Tow Vehicle Improvements

[Indy317]

I'm a little concerned about pulling our travel trailer out west and being able to pull up steep grades. I have a 2010 F-150 5.4L and was considering making a couple of power improvements like a cold air intake system and a cat back exhaust system. Has anyone made these modifications? If so, do you think it was worth the investment?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[LeBout]

I don't know why everyone is saying the OP should consider changing his gear ratio. The Ford F-150 he's driving has a 3.73:1 gear ratio which is great for hauling uphill. His gear ratio provides more low-speed wheel torque, which makes it easier to get the TV moving when pulling a trailer. That ratio also improves acceleration up to about 60mph. (Passing performance and speeds above 60mph is a matter of horsepower, NOT axle ratio.)

[wanderingbob]

Don't change nothing , you'll do fine !

[Lowsuv]

Ivylog wrote:
Spend your money on a tranny oil cooler. When you need more power do not pull in OD... fastest gear ratio change for free.

that is good advice .
the addition of an auxilliary tranny cooler will pay ten fold .
next would be a lower rear end ratio
third would be a mod that helps move AIR through the engine .
Headers and a 2.5" exhaust system behind it .
Last would be a mod that pushes more fuel through the engine .

[4Jeeperz]

Hi Indy317,
We have a 2004 5.4l 3.73 4x4.
We have towed 4500lbs. up to 10000ft. in Yosemite.
Added a tuner and catback. Tuner "sharpened" the way the engine runs, like throttle response and shifting, but doesn't really add noticeable power using an 87 octane tune.
Tried the 91 octane tune and still didn't make enough difference to warrant the cost of premium fuel.
The catback was added for some sound. No noticeable difference in power.
Changes were well worth it to me, but not cost effective for power.
Probably wouldn't get a tuner for our next truck, but will want a cat back again for the sound.
Just my opinion. Enjoy your trip...

[fla-gypsy]

The only mod that would be worth the money is a rear gear change. That said you can get good performance by engaging the Tow/Haul feature and letting it do what it is designed to do.

[LeBout]

Indy317 wrote:
LeBout,

Thanks for your reply. My tow vehicle has a towing pkg with tranny cooler, 3.73 rear axle, trailer brake controller, and sway control. We're pulling a trailer similar in size to what is in your pic above. Are there any other things you do to improve your towing on grade?

Nope! We have identical pickups in terms of gear ratio, tranny and engine. My TT is 5440 dry and probably close to 6,500 loaded. We're rated for 9,200 lbs, so you will be comfortably within your towing range if you're comparable in weight.

Contrary to what another poster in this thread wrote, I have NOT found State and County highways to have steeper grades than on the freeway. At least not through Wyoming. In fact, I have found them significantly easier to navigate.

The pickup definitely slows down on very steep climbs, and I found the best way to handle it was to be patient and not get in too big of a hurry. I always pull with my "OD OFF" setting engaged, which keeps your RPMs between 2200 and 2500 for most level grades. I would allow the pickup to increase to 3000 RPMs (or a little higher) when going uphill. (The Cruise Control wants to shift down and go to 4000 RPMs but I would over-ride the cruise and keep it lower. Years ago I blew an exhaust manifold gasket by allowing the engine to rev too high on hills and I don't want to repeat that mistake.)

I felt the F-150 performed admirably and did a fine job. Yes, my diesel brothers with TTs and 5ers were passing me on the hills, but that's really not a fair comparison, and I decided ahead of time not to let it bother me. 🙂

So my advice for traveling out West with your F-150 are:

1. Take your time and don't push your TV too hard, and
2. Consider getting off the freeway (Interstate) as it just promotes a slower, more relaxed approach to hauling a TT PLUS I found the inclines less steep.

Oh...and consider wind speed and direction. It DRASTICALLY affects towing capability and fuel mileage. Most of the time it can't be helped, but if you don't have to travel on a day when you would be bucking the wind or dealing with a strong side wind...DON'T. (Some of the Western states, like Wyoming and Montana are famous for their high wind areas.)

[Terryallan]

Indy317 wrote:
I'm a little concerned about pulling our travel trailer out west and being able to pull up steep grades. I have a 2010 F-150 5.4L and was considering making a couple of power improvements like a cold air intake system and a cat back exhaust system. Has anyone made these modifications? If so, do you think it was worth the investment?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Unless you will be pulling OFF the interstate. The grades should be no problem. Interstates have a 7 degree limit for grades, with few exceptions. Now off the interstate is a different thing, However, Usualy those roads will have a much slower speed limit.

[Indy317]

LeBout,

Thanks for your reply. My tow vehicle has a towing pkg with tranny cooler, 3.73 rear axle, trailer brake controller, and sway control. We're pulling a trailer similar in size to what is in your pic above. Are there any other things you do to improve your towing on grade?

[Desert_Captain]

So longs as you have the factory tow package and load lightly your 5.4L will do just fine. Even if you have the 3:55 rear end it should be fine since you have the 6 speed tranny. As long as the trans is not hunting there is no reason not to use O/D. An excellent improvement would be to add a Scan Gauge. This will give you transmission fluid temperature as well as host of other valuable gauge options not to mention that you can squeeze an extra 8 to 10% mileage improvement just by paying attention to the Scan Gauge.

You really should have E rated LT tires for a trailer that large, the improvement over "P"'s will be amazing. I have never been a fan of OEM shocks and a nice set of after market upgrades, especially when combined with a new set of LT's will make a huge difference. Get the rig to the CAT scale as you are probably at or over your trucks GVWR but by loading light you should be able to keep the numbers down.

Don't hesitate to stick your foot into that 5.4L. It makes makes max torque at around 3600 rpm and max HP happens at 4400. You can run the 5.4 all day at 4,000 and other than burning a lot of fuel you won't hurt a thing. On long steep downhill grades, 6%, I just shift down into second (I have the 4 speed O/D trans), and this holds me at 55 to 60 mph at about 3600 rpm and I never have to touch the brakes. On lesser grades I just lockout O/D and this holds me in third, again with little or no time on the brake pedal.

The 5.4L is a great engine that powered many an F-250, most folks underestimate its ample capabilities. :C

[LeBout]

Indy317 wrote:
I'm a little concerned about pulling our travel trailer out west and being able to pull up steep grades. I have a 2010 F-150 5.4L.

I have the same pickup and I LIVE out West (Oregon). Just got home Tuesday from a 3,700 mile trip that took us through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and Minnesota. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about pulling up steep grades. I have a tranny cooler (part of my tow package) but other than that I do NOT have the mods you mentioned.

[Indy317]

I considered using a performance tuner but don't want to void my factory powertrain warranty.

[Ivylog]

Spend your money on a tranny oil cooler. When you need more power do not pull in OD... fastest gear ratio change for free.

[dodge_guy]

If you want a noticeable improvement change your gear ratio(s). This will be the best perf. Mod you can do. I have a cold air intake and while it is a good system, by itself will not be noticeable. Another thing to consider is a 5star tuner. This will wake up your 5.4 and make it a better TV.