2004 Ford SD F-250 XLT 4x4

[bfisher]

We looked at one of these to buy from an individual. We need to pull a 14ft trailer with a tractor on it. It has the 5.4 V8 engine in this truck. I read somewhere where someone else said it got horrible mileage and that the engine was too small for a truck that big especially if you were pulling something. Anyone out there have any comments??

[ModMech]

Yes I have a comment or two which I hope are useful.

1) That engine is rated at like 300 Hp/300Tq (more than a '94 460 I might add), how much power do you need?

2) Fuel economy is based on power used (drag, acceleration rates etc). They should get you very similar MPGs to the '03 and earlier trucks (12-16 MPG), which is FAR better than the 460 or even 351 (5.8L) of yesteryear.

3) I pulled a 22' trailer with a 5400# 1969 Lincoln on it with a 1999 F-150 4.6L auto and Trailer Tow. Was it "enough" power, power yes, Tq no. Mileage: 15.5 MPG over 756 miles, that's respectable! Was the TRUCK "enough truck" for that load? YES. I would easily pull a 5th wheel with it, just not one that weighed in at almost 7500#.

4) Is the truck equipped with the CLASS V trailer tow package? If not, it may not be albe to pull as well or reliabally as it should if properly equipped.