GM 5.3 vs. Ford 5.4

The OP asked, "GM 5.3 vs. Ford 5.4"

I have owned and towed with both. They are both okay up to about 5,000-6,000 pounds of trailer weight. Anything heavier and I prefer more power than either puts out. My expectations may be higher than others.

Now you're in a higher weight class with a TH. You should look at the actual total weight you want to tow along with higher tongue weights. You'll likely be in 3/4 - 1ton diesel territory.

For now I'm not towing anything, well except my toad or motorcycle trailer with the motorhome. What we want to do is get rid of the motorhome and the toad and get a toy hauler and a tow vehicle (SUV). I'd love to find a toy hauler in the 26 - 28 foot range with a slide.

There are a few reasons for this. A blowout on a motorhome is a big deal (ask me how I know). Not that I mind but, the motorhome is a big white elephant much of the year that requires lots of maintenance. I store it at a place a few miles from my home. I have to go out there every two weeks all year and run the generator, drive it around and fix broken stuff. It has two engines to service and gets pretty rotten gas mileage all the time. I do all my own servicing and let me tell you that it never ends even though it sits most of the time.

I figure that with a trailer and an SUV blowouts could be fixed on the side of the highway and keep on truckin. The SUV would replace a current vehicle so, no more servicing than what we're doing now. A travel trailer needs no oil changes, motor vehicle insurances, etc.. I can pickle it in the early winter and forget it except just checking for leaks a couple of times during winter. Point is, it's less work and less cost. The toy hauler is to haul the electraglide (gotta have that).

Desert Captain wrote:
The 5.4 is probably the most underrated but most appreciated medium V-8 ever built. The 3 valve (2006 or newer), is the way to go. Pulled a 5,000# TT for 4 years and it was awesome! Some Of the 5.3' s come with too tall of a rear end (3.42-not designed to tow), but my 3:55 did just fine with the limited slip diff. A 3:73 would be even better. If you can find a 5.4 with the 6 speed trans/ 3:73's you will blow the doors off of 5.3.:B

The 3V version was available in MY 2005

5.4 would appear to be the stronger motor as it was the gas option in the F250 till 2011. Can't say that about the 5.3. With that being said and after towing 7300lbs with an 10 F150 5.4 3.73's I would get the 3/4 ton whatever and a bigger motor if towing over 6000lbs. Especially in the mountains. We hit around 6300' and lost a bit of go juice. Had some curves that slowed us down to 40mph and we never recovered till the summit. A bigger V8 would've been nice.

Have towed our campers with suburbans for many years. Have had all kinds and engines. heavier campers require 373 or 6 speed trans. GM sells a ton of Suvs compared to competition, so they have a very strong following. Drive them both and pick. Both are very capable machines.

The 5.4 is probably the most underrated but most appreciated medium V-8 ever built. The 3 valve (2006 or newer), is the way to go. Pulled a 5,000# TT for 4 years and it was awesome! Some Of the 5.3' s come with too tall of a rear end (3.42-not designed to tow), but my 3:55 did just fine with the limited slip diff. A 3:73 would be even better. If you can find a 5.4 with the 6 speed trans/ 3:73's you will blow the doors off of 5.3.:B

Very good info from PUCampin and I understand why many people favor the Expy If Ford had the Ecoboost it in for 2012 model year, I'd probably have one. As a comparison though:

We have a 2011 2500 Suburban 4WD LT with every option except towing mirrors and skid plates. Payload is 2051 pounds with 1000 pound receiver limit. This vehicle replaced our 2008 Town and Country Limited minivan as a daily driver and main family vehicle. My wife gets 14mpg mix commmuting. We have had as high as 17.7mpg over 1000 mile non-towing trips including a Rocketbox roof carrier and receiver cargo carrier. We get 8-10mpg towing at 65-70mph with 39gal tank means well over 600 mile range on the highway or over 300 towing. The tow haul and manual gear range allow comfortable cruising at higher than ST tire rated speeds at a relaxed 2200-2400rpm. Folding down all the seats (not removing) I have carried 4x8 sheets of plywood and drywall with the tailgate closed too. We purposely chose the quad captain chairs for easier 3rd row access.

If you're towing heavier(over 6000#), then look for a 2013 or older 3/4ton Suburban. It'll carry lots of cargo/passengers and the 6.0L will tow nicely up to 8 or 9K#.
I wouldn't even bother with a 1/2ton SUV. Too limited on the payloads to carry the tongue weight of a heavy bunkhouse with a couple slides.

Suburbans and Expeditions have similar hitch ratings and tow ratings, but the Expeditions typically have a higher PAYLOAD as compared to similarily equipped Suburban 1500. This comes into play when you want to carry several people and stuff in addition to towing a trailer. For example, my 2007 Expy EL XLT with leather, power sunroof, and rear AC has a maximum occupants and cargo rating of 1672lbs, and a GVWR of 7900lbs. That is higher than a lot of 1/2ton pick ups! The Suburbans often come in at 1400-1500lbs of available payload. Which means if you hook up the same trailer, you will be able to carry less people/stuff in the Suburban. With my growing family of 5 plus an occasional relative, this matters.

We LOVE our 07 Expy EL, here are some of the features that lead us to choose it

The Expy EL has a high payload, more than many 1/2 ton trucks. Many other 1/2 SUV are less, some A LOT less. BE SURE to check the yellow sticker on the door sill of any SUV you look at. It will state exactly how much payload that vehicle with it's factory options can handle.

The EL was introduced the same year as the 6spd. EL comes with 3.73 gears standard, coupled with 4.17 first for an overall low of 15.55 That is lower than the old 4 speed with even 4.56!! And with 300ft lbs available at 1800rpm, it has no issue getting anything moving.

The shifter allows locking into 1st, 2nd or 3rd. And yes, if you put in 3rd, it will stay in 3rd, even from a stop. In D the transmission will use 1-6, the OD button locks out 5th and 6th. 4th is actually a slight underdrive of 1.14:1, which gives a final ratio of 4.3. Yep, the same as towing in "direct" with the 4spd and 4.3 axle gears. A LOT of thought was put into the ratios for this transmission.

The 5.4 while maybe not the most powerfull, is still 305/365 with a broad torque curve and is proven reliable. I get 12-13mpg around town and 17mpg highway crusing. About 9mpg towing. 33.5 gallon gas tank means range is decent.

As a family hauler the EL is awsome! Our 3 kids are all still in massive Britax carseats, all 3 fit snugly across the middle seat. A double and single B.O.B. live in the back of the EL with plenty of room for whatever else. The 3rd row is a 60/40 split. In about 2 minutes I can fold up the 40 section, move 1 carseat to the back, and have a spot for adult in the 2nd row with easy access to the carseat in 3rd row, with the 60 section still down I don't lose much cargo space. Thanks in part to the fully independant suspension the ride is smooth, luxury car smooth. And very quiet. With good tires there is very little noise inside, and you really only hear the engine when you get on it. The EL 3rd row has nearly as much legroom and seat height as the 2nd row. No complaints from 3rd row passengers. Even with 3rd row up we have room for 2 jogging strollers and several overnight bags. We took 8 people including our 3 kids and all our stuff to Vegas for a weekend. A bit tight but we made it.

Fold down the 3rd row (you do NOT HAVE TO REMOVE IT like GM) and you have just over 5ft of floor and a full 4ft between the sides. Fold down the middle row (again, does not have to be removed) and you have just over 8 feet. I have brought home all kinds of sheet goods and lumber from Home Depot. I have also brought home a full size reclining sofa!

On the Expy EL the towing package includes a bigger trans cooler, HD radiator, HD flashers, wiring for brake controller. For the Expy quick way to tell if has towing package is to look for the 7 pin plug on the back. If it is there, it has tow package, if just the 4 pin, no tow package. I believe for at least the 2007-2010 timeframe the Expy EL was the best of the bunch.

Let me know if there is anything else you want to know about the EL.