1stTruckGuy

What are your experiences good or bad with this combo? Specifically I'm looking at towing my 6200 gvwr trailer with a 2010 max tow platinum supercrew. It has 3.73 gears but the 9-10 trucks did not have selectshift like my 12 Lariat 5.0 has. Does the transmission hunt a lot in the hills?

My 5.slow has 3.55 gears and I have to lock out 5 and 6 towing on the highway, frequently forcing a 3rd gear downshift on hills (even with my 5* tune). I've found a good deal on a 10 platinum max tow/payload truck with less than half the miles of my 12 Lariat. I'd be gaining tow capacity and payload, as well as navigation, moonroof, power boards, premium sound and heated rear seats. But I live in Idaho and camp at elevation so gears and torque are what I'm looking for. I do not want an ecoboost as it would have high miles in my price range in the trim I'm wanting. A f250 gas Lariat is impossible to find and crazy expensive in these parts. Not interested in diesel either, I have my reasons.

My 3.55 gears leave me in 2nd gear at 4-5k rpm at times which is the sweet spot for torque and power with the 5.0 but it feels like it's going to explode and the transmission gets hot (up to 235) since the converter can't lock in 2nd gear.

Long story short, how will the 5.4 and 6r80 compare towing to my 5.0 3.55 geared truck? The 5.4 has more low end torque and rated to tow 11k pounds vs my higher horsepower higher revving 5.0 rated at an optimistic 7900 pounds.

BRUTE448

I'd keep your truck and jsut re-gear for $2K or so to factory 4.10's same as the raptor. In idaho, i'd be at eco boost or bust.

in going to a 5.4 your losing 20-40 horse power and 20 lbs of tq and it being a plat. your going to weight more off the bat then ur XLT as plats have all the options

i wouldn't suggest steping back in power and newness and weight for some facotory options. if u can, wait for the 18' gen 2 eco to come for 2018 and pick up a 14 eco.

1stTruckGuy

The 5.0 has more horsepower and torque but at much higher rpm than the 5.4. I have stock tire size, not sure if 4.10s on stock 18" wheels would affect unloaded drivability. I was considering the regear but wasn't sure if it would be enough to keep my in 3rd gear where the converter can lock instead of 2nd where it screams and cannot. Biggest problem is transmission heat as a result of high rpm in 2nd gear. I've upgraded to a larger cooler but it made little to no difference, I still see 230+ on long grades.

Other factor is miles. I'm a shade over 86k,whereas the other truck has just 40k and I'd have a smaller payment. Unfortunately I just found out that the payload on the platinum door sticker is 52 pounds LESS than my Lariat despite the platinum having the 7700gvwr (mine is 7250). Those power boards, moonroof, and subwoofer must be quite heavy. Can anyone weigh in on towing ability of the 5.4? After all it is rated for 11k+ pounds. Mine is 7900 but the 6k I'm pulling is all it can handle in the hills of Idaho.

smokeywren

You want to have your cake and eat it too. Your Mommy should have taught you that you cannot do that.


You need a 3.5L EcoBoost drivetrain with Max Tow option. Yeah, those cost more, especially with King Ranch or Platinum trim.


You will not be happy with the antiquated 5.4L V8. You will love the 3.5L EcoBoost drivetrain. So suck it up, pay the money, and get the good stuff.

1stTruckGuy

Not interested in ecoboost, as I said I am looking for opinions of people who have towed with the 6 speed and 5.4 max tow option. I had an 05 with 3.73 and it needed 2nd gear and high rpm in the hills bit it was the 4 speed.

jkenprice1

I think you should be fine. Even if you don't have select shift, you should have some kind of tow button. I think that truck would do better than what you have. I'd enjoy all the extras.

1stTruckGuy

5* can tune out overdrive when in tow haul mode to reduce gear hunting, not sure of that's 5 and 6 or can be just 6th though. I've been reading about the torque difference between the 5.0 and the 5.4 and to match the torque in every gear, I would need 4.10s in my 5.0. According to the interwebs 3.73 in a 5.0 is equivalent to a 3.55 in the 5.4 (which matches with the tow ratings of each configuration as well). Just found out though that the platinum has 50 pounds less payload than my Lariat despite having a higher gvwr (7700 vs my 7250). That platinum must be heavy as all get out. Anyway, I'm taking it for a test drive tomorrow and will see how it goes.

5.0GN tow

A regear would be far better, the 5.4 will be a rough go at altitude even more than the 5.0. They ran out of ability to breathe at high RPM where the 5.0 wont. The 5.4 may have torque a bit lower but not enough to matter. Plus you will still probably be above its peak torque and have less HP than the 5.0.

1stTruckGuy

I drove the truck today, far more low end grunt than my 5.0, it actually surprised me. It didn't wind out above 3500 rpm but it was very strong. With a tune it would be even better. No leaks, motor is quiet, truck is in excellent shape with brand new LT 20" tires as well. Waiting to see how much I would get screwed on the trade in. They are also debating whether I can test drive it with my trailer behind it, shouldnt that be a standard option? They claim their insurance wouldn't cover the truck and mine would only cover my trailer.... I call BS but that decision is theres.

BRUTE448

to get you moving even in the mountains yes the 5.4 will get u there, but to spin up top and pass esp at higher elev in ID, i'd pref the 4 valve 5.0. are there any 11-14 6.2 f150's in your area that meet the $ mark?