Pulling my toybox up Cajon pass, And for those of you that don't know that is a 6% grade for 12 miles I am down in 2nd gear pullling about 3500RPM at 50MPH. Mind you my truck is rated and 260HP I do have 4,56 gears and superchip with cat back. My Q is? Is this to High RPM for that long of a pull? Should I back it down? I would like to pull 60MPR but that is up to 4000RPM. Truck only have a little over 61000 and don't use and drop of oil.

Thanks for any input

 

I don't think I'd take it much over 3500 up the Cajon, especially when it gets hot. I've dragged jet skiis over with my old 4.6,and that's as high as I would go. I've pulled stuff over the Tioga as well at about 3-3.5K.

 

If it i was mine i would not run it that far w/ those rpms but that is me.12mi is long ways for 3500rpms working the motor.Put it this way if your truck is gonna break it prob will during that 12mi.

 

Nice Truck!! The 5.4L is a workhorse - Do you have the tow package? The extra trans cooler - dual core radiator? You have an oil cooler , I would make sure that I have fresh oil for a trip like that and definitly install a trans temp guage - I would be worried about the trans more than the motor..If it were a 4six it would be a different story..

 

I've pulled 8 to 10% for 4 miles back east (steep but shorter). I ran 3.5 to 4K and was impressed by smoothness and lack of noise compared to my 302 at 3 K. 3,500 just doesn't seem excessive IMHO.
You could ease up to 45 mph or pull over twice and let it idle.
I'd watch for overheating and not keep it to the floor. I'm not used to towing in your hi heat.

 

Thanks, Got the tow package with the trans cooler. No oil cooler, Got another trans cooler off e-bay just havent put it on yet. I only make the trip at night, To hot for the old guy in the day. I just hate going so slow when guys with bigger trailers are passing me left and right.

 

You pulling that trailer in your gallery ? What is that about 3000lbs ? You do have 4.56's !! I thought you said you didn't at first - I 'm surprised you can't get third gear..

How many times have you made the trip? We have a 6% grade hill that goes for about 1/2 mile here by the proving grounds , that is pretty steap now that I think of it ..

 

Just keep it below 5,000 rpm or so and you're good to go. I've pulled many a WOT runs with my old F-150 towing about 3,000 lbs.

 

i have a very tired 4.6 and i had her pinned hauling a #5500 enclosed 21' trailer. if it were to pop it shoulda popped that day when i had it rapped in 2nd with my 4.88's. 5% grade, close but i know its not quite the same

you cant get 3rd with those gears and a 5.4L? WHY?

i think honestly its more YOUR judgement call on this. just watch your engine for warning signs. keep your eye on that oil.

 

Trailer is 4900 empty, With 100 gal of water 2 quads and one bike fire wood and all the bull my wife takes I would have to say it's about 7000lbs.

 

My story is not as positive as the other replies. My 4.6 burned a valve at 163k. I use it to pull a 5500 lb travel trailer in the Rockies on weekends. Obviously spent just a little too much time around 4000 RPMs.

I think if you do this very often, you may want to at least consider dropping a heat level on the plugs.

 

I'd agree about the plugs. My 97 starts to detonate in 3rd gear at WOT. Cooler plugs may stop the pinging. If I knew I was puling a tailer up a long hill, I'd fill the tank with premium fuel and go for it. I pull a heavy open car trailer with my high mileage 97 often. I don't use OD towing so it's about 3500 rpm at 70 mph for hours on end. To me the pinging is a much bigger issue than the RPM. You could lower the rpm by installing taller tires. 2" taller tires dropped my cruise RPM by about 200 rpm at 60mph.

 

You can't and won't get third gear because you have jacked up your truck and screwed the towing dynamics up. Not only are you pulling up a steep grade for a long distance, but you are sacrificing horsepower turning those big tires around. And your 260 hp isnt achieved untill after 4000 rpm! Torque is what you need and I belive that until 2005 you didnt get peak torque until 3500 rpm. In the new ones you get your torque around 2000 rpm. The factory has spent millions of dollars designing your vehicle to be able to pull, and this includes its ride height and tire size.......

 

I just installed that Transgo Tugger Kit from Troyer - I should have along time ago when I was movin trailers around for my dad. I like the way the trans actually helps with the braking now..

Check that kit out bigdad , that might help yuh..

Mannn, even tho the 5.4L could handle 6500, I still disliked pulling that kind of weight with a heavy half.

Anyway , yeah , that kits $100 and comes with a calibration plate that you calibrate yourself to fit your needs - "You want third gear to hit at acertain RPM under a heavy load"- - Insert the red spring here ..... That type of deal , I know it would help in your case..

 

True,if it had stock gears but he has 4.56 gears so it is not affected by those tires.