Just bought a pop-up camper that will weigh about 3,000 lbs once loaded with camping goodies. I've got a F150 Screw 4.6L 2x4 without a towing package and was wonder if I need one installed, if so, what do I really need. I have a DrawTite class III hitch. Will be pulling the camper in and around the Rocky Mountains. Thx.

 

Even if you avoid some of the nastier passes like the Snowy Range in WY, you'll still probably want to add a transmission cooler. Hopefully you have a .373 or .411 rear end.

My '97 4.6L with .355 gears and tow package is not fun with a trailer in the passes between WY & CO and CO & NM. You'll do better than the guys towing trailers with Grand Cherokees or mini-vans.

 

Tanns cooler and temp guage are about all you need. If you don't like the performance, a 4.11 rear gear would change your tune.

 

I have a .355 rear end. Would you recommend me changing out the rear end to a .373? if so, what would that do to my mpg and top in speed? Would it be better to forgo this change and bite the bullet and upgrade to a used '05 or '06 4x4 with 5.4L?

 

I don't believe your going to loose that much on top end with a move to 3.73 gears (maybe a couple MPG??) it just depends how fast you drive. However, if I was going to re-gear you might as well go to 4.10's

-Brian

 

I have the 4.6 with 3.55 and have pulled 7k. Yeah changing the gears will help slightly but your not even pulling that much weight. It will probably just be a waste of money, your truck will pull around 3k like it aint even there

 

As someone who actually lives way up in the Rockies, I would highly suggest trading in your 4.6L FX2 on a 5.4L with a 3.73 rear end. My '97 SCab 4.6L with 3.55 gears only gets 1 MPG more empty than my 5.4L SCrew with 3.73. When towing a load, the 5.4L doesn't have to work as hard as the 4.6L and gas mileage evens out. I don't think you'd need to go as far as getting 4.11 gears. While they are a benefit while towing, they make getting up and go a little slow in the city & on the highway.

You may have found out the 4.6L is kind of gutless at high elevations. You get above 8K feet and you'll really wish you had a 5.4L.

 

Yeah, I tend to agree with ya on that. I'm in second gear, most of the time while in the mountains with only 4 people in the truck and 300# of sand bags for winter snow. I can't imagine pulling 3000#. just worried I'd have to back down the mountain pissing everyone off behind me.

 

Many thanks to all...........visited the ford dealer yesterday. getting '07 F150 4x4 lariat. difference between my truck and the new one is $25000, without negotiating hard yet. small price to pay to have fun.
thx again!!!!

 

Why not get the towing package? Atleast you know you have it when you need it down the road.

 

Get the towing package and just be sure to turn OD off when towing around areas with steep inclines.