Hi - couldn't find this topic, so apologies if it's a repeated post. I have a 03 5.4 4wd XLT SuperCab with 150K. Original owner, great truck, no real issues over the years. Replaced all 8 cylinder coils in past 2 years, but other than that - no problems. Thinking of towing a 5,000 lb camper long distance - but don't want to kill truck. In your experience, would I be putting too much on her? Or can she handle it? I towed a pop up & had a big bike (1,000 lb) in truck bed 2 years ago - 7,300 miles - no problem. I would look into trans cooler & get trailer brakes if I make this trip. Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I would say it should be fine. My brother and I towed a uhaul trailer ( 1,900 pounds unloaded ) like 100 miles or something like that loaded down with heavy furniture.. ( dressers beds TV sets. You name it. ) without a problem. ( if I had to guess it was pushing 4,500 pounds ) And the truck's drivetrain and everything had more then 100,000 miles more then your truck does now.

 

Trailer brake will make it easier for you. As long as it's not hilly I would think you would be fine without the upgraded tranny cooler.

 

OK thanks - I've heard the 5.4 was designed to go 300K - hope to be good for a cross country trip or two ;-) The Rockies would be my biggest concern - that was a little hairy with the pop up & bike in bed last time - so, definitely trailer brakes this time - & I'll get it a thorough going over before trip. Appreciate the input.

 

there's a gray plug under the dash that make it plug and play and you'll have trailer brakes if it's a 7 pin harness on the trailer.

 

They are not designed for a specific mileage.

You'll be fine. 150k isn't high mileage.

 

I just recently towed way over that, with higher miles, across the us and on 14lbs of boost lol. You'll be fine. Just realize your braking will be absolutely junk. Definitely suggest an trailer brake controller as others have mentioned

 

Thanks for all the good info - such a great truck - just didn't want to push it too hard. I think with trailer brake controller & a trailer about 5,000 lbs I should be OK. Road trip coming up!

 

Make sure tstat is working . make sure radiator cap good and can take pressure without leaking.

Change oil and use mobil 1 synthetic. Visc doesnt break down at high temps
Consider 10w30 instead of 5w20 for same reason, maintsin viscosity. The 5w20 is for fuel efficiency. 10w30 is better oil for engine protection, esp on engine with wear.

Service transmission, all new fluid if hasnt been done recently

 

Use the oil recommended by the manufacture, they spent thousands of dollars designing these trucks.