hi guys im sure this question has been asked before but here goes

im looking for a newer truck and started thinking about getting a 97+ F-150 but the 4.6 scares me a little bit as i dont think it would have enough torque to properly tow. Im looking for something that could easily tow my 90 LX mustang (3000lbs) plus the trailor and all the other stuff (5000lbs total?) I would go ahead and look at bigger F-250s etc but i need something that would be comfortable on the wallet driving it everyday

anyways my question is are any of you guys using your 4.6 F-150s to haul your cars around? how well do they tow? and if you could get the chance to get something else to tow with besides the 4.6 would you do it?

thanks
mike



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Mike,

I constantly carry over 1,000 pounds of crap in the back of my 99 F-150 4.6 auto and tow at least 2,000 more at least once a week. I have never had any problems and the truck does not even break a sweat. I think if I were you, depending on how often you will be towing the Mustang, get the 5.4 anyway. The gas mileage difference is small, in my opinion, in everyday driving. I would not hesitate to pull your load with my truck leaving the crap in the back but again it depends on how often. Either way get the factory trailer towing package and definitely get an automatic. The 5.4 comes with some extras too on some models, like an oil cooler, heavier transmission, etc.

Some of the other guys in here tow a lot, maybe they have a better answer.


By the way, I was recently given a 1971 GMC pickup by a family member and I am going to Atlanta, Ga in a few weeks to get it and tow it back down here to Sarasota with my F-150. It is probably about 5,000-6,000lbs. total. I have no doubt my truck will do it with confidence. Even in the hills on the way home. Good luck.
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'99 XLT S/C 4.6 Auto 3.55 LS Oxford White,Orlando appearance package, trailer tow package, keyless entry, A.R.E. Hard tonneau, ventvisors and bug guard all painted to match, limo tint, 5 spoke aluminum wheels, Kenwood 6 Disc, black Back Country nerfs, Buccaneers front license plate! I Luv it!



[This message has been edited by seacrow (edited 08-07-1999).]

 

Ive towed easily 4000lbs before, and it pulls nice. I have no problem. My max trailer weight for my hitch is 5000lbs but the engine can do more than that I am sure of. Or you can get the bigger 5.4 which does the job with ease, towing more than 7000lbs. Well, If you end up going over the max trailer weight of the 4.6, you have a problem. But it would be hard to go over the 5.4's with what you have. Its up to you.

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Fast46Triton


1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter
Future Mods:
1)Superchip
2)Airbox Mod
3)Flowmaster Exhaust

Estimated Quarter Mile Time by the use of a calculator and websites:
ET: 16.7 Trap Speed: 83-84mph

Fast46Triton

Speed kills. Drive a Silverado or Ram and live forever!

 

MGager,

I have a 97 F150 S/C LWB with a 4.6 and a 3.55 gear. I pull a heavy open car trailer with my truck. With a 3000+ lb. car on the trailer, I can get up to expressway speed (70 mph) fairly easily. I do need to floor it up most hills to keep from losing speed.

I think the answer to your question depends on a few things. Do you live in a hilly area? If you do, get the 5.4. Do you plan on towing an enclosed trailer (or anything with more frontal are than your truck)? If you do, get the 5.4. Does it bother you to work your engine hard. If it does, get the 5.4.

Like I said earlier, I am happy with the towing ability of my truck. I live in a flat area, never tow an enclosed trailer, and don't care if I work the engine hard. I think it helps that I have the 3.55 gear and towing package. Being a loaded S/C LWB 2 WD, makes my truck heavy. If the truck you buy weighs less, it will pull even better.

 

thanks guys ive heard a lot about a piston slap problem with the 5.4L trucks. im assuming this is a "ticking" sound? any other problems the piston slap could cause?

if it matters i would probably be looking for a 97 model, extended cab, short bed, 2WD, automatic

MIke

 

seacrow and Bent 6 are telling you good tips. Don't forget to turn overdrive "off". The tow package is very important too. Mine tows pretty good and I am very impressed with the power around 3000 to 4000 rpm. The SOHC 4.6 Likes to rev.

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, trailer tow pkg, ABM with K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill.

 

McGager,
I consistently carry 1000lbs of payload (camper shell, gear and four passengers) and tow a 3000lb boat in a mountainous area. I have the 4.6l, 5spd and 3.55 rear end. It tows wonderfully! And gets very respectable mileage.

If you get the 5spd, don't waste your money on a tow package. You can get a receiver and all for less than $180 installed. If you get the automatic, you'll want the tow package to keep the tranny cool.

This is my 3rd Ford truck. The most important factor in my experience is the rear end... the 3.08 doesn't allow enough rpm's for towing.

Good luck!


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'98 F150 XLT S/C 4x4 4.6L 5spd 3.55 Lt Denim Blue, Raven camper shell

 

I just got my truck and have not towed anything personally, but I have a friend with a '97 XLT 4.2 (yes a V6) 5spd 4wd who uses his truck a daily transportation on the farm. He has towed a fully loaded (13,000lbs+) fertilizer buggy to the field with no problem. So i think you could be fairly safe with any F150 engine/tranny option you choose.

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stock 98 XL, Reg. cab,4.6, Auto, Tow package, 255/70R16 on styled steel wheels,3.55LS, Black with chrome grille and bumpers! MODS: custom stereo by me, building speaker box was a !@#$%.

 

Sure he can tow it, but how fast?

 

You want to get the tow package no matter what transmission you have. $400. (sticker) gets you the hitch, electrical hook up plus oil and trans cooler. Installing all of these aftermarket costs much more. I'd sure hate to have an "otherwise warrenty covered" problem occur from towing with a vehical that didn't have the tow package.

 

Only the 5.4L gets an engine oil cooler and only automatic transmissions have coolers (there is no "fluid" in a manual transmission to cool). Tow pkg does include a larger radiator and altenator regardless of engine/tranny combo. I'm not sure about F150s, but all Expeditions come with trailer wiring already installed. All factory parts are covered under warranty as long as you don't exceed the specifications of the vehicle or abuse it.

I tow a 3000 lb boat & trailer plus 31 gal of gas in the boat, 30 gal in the Expedition and all the camping gear with NO tow pkg. For less than $300, I've added a nice round-tube hitch and a tranny cooler that's 3x larger than OEM. The 4.6 is a little slow getting started in the 100+ degree heat, but once up to speed, 70-75 mph is nothing. Of course, a few mods help.

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player.

1993 4x2 F150 Reg. Cab LWB- 5.0L, cat-back dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, Superchip, fresh paint, and Line-X bedliner.
http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

If you are concerned about both PRICE and TOWING capability, get a Super Duty! I got the F-250 Super Duty (bought it to tow) and paid less for a Crew Cab Long Bed than my buddy paid for his F-150 SC!!! I have a V-10 and he's only got a 5.4l V-8. The big cost difference??? He got the ORP and I have a 4x2.
We have same roof height - mine weighs more but gets better mileage.
I was amazed that one could get a Super Duty for less than a 150. It's true! I ordered mine through the Fleet Manager and he bought his "off the lot".
Good luck with whatever you decide to buy. I love my Super Duty. (It even has it's own web-site )

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

I haven't drove a stick in years-soory about the missinfo. But I have the 4.6 w/tow. and it has an oil cooler.

 

If you are talking about the little cooler in the lower right corner (as you look through the grille at the radiator), then that is the power steering cooler. The following is a post from Tim A.:


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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player.

1993 4x2 F150 Reg. Cab LWB- 5.0L, cat-back dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, Superchip, fresh paint, and Line-X bedliner.
http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo