hodgie

I'm in the market for a f-150 crewcab but need info on which engine I need. I tow a 3500 lb deck boat to FL,NC and AL from TN and a few smaller boats also, can a 4.6 handle that? What is the MPG difference in the 2 engines? I have found the hp is very similar. I have towed my boat with a Dodge Ram with the small V8 and it struggled on the interstate. I don't believe sales people so tell me the real deal. Thanx

Weldman0730

Yeah both engines should be able to handle that, what year are you looking at, my 1997 4.6 has plenty of torque, but it may struggle with higher speeds.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the 5.4L in general

pro- more horsepower/ torque
pro-better resale value
pro-better gas mileage while towing
con-1-2 mpg less while not towing
con- cost more upfront to buy the truck

NGM

I have the 4.6 in my truck and its a little slow on takeoff with a good load, but once up to speed she does fine. I never checked my mileage towing because I never towed far enough to do that. I pulled my pa in laws full sized 4wd chevy on a trailer (with no trailer brakes) and it did just fine. It also had an engine in the bed of the truck.

Farmer Sean

haul a 7.5 ton hay trailor w/ no brakes with plenty of power on the 2v 5.4
got 19 mpg with the stock 265/70 tires empty, 16 when towing my buddies ski boat on a 150 mile round trip through hilly roads.
now i get about 16-16.5 mpg with my 285's

hodgie

Sounds like the 5.4 is the way to go and thats what I am looking at. I found a 2001 ford f150 crewcab w/ 68K and they are asking $8000 for it.

dplummer87

5.4 is the way to go...Why turn down that little extra power if you're going to be towing?

8000 is over priced.

I just got 6 from the dealer for my 05 4.2 with 40,000

CRPbaseball02

dude you got ripped with that trade in

theville89

i would try to talk them down a bit, but either way if that truck is in good shape i would jump on that deal.

i paid 9k for my 2000 s-cab lariat 5.4 with 56k miles last july.

dplummer87

6 was KBB...The truck was worth more i know, but not much more...Why do you say i got ripped?

4.2 V6, Regular Cab. Flowmaster Exhaust, Power Window, Power Lock, Spray in bed liner. It had 42500 miles if I remember right.

dplummer87

Im kind of sad looking at it now :-( I liked my truck. Got the wheels of an Fx4, flowmaster exhaust, superchip, 1500 in stereo equipment, bed liner... oh well, on to bigger and better things.