Driving impressions?

Looking for a new truck later this year. Seems like with the 6 speed, trailer brake controller, and sway control, it would pretty nice.

Just wondering if anyone's using one.

I don't have a 09 F-150 however my company ride is a 08 Ford Expedition, 6 speed auto (6R75 vs 80) and the same 5.4 but a heavier rig (EL 4x4). It tows GREAT. It tows as well as my old 3/4 ton suburban (2005 K2500 Suburban w/ Quadra steer) but with a much better ride. I get 17 or so on the highway unloaded and anywhere from 8 to 12 towing. Heaviest load was a 2,500 lb trailer and a 6,500 lb bucket. It was heavy but never once did it feel over worked or under powered. I think my GM 6.0 had more torque when getting around on the highway but the expedition does well. Only problem is that they don't let you select gears like the new GM 6 speeds. I'd have no problem towing 9 or 10 k lbs all over the US with a F-150, granted it's not a F-350 w/ a diesel it gets the job done. I've been toying with the idea of getting a CC 6.5' bed to tow my jeep and car around but my next order will probably be a 1500 CC / SB Sierra with the 6.2. Something about 403 hp and 417 torque in a gasser tow rig is sweet. That and I've got an extra two grand off with my GM card.

Thanks for the info :) I don't tow a ig enough vehicle to really warrant my old crusty V10 dodge (3000lb flatfender).

I'll have to look at the shifters in the F150s. There are no manual shift gates on my Fusion, which is a complete PITA. Don't know what Ford is thinking with that...

I don't have the 6 speed but I do have an 06 f150 with the 4 speed. If your towing a bunch I would do two things. 1 is get the module from Edge Products. It is VERY effective. 2 is put in bags in the rear. With those I have towed vehicles all across this nation once or twice. I towed over 10k, probably over 11 from Laramie Wyoming (7400 ft up) to Columbus Ohio with out an issue. Oh yea, let me add a 3rd; tow in drive not OD. Your mileage is gonna suck either way might as well keep the tranny happy.


micky

I have a 2009 F250 4x4 crew cab with 6 speed and as far as towing it has plenty of power to pull my rig however I am very unhappy with the transmission on the truck. When in traffic the shifting between 1 and 2nd is horrible it shakes the whole truck. I took it to the dealer and they tested it and said it was normal. I just sent this in an email to ford

(I recently purchased a 2009 F250 crew cab 4x4 lariat from my local dealer in Lexington SC. I have about 3000 miles on the truck and I took it in to have the transmission looked at because it is shifting really strange between 1st and 2nd gear and it downshifts strange. The shifting between 1st and 2nd shakes the whole truck at slow speeds, however if I push the gas to the floor it will shift fine ( in traffic I can’t drive like this). The local service dealer tested my truck and said it was normal. I have found numerous online f150 or truck forums where there are many people have the same problem. This is real irritating to the point where I am thinking of selling the truck and supporting GM, Toyota, or Dodge with my next and all future vehicle purchases. I would not expect for a vehicle that cost $42,030.00 to drive so poorly. Is there any fix for this that my dealer is not aware of that would solve this problem? )

I am waiting on a reply but I would think twice about the ford, unless you like your truck to jerk like hell between the gears. However I do think it tows the load good and I love the indash brake controler.

I have a 2009 F250 4x4 crew cab with 6 speed and as far as towing it has plenty of power to pull my rig however I am very unhappy with the transmission on the truck. When in traffic the shifting between 1 and 2nd is horrible it shakes the whole truck. I took it to the dealer and they tested it and said it was normal. I just sent this in an email to ford

(I recently purchased a 2009 F250 crew cab 4x4 lariat from my local dealer in Lexington SC. I have about 3000 miles on the truck and I took it in to have the transmission looked at because it is shifting really strange between 1st and 2nd gear and it downshifts strange. The shifting between 1st and 2nd shakes the whole truck at slow speeds, however if I push the gas to the floor it will shift fine ( in traffic I can’t drive like this). The local service dealer tested my truck and said it was normal. I have found numerous online f150 or truck forums where there are many people have the same problem. This is real irritating to the point where I am thinking of selling the truck and supporting GM, Toyota, or Dodge with my next and all future vehicle purchases. I would not expect for a vehicle that cost $42,030.00 to drive so poorly. Is there any fix for this that my dealer is not aware of that would solve this problem? )

I am waiting on a reply but I would think twice about the ford, unless you like your truck to jerk like hell between the gears. However I do think it tows the load good and I love the indash brake controler.

They do not put 6 speed autos in the F-250. So do you even know what you bought? F-150's and expeditions have a 6 speed auto, the Superdutys have a 5 speed tourqeshit or a 6spd manual.

its a f150 I used to have a 250 but I hate I messed up the email to ford

its a f150 I used to have a 250 but I hate I messed up the email to ford

Ford probably will not read the email anyways :shaking:

The funny thing is all they need to do to fix the odd shifting issues is fix their shifting program in the PCM. It's not THAT hard to do :laughing:

Ford probably will not read the email anyways :shaking:

The funny thing is all they need to do to fix the odd shifting issues is fix their shifting program in the PCM. It's not THAT hard to do :laughing:

It's not a PCM issue. There is a TSB out there on the Expeditions for it, not sure about the 150s yet. It's to remove the Trans and replace the 3rd gear clutch assembly with a revised one. My expedition used to bang bad when slowing in traffic. Now it's super smooth. Check for TSBs.

bump, anyone else get a new F150 this year? Looking to pick up a 5.4/6 speed supercrew at the end of the year :beer:

bump, anyone else get a new F150 this year? Looking to pick up a 5.4/6 speed supercrew at the end of the year :beer:

Still using the expedition here. It's been a great truck, not one warranty issue (did do the trans update). It's been a great truck. we have a couple more 5.4s in our fleet now (09/10 F-150 cc/sb 4x4s). They work great but the guys driving them are going from F-350s to them, They like them everyday except the heavy loads. Keep in mind we're in FL so it's flat and low. The f-150 is without a doubt the best daily driver there is, smooth, comfortable, reliable, and good resale.

That being said, I was ready to order a King Ranch F-150 (2010 so it has the revised cooling system and larger brakes) but I just saw the 2011 Superduty w/ the 6.2 and 6 speed. I'm probably going to wait for that.

Michigan isn't too demanding, either, grade wise. No one in the groups even in half tons had much issue the times we've pulled to tellico or harlan.

But its just for a normal jeep on a normal trailer, not that many trips a year. Rest of the time its a daily driver, and the comfort factor is nice...

Michigan isn't too demanding, either, grade wise. No one in the groups even in half tons had much issue the times we've pulled to tellico or harlan.

But its just for a normal jeep on a normal trailer, not that many trips a year. Rest of the time its a daily driver, and the comfort factor is nice...

If that is the case then I would be all over a F-150. I personally would, if towing, get a Super Crew 4x4 (your in MI) 6.5' bed w/ Max Tow Package (gives big tow mirrors, 3.73 gears). This will give the the SAME wheelbase as a Superduty F-250/350 CC/SB and 1" narrower track. I'd say that would be very stable even in the worst conditions. I went to a 5'8" bed GM from a 6 1/2 foot bed from a Ford and it sucked losing that foot. That's why I'd get the 6.5 bed.

We have an 09 and JUST got a '10 in at work (salesman trucks). We've had the 09 for 4 months, it's towed a car hauler with very little weight on it (probably 3-4k total weight) probably twice. It's already spraying tranny fluid out, and has had a few other bugs that have put it in the shop (headliner won't stay up, clunks and leaks, etc). I'm not impressed.

We have an 09 and JUST got a '10 in at work (salesman trucks). We've had the 09 for 4 months, it's towed a car hauler with very little weight on it (probably 3-4k total weight) probably twice. It's already spraying tranny fluid out, and has had a few other bugs that have put it in the shop (headliner won't stay up, clunks and leaks, etc). I'm not impressed.

Sounds like you 09 F-150 was built by the same guy that built my 06 silverado on a saturday after a hard friday of drinking.

Wife's 07 F150 S/Crew 5.4/auto tows like shit. I dont know what auto she has.
But my 2800pd 18ft carhauler almost set it on the overloads. Then with the 4800pd buggy. On my god that was a scary hour drive. Never got over 55mph.
Left the buggy and trailer at my grand parents and drove my 01 3/4 ctd back the next weekend and pull it home.

I wouldnt buy first model cars. Your asking to be a ginnea pig.

Wife's 07 F150 S/Crew 5.4/auto tows like shit. I dont know what auto she has.
But my 2800pd 18ft carhauler almost set it on the overloads. Then with the 4800pd buggy. On my god that was a scary hour drive. Never got over 55mph.
Left the buggy and trailer at my grand parents and drove my 01 3/4 ctd back the next weekend and pull it home.

I wouldnt buy first model cars. Your asking to be a ginnea pig.

Yeah, I wouldn't be buying a half ton to tow 7500+ lbs like that. Sounds like your tongue weight was much too high, though, if it put it down that low.

Yeah, I wouldn't be buying a half ton to tow 7500+ lbs like that. Sounds like your tongue weight was much too high, though, if it put it down that low.
I totally agree...problem is that ford advertises these as having a 10,500# towing capacity (of course, that's with a bare bones, long ass wheelbase, and the right engine/tranny combo)

I totally agree...problem is that ford advertises these as having a 10,500# towing capacity (of course, that's with a bare bones, long ass wheelbase, and the right engine/tranny combo)

Actually not it's a max combined weight of 17,100 I believe. Thats still a lot of weight for any vehicle.

Actually not it's a max combined weight of 17,100 I believe. Thats still a lot of weight for any vehicle.
http://www.fordf150.net/2007/2007-ford-f150-specifications.php

Scroll to the bottom.

http://www.fordf150.net/2007/2007-ford-f150-specifications.php

Scroll to the bottom.

my bad, I was speaking about the 09-10. I don't have any clue as to the max weight on the 04-07 models.

I totally agree...problem is that ford advertises these as having a 10,500# towing capacity (of course, that's with a bare bones, long ass wheelbase, and the right engine/tranny combo)

Well, I bet if he loaded the tongue properly and had a WD hitch which should be considered mandatory on that kind of a load, it shouldn't be hurting the truck that much. I think if you had the ones with the max trailer tow, a proper WD hitch, properly loaded trailer, you could be OK up above 8000 lbs.

I know with my 3/4 tons, I tend to get sloppy with getting the tongue weight right, because it could handle way more without any trouble.

We have pretty flat land here in MI, haven't done any serious mtn passes since tellico closed, and nothing like out west where the passes are longer and the elevation saps power. I think the closer spaced gears would be nicer here, for sure.

Compared with my curret 96 V10 dodge, the F150 has more horsepower, better gearing, better brakes, better transmission logic, etc. Vehicle length/mass is about the same as my previous V8 3/4 dodge.


I have a line on a nice 2009 right now, $10k under sticker. Hopefully can get it brought up to my dealer before it sells. Not many 09's left on the lots right now...

Well, I bet if he loaded the tongue properly and had a WD hitch which should be considered mandatory on that kind of a load, it shouldn't be hurting the truck that much. I think if you had the ones with the max trailer tow, a proper WD hitch, properly loaded trailer, you could be OK up above 8000 lbs.

I know with my 3/4 tons, I tend to get sloppy with getting the tongue weight right, because it could handle way more without any trouble.

We have pretty flat land here in MI, haven't done any serious mtn passes since tellico closed, and nothing like out west where the passes are longer and the elevation saps power. I think the closer spaced gears would be nicer here, for sure.

Compared with my curret 96 V10 dodge, the F150 has more horsepower, better gearing, better brakes, better transmission logic, etc. Vehicle length/mass is about the same as my previous V8 3/4 dodge.


I have a line on a nice 2009 right now, $10k under sticker. Hopefully can get it brought up to my dealer before it sells. Not many 09's left on the lots right now...

I'd get a 2010 personally. The brakes are night and day different.

Wife's 07 F150 S/Crew 5.4/auto tows like shit. I dont know what auto she has.
But my 2800pd 18ft carhauler almost set it on the overloads. Then with the 4800pd buggy. On my god that was a scary hour drive. Never got over 55mph.
Left the buggy and trailer at my grand parents and drove my 01 3/4 ctd back the next weekend and pull it home.

I wouldnt buy first model cars. Your asking to be a ginnea pig.

:rolleyes:
My 04 5.4 tows a heavier rig on a heavier trailer just fine. I hold 65-70 no probelm. But Texas is pretty flat, and it has the Edge programmer set to tow.

Will be looking to replace it with a new f150 in the next few years.

I'd get a 2010 personally. The brakes are night and day different.

I think you are a little bit confused as the "New" F-150 started in 2009 so a 2010 F-150 going to have the exact same brakes as a 2009...

I think you are a little bit confused as the "New" F-150 started in 2009 so a 2010 F-150 going to have the exact same brakes as a 2009...

no confusion here. 2009 and 2010 trucks have completely different brake systems, new master cyl, new front calipers, rotors, rear rotors and calipers pad, it's all new except the lines.

Sorry to say they changed the brakes after the 1st year on them.

If you need more then my word please see attached link.

2010 F-150 Changes (http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/07/2010-ford-f-150-pickup-truck-receives-minor-updates.html)
Update #1 July-21-2009 11:44 PDT:
Here's an update to the 2010 model year changes for the F-150 after speaking with Mark Grueber, marketing manager for the Ford F-150.

Upgraded brakes: The only notable engineering change for the 2010 F-150 is an overhauled brake system. It includes new rotors that are 6 percent larger than last year's rotors, plus new front calipers, master cylinder, brake booster and linings. Grueber said F-150 drivers should see improved brake feel, reduced stopping distance and reduced brake dust thanks to the upgrades.

Had not heard that, the BB Spec book still shows everything the same as 2009.

It most be my trailer setup. My father-in-law pulls his drag car alot with a 06.5 same truck. Diffent trailer.

I thought I'd provide an update here:

So I picked up a 2009 F150. Its a 5.4 / 6 speed 4x4, with 3.55 gears. XLT, with the backup camera. It did not come with the factory brake controller, so I installed it myself, which is easy to do.

My usage is as a daily driver, and for towing about 10 times a year, mostly ~300-500 mile round trips in Michigan, which isn't too bad on hills. Nothing real big like KY/TN, or out west. I am the average joe type load, one of my Jeeps on a 16 ft tandem flatbed, so thats about a 6000lb load, around 8.5ft tall to the top of the Jeep.

I am getting 14-15 city, and 18-19 hwy, which I'm perfectly happy with. Towing seems to be about 11-12mpg, at 70 mph. I think 65mph in the summer could probably push it above 12.

Very happy with this truck in all regards. As a DD, it has plenty power for what I need. Its not a rocket, but compared to a 5.3 chevy, or Hemi ram (only has the ~4.5 speed trans), they all felt about the same. The 6 speed is a real big improvement over the 4 speed.

The backup camera is the best money I spent. For trailering, you can see the trailer ball in the display, so you get it on the trailer first time, every time.

The trailer brake controller works extremely well, worth the upgrade over my old prodigy. Its integrated into the trailer sway software in the truck, so the truck can automatically apply the trailer brakes for you if it gets hairy. I felt no pushing or dragging from the trailer at all during our last trip.

Power wise, was fine for me, for this kind of load. Tow haul worked well, and let me hold gears. 5th gear gave a good rpm, around 2300 rpm, which seemed to hold speed better than 4th in the 3/4 ton V10 dodge I replaced. Gets off the line good enough with the low first gear. It seems to have much better lower torque compared to a Chevy 5.3 which tends to like 3000+ rpms for hills.

For for the average user, VERY happy with the truck.