F250 Towing Question

We have the V10 in our 250. It is awesome. Plenty of power & torque and it feels so smooth with the extra 2 cylinders. If you are going to be towing in hilly areas a lot, I'd definitely get a V10 if you can. We wanted the V10 along with super cab and 8' box. Very hard to find (at least in our area). It came with 4WD and we never use it - waste of money plus it reduces payload capacity.

Also have 4.10 gears and tow/haul. First time having a truck with T/H and would never go without it now for towing. Great for long level stretches.

:h give it a test tow with the 150, same motor.

I tow my 8000lbs with an '07 3-valve 5.4, and while it does it ok, it needs to spin quite often to get it done. I don't mind being down on power most of the time, but one of the times I do mind it is certain entrance ramps where you don't have the power to get up to speed with traffic. Then you're at the end of the ramp, with the pedal mashed into the carpet, having timed it as best you can, and you're counting on someone's kindness to let you in. You almost have no choice but to go for it and take the spot sometimes, because jamming on the binders at the moment of truth isn't a good idea either. I wouldn't want to tow any heavier, that's for sure.

Vulcanmars wrote:

Lorimeyer wrote:
Hi Guys:

We have chosen a TT that weights 8,000 lbs. and now that we know an F150 5.4L V8 won't be enough, will a 2003 F250 5.4L V8 pull it without a problem?

I'm asking because it's an older F250 but with only 95K on it.

Thanks!

The engine produces the same HP unless it's an older 2v 5.4L The 250 is just a heavy chassis and running gear. That being said is the TT 8000lbs GVW or 8000lbs empty?
If it is GVW and your F-150 is 2wd in good shape I would drop in lower rear end gear. Ford puts 3.55 and 3.73 gears for the fuel mileage but they suck for heavy towing.

An 8k lb travel trailer with be north of the limit for the F150 regardless of which gears it has. The GVWR will be right at the limit, if not over, the tongue weight will undoubtedly be over the limit as well, which will likely ush the rear GAWR over its limit too. All around, 8k is F250 territory (for that generation of F150).

Having pulled our 6k travel trailer with my F150 (extended cab, 5.4 4x4) its performance was marginal at best. Now, add an extra 2000lbs of trailer and an extra 1500lbs of truck, and while it will be capable on paper, its performance will be anemic at best. It'll get you there, but it'll be huffin' and puffin' to do it.

V-10 on the other hand, will drag it around all day long. (It's what we went with when we upgraded two summers ago)

I have had a lot of 5.4's, and I think it will pull it just fine, but I would change the gears to 4.10's or 4.30's. The 5.4 is strong.

Gman

Lorimeyer wrote:
Hi Guys:

We have chosen a TT that weights 8,000 lbs. and now that we know an F150 5.4L V8 won't be enough, will a 2003 F250 5.4L V8 pull it without a problem?

I'm asking because it's an older F250 but with only 95K on it.

Thanks!

The engine produces the same HP unless it's an older 2v 5.4L The 250 is just a heavy chassis and running gear. That being said is the TT 8000lbs GVW or 8000lbs empty?
If it is GVW and your F-150 is 2wd in good shape I would drop in lower rear end gear. Ford puts 3.55 and 3.73 gears for the fuel mileage but they suck for heavy towing.

Consider a diesel. If your looking at Ford F250's from 1999 to 2003, you can't beat the 7.3 diesel. 99k on that eng ing is considered low mileage... compare the prices between gas and diesel F250's on craigslist. Even though I have a e99 if I were looking today I would look for a 2001, 2002 or 2003 (only half year) for a 7.3 with less than 150k miles. Probably $8k to $15k....

Mark Kovalsky wrote:

BarneyS wrote:
The reason I say that is because my wife has a 2007 Mountaineer with the 5.4L V8

Mountaineers never came with a 5.4L V8. They had a 4.6L V8.

My mistake Mark! You are correct. I thought it was a 5.4 and kind of wondered why it felt so anemic! :S
Thanks for setting me straight.
Barney

Lorimeyer wrote:
How about a 2006 Silverado 6.0L V8 16V with a tow package? I think it's rated for 10,100 lbs. That should do it.

A better choice.

Find out what the published "limits" are for that particular vehicle and you will have your answer. The way I see it, there is nothing wrong with towing right up to the "limits". Whether or not that exceeds your own personal limits is up to you to decide. Some people like to tow a popup with a diesel dually, others don't mind towing right up to or even over the limts - that's all your personal limits and up to you. I've towed right up to the limits and was perfectly satisfied there. I'm now closer to pulling a popup with a diesel dually and still satisfied. There is no doubt that "cushion" makes towing easier in some ways; that can be a good thing and a bad thing. But sometimes you got to do what you got to do.