4.7 v 5.4 v hemi

[trz]

I've been pulling my 26 footer with a ford 4.6 and never liked it. was thinking of getting the 5.4 or 5.7 hemi . What's your veiws on this and what about the dodge 4.7? Much like the ford 4.6?

[IC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trz I've been pulling my 26 footer with a ford 4.6 and never liked it. was thinking of getting the 5.4 or 5.7 hemi . What's your veiws on this and what about the dodge 4.7? Much like the ford 4.6?

I pulled a 29 foot 6000# TT with a 2 valve Ford 5.4 F150 with little problem. While it was no ball of fire, the differential gears at 3.55 were "wrong". The later 3 valve 5.4 versions that I have driven without a trailer have been quite a bit more responsive. While I can't speak about the Dodge's towing ability, just remember that the Hemi term is a trademarked name dating from the '50s and is not necessarily a performance enhancer. I much prefer a full 3/4 or 1 ton pick up for trailer towing - currently, mine is an F350/V10

Dave W

[TXiceman]

I had a Ram 1500 with the 4.7L and it was a gutless wonder in my opinion....as is the Ford 4.6L.

Ken

[AZgl1500]

A diesel 1 ton dually makes an excellent TV, you get lots of low end torque to pull from a stop and up an incline. Most will have a rear axle ratio more suited to pulling TTs.

Mine is a 98 Dodge 24V CTD (Cummins Turbo Diesel)
Automatic Transmission (upgraded for minimum TQ slip & Hvy Vlv Body)
.... added a transmission external oil filter and cooler
Timing box installed (like a chip) for 30 hp
Added RV275 injectors for 30 hp
Blocked the waste gate on the Turbo, now gets 27 psi boost

The above little mods gives me a very streetable towing package that does not need to be treated with kid gloves. I purposely stayed away from the huge power pack mods to preserve my factory auto-tranny.

My 215 hp engine now pulls like a 300 hp truck. Adequate for my needs.

[Eric_H_E]

like the old saying goes,

its hard to beat cubic inches

[Randy the sly old fox]

I agree that you can never have too much truck. I tow a 24' 5600 lb TT with a 2500HD 6L V8, 4.10 rear end and with a 6sp tranny I have not had to drop below 4th on any hill - still doing 55 and turning 3000 RPM. I towed the same TT with a 99 Tahoe with a 5.7L V8, 3.73 rear end and 4sp tranny - it was a PIA to drive - same hills were 2od or 1st gear 35 MPH tops- took forever to reach HY speeds and maintain them. Therefore I would reccommend nothing short of the 5.7L engine and a minimium of 3.73 rear gears - 4.xx would be better.

[AZgl1500]

Randy, I totally agree with you on that statement of "never too much truck".

My 1 ton dually diesel with overload springs is solid like a rock. Rough rider, but does not even notice that 9,000 lbs of 34' TT is behind it.

If I were not aware that the trailer blocks my rear view mirror, the acceleration from dead stop is almost the same as no trailer at all.

4.10 axle posi-track diesel stout grunting torque does that for you.
Side winds? What side winds, those dually tires really stabilize things.

[IC2]

Why not answer the OP's question instead of regaling him why a 1 ton diesel dually is his best choice!!!!!

[mhs4771]

OK, I'll stick to the subject. I can't speak for Ford or Dodge, but I originally starting towing a 24 ft TT with a 5 L chevy 1/2 ton. On the flat it was ok, but there are some grades near home which we could just barely get up. Finally upgraded to a 5.7 L Chevy (both were std cab 4x4) did a much better job. Made several trips from Western NY to Central FL with no problems. Now both these engines are V8s, but per GM we should have been able to pull that TT with a 4.3 L V6 in a Blazer, but I wouldn't have wanted to try because I think we would never have made the hills near home or in PA when headed South.

[Funkmoney]

I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 HEMI and tow a 30ft TT (7,000) with cargo and passengers like it's nothing! The HEMI is a monster.

[trz]

can i ask what kind of gas mileage you get with that monster? With and without the tt.

[Funkmoney]

8 or 9 mpg with travel trailer. I forgot what the mpg is without travel trailer.

[richardcoxid]

Remember- Nobody ever complains about to much HP and everybody complains about to little HP!
The other thing is that when towing, “Little engine-go slow and get pi** poor fuel mileage, big engine go fast and get pi** poor fuel mileage”
In my experience the difference in fuel mileage isn’t that much.

[mhs4771]

It seems fuel mileage is more related to the front design of the TT. When towing my original 24 Ft TT with the 5.7 Chevy I got typically 8 to 10. Upgraded to a 1 ton dually Diesel/Allison and got 10 to 12. Upgraded TT to a 30 Fter and mileage didn't change. Now we've upgraded to a 34 Ft 5er that weighs as much as both TT put together and the mileage is still 10 to 12. This mileage is obtained keeping the speed between 60-65, push it any higher and the mileage takes a nose dive, reduce the speed and I can squeeze a little more, but you have to draw the line between time and cost.