I have a 04 Screw w/ 5.4 and 7,500 miles. I just pulled my snowmobile trailer this weekend and my truck could hardly pull it. The trailer is an 8'x10' aluminum v-nose. The trailer weight is 1,200lbs and my sleds probably weight about 1,000lbs together. I drove to my place up north and got a whopping 7mpg and the thing would shift down into 2nd gear to make it up (I use this term loosly) hill. I couldn't believe how bad it was. I talked to my dealer and I am going to get it into see them this friday, but has anyone else seen or heard about this problem. I can tell you what. If they say their is nothing wrong with the truck, I will have it at the local dyno shop to see the actuall hp & torque numbers. I had a screw ranger before that pulled the trailer so much better. Help......

Chad

 

I have a 2004 SCREW with 5.4 4x4. I pull a 24 foot goosneck horsetrailer loaded with three horses. Total weight is about 7,500 pounds. I have no problems with power. I get about 10 to 12 mpg. Not sure what the problem is but I'd get it checked.
John

 

That is not normal! I tow a 7500# boat and the truck (04 FX4 SCREW 5.4) pulls the load like it is nothing. There is no way your Ranger should tow the same load better than your F150, have it checked out ASAP. And don't let the dealer tell you that everything is fine and there is nothing wrong with your vehicle. Good luck.

 

I tow a 8000+ trailer and have decent power.

 

I tow a 3000 lb Bass boat with my '04 FX4 5.4 and it acts like that boat is there and I tow in O.D. in my area of SC and rarely does it shift back to 3rd, unless it is on a steep hill and I get 14.5 mpg towing the boat.

 

This is exactly what I was afraid of. I can tell you guys that I could tow any of the above items with my truck. I got passed on the freeway going up hill by a lexus suv towing a camper. I was really embarassed. I just hope that my dealer doesn't give me the run around. I will keep you all posted as to what the out come is.


thanks for the replies so far.
chad

 

I Tow a 25 ft camper at 7000 lbs, I have no problems. It sure beats my 03 Expy with the old 5.4

It tows great, Oh, I put a set of Timbren Spring helpers on it, I usually have firewood and 5-6 bikes in the back.

It tows good. It drinks the gas loaded like that at about 8.5mpg, but no complaints at all.

5.4 3.73, I do turn the OD off, that makes a big difference.

 

I tow a 25 ft 4200 lb (unloaded) tag-a-long travel trailer with no problems. I get about 10 mpg. Hope this all works out...keep us posted.

 

Leiterch,
Is this the first time that you have towed with it? Or has it changed from before?
My '04 Screw 5.4L 3.73LS 2WD tows my 2000 lb camper like it isn't there. For now, I love how the truck rides and drives. Some of the stuff I read here scares me. The truck is a lot different than my '98 E-150 and it takes some getting used to the road feedback. At 65 MPH (approx 1900 RPM) in OD it will rarely downshift and will allow me to accelerate in most hills without downshifting. 15 MPG on a recent 400 mile round trip to Maine. About the same MPG around town not towing.
If you don't get satisfaction with the dealer you should elevate the issue immediately to higher up in the dispute process. Put everything in writing and keep a complete log of your efforts. Many dealers will only respond when you know and exersice your rights.
Good luck,
Rick

 

I had towed with it before. I towed our popup camper and it seemed to perform quite well. I got pretty good gas mileage when we went from MI to FL and we even with through WV on the way back. That was the second week that I had the truck. I then got my snowmobile trailer a couple of week ago and that is when it was pretty scarry. I am not sure what is wrong, but I will make sure that I keep a record of everything that goes on. I am hearing rumors (I don't want to start one) that there might be a casting issue with the heads. I hope it is something simple like a bad program in the computer, but we will soon see. The truck seems to be ok under normal driving conditions, but as soon as I hook up to my trailer and put a load on the motor all bets are off.

 

Check your trailer bearings. After a tow see if your hub is hot. I had a 97 5.4 and sold it to a guy I know. It now has 250000 on it and is still running great according to him..

 

I agree with everybody else, I tow a 25ft trailer with a 4500 pound 70 monte carlo and had two enginges in the back and there was no problems at all. I was up and down hills and averaged 12 -14 mpg.

Good luck

 

The issue with the heads was something like 500 trucks within a very specific build date. Your dealer can tell you if your truck is one of them.

 

I towed two Motorcycles about 2300 lbs with trailer 3000 miles over hill and over dale .. I kept checking my mirrors to make sure the trailer was still there... Seemed effortless to me .... I'd have the truck checked ...

 

i just towed my flatbed trailer with my race car on it, trailer weight about
2000 lbs ,the car 2200 lbs and fully loaded with tools and crew, another
1300 lbs,
the truck towed fine and i got about 15 mpg
thanks