F250 Towing Question

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.

I towed a 7500# Trail Harbor with a 2000 F250 with 5.4 Triton. Every time we went from BR to LA (1800 miles each way) we replaced at least one spark plug and on power pack. Went to the F250 7.3 diesel and happily chugged along from there. Would never consider anything but diesel for these type loads. Remember, after a certain point, most of the work is in the aerodynamics (or lack there of), not in the weight.

I towed my 8,000 lb. Rockwood over 60,000 towing miles with my 3 valve 5.4 F 150 and never ONCE had an issue with it. I traded for an F 250 Diesel and averaged over 1,500.00 per trip (three trips with it). Simply couldn't afford to tow with the F 250 and NOT just because of the 6.0 engine. Had many other issues with the F 250 truck.

A 2005 MY and newer with 4.10 rear gearing can adequately do it. I towed that much with an F-250 for years with no problems but it will work hard. The 6.8L is much better suited to that task.

I had a F250 5.4L, and a 7,000lb 5th wheel. It would pull it but it wasn't fun. I always jamming the gas pedal to get it up to speed, and it would strain to do so. I'd look for a different vehicle.

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.

I pulled a 5th wheel of approx the same weight with a 99 F250 with the 5.4. It pulled it but I could almost have walked faster up some of the hills. It is not an overly powerful engine but it does like to work. I had the pedal mashed to the floor running around 4500 rpm. I think it would have done that all day long.

well, I can't say any thing about the fords since it has been 50 years since I owned one, but I have a TT with almost the same weight, mine a little heavier, and my chevy 6.0 with 4.10's, and a 2500HD pulls the heck out of it.

I had a 1999 5.4L and 2003 5.4L that I loved, both in 150s. In a Superduty, there is simply no reason to recommend it for towing. Get the 6.8L V10. It has proven to get the same fuel economy, same reliability, with far more power. I also recommend getting something new enough for the 5-spd trans, 2003.5 I think. 2005 I think V10 also improved power with 3V over 2V. Otherwise, GM's 8.1L/Allison combo from the same era rocks. :)

My feeling is that the F250 will be marginal with that engine. The reason I say that is because my wife has a 2007 Mountaineer with the 5.4L V8 and I would not want to tow that much with it. The F250 will certainly carry the tongue weight of the trailer and have plenty of carrying capacity but I think the 5.4 engine might be a bit weak. Of course, a lot depends on the rear end ratio and other factors. The truck may work fine and then again it may not. Sorry I cannot say for sure.

Were it me, I would keep looking - possibly for a V10 or even a 7.3 diesel like mine. They made the 7.3 up until early 2003 when they switched to the 6.0L in mid year, which you probably should avoid from all that I have read.
Barney