I have an opportunity to get a good deal on a 2004 Ford F150 Supercrew 4X2 with 4.6L 2 valve engine. I dont tow a bunch but when I do it will be a Skeeter 200ZX on tandom axle trailer with brakes. Trips are local lakes...Fork, Pines, Rayburn 25-100 miles. Anyone have experience with this engine and comparable size boat/trailer? I realize the tow capacity will handle it but in "real life" what about performance??

I have a 2003 F150 with the 4.6L , Triton V-8 . I have pulled small popups into the mountains to Ft.Davis Texas and had no problems . My ball is on the bumper , don't have a regular trailer hitch . I've also pulled a trailor for car carrying but had a load of trees , not a car on it . So far have never had problems with towing . Back a few years ago I had to have a coil , wire and sparkplug replaced and just a couple days ago had the belt and tensioner pulley replaced as well as the EGR Valve and a couple other things replaced . Never had any inside the block problems and never had any transmission problems . When I first bought it it got great gas mileage like 21mpg fuel but now around 14 mpg . Got 137k and most of it is hwy miles but I do a lot of intown traffic drives too .

What I would question is it a one owner ? What kind of driving habit did the driver have ? Has it been wrecked ? Has oil changes been regular basis like every 3k to 5k . Has the engine ever had any major work into the block or heads ? Has it ever had any tranny problems and has the fluid been changed around 50k-60k or ever? If never and it has over 95k then don't ever change the tranny fluid unless your doing a tranny job cause the seals may start leaking . How is the rear end , does it make any noise ? What shape is the body in , any rust anywhere ? Check out the chrome pieces on the truck , are they oxidized ? That's a sign it's been in the oil field work and gases in the air ruins chrome . Where did the truck come from ? If from down around the coast anywhere I'd pass on it cause salt water will rust out the body over a period of time . Ask if there is any maintenance records and ask to see them .

I've had my truck 11 yrs and other than what I mentioned above the only thing I've changed is the oil and filters (air and oil), new tires , had two brake jobs , coil , wire and spark plug , EGR Valve , Belt and Tensioner Pulley . Oh and I have added Freon to the a/c cause right now my high pressure side has a slow leak .

Other than that , drive it first . Does it drive smooth , is it comfortable , and how does the engine sound does it sound tight ? Are there any oil leaks , rearend leaks , check the shocks for leaks too . Get up to 85mph speed if you can . Does the engine sound stressing and does the Tack read right as well as all the other gauges ? If you can say yes to all the above , you like it and it drives good without stress then check the bluebook against the mileage . I know there were some recalls on several F150s' from 2000-2007 , were they fixed ? Last but least , GET THE CAR FAX ! It tells the truth about the truck . Keep us updated what you choose to do .

I have a 2005 F150 regular cab long bed and hard bed cover, with the 4.6 and automatic. Pulling my 22'aluminum boat on a tandem trailer it gets 10.5 MPG at best and unloaded gets just over or slightly under 14 MPG and I don't drive over 65 MPH. The truck has 199,000 basically trouble free miles. Does it pull good, No. good mileage from the smallest FoMoCo V8 available No. Would I buy another 4.6 NO. In real life performance it's just blah. If you like no power, no mileage, and drives just so so a Ford 4.6 might be the peakup for you.
and about those Car Fax reports:
carfax

They are for sure not power monsters, but it will tow your boat fine. Will it tow it fast enough for you? I don't know. Its not gonna pull it 80 in overdrive, if you want something like that I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Past that they have a reputation for being pretty long lasting reliable motors.

My dad has a 4.6L in his truck and it pulls just fine. Don't expect it to do it efficiently fuel wise or get there in a hurry. He's pulled anything from livestock to his tractor and my Triton and it's adequate. What gear does it have?

I've got an 07 with the 4.6. True it's not a hot rod but I've got 151,000 with just normal maintenance. 16-17 average MPG's. Pulls the boat just fine. I even pulled my inlaws minivan back from Durant on a trailer with no issues.

the 4.6 is actually a pretty trouble free engine. you won't win any races. does the truck have the tow package from the factory? that will affect the overall tow capacity and ability depending on the rear end and will likely have an aux transmission cooler. if it doesn't have the tow package, find out the rear end first. if the gearing is at least 3.55 you good to go, just add an aux transmission cooler.

I also have the same truck, 4.6 2v liter v8 triton and pulls just fine, has enough power to pull your boat and some more , sucks down gas, I pull stuff doing 80. Might not be the most powerful engine but it's known to be a good engine and to last , my buddy has the same truck and he has 310,000 miles on it.

It doesn't pull well and it doesn't get good mileage. Look elsewhere

I had a 2004 4x4 F-150 with the 4.6 engine, when I traded it in it had 385,000 miles on it,
I pulled my 20-I Skeeter with no problems, wasn't the fastest truck, but at my age, speed
is not my thing.

Just regular wear/tear, brakes jobs, I replaced the bearings on the rear-end, and one starter.
Fuel was was normal, great engine IMO!