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Old 03-01-2010, 03:34 PM   #1
grakin
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Default F250 w/ 5.4L engine?

I'm looking at downsizing to a smaller engine - going from the diesel to a 5.4L F250 (two motorbikes in back so I need the bigger truck) long-bed, extended cab 4x4. It would have the towing package of course.

Does anyone tow with anything similar? Would you tow across the country (East of the Rockies)? Does it handle eastern mountains okay? I want something that's comfortable when towing at 60-65 MPH. I don't care about mileage (I figure I can do a lot of miles for what I'd save not buying and maintaining a bigger engine). I just don't want to kill the truck!

I did tow with a 4.2L V6 Chevy truck (standard cab, long box, 2x4), and it did okay as far as engine power - I just don't know how much I'm going to lose on a much heavier truck.
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Old 03-01-2010, 04:42 PM   #2
mtnguy
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I have the 5.4L engine in my 2006 F150, and it did great towing my Trailmanor, and now my conventional travel trailer. If the F250 has 3.73 or 4.10 gears, you won't have a problem. The engine has plenty of hp and torque. I drive conservatively, and get about 17.5 mpg running errands with some highway driving, and around 20 mpg on the interstate @ 65 mph. Towing the Trailmanor I got between 14.5 and 16.3 mpg, with the lower 15s the average. Towing my conventional travel trailer, I get 10.5 to 11.5 mpg.
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Old 03-02-2010, 06:17 AM   #3
Bob&Karen
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The 5.4L is what we have in our Expedition - not sure what the axle ratio is but we've never had any problems. I'm not sure what the weight of the Expedition vs an F-250 would be....

Regards,

Bob
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Old 03-02-2010, 07:04 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob&Karen View Post
The 5.4L is what we have in our Expedition - not sure what the axle ratio is but we've never had any problems. I'm not sure what the weight of the Expedition vs an F-250 would be....

Regards,

Bob
Bob, if you have the new vehicle window sticker, the axle ratio would be listed there. If not, there should be an axle code on your drivers side door sticker. Mine reads B6, and that would be a 3.73 limited slip. Here are the codes I found for the 2006 and 2007 F150s:

Axle Codes:

L - Limited Slip Differential
C - Conventional Differential

Code ****Ratio
19 ***** 3.55C
25 ***** 4.10C
26 ***** 3.73C
27 ***** 3.31C
B5 ***** 4.10L
B6 ***** 3.73L
H9 ***** 3.55L

You might have to do a little searching to see if these are the same codes used on the Expedition, but since the Expedition is built on a F150 frame, I suspect they might be.
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Old 03-02-2010, 07:26 AM   #5
Joseph
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Default Old but still running....

Pull with a 1997 Chevy K2500 ( 4X4 ) Last of the Cheyenne series. Has the 5.7 liter. Used to be the old 350 me thinks. See signature. My hobby that I look at more than drive cause it is really only needed to tow the TM. That model only rated to tow 6000 lbs. Does fine with fully loaded truck towing TM but I did notice that at the high altitudes, above 10K, it does do some down shifting on the steep grades. Like all the way down to 2nd!... Your rig should do fine. Mileage is much the same as MtnGuy depending on terrain.
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Old 03-02-2010, 12:52 PM   #6
grakin
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Cool, thanks everyone - once again this forum has been helpful to me. I bought the F-250 (5.4L, 3.73 gears). I'll take it easy if I climb above 10,000 feet!

I'll report back after I've had a chance to tow a bit.
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Old 05-08-2010, 01:36 PM   #7
grakin
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I got to do my first moderate distance tow (about 100 miles from home) with the new vehicle. It towed great, with no problems or concerns at all.

Looks like I'm getting mileage in the low 14s.

Thanks everyone for the original responses. My experience seems to match everyone else's.
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Old 05-17-2010, 11:38 AM   #8
whbob
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Default F150 09 355 rear end

I have 15000 miles on my 2009 F150 with 5.4 and 6-speed. I would think you would be better off with a higher rear end ratio with the extra weight.
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Old 05-17-2010, 01:44 PM   #9
mtnguy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whbob View Post
I have 15000 miles on my 2009 F150 with 5.4 and 6-speed. I would think you would be better off with a higher rear end ratio with the extra weight.
A higher numeric final gear is a lower gear ratio. A 3.73 final drive is a lower ratio than a 3.55. With a 3.73 final gear ratio, the drive shaft turns 3.73 times as the rear tires make 1 rotation.
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Old 05-17-2010, 05:19 PM   #10
Wavery
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy View Post
A higher numeric final gear is a lower gear ratio. A 3.73 final drive is a lower ratio than a 3.55. With a 3.73 final gear ratio, the drive shaft turns 3.73 times as the rear tires make 1 rotation.
mtnguy is exactly correct.

I would think long and hard before I would change the ring & pinion on any vehicle. It must be done by a technician that knows exactly how to set them up and get the lap just right. If it isn't set-up correctly, a rear-end can go out in just a few thousand miles.

You won't have any issues with 3.73s in that set-up, towing a TM (of any size). However, if you ever decide to go with a full size travel trailer or 5th wheel with a weight over 6,000#, you may want to consider a lower gear ratio for mountain towing.
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