First post...

I've owned two F-150s, an '87 XLT and I currently own a '93 XL.

I looked at a used 2002 F-150 XL today. It is a short-bed with the 4.2L V6 and 36K miles. My question is this: Is the 4.2L V6 an adequate engine - will I be able to tow a small trailer?

Both of my previous F-150s had the 4.9L in-line 6 (you know, the engine that is older than me and I'm 55!) which was good enough for towing a small 5x8 trailer.

Tim

 

I personally wouldnt. I drive a '97 regular cab, short bed, 4x4 at work, and the thing has a tough time pulling itself up hills (this is on turn rows in the fields keep in mind). I have to put it in 4 wheel drive, sometimes 4-lo, to get around.

I would go for one of the V8s if you plan on towing.

 

John,

Sorry. I should have been more specific - I tow a small trailer maybe 3 or 4 times per year. It's a 5x8 trailer that I occasionally use to haul one of my motorcycles or help someone move.

I would really like a comparison of the pulling power of the old 4.9L straight 6 versus the 4.2L V6. I found the old 4.9L straight 6 to be good enough...

Tim

 

BTW, I made some better searches thru this forum and found quite a bit of info and comments on the 4.2L V6.

But maybe someone can comment on the pulling power of the 4.2L V6 versus the older 4.9L inline 6.

How about the longevity of the 4.2L V6? Will it go 150K miles under light duty and good maintenance?

Tim

 

I had a 99 E-150 with the 4.2 and when it got stolen I got a 95 F-150 with the 4.9, so I have had both engines. The van (4.2) was an auto and the truck (4.9) is a manual.

If a 4.9 was acceptable to you the 4.2 should be too. It has less low-end torque but more ability to rev a little bit and develop its power that way. Translation: they're about comparable for light to medium duty towing.

As to longevity, I bought my van in 01 with 89000, never had a single problem until it was stolen in May with (I think) 120000. I am not sure about longterm reliability as compared to the venerable 4.9 but with that low of mileage you've got a long way to go to find out!

 

I have four friends with late model V6(4.2) 5-speeds. That is one of the most impressive setups in a truck I've seen. I know it doesn't mean much in a truck, but as far as being 'fast' they can all smoke my 5.4, easily in fact. One of them has over 200,000 miles on it, and is still going strong. With his driving style, thats impressive. The way he drives you'd think hes trying to break stuff, but he hasn't yet. As far as towing, I have driven one of them while towing a 3000 lb. trailer, and it didn't do very well. A small motorcycle trailer should be fine, though.

This all applies to 4.2 five speeds. I've never had any experience with a 4.2 auto...

 

You can easily tow up to 3,000 pounds. Haul any bed load within capacity. My 4.2 has been great. It's also a 4x4.

 

We have 4 parts trucks here at work that are 01 F150's with the 4.2 v-6. ALL four have over 300k miles on them and still run strong. Need I mention how a dealership parts truck gets driven? Also had a friend buy a used one from me 2 years ago with 23k on it. He's a builder and it now just turned 140k and he hasnt even changed the plugs yet! He also pulled a 5X8 enclosed trailer with it while we were kart racing together and never had a problem. He is the type that only pulled it 85 plus mph all the time also. My experience is that its a great engine.

 

It all depends on how fast you want to go when you are towing a load. The time I pulled the 3000 lb trailer with a friends 4.2 I was trying to maintain between 60 and 70 mph. That was fourth gear, and sometimes it wouldn't want to pull that, I'd have to downshift to third. His truck doesn't have a tach, I think that would have been helpful. If you up your speeds, it would probably pull better because you'd be at a higher RPM. I do know, though, that my 5.4 auto tows the same trailer without even thinking about it.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the responses! I've got some other F150s to look at but I won't worry about the 4.2L V6...

Tim

 

Yeah, no need to worry about the 4.2L power. I have hauled a 1500# trailer with a 2000-2500# scissor lift. No problems in starting in first or going through the rest of the gears. I did have to keep it in a lower gear than normal though. No probs with speeding up or high rpms. Reverse was tricky as I had to "ride" the clutch for positioning and going up an incline.

Personally I would like a bigger engine, but I bought it at a steal. When my SuperChip #6600 get here, I shouldn't have a problem smoking my buddies 4.6L!

 

It should tow it just fine.

You didnt really state what rear end it has or if it was an automatic, but the 4.2 is a pretty decent power plant.


I use mine to pull this about #4000


You probably dont want to use over drive, but I can do 60-65 all day long in 3rd gear {auto}.

I only bog down to 55-50 on long hills, and thats about the time it down shifts into second.

I dont know what you mean by "Small trailer" but Im sure it will be fine.