dansdad77
Concord, Ca. USA
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Ok I had a 1/2 ton I was going to get but the owner decided not to sell so maybe the best for me. Anyway i went to Ford towing site and it said I needed a 5.4 to be safe for towing as my TT said Gvwr is 6900#. I was also informed by that site that 4.8 V8 was close but too close for me. Does the forum here believe that a 1/2 ton with a 5,4 would do? as I would not rather go to a 3/4 and diesel is not an option. What do you folks think?
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dansdad77
Concord, Ca. USA
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Please note I no longer have the same signature concerning the truck 2003 Dodge.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Keep $1,000 in the budget for 4.30 or 4.56 gears.
Since you are buying I would focus on finding a 5.4L.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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Art D
Louisiana
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Joined: 03/06/2004
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I would be more concerned with the F150 being able to safely handle 6900# at highway speeds and highway perils to deal with (like dips, tight curves, passing trucks, sudden turns and stops, and etc.) I think my F150 manual lists 6900# (or thereabouts) as the max and that's with a weight distribution hitch. I would go to a F250 and the V10.
Geaux LSU
Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? 10-0, this is unbelievable!!
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SweetPete
Woodlands, TX (North of Houston)
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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I'd go with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton with either the V10 or 5.4 for that weight. I have a 250 w/the 5.4 and I love it. It would tow that without much problem, but your mpg would probably hurt a little.
But, it's a great motor and has been very reliable. I love it and would totally recommend it for your situation.
Pete
Happy trails!!
Pete
2004 F-250 SC XLT FX4 OFF ROAD 5.4L, camper package, snowplow prep and more.
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 5.2 V8
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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For 6900 pounds a half-ton is fine. No need for an F250 for that weight. That is well within every rating for the F150.
But yes, I think you will be happier with the 5.4L vs the 4.6L.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 250,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW
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Bionic Man
Colorado
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carringb wrote:For 6900 pounds a half-ton is fine. No need for an F250 for that weight. That is well within every rating for the F150.
But yes, I think you will be happier with the 5.4L vs the 4.6L.
X2 on the half ton is fine for safety. You aren't going to set any speed records with the 5.4, but that isn't what towing should be about. I wouldn't consider a smaller engine though.
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 HO Cummins
2002 Sea Hawk 32' 5er
2004 Crownline 216 LS 350 MAG
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eric james
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Bionic Man wrote:carringb wrote:For 6900 pounds a half-ton is fine. No need for an F250 for that weight. That is well within every rating for the F150.
But yes, I think you will be happier with the 5.4L vs the 4.6L.
X2 on the half ton is fine for safety. You aren't going to set any speed records with the 5.4, but that isn't what towing should be about. I wouldn't consider a smaller engine though.
X3. the 2005+ 5.4L is 3V per cylinder and pumps 300hp/365tq. With 3.73 or lower gears, you're good to go with your 28' Wilderness.
Plenty of wheelbase and control too.
I won't BS you, you'll be disappointed compared to your Cummins the difference in low end grunt and mpg.
2009 Keystone Passport UL 290BH
2003 Ford Expedition EB 5.4L/3.73
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TomG2
Central Illinois
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Having had Ford 5.4 engines, I put them at somewhere between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds maximum towing strength. I know there are a lot of people pulling in excess of that but that is my conclusion towing from with three different variations. I really liked the way my F-250 handled the loading better than the F-150's but it was no race horse. The old two valve engine actually had more torque in the 2,000 to 3,000 RPM range than the newer version.
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b_salgado
Salisbury ,NC,USA
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Art D wrote:I would be more concerned with the F150 being able to safely handle 6900# at highway speeds and highway perils to deal with (like dips, tight curves, passing trucks, sudden turns and stops, and etc.) I think my F150 manual lists 6900# (or thereabouts) as the max and that's with a weight distribution hitch. I would go to a F250 and the V10. I think you need to look at the NEW F-150's(04-to present) before you go making assumptions.
To the OP.... the F-150 with a 5.4 and 3.73 gears will be plenty for your TT. The stability is outstanding.
As for not winning any races... Watch your speed when towing. Your tires on your TT are only rated to 65MPH. You will easily creep above that without realizing it. My TT is 33'-11" and weighs 8200#. I have towed it for the past 3 years with no issues. Approximately 30,000 miles total. I have an 04. The 09's have the 6 speed, tow haul, IBC, and more HP and TQ than the 04-08's. The towing mirrors are outstanding.
Just be careful you don't jerk the frame out from under it! Yes, it isn't a diesel, but it also doesn't have the markup or maintenance cost of one either!
04 Lariat Supercrew 4x4,5.4,3.73, Edge tuner, flowmaster duals
06 Trail Bay 31BH, nicely optioned
Equal-i-zer
Prodigy
Follow vehicle, 05 KIA Sorento EX for the golden retrievers.
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