Who's towing with a 5.4?

[Bobsbeatter]

I'm curious about who is towing with a Ford 5.4L and what the experience has been like, because this motor is either loved or hated, it seems.
Details and thoughts are appreciated. I'll start.

2008 E350, 5.4L (2 valve) 4 spd auto, 3.73 on 31.5" tires, pulling a 6500# TT.

2450 RPM with O/D shut off @ 60 MPH. It seems to handle the TT quite well but you definitely know it's back there. 10% grades @ 41 MPH. 9.25 MPG seems to be the average. It's definitely working but doesn't ever break a sweat.

It will hold O/D on the flats, but just barely so I figure the extra engine speed will turn the fan faster and put less stress on the engine, so i leave it in 3rd.

I'm pretty satisfied overall.

[AirLift]

I've towed with a 5.4L in my Expedition and still tow with the 5.4 in my current 07 supercrew. I haven't had much issues out of the engines, and do really well towing. Not nearly as nice as a PSD but I just don't have that kind of money or constant need for that much power.

I only tow a few times a year, taking my truck to car shows. I had similar results to you, but got slightly better gas mileage.

[TXiceman]

I think you would do better with a 4.10 axle for towing.

Ken

[ajlcal]

My previous truck was a F250 5.4L with 3.73. My loaded trailer came in at 7800lbs - that's not a heavy load. I had to keep it in tow haul mode at all times to keep it from shifting too often, even on flat roads. I got a little over 9MPG if I was lucky. Hills were a problem.

[geejdee]

2010 crew, 5.4, 3.55 rear on 20", pulling 6800lbs fully loaded. Getting 10-12 here in the south on flats. Made a trip out west, was getting 8-10 in the mountains, however never had a problem hold speeds. Most of the trip I was running 60-65. Overall, I'm happy with my setup. And when the toy (Harley) is not packed, it handles the same, just a bit better mileage...

[Jetta03]

I have a 2010 F150 supercrew Lariat, 3.55 gears, 4x4, tow package, 5.4l. I tow a 5800lb hybrid camper and the truck handles it well. Fully loaded for camping with family of 4, our gear, firewood, water, 4 bikes, kayak, etc. it pulled us over the coquihala highway in BC without issue. I monitor temps with a scangauge and the trans temp never went over 200C, motor never over about 98C the whole trip in 30C outside temps. Mileage is consistent at about 12 mpg.

The combo of 5.4 and 6spd auto seems to have more than enough power to get the job done. I wouldn't mind better gas mileage but that's my only gripe.

[tekrsq]

I have an 09 F350 SC 4x4 with the 5.4L and 3.73 rear assigned to me at work. I always have close to 1000 lbs of equipment in the bed, and routinely pull anywhere from 7500-10,000 lbs. It doesn't win any races off the line, but it doesn't strain itself either. I always turn off the OD and can easily run up to 70mph with the 10,000 lb trailer. But it definetly knows the 10k trialer is back there on the hills. As for mileage, I'm not really sure. I only get 8-9 mph around town, and about 15 on the interstate without the trailers. I would guess I get about 10-12 on the interstate with the 7500 lb trailer.

[hippy]

I have an 04 Expedition,5.4 stock, with tt pkg. 17" tires,3.73 gears. i tow a 34' trailer 7000lbs dry. always tow with od lockout, lots of hills around here and not a lot of long flat stretches where we go. it has lots of pull, but would not touch a diesel of course. get 20 -25 l/100km. use for everyday transport getting 14l/100km. i am happy with it as the truck is heavy to start and we load it with firewood, dogs etc. Had 4.6 in other Expeditions, and they sucked!! No plug blow outs yet sorry for the stupid metric units :(