Is a 4.6 v8 enough in a full size F-150

[JD3203]

I am looking at purchasing a F-150 for the farm. It has a 4.6 liter engine and is 4x4. I need to be able to move the 3203 a short distance down the road. Im worried that it will not be able to do it successfully with out completly maxing it out. The tractor and trailer ad the bushhog will be about 5,000. Any thoughts?

 

[Peacock]

Won't be overly powerful, but will do the job.

 

[dodge man]

We have had several of them in the past and have one now at my work. They aren't exactly power houses, but I wouldn't be worried about pulling 5000lbs with one. Short distances would be fine and I wouldn't worry about going a long ways with one if your only pulling 5000lbs.

 

[Soundguy]

We have had several of them in the past and have one now at my work. They aren't exactly power houses, but I wouldn't be worried about pulling 5000lbs with one. Short distances would be fine and I wouldn't worry about going a long ways with one if your only pulling 5000lbs.

i agree. I wouldn't try pulling out into traffic with it. but it will make the trailer roll.

IMHO... I'd get more than I thought i needed.. vs just barely enough to get by for now, with no future uses in mind.

BTDT too long .. not doing it anymore.

Even if I have to buy older and used.. I'd rather have excess capability. which is why I drive a 99 f350 drw .. I sacrafice a lil tire and fuel eonomy $ to get safety and capacity.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It will be enough but I would make sure it has 3.73 or 4.10 gears. Anything higher and it will be a pig.

If it were me I would hold out for a 5.4L motor.

Chris

 

[Bird]

I'd probably prefer the larger engine, but I think the 4.6 has long been a good engine. Naturally the gearing is different, but I have a 4.6 in my 2002 Crown Vic and in that sedan, it has plenty of power. My brother has a 4.6 in a 2003 Crown Vic and pulls a trailer with a fully enclosed golf cart almost every day. He says when he pulls that trailer back and forth between Texas and the state of Washington, he turns off the overdrive. The dealer told him, and truthfully I think, that running any distance and any speed with the overdrive turned off wouldn't hurt a thing except the gas mileage.

 

[Peacock]

I'd probably prefer the larger engine, but I think the 4.6 has long been a good engine. Naturally the gearing is different, but I have a 4.6 in my 2002 Crown Vic and in that sedan, it has plenty of power. My brother has a 4.6 in a 2003 Crown Vic and pulls a trailer with a fully enclosed golf cart almost every day. He says when he pulls that trailer back and forth between Texas and the state of Washington, he turns off the overdrive. The dealer told him, and truthfully I think, that running any distance and any speed with the overdrive turned off wouldn't hurt a thing except the gas mileage.

Yep. Direct in the 4R70W has the whole rotating assy locked. Pretty stout like that.

 

[Wayne64SS]

I'd usually tell you to buy Ford every time, however I think fords modular gas motors are severely lacking in power and fuel efficiency. They're pretty bulletproof, but that's easy to do when they don't make any power. I know nothing about the eco-boost motors, and the new 5.0 in the mustang is great but i don't know if it's available in a truck yet.

 

[JJZ 109]

I know nothing about the eco-boost motors, and the new 5.0 in the mustang is great but i don't know if it's available in a truck yet.

I've got a 5.0 in my 2013 F150. Used it to pull a 7x18 enclosed trailer (probably 7 to 8,000 pounds worth) loaded with a seamless gutter business one day when the bucket truck was down. It had plenty of power for that.
Back in the late 90's/early 2000's I had a couple of 4.6's. Didn't do that great of a job with a single axle boat trailer with a 20' Rinker cuddy cabin on it. I never got another 4.6 after that.

 

[Wayne64SS]

I've got a 5.0 in my 2013 F150. Used it to pull a 7x18 enclosed trailer (probably 7 to 8,000 pounds worth) loaded with a seamless gutter business one day when the bucket truck was down. It had plenty of power for that.
Back in the late 90's/early 2000's I had a couple of 4.6's. Didn't do that great of a job with a single axle boat trailer with a 20' Rinker cuddy cabin on it. I never got another 4.6 after that.

Yea that 5.0 is MILES ahead of the old modular platform. :thumbsup: