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Ncm86's avatar
Ncm86
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014

New guy looking at f150 5.4 and 5.0

I haven't bought a trailer yet but looking in the 6500-7500 GVW . As far as a tow vehicle I was looking at either a 2010 f150 5.4 w/ 3.73 rear and max trailer package. Or a 2011 and up f150 with 5.0 and 3.73 rear. Looking for input, I know the 5.0 has more hp and tq then the 5.4, but the 5.4 setup (as stated above) can tow more. Which setup would the truck perform better? Not looking at the ecoboost but possibly would consider a new ram 1500 5.7l

Thanks

43 Replies

  • Personally, I traded-in my 2010 F-150 only because I was looking at trailers that grossed around or north of 10k for the most part. Also, with no trailer and maybe a total of 2000 lbs worth of people and gear, the truck felt like it was out of breath in Wyoming and the Cascades. Yes, mine was a max tow for the year. If you don't have any serious high elevation pulls, you'll most likely be ok, if you find your self high in the rockies or cascades, you will be finding yourself wanting. Ecoboost motors wouldn't have that issue though.

    As for Ecoboost getting better fuel mileage than the 5.4, if both are max-tow setups, you will only see 1, maybe 2 mpg at the most. So mpg isn't a good justification for getting an ecoboost, however suffering no power loss when in the mountains and the lower end torque are huge pluses in my book. If I wasn't looking at the trailers that I am looking at, I'd strongly consider an ecoboost or an ecodiesel. However you can see what I ended up with. In the end, it was cheaper than my 2010 F150 believe it or not LOL.
  • 10 mpg Is that towing or empty?
    danager wrote:
    I have a 2010 F150 5.4L w/3.73. Towing a TT with a GVW @ 7,400#. No issues towing, even through some mountainous terrain and various elevations. The truck has never let me down, never wanted for more power. Fuel economy averages 10MPG.

    Even with all of that, I am in the market for a new TV. Because it is my daily driver, I want something that has better fuel economy. A 2015 with Ecoboost is in the cards. I am also planning to get the 6.5' bed.
  • I have a 2010 F150 5.4L w/3.73. Towing a TT with a GVW @ 7,400#. No issues towing, even through some mountainous terrain and various elevations. The truck has never let me down, never wanted for more power. Fuel economy averages 10MPG.

    Even with all of that, I am in the market for a new TV. Because it is my daily driver, I want something that has better fuel economy. A 2015 with Ecoboost is in the cards. I am also planning to get the 6.5' bed.