What details can you provide about the truck? Engine? 4x2 or 4x4? Tires? Lift? Total weight of the loaded trailer? Rear end gear ratio? 
2003 Increasing Towing Performance
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2003 Increasing Towing Performance
Hey guys, I am new here and was looking for a little advice. I have an 2003 F150 Supercrew, with an AEM Intake & Gibson Exhuast. I tow a heavy boat with it and the truck seems to struggle with it. I am looking to get better performance and not sure what to do. The local shop says throttle body spacer, but from what I can tell in reading, they don't do anything. So i am guessing the next step is a programmer, but I have no idea what is the right one to get...Please let me know any feedback you can provide.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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I felt the same way about the Throttle body spacer. OK...more info on truck, it is a 2003 FX4 - so 4x4 with the 373 rear end, 5.4L V8, Wheels are 17" with 33x12.5 Tires. No Lift! The Trailer tops out at around 5,000lbs, boat and trailer. I towed it this weekend and was going nuts having to stuggle down the highway. I also had a buddy recommend pulleys, what are your thoughts!!
Thanks again for helping me out!
Thanks again for helping me out!
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From: None of your business
What kind of tires? They're probably killing you. My 2000 5.4 with stock 265s and 3.55s struggles with most trailers and it has a tuner.
The best bet for you is new gears. 4.10, 4.30s if available or 4.56s. I'd try for 4.30s for the best compromise between all out power and MPG.
At least if you added a tuner, it would adjust the computer to the new tires and maybe would help a little, but simple bolt ons aren't going to do you much good.
Mike
The best bet for you is new gears. 4.10, 4.30s if available or 4.56s. I'd try for 4.30s for the best compromise between all out power and MPG.
At least if you added a tuner, it would adjust the computer to the new tires and maybe would help a little, but simple bolt ons aren't going to do you much good.
Mike
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33's will definitely make a difference. Go back to the oem size tire and you will get some more power back. Also what kind of money are you looking to spend? Pulleys will give small gains so will efans. but nothing drastic.
The tuner is the best route and can make some big differences. Me personally, im going to be getting a supercharger in a few months and hopefully that cures all my towing troubles.
The tuner is the best route and can make some big differences. Me personally, im going to be getting a supercharger in a few months and hopefully that cures all my towing troubles.
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The tires are Procomp All terrains. Changing tires isn't an option, the wheels are new and the tires are only a couple years old with very low mileage. As far as how much to spend..? Not sure, if $500 for a tuner setup and pulleys will do it great, it it is a fewgrand then i need think about maybe upgrading the truck to something bigger. How much would a supercharger cost?
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$500 will easily cover a good tuner and will help you to recover some of the lost power from the bigger tires. I like the Diablosport Predator Tuner that I have in my truck, it will set you back around $350. LXMan1 may still have one that he took off of his old truck. You can PM him to see.
I agree with LXMan1 on the change in gears but that will be for later when you can afford them. You will have to do both axles and it will be around $1500 - $2000 for the gears installed. On the plus side, changing gears will be the best money spent and will really liven the truck up with the bigger tires. Towing will be improved and it will help on the gas mileage side of things too. Good luck!
I agree with LXMan1 on the change in gears but that will be for later when you can afford them. You will have to do both axles and it will be around $1500 - $2000 for the gears installed. On the plus side, changing gears will be the best money spent and will really liven the truck up with the bigger tires. Towing will be improved and it will help on the gas mileage side of things too. Good luck!
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+1 on changing gears.
Putting the large wheels and tires on sounds like a mistake or, at very least, a drivetrain change that you need to account for.
A larger truck, a supercharger, and even the chip (and the wheels and tires) should be the last things to consider. Your 5.4L truck would have hauled the trailer just fine had you put money toward where it counts vs. the 'big stuff.' Heavier wheels and larger tires ... ugh.
Gears and add-a-leafs would have been the ticket - or even just the add-a-leafs (if that was even needed).
Putting the large wheels and tires on sounds like a mistake or, at very least, a drivetrain change that you need to account for.
A larger truck, a supercharger, and even the chip (and the wheels and tires) should be the last things to consider. Your 5.4L truck would have hauled the trailer just fine had you put money toward where it counts vs. the 'big stuff.' Heavier wheels and larger tires ... ugh.
Gears and add-a-leafs would have been the ticket - or even just the add-a-leafs (if that was even needed).
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I had the wheels and tires before the boat and never figured on the tire size changing affecting its towing ability. Don't need add-a-leafs, it sits fine, just doesn't pull very well. I will look into changing the gearing. And checking around for a used programmer.
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Not only did the tire size affect your take-off and towing ability, but if you bought heavier wheels than the OEM ones you made it that much more difficult to get those momentary speed increases when towing or carrying a load by increasing rotating mass.
I went from the stock steel wheels to the OEM aluminum ones, and if I ever do pay more money for aftermarket wheels - they better be very close in weight to what i have on there now. By principle I think car and truck owners really ought to not be paying so much for the multitudes of way-too-heavy wheels on the market today. Most 'high-end' wheel stores have absolutely nothing in stock that I would consider buying.
I went from the stock steel wheels to the OEM aluminum ones, and if I ever do pay more money for aftermarket wheels - they better be very close in weight to what i have on there now. By principle I think car and truck owners really ought to not be paying so much for the multitudes of way-too-heavy wheels on the market today. Most 'high-end' wheel stores have absolutely nothing in stock that I would consider buying.