Hi everyone. I'm shopping for a hew truck...GM is out...so I've basically decided I'm getting an F-250. I currently have a VERY annoying Chevy Colorado that can't do anything I need it to do and can't get out of it's own way.

That said...I was reading some reviews of the 2010 F-250 w/ the V8, and some people said it was underpowered. While that's true when compared to pure HP and torque of a GM V8 for example, I'm curious how noticeable it is. The diesel is just over kill for me, and aside from that, I just can't afford it...and the V10 sucks way more gas then I'd like...but if it's needed, then so be it.

My question to y'all is...does anyone here have a newer model F-250 with the 5.4L V8 in it? And would you care to comment on it's "get up and go" and how it reacts when towing? I don't want to be stuck in the same boat I am now with my glorified grocery wagon. (I'll be pulling on average between 3k-8k. More often, lots of weight in the bed...stone, brick, etc)

Thanks for your time and input. I'm planing on ordering the truck right after Thanksgiving, so I'm starting to get all my ducks in a row now.

--Brian

 

I have an '08 CC w/5.4L 3.73. I never tow, but haul 2500-3K quite often. I also have tool boxes and a lift gate that adds a few hundred pounds as well. The truck handles the load well, but is no dragster by any means. If I needed to tow anything of significant weight I would probably want a V-10. In your case I think I would go with the V-10.

 

I have driven other peoples F250-350's is both the 5.4 and V10 and you want the V10. The 5.4 is great on F150 but the 250 is a good bit heavier so you would have get up and go problems if your moving up. The only way to make that combo work is to get a real basic XL with 3.73 or 4.10s in the back.

 

I agree with Hybris. I don't tow much in my '06 F150CC, but haul in the bed a good bit...coal, mulch, odds/ends, etc. Loaded up w/ a full ton of coal or something, truck does surprisingly well...engine notices a little something extra, but its not enough to drag my mileage down too low.

3 weeks ago I towed a trailer loaded up w/ a full kitchen cabinets and over 250 miles i averaged about 11mpg. Trailer was about 5k loaded and I was cruising interstate at about 60mph.

I was not terribly impressed with its ability to tackle the mountains here in PA...I mean, it did okay, but certainly not stellar.

All that said, put that same 5.4L motor w/ 300HP in a heavier truck and now you want to haul 3k-8k?? I really think you ought to reconsider the V10. Preferably the diesel, but you said that was out.

I think you're going to hit that point of working the 5.4 too much and MPG will suffer. The v10 will not work near as hard and MPG will probably be about the same.

Dude, wait for the spring, the new Super Duty is coming out with the new engine line up. You can almost be guaranteed they will be more economical.

 

Wow...didn't expect so many replies so fast. Thanks all!

I should have mentioned, I'm going to be getting the full super cab...I need the room. So...the V8 is obviously out.

fzrider998 (and anyone else): I planned on ordering shortly after Thanksgiving since my lease on my current vehicle is up on Jan 11th, and I would like to not go long with out a vehicle. That said...are you referring to the new 2011 coming out Spring 2010? That seems FAST considering they still have 2009s on the lots. If so, then yea...that may be worth considering waiting...especially since the V8 looks a LOT bigger then the current one. I've always been afraid of first-generation parts though...always seems like I'm a guinea pig.

--Brian

 

Well...I just re-read the details on Ford's site...and it does indeed say Spring 2010...hopefully that doesn't mean May...since my wife will be pissed that I'll be borrowing her car for that long.

--Brian

 

Seeing how the diesel is out, I would go with the v10. One of my friends has the 5.4 in an 04 or so and wishes he had the diesel. Also you may want to try to find one on a dealers lot with the specs and color you want, as you can probably get a better deal on one they already have.

 

Alot of 5.4 haters in this which usually means they don't know what they are talking about. I have a 2008 f-250 CC 4X4 with 3.73. I have towed 9500lbs of deer corn and trailer included. Plus had another 1000lbs of deer corn in the bed of the truck. It towed it just fine. The only time it kinda struggle was going up hills. But since I put a CIA and that SCT tuner that work up the truck alot. I'm planning on putting 4.30 gears in it and that will help out ALOT. But like someone said earlier which is the only smart thing said in this thread is wait till the new super duty with the 6.2l.

 

Well, since you disrespected everyone who commented before you ...

In one sentence you said your 5.4 handled the load fine, and in the next you said you later put a CAI and tuner on it, and you still feel the need to lower your gearing.

Yeah, you are a lot smarter.

 

I don't think "5.4 haters" is the proper way to describe it. I love the 5.4 motor, its a great motor. It handles a ton of different circumstances. In the F150, there is no need for more power IMO...works wonderfully.

I guess when you say it handled your 9.5k lb trailer and 1000lbs in the box as "just fine", that's where it becomes hazy. Everyone's definition of "just fine" is different. Maybe just fine to you means the engine didn't bog down and overheat and kept you rolling at close to the speed limit.

Others may define "just fine" as the ability to keep the truck rolling at the speed limit and really not know you're towing something.

I can guarantee that you certainly felt that 9500 lb trailer behind an F250 w/ a 5.4 motor...and I'll bet it really worked going up any mountains...

You have fun with your 4.30 gears, too. I guess it's cheaper than a different truck, but seriously, if you're considering dropping the ratio that hard, why wouldn't you consider a truck with more horsepower and higher gearing?

That just sounds like money spilling out the exhaust pipe to me...maybe you don't run a lot of miles, which would be a different story i guess...

To each their own...

 

As far as not knowing what we're talking about, I owned an '04 F150 with the 5.4. I needed more truck and more power. And to buy an F250 with the same motor, in a truck that weighs 1k# more, would have been really stupid of me.

 

go with a V10...

the MPG difference is minimal but the offset in extra power is huge...

the 5.4 shouldnt be offered in any SD other then a stripped down reg cab. XL...

shame ur in need of a truck so soon, that new 2011 model must be dam tempting..but buying anything new on the lot with the current generation V10 is a win/win aswell..

happy shopping and post up pics if whateva u buy... so long as its not a GM/Dodge ..

8-)

 

I don't really work it that hard. The heavy load for me is around 6k-7k (enclosed dual wheel trailer), and it handles that just fine. Mine is a CC 4WD with the TS 5 speed auto and 3.73 diff. The TS really works nice with the lower power of the 5.4 to keep it in its power band.

I went with a F250 because I found a killer deal (leftover '08) on an F250 that fit my needs. An F150 would probably be o.k. for me, but I think the solid tow platform the SD provides (HD axles/transmission, etc..) is worth the extra cost. The F250 is a great tow platform, I just happen to have less power to move the bulk - I still have the great brakes, transmission, etc.

Oh, and don't think that just because it's a smaller engine it gets great mileage because it does not. It really drives nice, but I just can't afford to run errands in this thing with a VW diesel in the garage (40+ mpg). I average maybe 11-12 around town and 15-16 on the highway, and that's it.

The way you complain about the Colorado, I'd look at the V-10, or at least a special order to get 4.10 or 4.30 gears with the 5.4.....

 

I'd go V10. Especially with a trailer I think you'll find the mileage to be similar. If you do a bunch of around town, or unloaded the 5.4L will be better on gas, but with a load the gap will close significantly. Then, the V10 will shine, with something in tow.

 

I was just discussing dates with a fleet salesmen yesterday. 2010 production is going to end either late Nov or in Dec. and the 2011's will start production in Feb. With new engines and bodies they need some time to retool. The guy I was talking to said they'd be lucky to get 2011's in by April.