tow rating for Ford powertrains

[George Miklas]

Does anybody have any of these combinations? Can you give me tow rating and empty fuel economy for any? (even if you have the combination in an F series, Excursion, or Expedition)

2000+ Ford E-150, 5.4L 3.55:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 5.4L 3.54:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 5.4L 3.73:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 5.4L 4.10/4:11:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 6.8L 3.54:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 6.8L 3.73:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 6.8L 4.10/4.11:1

Thanks,
George

[George Miklas]

Does anybody have any of these combinations? Can you give me tow rating and empty fuel economy for any? (even if you have the combination in an F series, Excursion, or Expedition)

2000+ Ford E-150, 5.4L 3.55:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 5.4L 3.54:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 5.4L 3.73:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 5.4L 4.10/4:11:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 6.8L 3.54:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 6.8L 3.73:1
2000+ Ford E-350, 6.8L 4.10/4.11:1

Thanks,
George

[TXiceman]

George, a neighbor had a 5.4L crewcab F250 w/ a 3.73 axle and was towing a 27' prowler. He was really not happy with the performance of the rig just in the hills of central Texas. Spent way too much time with the engine screaming in 2nd gear trying to maintain decent speed on a slight grade.

The 5.4L is not know as a real strong engine and is a bit of a gas hog. He reported 13 to 14 around town freeway driving and 7 to 8 towing. He sold it and got a F250 diesel and is happy as a clam now.

Ken

[SacsTC]

F-150 Specs: http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/features/specs/

Superduty Trucks: http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/s...eatures/specs/

[George Miklas]

SacsTC: Thanks for websites, I found them useful. What year did the 5.4L begin having 3-valves and 300 HP ?

Ken: What year was your neighbor's 5.4L? I recall that the 97/98/99 5.4L was a low 235 HP, not snappy performing, and horrible on gas. In 2000, the 5.4L was upgraded to 260 HP. And now again the 5.4L has been upgraded to 3-valves/cylinder, and 300 HP.

GM

[TXiceman]

George, his was an '00 or an '01. Performnce was fine around town...just a bit fond of gas. His trailer was around 7000# and just him and the wife. He complained that you had to really keep your foot in it on the hills. Didn't have any problems with over heating.

Ken

[Superbee24]

the 3v 300hp engine came out in 2004 in the new style truck.

I have one and pull a 28' 5ver with no problem.

[K-Star]

George

Try this. It only goes back to 2002.

[woodburner]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">He complained that you had to really keep your foot in it on the hills. Didn't have any problems with over heating. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Nothing has changed on the newer models either....keep your foot on it is an understatement!

[George Miklas]

I went today and looked at a 2001 Ford E-350 Chateau with 5.4L, and 3.73:1. Boy did it have power. I barely touched the accelerator and it was digging into the loose gravel drive. I can only imagine how it would pull my trailer better than my 300 I-6.

gm

[gearman]

I drove a '95 E350 w/5.4L, believe the rear end was a 3.73. we used it for a car pool vehical driving over the mt (6% grade 25 miles @ 65-70 mph). We usually had it loaded up with 10-15 passengers. All I can say is that I was impressed with that motor. We averaged 14 mpg, and drove it approx 30k per year. The van is still running and has 285k on the clock.

I would recomend one of these (E350's) for a tow vehical, that is with the 5.4L motor. I probably wouldn't want to tow much over 5-7k though, if more than that I would recomend a big block or diesel.

On another note, the PSD is a very powerful motor, I love it, BUT, I am not driving/towing with it much anymore. For my next truck I am concidering going back to gas! I am sick of paying 60-70 cent more per gallon vs. gas. I don't like driving/trying to start the diesel in cold temps (below 35 deg F, yes I could change the motor oil to a lighter weight to improve this, but at a price), the price of filters and oil changes is high, and last the wife very much hates it, so much that most of our camping trips lately see drives her own car (to be fair, she mostly hates the ford inteirer vs her chevy)

[xc-mark]

If you tow a good amount at over 5000 lbs dont cut yourself short buy a diesel new or a few years old if the cost is killing that idea. My Dad picked up a F-350 with 6.0 powerjoke for 25K with 22,000 miles on it, that was back in may of 2006. Its a extra cab 4x4 loaded. I am a GM guy and would never have even looked on a lot for a ford but with a deal like that I had no chance at sell him on a Duramax truck. I am on my 3rd duramax truck with over 250000 combine miles on them , Nothing I have towed with can compare to the pulling power of them stock to stock.

[George Miklas]

Last night I ran a Carfax report and everything that I was told, checked out. I went back today and drove it again. I think that it will give me a comprimise that I can live with--the comprimise between towing and non-towing usage of the vehicle. Although I have bought vans with the 300 I-6 at many higher miles, I am skeptical about buying a 5.4L with 108,000 miles.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gearman:
...All I can say is that I was impressed with that motor. We averaged 14 mpg...still running and has 285k on the clock...I would recomend one of these (E350's) for a tow vehicle, that is with the 5.4L motor. I probably wouldn't want to tow much over 5-7k though... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gearman and xc-mark, both of you mention 5000#. My trailer is 4700# empty with a GVWR=6400#.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by xc-mark:
If you tow a good amount at over 5000 lbs dont cut yourself short... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My trailer will not exceed 6400#. But more significantly than that is how I will use the van. Since I am not a full-timer, I will probably pull the trailer not more than 3000#. The rest of the miles will be non-towing driving once we reach the destination.

Thanks to both of you for your input.

gm

[George Miklas]

Okay, I did it. I bought the E-350 Chateau. Not only is it a beautiful van, but it has to pull far better than the E-150 with inline six cylinder.

gm