Hey guys, lots of info here , just looking for new organized advise on what i can do for a healthy advantage while towing. I have a 05 5.4L SCREW with 120000km 3.73LS, and tow package. and I tow its Rated max lots in the summer (TT) , I have Airbags, WD , and currently get about 6-8MPG (towing) and 12-14 mpg (City)
Again just looking for recommendations to pull stronger and healthier, what can i maybe do and what gains can i expect? please include cost and brands of products you may use. Also Im not looking to upgrade to 250/350 for some time yet.

 

do u have a lift at all or bigger tires? need more info

 

That sounds about right if you are towing at the trucks max ratings... Not much else you can do to change that..

You can do the 'tuner' thing and that might help with some power, but I don't think you'll gain any better towing mpg's..

Like fordguy asked, do you have different size wheels/tires on the truck?

Remember, any additional power you generate in the engine, you'll need to be conscience of the trans too... You could end up burning it out with the additional power and asking it to tow it's max weight..

Then there is the rear end.. Sure, it's a big 9.75" rear end, but it's still just a semi-floater with a single set of wheel bearings at each end.

I tow at my trucks 'max' ratings.. Meaning, I'm maxed on my trucks GVWR and rear GAWR when I tow my #5000 TT.. Yet, I've been doing it for over 8 years and the truck has 218,000 miles on it and I don't fear taking it anywhere I wish to go..

It's totally stock, other then some helper springs, a 3" cat back and a K&N under the hood (no, I do not claim that it adds power or mpgs!)

It's 14 years old and I'm more than satisfied with it's towing performance.

Just telling you this so that you know where I'm coming from in relating it to your situation.

Mitch

 

The single biggest improvement for towing is gearing. 4.56 would be a noticeable upgrade. Each gear would accelerate better and then you might be able to use 4th gear.

What type of trailer and how much weight is it? What do you think is your truck's "rated max?"

 

my tires are 285/65/18, just a hair taller and wider than stock, my total weight at the scale with truck and TT both loaded up with a full tank of fuel is 14700lbs. no lift it is the FX4 5.5 box package full load with tow package.

 

Yeah, that's pretty much 'max' on your trucks GCWR.. So, I'd suspect you are probably over the trucks GVWR when it's all said and done.

Nothing terribly wrong with that... It's when you start going over the trucks GAWR that things will get interesting over time.

It's all speculation at this point, unless you know your axle weights, so you could still be okay..

Gears will be good, as APT suggests. There is give and take with that of course, so you'll need to determine if that's an option.

Those tires aren't helping you any, but at least you have 3.73's to begin with, but it's all a compromise as with anything... I've got 265/75/16 tires (32") from a stock 255/70/16 tire (around 30") with 3.55 gears, but that's my choice too..

I'd just take it easy while towing and not try to make my truck do more then it wants to.. Meaning, stay around 60 mph on the hwy and let it drop into second on the hills and then be content with going around 50 mph..

Good luck with it all! You can add all the power in the world, but you are still relying on the rest of the stock drivetrain to deliver that added power to the ground..

Mitch

 

you think a tuner would do me any good? maybe for more efficient shifting with the TT and better mpg when just a daily driver?

 

No first hand experience with them, so I can't say one way or the other..

You might try the 'tuner' section for more info on them..

Mitch

 

out of all my mods, i feel the custom tunes where the best bang for the buck.
Towing mpg stayed the same but the trans and engine REALLY seem to handle the weight alot better ( 8200lbs TT) not to mention my trans temp stays cooler now because of better shifting, after that i'd have to say the gears (4.56;1 with 33" tires), then the long tube headers.

 

You should look into the tuners. They may not improve mileage, but like jmt said, it will make it easier on the truck.

You also shouldn't be going over 60 on the highway because I think that is the max rated speed on the tires. You should probably check that.

 

thanks guys, im gonna look into the best tuner for my FX4 on the tuner/programmer pages, probally not gonna do the gearing yo much $$$, maybe look into headers swell, FTR I don't do more than 60 anyway when im pulling the trailer, especially when i fell the wind

 

The money you would spend on headers would be a lot better spent by putting it into a regearing fund.

 

You can spend big bucks on CAI's, tuners ect but your gains will not be worth the bucks you have to spend.
Sounds like you have done what you can do. Keep you truck in good mechanical order, check your tire pressure, use good gas and keep your foot out of the gas pedal....or buy a new truck.
I cruise around 65 mph when I tow our travel trailer. Loaded the trailer weighs in real close to 6000 lbs and I get 12-13 mpg with my truck on the highway.