Problem towing? need help
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I had an 06 5.4, which has more stock power, and felt the same way about that motor when towing. My trailers were definitely over 4k/lbs though. I think my rated max capacity was 9400lbs and I probably towed I the range of 5-7k. I felt that the motor had a "dead spot" between 2700-3500 rpms. It would make a lot of noise and not move(figuratively) until it passed 3500 rpms. This is for stop and go towing. I was towing around 7500-8000 on a highway ride that had lots of undulations and it was hard to keep it at speed and was constantly shifting. I just did not like the motor when towing or hauling.
I'm not sure what truck you have but looking at the towing guides for a 99 super cab 4x4 3.73 the max rating is 7400lbs. So 4k is over half the rated capacity. Anything higher and your closer to max which results in decreased performance.
http://hillerford.com/resource_libra...wing_guide.pdf
I'm not sure what truck you have but looking at the towing guides for a 99 super cab 4x4 3.73 the max rating is 7400lbs. So 4k is over half the rated capacity. Anything higher and your closer to max which results in decreased performance.
http://hillerford.com/resource_libra...wing_guide.pdf
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,297
Likes: 2,197
Something is not right. Using a 2000 Ford Expedition on 22" rims , the 5.4 pulled a dual axle trailer on numerous occasions with 3500+ of cargo and it drove on flat roads like the load was not even there. If your having to punch it, check anything and everything...to include the electric trAiler brakes whic the trailer should have with that kind of a load.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Something is not right. Using a 2000 Ford Expedition on 22" rims , the 5.4 pulled a dual axle trailer on numerous occasions with 3500+ of cargo and it drove on flat roads like the load was not even there. If your having to punch it, check anything and everything...to include the electric trAiler brakes whic the trailer should have with that kind of a load.
Does it drive OK without a trailer?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 55
From: Middleville, MI
I haven't seen it asked if you're running oversize tires? and what gears?
my '99 F250 was a slug, with 35" tires and factory 4.10 (or 4.11, whatever they were) gears. couldn't hold overdrive on the freeway empty, and pulling my 24' enclosed was always 4000+ rpm up minor hills. as said that's where they make their power, but it certainly does get unnerving for extended periods.
I looked into doing the PI swap when I had it. I read that if you do swap you'll need to run premium fuel, due to the compression increase from the smaller combustion chambers on the PI heads working with the pre-PI pistons that aren't dished. I would confirm that though.
my '99 F250 was a slug, with 35" tires and factory 4.10 (or 4.11, whatever they were) gears. couldn't hold overdrive on the freeway empty, and pulling my 24' enclosed was always 4000+ rpm up minor hills. as said that's where they make their power, but it certainly does get unnerving for extended periods.
I looked into doing the PI swap when I had it. I read that if you do swap you'll need to run premium fuel, due to the compression increase from the smaller combustion chambers on the PI heads working with the pre-PI pistons that aren't dished. I would confirm that though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
I don't have those issues with my '07, which has the same engine. I've towed up to 14,000 pounds without any major issues. Yes, the engine will shift down a few gears and rev, but just let it. That's what is supposed to happen. These aren't 460s, they won't start swallowing valves or bending push rods if you operate them for extended periods over 4500 RPM.
I know you are one of the 5.4 crusaders and the motor isn't that bad. I wind my V10 up into those high rpms (~4k) but often feel like I don't need to though to get moving vs the 5.4.
I also find it a little hard to believe the 14k towing without too much drama. I've towed that with my V10 and there was plenty of drama. But my type of towing is stop and go short trip with a dump trailer and not highway. With the same trailer (4k) a toro dingo (2k) and a pallet of sod (3k) that 5.4 truck was constantly shifting gears and consistently at ~3k rpms on a moderate highway trip. I did have 3.73 gears which did not help.
I just did not like that truck and am quite happy with the V10. Maybe if the gearing was different it would've left a different impression.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 7
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I got 33s and 4.10 gears
I dnt have this problem when there no trailer ... im very impressed with the power when there no load to pull ... it doesn't help going through gears manually to get goin either
I like head swap idea so ill be hitting junk yards
Anyone else kno any tricks to get more ponys out these 5.4
I dnt have this problem when there no trailer ... im very impressed with the power when there no load to pull ... it doesn't help going through gears manually to get goin either
I like head swap idea so ill be hitting junk yards
Anyone else kno any tricks to get more ponys out these 5.4
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I really felt that "dead spot" when the towing got heavy. It's hard to explain but it was either below 2500 or above 4000 to get the loads moving. In between those it felt like it made a ton of noise but nothing much happened.
I know you are one of the 5.4 crusaders and the motor isn't that bad. I wind my V10 up into those high rpms (~4k) but often feel like I don't need to though to get moving vs the 5.4.
I also find it a little hard to believe the 14k towing without too much drama. I've towed that with my V10 and there was plenty of drama. But my type of towing is stop and go short trip with a dump trailer and not highway. With the same trailer (4k) a toro dingo (2k) and a pallet of sod (3k) that 5.4 truck was constantly shifting gears and consistently at ~3k rpms on a moderate highway trip. I did have 3.73 gears which did not help.
I just did not like that truck and am quite happy with the V10. Maybe if the gearing was different it would've left a different impression.
I know you are one of the 5.4 crusaders and the motor isn't that bad. I wind my V10 up into those high rpms (~4k) but often feel like I don't need to though to get moving vs the 5.4.
I also find it a little hard to believe the 14k towing without too much drama. I've towed that with my V10 and there was plenty of drama. But my type of towing is stop and go short trip with a dump trailer and not highway. With the same trailer (4k) a toro dingo (2k) and a pallet of sod (3k) that 5.4 truck was constantly shifting gears and consistently at ~3k rpms on a moderate highway trip. I did have 3.73 gears which did not help.
I just did not like that truck and am quite happy with the V10. Maybe if the gearing was different it would've left a different impression.
I don't know about the flat spot at mid RPM, all I can say is I don't notice one.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
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14k was all highway, without a lot of hills. The truck did fine. I wouldn't try that going over the Rocky Mountains or through Chicago, but northern Milwaukee to Coleman WI on I-43 and US-41 was an easy ride.
I don't know about the flat spot at mid RPM, all I can say is I don't notice one.
I don't know about the flat spot at mid RPM, all I can say is I don't notice one.
We're talking completely different towing situations then.
During calm weather conditions, getting to a certain speed and staying at that speed on flat ground is a completely different thing than constantly needing to accelerate heavy loads. Not having adequate power gets old day in day out with that type of towing.
Yea, I'm not sure if something was off with that truck but it always had that spot from 2700-3500rpms where it felt like it was starting to make a lot of noise but nothing was happening and then it would finally take off pulling again.
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