We are looking into a fair sized travel trailer. I certainly don't want to create a situation where it's too sluggish or have issues through hills/mountains.

My truck is a 2003 F-150 SuperCrew with a 5.4 V-8 and a 3.55 axle all stock.

I've been considering a chip for better acceleration as is and I'm curious how much it might improve towing (~100 ft/lbs torque increase). Any other worthwhile improvements that aren't an outrageous expense?

It seems most people towing a big trailer are using a Super Duty...

 

People are using programmers, not chips these days. Check out the Programmers forum and the Towing forum.

I doubt any programmer or chip will increase torque that much, but they do make for an improvement. How big (heavy) a trailer are you looking at?

Regearing will make a big difference too. Is it 2wd or 4wd?

 

I meant programmer. Sorry (guess I'm just used to the old stuff). What would a middle road programmer increase look like roughly (+40 hp +50 ft/lbs)?

He trailers we are looking at are on the larger side (bunkroom, slide outs, and 30' or so).

2WD.

*EDIT*
I see I didn't scroll down far enough to find towing. Thanks!

 

A programmer will add about 20 hp and maybe the same or more torque. It will be very slow going uphill with a 30' trailer. A program and especially 4.10 or 4.56 gears will help a bunch. You most likely will exceed the tow ratings of your truck. Something else to consider is braking. Our trucks of this vintage have very poor brakes. I've owned a new 2000 XLT 5.4 Scab 4x4 with tow package and now have a 2002 FX4 5.4 Scab with tow package so I speak from experience.

If you can afford it, I recommend you buy a F250 with a V10 or diesel if you can find a 7.3 or one of the newer reliable diesels, not the 6.0. You can tow anything with just about anything if you are careful and not in a hurry, but the F250 would be the way to go in my opinion.

 

A new truck isn't an option at this point. And my truck has very low miles (~60k).

 

If you want a cheap tuner, pick up a used Superchips. I have one and it added impressive hp and torque and improved the fuel economy to my 02 and I bought it used from a forum member. It has a 87 octane tune, 91 octane tune, and a tow tune. I use the 87 tune.