towing with 2005 F250 4x4 gas

The thing with a fifth wheel (even a smaller one) is that there is a lot of frontal area & pushing all that air will be hard work for that motor. Fifth wheels are generally heavier as well.

Your looking at a trailer that is over 12' tall, weighs almost 7,000 lbs dry, with a cargo capacity of 2800 lbs. this means you could potentially be towing 10,000 lbs. that's a bit much for the 5.4 IMHO. You don't say what the gear ratio in your truck has. If it's at least 3:73 you'll do better, and 4:30, or even 4:56 would be best. If your set on that trailer, buy it and give it a go. Be prepared though, to re-gear, or buy another truck. Good luck.

I owned three different pickups featuring the 5.4 Ford V-8 and felt like they ran out of muscle towing anything over 6,000 pounds. The f-250 part is a good platform for towning. My performance expectations might be a little higher than average.

it's a 3.73 ratio
I like the maeuverability of the 5th wheel, but it seems like they are taller and heavier... As much as I'd love to buy a new 3500 Diesel Dually it's just not in the budget, especially if I want to be able to actually use it :)

I think I'll be OK pulling the Coleman 300 TQ it's dry weight is 6,838 but they don't give a max GVW for it, would that just be dry weight plus cargo capacity 2,842 pounds totals up to 9,680 which I think will be doable with my truck (I hope)

"2005 F250 4x4 crew cab 8' bed 5.4 gas motor"

Payload of your F250 is? What is the weight of the occupants and stuff carried in the truck on RV. trips? Guessing that you can tow 9,680? Why guess?

Your opinion may differ:
Based on experience with a 5.4 Expedition and a 2012 6.2 gas F-350, your're going to be VERY disappointed trying to pull more than 7,000 lb. with a 5.4 engine, even though Ford rates your truck at 9,000 - 10,000 lb depending on truck configuration. You're are going to spend a lot of time in 3rd and 4th gear spinning at high RPMs. For what you are looking at, you need either a 6.8 engine in an older truck or a 6.2 in a newer truck. The 6.2 comes with a 6 speed transmission with close upper ratios which are great for towing.

Depending on the nose design, a fifth wheel may be as efficient at highway speed (where wind resistance is a HUGE factor) as a bumper pull trailer. It depends on the design of the two trailers compared.

Len R.

Thanks for your input.
FWIW I used to pull my 6500 pound boat with an 01 expedition with a 4.6... Talk about SPINNING RPM :)
At least my "new" truck has the 5 speed automatic transmission, that helps a little.
I don't expect to be able to set any speed records while towing, but I will need to be able to go at least 65 on the highway with it.
Maybe I should stick with my little pop up??

I think that the 5.4 can do it just fine. Just have realistic expectations on performance and know that you are going to have to turn some RPM. I pulled a 7,000 lb loaded TT with a 5.4 F150 and it did great. Kept up with highway speed (60-65 is my limit) on the interstate. It did slow down on very steep hills. Just let it work and you will get there fine.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Four separate posts....same issue.

When we went from a 6500 TT to an 8500 GVW TT our F150 with a 5.4 did not like it at all. We started using the Excursion with V10. They both have 3.73 rear ends and both 4 X 4. The 5.4 did fine with more weight on short trips with dump trailer and equipment but did not like the front of the TT hitting the wind.