New guy looking at f150 5.4 and 5.0

My BIL had both, an 98 with the 5.4 and a 11 with the 5.0. He eventually sold the 11 and bought an F250 with the 5.4 engine, due to payload issues. Anyway, he liked the 5.4 over the 5.0 mostly because of the RPM range when he pulled his camper. Now I don't remember the gear ratios but the 5.0 felt that it had the power behind it. Regardless he liked the 5.4 much better.

I guess I look at things differently...the 5.4 has a much better torque curve than the 5.0 and actually has more hp and tq than the 5.0 until about 4000rpm. If both have the 6 sp tranny I would go with the 5.4 if it were me.

The latest versions of the 5.4L was specified at 310 hp @ 5k rpm's and 365 ft lbs tq @ 3500 rpm's. The 5.0L is 360 hp @ 5500 rpm's and 380 ft lbs tq at 4250 rpm's. I think that is a slight edge to the 5.0 due to newer technology. The 5.4L does deliver the torque at a lower rpm which can be beneficial when towing.

TomG2 wrote:
The 5.4 is maxed out towing 6,000-7,000 pounds as far as I am concerned, and I owned three of them. Regardless, start with the payload numbers before worrying about the engine. The majority of half ton pickups run out of payload long before they run out of horsepower. (I know about the exceptions, like HD versions)

This is good advice. On the 1/2 tons payload is the issue. You could always go with a 2500 Ram and not have to worry about payload or towing :) You can get good deals on them.

http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/tow_chart/

Yes I am a Ram fanboy :)

For 1/2 tons looks like the F150 max/max options are your best bet.

The 5.4 is maxed out towing 6,000-7,000 pounds as far as I am concerned, and I owned three of them. Regardless, start with the payload numbers before worrying about the engine. The majority of half ton pickups run out of payload long before they run out of horsepower. (I know about the exceptions, like HD versions)

I am a big fan of the max tow F-150 package. I almost bought one if not for 3-rows outweighing. But the 2009-2010 F-150 has reports of issues when towing RVs because it cannot lock out 5-6 gears. The 2011 has electronic range select. The 5.0L is stronger and has been reliable. I'd go for that one.

Skip the 2009+ rams: not enough payload for family RVing. Tow ratings are fairly meaningless for half ton RVing. Some half tons have under 1000 pound with 9000+ pound tow ratings. With 7000 pound GVWR, you'll have 900-ish pounds of loaded TW, plus the people inside the cab and a bed full of camping gear and toys. As you kick the tires, check out the as equipped payload per this sticker on driver's door:

.

The 2010 F150 rated @11,100lbs is a joke. I had a 2010 F150 5.4 Max Tow. Pulled a 31' 7300lb TT. IMO that was about max with the truck. You can't lock out the OD's in the 2010. In 2011 they changed the tranny so you can select what gear you want. The 2010 tranny hunts for gears all day long towing 7300lbs. The 5.4 was always underpowered compared to the rest of the 1/2 ton V8's, except for maybe the GM 5.3.

I towed that combo for 2.5 years and 10,000 miles. Averaged 8.5 mpg in Oregon and NorCal. Moved up to a Ram CTD 2500. Way way nicer. JMO but anything over 6-7000lbs is too much for the average 1/2 ton. Until you tow that weight with a 3/4 ton most won't know that their really just getting by.

If you're adamant on an F150 get the 2011 simply for the tranny.

If it were me Id get the Ram Hemi. You should check into them. You will have plenty of power with the Hemi.

Ncm86 wrote:
The reason why I am lookin at the 5.4 with max trailer package is due to the specs saying it can tow up to 11,000lbs (due do the 3.73 axle). I wouldn't take it to that max but it seems to have more wiggle room that the 5.0 with 3.73 (specs say max 9,200lbs.

I wouldn't use that spec as much of a consideration for your choice. Ford - like most manufacturers grossly inflated their 1/2 ton towing capability. At the time the 5.4L was the top choice, so they grossly inflated that engine's capability. Now, they have the EcoBoost to promote as the top dog, so the 5.0L doesn't get so much of the artificially inflated towing numbers. Also, SAE J2807 (Actual engineering tests that make tow ratings more realistic) is looming, and Ford has said the "next" F150 will comply, so they might be being a little more realistic with their ratings in anticipation. Other auto makers are just as guilty, it's not a Ford thing.

Think of it this way...the 5.0L has 60 more hp than the 5.4L. But it's the 3rd tier engine, or was in 2013. If the 3rd tier engine could pull 11,000#, what do they rate the two optional engines at (3.5L EcoBoost and 6.2L)? It's mostly marketing.

I would go for a 5.0L as it will have far more technology that makes it more powerful and efficient than the ancient 5.4L platform it replaced.

Not that the 5.4L is a bad engine by any stretch - it isn't, but if your throwing money down, I'd suggest taking advantage of the millions of dollars they have spent on R&D to produce the 5.0L. It is both more efficient and more powerful.

I would pass on the 5.4 F150 and would focus on the 5.0 F150 or the 5.7 RAM, but paying special attention on the RAM setup with the coil springs.