Towing
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 73
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From: TN
Towing
Has anyone towed with the new 04? I currently have a diesel F250 but am considering the new Lariat 150. I pull a 21 foot bass boat so just curious about how this new motor and truck handles the hills and highways. Thanks for assist.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 157
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From: Chautauqua County, NY
The new 3v 5.4L will have no problem at all with that 21 footer. I have been pulling my 2300lb + 400 lb trailer = 2700lb total 19 ft open bow ski boat with ease. As a comparison to my old 97 F-150 with a 4.6 L, the 97 would kick out of overdrive with no load at all on this particular grade on a local interstate, but when I was towing my boat with my 04 Lariat Screw last week up that same grade it did not even kick out of overdrive at 65 mph! Granted it is no diesel, but if that is all you are towing definitely go with the 150.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 281
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From: Missouri
My only issue is if they are touting this truck as such a tow monster, why did they not make telescopic mirrors or tow mirrors for it. My Expedition mirrors are large enough for me to see around my 24ft camper. I test drove the 04 and no way could you see with those little mirrors. I did not see any upgrades offered and who wants to put stick on mirrors or strap mirrors on a new truck ?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 73
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From: TN
Sprintcarcrazy,
I understand about your issue with the mirrors however, not a problem for someone towing a bass boat. I really am curious about the motor and drivetrain in 4WD and how it performs with a little under 4K behind it.
I understand about your issue with the mirrors however, not a problem for someone towing a bass boat. I really am curious about the motor and drivetrain in 4WD and how it performs with a little under 4K behind it.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 374
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From: Sandy Springs, GA
mirrors
sprintcar--I agree. They should offer the F250/350 tow mirrors on the F150.
I have no problem pulling 6000lbs. with a 4.6 (but I never used overdrive). I think the 5.4 would be more than adequate (you would probably forget you had a tow behind you).
I have no problem pulling 6000lbs. with a 4.6 (but I never used overdrive). I think the 5.4 would be more than adequate (you would probably forget you had a tow behind you).
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Southern California
Enjoyable tow!
I just got back yesterday from a 3000+ mile trip over two weeks. Not all towing but much of it to get there. We went from Southern California to Klamath Falls Oregon via the eastern route on highway 395. Then on to Medford. This route has many slow long climbs in the 8,000 ft range. My travel trailer is only an 18 footer, older but heavy. Loaded at about 5,500 lbs or a little more.
My truck:
'04 f-150 XL, 164 inch WB, heavy duty pkg, tow pkg, 5.4L, 4.10 rear end, 37.5 tank, etc....
I ran much of the time with the cruise control on and the overdrive on too. I did not notice anything unusual running this way. I tried it without the OD on and the cruise control off but it did just about the same. Not a lot of shifting except when a hill was encountered and it just went out of overdrive and into third gear.
Yes, I did notice I had a load on. But that was about it. It handled it very well.
My mileage for the complete trip with some miles without the tow, 13 mpg. At home just running in town and to work I've been getting 16.5 to 17.
Larry in Yucaipa, CA
My truck:
'04 f-150 XL, 164 inch WB, heavy duty pkg, tow pkg, 5.4L, 4.10 rear end, 37.5 tank, etc....
I ran much of the time with the cruise control on and the overdrive on too. I did not notice anything unusual running this way. I tried it without the OD on and the cruise control off but it did just about the same. Not a lot of shifting except when a hill was encountered and it just went out of overdrive and into third gear.
Yes, I did notice I had a load on. But that was about it. It handled it very well.
My mileage for the complete trip with some miles without the tow, 13 mpg. At home just running in town and to work I've been getting 16.5 to 17.
Larry in Yucaipa, CA
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 374
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From: Sandy Springs, GA
towing
Please correct me if I'm wrong. My new truck hasn't arrived so I've not seen a Ford truck owners manual in 8 1/2 years. My '97 ( and the '88 F150 previously owned) manual stated that I should tow only in Drive. I had asked a Mustang buddy who owned a very succesful transmission shop about this (again 8 1/2 years ago). He said that he highly recommended this. He said that he had more transmission failures in trucks/SUV's due to overheating of the tranny by folks towing in OD than any other cause/problem.
Of course, my gas mileage suffered due to this, but I have never had a tranny problem in my trucks. When I change the fluid/filter as recommended by the manual, the fluid is always clear and the pan clean. The trucks were mostly used as tow vechicles; towing 5000-8000 pounds through the eastern U.S. This includes hot temps (95 degrees+) and mountains.
P/S w6lar--That sounds like a fun trip. I'd love to drive the west one day.
Of course, my gas mileage suffered due to this, but I have never had a tranny problem in my trucks. When I change the fluid/filter as recommended by the manual, the fluid is always clear and the pan clean. The trucks were mostly used as tow vechicles; towing 5000-8000 pounds through the eastern U.S. This includes hot temps (95 degrees+) and mountains.
P/S w6lar--That sounds like a fun trip. I'd love to drive the west one day.
