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!

 

Forget 3.55's. Go with the 3.73's. You'll notice more towing power for passing and hills. And the MPG isn't really affected.

I would say you're towing MPG expectations are pretty much on the mark.

 

the only 06s left on the lot have 3.55 gears, so thats what I'll be stuck with

 

I would not do it then unless you can talk Ford into throwing in the gear change. 3.55's are not for towing. 3.73's are a compromise. I had 3.73's with my 5.4 and it was tough.
I never like it.

 

I use my truck like you are looking to use yours, 3.55 rear with 5.4L 4x4 scab as a daily driver and occassional heavy tow vehicle. The horse trailer is 3500 lbs and we'll tow 3 horses (about 1100 lbs/each) and their gear along with 3-4 people. Ample power on low end and we'll do between 65-70 mph on the highway. You're not going to be able to smoke anyone off the line, but we'll tow up steep gravel hills that we have to put it in 4WD for and it pulls right through. I have a weight distribution hitch, but I've also loaded all three in the truck for a short trip down to another farm without it and the truck sat level and towed fine. I normally use the truck to drive 110 mile roundtrip to/from work with about 70% of that being highway driving. My normal mileage is about 17.5-18 mpg and I have a soft tonneau cover. I can set the cruise on long trips at about 73 mph and get over 20 mpg. I never checked the mileage when I was towing because I really never cared enough to check, I was just happy to have the truck handle the load like it was designed to. I think Ford recommends max towing of 8600 lbs with the 3.55 and a 5th-wheel or weight distribution hitch.

 

exactly the info I wanted to know, thanks!

 

I thought the tow and go pkg included the 3.73's, at least mine did. But anyhooters, I have freighted mine on occasion, and while the gas mileage sucked, the truck can definitely do it. I have the supercab with the 5.4, and the 20" wheels. The only thing that gets me scared is bending one of the wheels with a lot of weight behind me. Good luck in your shopping.

 

I very easily tow my 4,700 travel trailer with my 04 4X4 with 5.4 and 3.73s in the mountains. I think the 3.55 will be fine outside of steep mountains. I get between 11 and 12 with my little 25' trailer and don't use OD.

 

No reason that the 3.55's won't work just fine with the OD locked out and running at 60 m.p.h.

What I did with my 04 with 3.55's when I felt a little down on power was to pick up a programmer. A lot cheaper than regearing.

 

Believe me, I know how much re-gearing costs. I just did it at both ends this past May. Nearly 1700 bucks. Which is why I recommend you buy it already equipped.

3.55's may be fine in many situations, but they are not true towing gears. I had no problems with my 3.73's running from here to Oregon, it's when I head for the steeper parts of the country the towing gets more strenuous. I'm talking V10)

I also graduated from a mid-weight trailer (30" Mallard Fleetwood with a dry weight listed by Fleetwood at 4,800 pounds dry and probably not with all the options.) My 3.73's in F-250 with a 5.4 handled it well in good conditions, but in higher elevations I had to flog it hard when pulling grades or heading into the wind. And that was with a Diablo Sport chip onboard. I got nine MPG.

My V10 handled the same trailer on the same trail with aplomb with the 3.73's. It's when I graduated to the heavier trailer (10,000 dry) I found them lacking. With the heavier trailer and the 4.30's, I was getting only 1 mpg less than my other rigs. Not too shabby.

Now, if you are talking about the 3V 5.4 I hear those babies scream, especially in the F-150 and tug well enough with the 3.55's..I am not too sure if the F-250 compares being it's a beefier truck. But my money remains on the towing gears 3.73 or better. I don't think he will pay the price for them at the pump as so many predict.

When it comes down too it, all I have said here is taken in the context of MY experience of towing for 30 years. All that experience is in the west and almost always in mountainous terrain. Others tow in different topography, and may see no need for my preaching lower gear ratios. In Saskatoon it may be different still.

Now, here's something you might find a little humurous even ironic. I towed that Mallard for 7 or 8 years with 3.55's in my 460 Ford Van! I had no desire to change the gears.

 

[QUOTE=03redstx]I thought the tow and go pkg included the 3.73's, at least mine did.QUOTE]


the tow and go package is not a package at all but rather a rebate on ford trucks with the 5.4 and heavy duty tow package. just look at a window sticker or ford.com the tow and go is a 1200.00 incentive not a upgrade.

 

My 04' F150 came with a factory tow package that included the hitch, 4 & 7 pin conectors, 3.73 gears, tranny cooler, large rad etc. With the 5.4 3V I have had no problems pulling a 22' fifth wheel trailer. Gets around 15 - 18 MPG. Too bad its such a gas pig in the city.

 

I can regear myself, no way I would pay a dealership for that. Gears and instal kits would cost me about $250 for each axle.

You're right, the tow and go is all marketing, it is basically the combination of a tow package, the 5.4L and a lsd rear end. Tow package includes coolers, tow hitch and 7 pin wiring.
Sounds like everything is a go

 

I towed a 28' travel trailer with loaded weight around 6500 lbs. with my 2000 and 2002 F150's, both were 4x4's w/ 355's and they both towed good. Steeply inclined roads were a bit of a strain. My 05 scab 4x4 has 373's, and is a little better.355's will work, but if you have a choice, 373's will be a wiser choice. These new style F150's are really heavy for a light duty truck, every little bit to make them tow better is a plus. Just my two cents worth.

 

[QUOTE=ford390gashog]you are correct. looked at the window sticker again. freebies that will no longer be available after Ford cuts production and incentives