I tried a search on this subject, but wasn't successful. I am looking at changing out my TV with something newer and would like to go with a Ford since there are only a Ford or Toyota dealer in the desert town where I live; the nearest other dealers are 80+ miles away; I lost my local Dodge and Chevy dealers in the downsizing a few years ago. The Chevy 6.0s appear to be a nice TV, but again 80+ miles to the dealer is just too much. Even though I have access to a Navy base auto hobby shop with lifts, transmission and coolant exchangers, etc, and do most of my own services, it would be nice to have a dealer around for the times when I just don't want to crawl around and get dirty. I would like to spend less than $30k on a used gas truck and have run across the F250s with the 5.4, but am unsure of their towing abilities, especially in the mountains; every trip I am towing up 6% grades. The Ford V10 will definitely do the job, but since my current trailer and any future trailer will be max 20-23', the V10 may be overkill, but then again maybe the V10 is what I should be looking for. Does anyone have any experience with the 5.4? What gearing should I look for? I’m sure there were improvements thru the years so is there a certain year and after that I should be looking for? Thanks for any help.

I had an '04 Expedition with the 5.4. You'll just have to get used to driving uphill slowly at 4,000 RPM. V-10 is nice, but thirsty all the time.Have you thought about a used diesel? Lots of nice ones around that would fit your budget.

I have experience with the 5.4 in the F150 and the V10 in a F350 dually. As with any of the modern gassers the 5.4 will do the job just fine, it may be a little slower on the hills but thats to be expected. Let the motor rev and do its job and you will get where you are going. In the SuperDuty you may get 1-2 mpg difference between the V10 or the V8... maybe... over on FTE most users of the V10 and the 5.4 report about the same MPG.. in a f250 it will be 10-14 depending on you. 7-8 ish towing pretty much anything. Either way, I recommend going for an 08 and up V10. Towing guides for 08 rates the 5.4 F250 from 9400 lbs all the way up to around 11k lbs on the trailer weight. The V10 model gets rated all the way up to around 15k lbs depending on the trucks configuration. Thanks and good luck!Jeremiah

Thanks for the reply. From the few postings I have found on other websites, I am concerned that the 5.4 is only adequate in the mountains. I am only interested in a gas powered TV so I am leaning more towards the V10.

I had an F-150 with the 5.4 towing a 24' Prowler I hated it! It worked fine driving on flat ground and at highway speeds but any hills and it sucked bad. We had gone to a lake about 3 hrs away on the 4th of july one year and the wind was blowing 30+ on the way back I was on the interstate bucking a head wind got almost all the way around a semi at 65+/-mph had it all the way to the floor with bumper to bumper traffic and I could not get by him. That was the last time I towed my camper on the interstate. We got rid of the truck and bought our Chevy 2500HD duramax diesel! I use to get a new truck every 3 years or so and have had the chevy for going on 10 years and not looking to get one anytime soon.If you get the 250 get the diesel or the V-10 so your not kicking yourself later.Good luck

BIL has one, I beleive it's a 2010 f250 5.4 gas job. He pulls 8k plus loaded and doesn't complain about it. Seems like a good engine and will do the job. Very reliable from what I know. V 10 would be nice but a 5.4 should do the job nicely with what your planning on towing.

Towing with an F250 with the 5.4 | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

kw_00
Explorer
Dec 08, 2013
Not to complicate things further, but.......... I do second the notion to look for an GM 2500 series with the 6.0 and 6 speed. Combo works really well and it is really reliable. When I decided to move up a few months back, my GMC kinda fell into my lap. I had an silverado with the 6.0 and 4 speed. I really liked that truck and it pulled good. The new of course with more HP and TQ, plus the 6 speeds is a winner in my book.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Dec 08, 2013
I would pass on a 5.4 powered Super Duty.
Hannibal
Explorer
Dec 07, 2013
We tow an 8500~lb mid profile 5th wheel all around the southeast with our 5.4L F250. I am very pleased with it's performance. However, I don't think I would be as happy with it in California with constant mountains, hills and headwinds.
LimogesMan
Explorer
Dec 07, 2013
APT wrote:
This isn't a question of will the 5.4L do it. It is a matter of why settle for the 5.4L? The 6.8L offers significantly better towing performance at the cost of two extra spark plugs.

I have to agree with the above post. Although I don't tow much in mountains, the only time the truck feels "sluggish" like some have said is when it's rpm was low, this engine wakes up @ 3000 rpm. The 3 valve 5.4L with the Torqshift transmission in the Superduty makes a decent towing truck.
My F-150 is 11 years old and have been towing since it's break in period. It's a solid reliable truck.
DesertTracker
Explorer
Dec 07, 2013
Thanks for all the discussion, a lot of good info was passed; its a big help before a major purchase. I’m now pretty sure I would not be happy with the 5.4 in the mountains and the winds...we do get some pretty good winds here; and never a tailwind! I think I will keep looking for a V10 or even the 6.2. Actually APT makes a good point about choosing based on the dealer location, too. My Dodge hasn’t seen the dealer in over seven years so I could probably continue to get by without a close dealer. As I said I do my own servicing or take it to a trans shop for the a trans service if I’m feeling lazy when its due. Again, thanks for the help. My list has narrowed.
nohurry
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
How bout this idea; look for a 2011 f250 with the 6.2 gas engine. I just now did a search on cars.com and found four of them near me. price range was from 24K to 33K. One was a crew cab 4X4 with 50K miles for $30,000. That way you'll get the 6 sp trans, and it would tow your trailer great. Just a thought.
TomG2
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
I owned three different 5.4 Ford powered pickups. The two f-150's were adequate, but the extra weight of the F-250 combined with trailer weight made it downright sluggish. 6.0 Silverado is not a lot better, but enough to make a big difference when towing.
DaveF-250SD
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
What APT said, x2.
APT
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
This isn't a question of will the 5.4L do it. It is a matter of why settle for the 5.4L? The 6.8L offers significantly better towing performance at the cost of two extra spark plugs.
DaveF-250SD
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
@OP, Ken, is that you? I have recently purchased a super clean 2004 F-250SD Super cab short bed 4x4 with a V-10. I would definitely recommend it over the 5.4. While I do not own an RV, I occasionally tow cars on open trailers, around 7,000 lbs. max., and no frontal drag to speak of. The V-10 is overkill for my needs, but what an awesome truck it is. Great off-road, too. My vote would certainly be for the 6.8. Maybe you can locate a Ram 2500 V-10 in excellent condition. Gets you away from the dually, and still has the power you will be looking for. I hear you about the dealership being far away, though. Hunter Dodge is a good one. Better to have too much power than to be right at an engine's upper limits while towing.