Buttaluv

I have an 03 extended cab 4.6 auto 4x4...I pull a small lawn trailer, about 3500 lbs...truck alone does fine, plenty of power...hook trailer up and that thing is a dog.. I've done a search and researched some..it has dual exhaust, just did the Gotts...I was going to get a tuner, but seems most don't think it helped much with these older trucks...any help is appreciated...

white89gt

The best thing is going to be gears. I am betting you'e got 3.55's, right?

Jbrew

Besides gears. A small 3500 lb trailer. For a 4six, yea the low end will be hurting, but you can do it. Cruising speeds will be okay, until you hit an incline. For the most part, you'll just have to deal with it. You can do little things that will help. Long tube headers can help, if you set the rest of the exhaust up correctly. E-fans will help take off, getting up to speed and maintaining cruising speeds. It's really not a pulling engine.

Buttaluv

I was afraid of that. This truck replaced a gmc with the 4.8...it had plenty of power, got good gas mileage, this poor thing can't get out of its own way and drinks gas...not exactly sure of gearing, I don't think I want to go into the expense of that for what it is..

greenheadkiller98

According to the Chevys owner, My 4.6 non PI with 3.55s and 285s pulled better than his 5.3 vortec on stocks... And yes I let him tow with my truck lol.

Do you have oversize tires on it? I pulled lots with my 4.6 and it seemed really good for its size. Deff not as fast as a 4.8, but towed great for what it was

white89gt

Satisfy my curiosity. Is your 4.6 a Windsor or Romeo?

greenheadkiller98

It was a 98 Romeo

It's my dad's truck now that I've upgraded to a PI 5.4, and it's got 4.11s on 265 tires now, he pulls his 24 ft camper no problem with it, around 5500lbs

CDIESEL

Are you trying to race? I tow about double that with the 5.4 and feel I'm fine. Have you done any maintenance to it such as plugs filter etc? My tuner made the biggest difference with towing for me.

Fordfan2006

overdrive off? That'd help..

blupupher

iTrader: (2)

Yes, but the 5.4 has a lot more torque in the low end (350 ft/lbs @ 2500 rpm) vs the 4.6 (293ft/lbs @ 3500 rpm's).
The 5.4 is a much better towing motor than the 4.6.

That being said, aside from re-gearing, not a lot can be done.