Here's a perfect example of what I was talking about in my original post, of "4.6 towing".I copied and pasted this comment from the "IRV2.com" website. Most of these people have the same reply to the power and ability of the 4.6. Notice the final comment about suffering 4.6. Most speek a little higher of the 5.4 but not much.


PM
I wouldn't want to pull anything much heavier than my 2000lb (approx), 10+ foot pop-up with my 4.6 Ford for any great distance. The hills aren't that great in my travels and mine's always screaming to stay above the four-way flasher limit on the hills.
Personally, I think the motor is under powered for the truck alone. Mine is an extended cab, but the weight difference shouldn't be that much.
Like Grizz suggests, you should maybe consider lower gears (I'm looking in to that option now for mine before I take any longer trips) if you're planning to keep the truck for awhile. Don't forget a transmission cooler if you don't already have one.

2003 Bonair 1010TT (PU)
'97 F150 XLT 4X4 ext cab (with sufferin' 4.6).

 

I'm pretty happy with my 4.6. No, I won't be winning any drag races, but it gets me where I need to go, faster than I need to get there.

 

I go to that site sometimes. I don't know WTF they are talking about. I own a 2003 Jayco 10B it weighs about 2,400lbs and I pull it no problem at all with my 4.2 manual. So it is no problem at all for a 4.6 auto...

I think to many of them are use to their mini vans...

 

I've had 4 of these Trucks with the 4.6 & they do all right for occasional towing (with in acceptable weight range). If I was towing every day I'd have a Super Duty with a PSD instead!

 

compared to Neal's 13.8 sec (1/4 mile) truck, a 4.6L is slow. But in comparison to other vehicles on the road, the 4.6L with some mods. can hold its own. A properly modded 4.6L isn't that slow.

 

I wouldn't mind more power out of my 4.6L but I'm pretty happy with mine. You may also have to look at what gears people with the 5.4L have. They may have 3.55s while people with 4.6L may have the 3.08s like I do. That makes a big difference right there!

You also can look at the Cobra 4.6L People are getting more hp out of that than anyone with a 5.4L is getting.

The 4.6L also has less of a chance of blowing a rod in our trucks if you start moddin' it.

 

The 4.6's are durable as heck! I'm not saying that the 5.4L isn't, but the 5.4L does have more problems on average than teh 4.6L (ie headgasket leaks, etc.). In other words I agree with was stated above.

 

I have towed my sail boat from upper Wis. to St. Louis MO with the 4.6. Between the boat and trailer I was pulling close to 7000 pounds. I was probably overloaded( I sure I was.) The engine did fine . I have an 98 xtended cab with the auto trans. I at 70,000 miles and no negative effects are showing yet. Now I dont do this all the time, but the 4.6 is a great engine and I have no doubts in its ability.

 

My previous truck was a 4.6 and I used to pull a 2,000 lb. trailer with a 4,000 lb. Farmall H on it. The engine definately worked hard but got the job done. I think people think their truck should be able to win drag races with a load on, they are nuts! Now i'm not gonna bash the 4.6 but my 5.4 now is a much better tow vehicle. I just wish they would offer it with a manual tranny, I do miss that from my last truck.

 

What's the reason for "4.6L Bashing?" People get they're 4.6L's for particular reasons as opposed to the 5.4L. Grow up.

 

it depends on what you compare it to. it is what it is, the middle engine option for a full size truck. it is very comparable to the 4.8 chevy. if you have a supercab or a supercrew and you are going to tow very much, the weight should be something to think about. a 4.6 in a regular cab probably pulls as well as a 5.4 in a supercrew. if i had a 4.6 and liked the truck but started towing and was not happy, a gear change (3.73) would probably solve the problem.

 

I see that on the RV sites all the time. Anything short of a F-250 w/deisel and you truck is in pain. I tow a 4500lb travel trailer (ballpark weight, loaded) with a Ford Sport Trac with a 4.0L V6 and 4.10 gears (wifes truck). It runs at 3000 rpm at 65mph (OD locked out), gets 12 mpg towing. I wouldn't take it to the Rockies, but it does fine. I just purchased a 5.4l Screw to do some mountain towing, but I'm sure they would say that couldn't do the job. It's also how you tow, and having proper weight distribution, sway control, and a towing attitude. The 4.6L would do the job for us I'm sure.

 

post below says the 4.6L struggles when pulling 2,000 pounds. If that is true, there is something out of the ordinary with the truck or with the trailer or both. A 4.6L pulls 4,000 just fine. I notice the poster signed it "sufferin 4.6L". Well, maybe that is a sign he needs some maintenance or repair. I have 3.55 gears in mine; maybe he only has 3.07. I'd bet on mechanical problems with the truck.

 

I'll second that. My 98 4.6 with 3.55ls rear towed a 4100 pound trailer at least twice a week for three years, no problem.

 

Brotherdave-

My cousin just bought a 4.7L Chevy Silverado (Truck) and the thing is a complete slug. My 4.6 will take it anytime!! YEAH!!! I was kidding him about the whole thing, but maybe after a few mods he will be more of a match?