The 5 speed is actually only rated to tow 3500 lbs. As far as I can tell the de-rated it not because the tranny can't take it but they were trying to protect the clutch against limited driving ability. Or perceived limited driving ability.

 

my buddy has that set up and we pulled a 4place trailer with four sleds and one in the back of the truck...it pulled it, but you could tell there was a trailer behind us, we have taken my truck every time since then ......

 

If you aren't going to tow anything real heavy I think you will be fine but when you start getting up into the heavy weights you will have trouble towing. It will do it but it will be a long drive no matter what the distance. I towed 10,000+ from Oregon to Alaska with a 4.6 and made it but my truck, and my wallet paid the price. I had to replace a wheel bearing, axle shaft and a water pump. Not to mention getting on average of 7 mpg.

 

Mr. G your absolutely correct about the max capacity for the 4.6 with a 5 speed. I will not let anyone drive my truck with a load in the 3-5000# range for a fear they will burn my clutch up. I start out slow never hit fifth gear unless very flat road or going downhill. I also lock my truck into 4X4 low when i am pulling a heavy boat out of the water. my truck will do it without locking into 4X4 but getting one of thesse boats out of the water on a slippery ramp the 4X4 makes it easy on my truck, besides i never use the 4X4 anyway. i pull up the ramp onto flat ground then shift back into 4X2 and i ease on home. Does anyone know a way to boost the power without a lot of expense, mods, and without hurting the truck?

 

I have had 4 grand marquis/crown victoria 3 with 4.6 3:55 and 1 4.6 3:27 all cars pulled my 20foot Regal boat with no problem at all the 3:27 was a little slow on take off but not bad. boat looks way larger than the car

 

my truck has the power once up to speed it is start up and hills that take their toll. i know my clutch will go i just wonder how long it will last.

 

I have a 97 with the 4.6, auto and the 3.55LS 4X4. I tow a travel trailer in the summer for camping on the weekends, the trailer weights in at 5000 lbs. Yes the 4.6 may be a little slow to get to highway speeds compared to the 5.4 however I have not had any problems towing my trailer. I would not hesitate to take this combination accross Canada or the US as I am confident with the power of the 4.6, and yes I do camp in the rockies and have pulling the trailer in the mountains.

What ever your choice is I do believe that both the 4.6 is a good choice for pulling a trailer, at least that is my experance with my truck.

 

I tow about the same size trailer every so often and have a 4.6, auto and 3.55 gears and have had no problems pulling on the highway. My uncle has an 05 w/ the 5.4 and he told me a 4.6 can pull just that the 5.4 does it easier. My 4.6 has plenty of power to suit me. I have 201k miles on the truck and still going.

 

My 4.6 does ok and as long as i'm the only one driving my truck i think things will be fine. i have plenty of experience pulling heavy trailers and being gentle with the clutch when starting off is the main key.

 

i have the 4.6 /3.73 rear end

i will pull most anything and not worry about it but i dont think the truck is a rocket or a big block either so i dont drive it like it has one i have pulled a van a few times and loaded the bed many times and a boat a few cars, i dont pull that every weekend so the 4.6 is a great set up for me now if i wanted to pull more like a 67 truck a buddy of mine has then i would not push it up too many hills if one at all
the 5+ liter will be the way to go if u want to pull more than now and then or over 2000 lbs if u have to have a gas power plant anything over 5000lbs i would get a diesel and a one ton at that just for the way they are made to work harder

but i love the 4.6 /3.73 set up but still im thinking about a od unit just for the price of gas

 

To add to the 4.6L reputation. I had to pull a trailer on Friday for the local highschool for graduation with all the band equipment and to tell you, my 4.6 had no problems pulling 5000lbs down the highway. It was a little slow getting up to speed but once there it was no problem maintaining speed. I was turning a little about 2500 rpms at 60. I really don't want to know what the milage was as I knew it was going to stink, but I am guessing I was getting around 9-10mpg pulling the trailer.

 

Consider yourself lucky. I get that while empty

 

When i used to pull my 35000 lbs boat with 5 people and ski gear and full tanks of gas at the begining of the day i got 13.5 for the average of the day and i was passing people when there was room to do it... i was very happy... but my new 5.4l will deff get the job done..especially when all the mods are done and in place.

 

if you get 9-10mpg with no load...something is wrong....how many miles you got?

i would recommend doing an engine flush...switching to synthetic oil if you haven't already...changing your fuel filter...plugs..plug wires...cleaning throttlebody and mass air flow sensor....just common stuff like that....your fuel mileage should not be that bad!!

THNX
Duggy

 

I agree that something is not right. I have over 202k miles on my truck and consistently get around 16.5mpg in everyday driving.