2004-2006 F150 Question

Pardon me, no intention to hijack the thread here, but since there are so many owners of Fords with the 5.4 posting here, I have a question of you all. I am shopping for a used 3/4 ton pickup for towing duty, and I have been reading this thread with interest, and have a question for those who have towing experience with the 5.4L V8.

I am wondering how the 5.4L works out for towing duty in the F-250? I don't know how much (does anyone know?), but obviously the 3/4 ton F-250 is heavier than its F-150 brother. I expect to be purchasing a 28' TT with a dry weight of 5970 (I understand that number is almost meaningless) -- the important number is the GVWR of 7500 lbs, so I expect the TT loaded, to be in the range of 7000 to 7500 lbs, plus of course people and camping gear in the truck. We run from 1100' in the hot Southwest desert to 7700' elevation in the summer to our fav camping location. So all you good folks with all your experience with the 5.4L, would it be adequate for that towing duty in the F-250?

Desert Captain wrote:

RWDIII wrote:
Thanks all for the replies
I did a build up on line for a 2014 F150,equipped the same as my 2006 but adding the HD 7 lug option and was over 40K.

Desert Captain I just missed meeting you at Scallon last year,wanted to meet some of the RV.net crowd

We are headed back to Scadden (?) Wash on the 20th for the big Quartzite RV show and all of the attendant craziness. Would love to meet some fellow members, look for our Nexus (see my profile). :B

Yes I meant Scaddon,your new rig looks great,if you are stii there
on the 23rd I will stop by.
that is when I go to Anza Borrego,to camp with some of my friends from the Amrican Legion.I can go via Q and catch hiway 78 to. Octillo wells

RWDIII wrote:
Thanks all for the replies
I did a build up on line for a 2014 F150,equipped the same as my 2006 but adding the HD 7 lug option and was over 40K.

Desert Captain I just missed meeting you at Scallon last year,wanted to meet some of the RV.net crowd

We are headed back to Scadden (?) Wash on the 20th for the big Quartzite RV show and all of the attendant craziness. Would love to meet some fellow members, look for our Nexus (see my profile). :B

Thanks all for the replies
I did a build up on line for a 2014 F150,equipped the same as my 2006 but adding the HD 7 lug option and was over 40K.

Desert Captain I just missed meeting you at Scallon last year,wanted to meet some of the RV.net crowd

I have had to do some of the major mechanical things to my '06
Dreaded manifold leak, solenoids for the variable valve phasers, 4 broken spark plugs while changing them at 100,000km, and rebuilding the limited slip clutch pack

Rear brakes were done at 100,000km, front brakes at 160,000km
Tires changed at 85000km, and 200,000km

Battery replaced at 200,000km
Rear shocks at 170,000km

I guess doing 80% highway helps with increasing some lifespan on some things.

I had a 2004, just traded it for a 2013 EB.

Can't remember exact miles but around 40-45 brakes were done by Ford dealer. No problems with dust.

Put Blistens shocks all way around about 6 months before trading ( dumb I know ). Anyway, could really tell a difference. Nice ride. I have replaced shocks on other vehicles before and really could not tell a difference. Not so with the Blistens.

I loved my truck too but it was a 4.6l and just not enough power for me to feel comfortable towing with it. I was going to keep it but I made the mistake of driving a new one. Expensive mistake!

I recently sold my 2006 when we traded in the 22' TT for a Class C. It had 101,000 trouble free miles, nothing but brakes shocks and tires over nearly 5 years of serious towing through the mountains of the western US. By all means get the plugs replaced, I paid the local shop to do it at 72,000. I went with Monroe LT lifetime warranty shocks and that, along with a set of Michelin M/S 2 LTX tires dramatically improved the ride, handling and overall towing experience. Replaced the brakes at about 75,000 miles and they were fine when I sold it.

Had we not shifted gears and gone with a nice C I would probably have kept the truck for another 10 years, hands down the best vehicle I ever owned. The 5.4L is an awesome motor that delivered not only excellent power but decent mileage to boot both towing and non. I would recommend the OP spend a little and keep it, especially given the ridiculous prices for something newer. Yes I miss my truck but could not justify keeping it with nothing to tow. :C

I have a 2006 F150

Brakes at 45,000 did front and rear I have no problem with dust.

Replaced battery two years ago.

I am in the market now for the struts. My truck has 52,000 miles now.

I feel I can put some money into it no other problems. I looked at new trucks last year they are out of budget at this time.