We are in the market for a 27 foot 5th wheel that weighs 6800-7000lb dry. I currently have a 98 F150 with 4.6 and I will need to trade it in on another truck. My question is will the 5.4 engine do it. Like to stay with the F150 style. I think the max tow weight is 7600lb for a 4wd and supercab. Could I add another spring and maybe aftermarket performance to it (chip, header, exhaust). Or maybe skip the 4wd and that would give me another 400 lbs.

Anyone else ahve any thoughts on this.

Thanks

 

If you have to stay with the F150 body style go with the F150 7700 (the F250 light duty replacement). Fiver hitch weights are heavier than tag a longs. Also don't count on that 7600 figure. There is a seperate set of numbers for Fivers. Also remember the GCVWR of the whole combined rig if you go with a 6600 GVWR truck is only 12,500. No F150 SC 4X4 will weigh under the 5K you would have left. And it will probably weigh closer to 5500 pounds alone leaving you only a little over 1000 pounds for payload. Let alone having people and gear in it or any room left for the hitch weight of this thing which is close to that 1000 pounds itself.

Yes the 5.4L will do it but the axles, tires and springs won't. So its either the 7700 or a F250 Super duty for you.

[This message has been edited by cphilip (edited 07-06-2000).]

 

I'd go with the F250 also. I have a F250 Light Duty Supercab 5.4l, my trailer weighs in at 5100 (so they say, I've never really weighed it). I feel comfortable with it but going up another couple thousand pounds I don't think I would. Get enough truck now, don't make the mistake and regret it later.

Here's my 26ft travel trailer




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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs


[This message has been edited by JD (edited 07-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by JD (edited 07-06-2000).]

 

Looks like I will be going with the F250. The more I look at it the more I like it. The v10 is one heck of a hauler! With supercab and 4wd it will pull a 10,700lb fiver. This should be plenty of power. Now I need to decide if I really need 4wd, we dont get alot of snow around here but it is nice to have and it's great for resale.

Thanks for the info!

 

Go with the 4.30 gears if you do. Think hard on the 4x4. From what I've seen, the 4x4 gets about 2 mpg less than a 4x2.

 

Plus it cuts your towing capacity and eats into your GCVWR with the extra weight.

 

98XLT: I noticed you mentioned that the 4x4 option is nice to have and great for resale. If resale is a concern then rethink the V10 and get the diesel instead. Even without the 4x4 option on the diesel, it usually out resells the V10. Check out the want-ads and notice the difference between prices. Plus the diesel gets WAY better fuel milage than the V10. Pulls way better. AND have you notice the price differences between reg gas and diesel lately???? And if you're thinking about a chip....then you have to burn premium gas in that V10 (more $$$) The diesel still burns the same ol diesel as before and the chip is gauranteed to give you better fuel milage when towing. (OK, I think I've ranted enough)

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2k F250 CC SWB 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate)

 

Just my opinion that I'm sure others won't agree with but if you're gonna put $35K into a truck you're probably not gonna want to go playing to much 4X4 (I'd rather buy used and play hard). Why waste a couple extra grand and have more things that could break if you're really not gonna use it?

I'm getting the fever again. Test drove a F250 Crew Cab diesel and gas this weekend. The diesel really impressed and surprised me. If you're gonna tow, go with the diesel, Tina had some real good points also.
Two new trucks in two years, if I go for three the wife will kill me. Might have to start practicing to dodge them bullets ....

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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs




[This message has been edited by JD (edited 07-11-2000).]

 

My .02...

Go with 4X4 and diesel. I tow only 5300 lbs but on occasion that trailer sinks into the ground where it sits. You will definately NEED 4X4 to get it out even if it only sinks an inch or so! I was pulling it out on a gravel road!

Only takes once on a vacation in the middle of nowhere to get stuck and you'll wish you had 4X4.

Just saying, THINK AHEAD! You might need the 4X4... Ya NEVA know!

 

I just finished a month vacation of 5000 miles, pulling a 8200 lb 5th wheel trailer in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. My ld '97 250 (5.4, 3.73ls) had all it could do on some inclines--20mph--1st gear--3500 rpm. I'm thinking about a V-10. The people I talked to on the trip were getting about 10mpg with a similar trailer with the V-10, I was getting 7.5-8. Without a trailer, I am getting about 2 mpg better than they are--14-5 vs. 12. My truck is 3 yrs old with 25k miles (after this trip), do my own oil chgs--so I feel the V-10 would be better/more economical for me than the diesel, and strong enough.

 

I need to drive both the V10 and the diesel to see what gets my attention the most. Still not sure on the 4wd part, I'll have to really think about it.

V10:
What kind of mpg do you get? Is your standard cab or supercab?

gdblake:
I kinda agree with you on the economical side of it. Did these guys have 2 or 4 wheel drive? How is that fiver as far towing and parking?

 

98XLT,

See my post in the Superduty section.

 

gdblake, don't forget the 5.4L HP has been upped since your was made to 260 HP and 345 pounds of torque. But Even so with your big Fiver the V10 still might be the right way to go for you.

 

Dear 98 XLT, The trailer tows fine--tracks fine, too. I really don't feel it behind me. Only feel strong (35-40 mph) winds coming from the side. and they aren't bad. No tail waging as you could get from bumper hitch trailer. I do have a short bed SC, a long bed would be better. Had to get a Reese 15K slider 5th wheel hitch, so the corner of the trailer would'nt put out my rear window on 80-90 turns. It backs up differently that a bumper pull-slower to take the turns, but with a little practice, it's not hard. Usually have my wife on the right side behing the trailer guiding me. It's easier backing with the trailer going left into the space, as I can see it in the mirror--I'm blind seeing the right side. I like the LS axle--several times in leveling the trailer in spaces that are low on one side, I've driven up on wooden planks to correct, and have spun both tires, in doing so. I don't think (in my situation anyway) that in a few cases, I could have done that with a reg. axle. Almost all the trucks from people other than those mtn. states have 2 WD, Looking in the papers on Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, because of the winters--you can hardly find a truck that doesn't have 4 WD. I really don't have a need for one, either here or traveling when I do. Not only are they more expensive, more troublesome, but would hurt my already poor milage when pulling (6.5-8.0 mpg).

 

I see most people like the 250's and 350's for strong towing. I guess I'll have to trade my 150 5.4 in one of theese days. But the fact is it pulls my 33 ft trailer loaded at close to 9000lbs without much problem at all. Temp gauge never moves. It slows a little on the hills but is fine other then that.

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2000 F150 SC XLT
5.4
4-sp auto
255/70r-16
3.55 LS
Heavy Duty electric
Heavy Duty cooling
Trailer Towing Group
Keyless Entry
Soft Cover
Captains Chairs
wedg blue& silver two tone
Fog Lights
Bed Liner
Fender Flairs
Cab Steps
10 disc CD changer

(Just 892 more payments and that sucker is all mine)