towing with the 5.4L
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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Steve,
I am well aware of what GVW is. Gross Vehicle Weight. I work for a police dept full time and know what the limitations are. If a trailer GVW is 10,000 lbs, the trailer plus whatever cargo inside can not go over 10,000 lbs. Same as what the truck would be disconnected from the trailer. I am not saying that you can add the two together to come up with some magical number, I am just saying that two suite cases, some towels for cleaning, and my wife and tool box in the back of the truck will not go over the weight. I do not have anything heavy inside the truck like a fiberglass cap or anything like that. The only thing I do have on my truck is a tonneau cover which does not weight that much. There is a public scale in the next town over from me and I can go there to weigh my truck and find out what it is. I will probably have to wait till Tues at least due to the holiday weekend.
I am well aware of what GVW is. Gross Vehicle Weight. I work for a police dept full time and know what the limitations are. If a trailer GVW is 10,000 lbs, the trailer plus whatever cargo inside can not go over 10,000 lbs. Same as what the truck would be disconnected from the trailer. I am not saying that you can add the two together to come up with some magical number, I am just saying that two suite cases, some towels for cleaning, and my wife and tool box in the back of the truck will not go over the weight. I do not have anything heavy inside the truck like a fiberglass cap or anything like that. The only thing I do have on my truck is a tonneau cover which does not weight that much. There is a public scale in the next town over from me and I can go there to weigh my truck and find out what it is. I will probably have to wait till Tues at least due to the holiday weekend.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 27
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From: On the road
2006 Ford F-150 XLT Crewcab 5.4 Liter with tow'n'go package
Here you go....home sweet home tows like a dream except for some sway so we are looking at a new weight distribution with sway control hitch. Look at the tongue...adjusted it up alittle but since the tow'n'go package is right on the money. We went with a 2 wheel drive as it can tow a little more than the 4 X 4 but again we bought late in the year and all that was left was a bunch of flexfuel with 3.55:1 gear ratio so our gas milage is as figured. Also we got stuck with the smaller gas tank....27 or 28 gal compared to what the 30?
http://i11.tinypic.com/40kdl61.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/40kdl61.jpg
We did add some awesome after market tow mirrors from http://www.ttt-mirror.com/
Last edited by WhëëlMå1; Nov 25, 2006 at 02:07 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 377
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From: your town
Originally Posted by rickschramm
Here you go....home sweet home tows like a dream except for some sway so we are looking at a new weight distribution with sway control hitch. Look at the tongue...adjusted it up alittle but since the tow'n'go package is right on the money. We went with a 2 wheel drive as it can tow a little more than the 4 X 4 but again we bought late in the year and all that was left was a bunch of flexfuel with 3.55:1 gear ratio so our gas milage is as figured. Also we got stuck with the smaller gas tank....27 or 28 gal compared to what the 30?
We did add some awesome after market tow mirrors from http://www.ttt-mirror.com/
Ditto on the mirrors
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by rickschramm
[left]Here you go....home sweet home tows like a dream except for some sway so we are looking at a new weight distribution with sway control hitch. Look at the tongue...adjusted it up alittle but since the tow'n'go package is right on the money. We went with a 2 wheel drive as it can tow a little more than the 4 X 4 but again we bought late in the year and all that was left was a bunch of flexfuel with 3.55:1 gear ratio so our gas milage is as figured. Also we got stuck with the smaller gas tank....27 or 28 gal compared to what the 30?]
Last edited by osbornk; Nov 4, 2006 at 08:47 AM.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,587
Likes: 141
From: SE Georgia
I would stick with the PSD, you already get great mileage with towing and that is what it is made to do. besides, normally you get a insurance discount for multiple vehicles.
have you priced the insurance on a new F-150 either? mine went down when I bought my supercab, but that was because I had a piece of Jap crap SUV that was really expensive to repair
have you priced the insurance on a new F-150 either? mine went down when I bought my supercab, but that was because I had a piece of Jap crap SUV that was really expensive to repair
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by wbones9
I searched and searched, but to my suprise I didn't find much info.
How many people on here do occasional towing with their truck (I mean atleast 6000 lbs). For the last few years I have had a dedicated tow rig (97 F250 powerstroke) but the insurance is outragous and I'm seriously considering buying a F150 and using it for my daily driver and tow rig. The truck would be a 06 F150 supercab, 5.4L with the 3.55 gears, 4x4 and "tow and go" package. About once a month I tow my jeep (7000 with gear/trailer, etc) for about 1000 miles. I know the 5.4L won't be even close to the PSD in terms of mpg or ease of towing in general, but I just want to make sure that I'm not getting in over my head. Also, here in the midwest I don't have to worry about seep grades as often.
I'm expecting only being able to tow with OD off at about 60mph and getting about 9-10 mpg. Is this unrealistic? For reference, the 97 PSD towed 7500 lbs comfortably at 75mpg and got about 16 mpg.
Also, post up a pic of your F150 loaded up with your toy!
How many people on here do occasional towing with their truck (I mean atleast 6000 lbs). For the last few years I have had a dedicated tow rig (97 F250 powerstroke) but the insurance is outragous and I'm seriously considering buying a F150 and using it for my daily driver and tow rig. The truck would be a 06 F150 supercab, 5.4L with the 3.55 gears, 4x4 and "tow and go" package. About once a month I tow my jeep (7000 with gear/trailer, etc) for about 1000 miles. I know the 5.4L won't be even close to the PSD in terms of mpg or ease of towing in general, but I just want to make sure that I'm not getting in over my head. Also, here in the midwest I don't have to worry about seep grades as often.
I'm expecting only being able to tow with OD off at about 60mph and getting about 9-10 mpg. Is this unrealistic? For reference, the 97 PSD towed 7500 lbs comfortably at 75mpg and got about 16 mpg.
Also, post up a pic of your F150 loaded up with your toy!
7000 lbs is a lot of weight, but since you don't have to worry much about hills, you might as well go all the way and get the 4.10 rear end.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by resq302
I guess it all depends on your set up as the dealership verified by factory info showed my truck with the 5.4 engine and heavy duty trans and 3.73 axle ration to be able to haul a gvw weight of 9,800 lbs. As far as I know, the 2006 models could tow 9,900 lbs gvw. I would imagine that our trucks can haul more than what the factory says with their gvw rating having some type of cusion to prevent people from towing exactly 9800 lbs and having something break.
How much weight you can tow depends on the GCVWR (the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating).
The GCVWR = GVWR + max trailer weight.
So, you can still go over your GVWR (most F150's are 7200 lbs) if the tongue weight of your trailer + the vehicle weight exceeds the GVWR.
A dealer's job is to sell you a vehicle, so they'll say whatever it takes to get you to sign on the dotted line.
NEVER, EVER believe what comes out of the dealer's mouth, unless it is in writing and they've signed on the dotted line.
(capitals for emphasis only).
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: On the road
osbornk,
Dude, you are about the 5th person who has said the same thing. I am on it. They will be on about the middle of next week.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/
Did you ever use any other hitch setup prior to the Equalizer?
Dude, you are about the 5th person who has said the same thing. I am on it. They will be on about the middle of next week.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/
Did you ever use any other hitch setup prior to the Equalizer?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: your town
Originally Posted by rickschramm
Whitecrystal,
Are your mirrors after market? Are they heated?
Are your mirrors after market? Are they heated?
http://www.anythingtruck.com/hitch_m...FQYVHgodwGTrhw
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 0
From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by rickschramm
osbornk,
Dude, you are about the 5th person who has said the same thing. I am on it. They will be on about the middle of next week.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/
Did you ever use any other hitch setup prior to the Equalizer?
Dude, you are about the 5th person who has said the same thing. I am on it. They will be on about the middle of next week.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/productinfo/
Did you ever use any other hitch setup prior to the Equalizer?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, La
[QUOTE=rickschramm][left]Here you go....home sweet home tows like a dream except for some sway so we are looking at a new weight distribution with sway control hitch. Look at the tongue...adjusted it up alittle but since the tow'n'go package is right on the money. We went with a 2 wheel drive as it can tow a little more than the 4 X 4 but again we bought late in the year and all that was left was a bunch of flexfuel with 3.55:1 gear ratio so our gas milage is as figured. Also we got stuck with the smaller gas tank....27 or 28 gal compared to what the 30?
To get the 35.7 gallon tank with the crew, you have to have the 6.5 foot bed. I have both.
Just a note, without going to the somewhat rare HD, the 17inch wheel and 3.73 is going to offer the best towing capacity in each cab configuration.
I have a crew 4x4 with 3.55 and 18's. Power is minimal for towing. Stability is great (heavy and long truck). Tow with one of the modern diesels and I'll almost guarantee that you'll think the F150 is a slug when loaded down.
To get the 35.7 gallon tank with the crew, you have to have the 6.5 foot bed. I have both.
Just a note, without going to the somewhat rare HD, the 17inch wheel and 3.73 is going to offer the best towing capacity in each cab configuration.
I have a crew 4x4 with 3.55 and 18's. Power is minimal for towing. Stability is great (heavy and long truck). Tow with one of the modern diesels and I'll almost guarantee that you'll think the F150 is a slug when loaded down.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: On the road
Did you install your mirrors yourself? I do not have a rear winddow defroster so I had no switch to run the power wire to. I suspect it was all ready wired for heated mirrors because I found were a 10 amp fuse was suppose to go in the fuse box. I went ahead and stuck one in. I can't really tell if they are either "On" all the time or in the "Off" mode. Everything else works great except now I need to figure out what to do with with slightly used pair of OEM electric mirrors that came off the truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 4
From: Sunny tourist infested FL
Originally Posted by rickschramm
Everything else works great except now I need to figure out what to do with with slightly used pair of OEM electric mirrors that came off the truck.
List them for sale on this site, there is a Forum for that... Or try e-Bay.