mpg maximum for any sustained amount of time. Like I say at work all the time: show me the data. And even if they are true, those figures are WAAAAY out of the norm!

To the OP: your sig doesn't show where you're located. Pulling those loads on the flats at or near sea level will be vastly different experience at, say, 5000-10,000 feet elevation.

 

If you don't believe me come ride around with me for a week or two. I just figured it by hand but that's easy math. I live in the mountains in east tn. I don't know how to show you other than letting you ride with me. I'm not the type to make crazy claims that ain't true.

 

This would be my thinking also. But yes it will get it done.


I'm bias to the V10. Seeing as you are looking for a weekend toy I would be looking for some fun and seeing as you aren't going the diesel route the V10 brings a smile to my face, especially unloaded! Don't read into the high fuel mpg claims on the 5.4 or V10, even if they are true, because they are not the average. Owning an 06 F250 ext cab 4x4 would only get me 11-12.5 city, 10 or below towing, and once was in the 13 range on a longer ride. V10 is consistenly 9-10mpg, a little lower towing some heavy stuff short distances, but I'll take the cut in mpg to have more available power and fun factor. Even for a heavy dually it gets up and moves.


If you are set on a 5.4 I would be looking for one with better gearing such as 4.10 or 4.30 (if that was a factory offering?) and a 3V for more power. I'd stick to a late 08 and up (brown coil boots) to avoid the spark plug debacles.


Good luck in your search!

 

To the OP:
I recently upgraded from a 2003 ECSB 4x4 with the 5.4/Manual/4.88 gears and 315/75/16 tires to a 6.2 with 4.30 gears. I live in Colorado and I was towing 5-6k camper trailers up into the mountains without trouble. I upgraded trucks because my wife wants to buy a camper that weighs 8k empty and the max towing capacity for my old truck (which came from the factory with 4.10 gears) was listed at 8600lbs. I am not sure what the tow ratings are on the newer 3V 5.4 trucks or if they were ever offered with 4.30 gears, but I think that you will be disappointed with the 5.4 after having driven the 6.2. My advice would be to look for an 2008-2010 with the V10 motor.

 

You're kidding right? 12k and alright? I thought VA had mountain ranges?

I pulled a 10k trailer at one time with my 5.4 and I called it my "Rollscanardly."

Rolls fine down the hill bit can hardly get up the next one!

 

A 3v V10 with 4:30 gears will bring a smile to your face. If you were to add a tuner from Mike at 5 star, that smile will never go away.

 

It won't hold 65 mph in 5th gear up an 8% grade with that kind of weight, but neither would my 7.3. But it isn't doing 15 mph with the flashers on either. With 8,000 lbs it will hold the speed limit on Sams Gap and Buckner Gap in NC(8% grade for about 5 miles with a 55-60 mph limit) but is running at about 4,500 rpm in 3rd gear. There might be 2-3 hills like that on any long trip I take, so less than 1% of my trips are spent above 2,500 rpm. To me, that's not having issues. I'm ok with my truck being in a gear other than 5th or turning over 2,000 rpm on a hill.

 

I've gone up over the Cajon Pass and the Grapevine here in So Cal, which are both pretty aggressive, long climbs, pulling my 7k boat with the 5.4, LS, 3.73 rear end. It will drop down to 45 or so in manual 2nd, and work it's tail off to get over the top. With the 10k toy trailer, it gets much uglier.

When you state 12k, I just don't want anyone to get the opinion that the engine is capable for that kind of towing. I think it's overstated a bunch and others will be very disappointed if they buy this engine, thinking it will handle that load.

There are other factors such as tranny, rear end ratio, gvwr, gcwr, etc to help in those decisions but regardless, I don't think that recommendation is realistic.

 

HA yeah me too! Highest I have ever gotten was about 13.5 steady at 60. Granted mine has a Reading body and a welded ladder rack.


I tow my Jeep with my 5.4L to trails a few times a year and it gets the job done just fine. But the V10 (from what I have read), gets basically the same economy, and is generally the same maintenance and oil capacity. I agree with you on the diesel. Nice if its in constant use, but otherwise maintenance is just so expensive compared to a modular.

 

Again, seeing as this truck will be a weekend toy and not some commuter why not get the better gas motor. It'll be more fun and have more power without the need for any modifications. It just makes more sense if costs are similar. The only reason I see not to go to the V10 is if you cannot find a cab and trim configuration you desire. If all the v10's are reg cab XL's and the 5.4's are crew cab XLT or Lariats then you are in a pickle. But then there's the 6.2 that can likely be found in many abundant configurations and have good power to boot!

 

I have pulled 12,000 lbs with mine many times. My mother in law has moved 5 times in the last 3 years and I have pulled her stuff for her every time and taken it all over east tn and western nc. Horse trailer with living quarters, 4 horses, furniture, appliances, etc. I've moved twice and pulled my stuff from tn to va. Equipment hauler, 5 vehicles(1 per trip), tool boxes, tools, air compressors(28 x40 garage full of tools to spare a long list). My truck handled it just fine and never had to work it's tail off or struggle, so to me that is realistic and more than capable.

Here is a video of me pulling approximately 8,000 lbs up Sams Gap last year. My father in law died and I went to Social Circle ga to get his stuff and haul it to kingsport tn. My equipment hauler(2,500 lbs), long bed f150 on it(4,500 lbs) and the bed of the 150 loaded with a full sized tool box, tools, wood working tools, guns and clothes(1,000 lbs). 8% grade, several miles long and 55 mph speed limit. Pulled it at 60 mph in 3rd gear at 4,500 rpm with plenty of pedal left over.


If you are ever in ne tn or sw va with your boat let me know. I will be happy to put you up for the weekend, feed you, pull your boat all over the place and take you fishing at some of the lakes around here. You can take pictures, videos, etc, and post the results on here too.

 

I hope you never ask it to pass a gas station.