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Towing with my 5.4 L.....

Onesweetvan
Explorer
Explorer
We just returned from a 3200 mile loop through California. Left greater Vancouver on Boxing Day and returned 2 weeks later. Pulled our 1994 Terry with the E350 12 passenger powered by the old 5.4 L. We were about 14,000 pounds GCVW and about 500 pounds over GRVW, the van performed flawlessly. Returned 9 mpg per US gallon on average with 12 for a high between Redding and Bakersfield and 7 for a low from Furnace Creek (in Death Valley) to Tonopah NV. The van handled all the big hills in and out of Death Valley very well and I never saw the water temp gauge go over normal.
I don't think I would ask this motor to do much more on a regular basis, but it probably could.
8 REPLIES 8

LimogesMan
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the report. The 5.4L delivers great torque.
It starts to purr at 3000rpm.
2002 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4X4 FX4 Lariat, 5.4L Triton V8, Precision 4.10LS
2004 Keystone Springdale 249BH 26' Fifth wheel (5800# empty)
Husky 16K dual pivot glider. TomTom One 3rd edition.
18 mpg empty, 11 mpg towing.

rowekmr
Explorer
Explorer
I had one briefly in a Navigator and it towed my trailer with no issues. It was my only TV that was my DD also and if it wasn't for the air suspension woes I would still have it.
10 Lincoln MKS Ecoboost
07 Lincoln Navigator
00 Newmar Dutch Star 3851

benalbert
Explorer
Explorer
We just retired the last of our E350 vans at work. Most of them had over 300k and had been beat to no end. Load in a ton of tools, hook a 10000 lb trailer behind and go. Didn't need to worry about speeding tickets when towing... Now if those trailers only had brakes!:E
08 F350 CCLB SRW 6.8
00 KZ Sportsmen 951

jerem0621
Explorer II
Explorer II
5.4 is one of my favorite motors.

Its not a race motor but it is reliable and powerful. It WILL get you to the top of the hill.
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
TT - Zinger 270BH
WD Hitch- HaulMaster 1,000 lb Round Bar
Dual Friction bar sway control

It’s Kind of Fun to do the Impossible
~Walt Disney~

path1
Explorer
Explorer
Our class C leaves driveway at 13,380 pounds, over the years I've been amazed at the little thing. Well over 100,000 miles, sounds like sewing machine at higher rmps and just keeps on ticking.
2003 Majestic 23P... Northwest travel machine
2013 Arctic Fox 25W... Wife "doll house" for longer snowbird trips
2001 "The Mighty Dodge"... tow vehicle for "doll house"

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
Glad to read someone else is happy with their 5.4L. Our tows our 8500~lb 5th wheel all over the southeast without any trouble. Wife made the comment on our last trip that, other than the seats, I haven't complained about this truck at all. No unusual noises, vibrations or weird gear ratios to bug me.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

fla-gypsy
Explorer
Explorer
The 5.4L is a proven and reliable small motor that can handle small to medium loads.
This member is not responsible for opinions that are inaccurate due to faulty information provided by the original poster. Use them at your own discretion.

09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)

kw_00
Explorer
Explorer
Glad to hear, the 5.4 is a good engine.
A truck, a camper, a few toys, but most importantly a wonderful family.