New Tow Vehicle (maybe)

[pwb01]

We've been looking at the new F150's with the 3.5L 6cyl eco boost engine. With the 3.73 rear end it's rated at 11,300# tow capacity and boasts 21 mpg highway.

My 07 F150 with the 5.4L V8 and 3.55 rear end is rated at 7300# and boasted (and actually does get) 18 mpg highway. I'll bet the new one gets better milage towing also.

Any experience with this new engine?

Move over Steve, their may be a small 5th wheel in our future.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Sorry this has taken so long but I just talked with a couple that have a F159 four door with the ecoboost. They tow a camper of about 5,500 pounds like it isn't even back there. He said he hadn't checked the mileage because as he put it "if your worried about mileage then go by an economy car". At 350HP from a V6 and a truck chassis I don't see how it can fail as a tow vehicle. "IF" Ford has the V6 and the twin turbos where they can stand the strain without failures then it sounds really good for something that is rated for 22MPG highway.

I did try to talk Wifey into atleast looking at one but no luck so far. I'd buy one.

Edited to say: He said he gets 13 towing but I didn't ask how he tows, slow or fast.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

The Ford website for the ecoboost motor.......
Ford - Cars, SUVs, Trucks & Crossovers | Ford Vehicles | The Official Site of Ford Vehicles | Ford.com

[kanyonkitty]

"IF" you belong to RV.Net, there is a fellow there that has put quite a few miles on his F-150 eco-boost. He tows something like a 34' travel trailer. IF your not a member/reader of that site, let me know and I will try to get some info to you.

[EMD_Driver]

Originally Posted by kanyonkitty

"IF" you belong to RV.Net........... IF your not a member/reader of that site.....

I don't recommend that forum... It's usually a bunch of grumpy old farts, that think they know everything and aren't afraid to let everyone know that...

[pwb01]

I drove one last night. That 3.5L v6 made my 5.4L v8 seem like a wimp. 420 Lb torque with 90% of that from 1700 to 5000 rpm. That would translate to better mileage I think. We might give it a try.

It's an F150 F/X 4 with max towing package that includes trailer brake control built in on the dash. It also has a sway control that automatically applies trailer brakes if it senses the need. The F/X 4 is the off road model which includes skid plates.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Does the F/X 4 have more towing capacity? The sway control might be handy. At least it will be interesting to see how sensitive it is.

That link I posted above shows them putting a motor thru some punishment. The didn't say what kind of motor oil they used but when they broke the motor down the oil looked clean. That sounds like one rugged motor.

The only thing I have against the Ford is there doesn't seem to be much roominess. Our Expedition is like putting on a pair of shoes. Better adjust your socks before putting it on. Being a small person, 5' 11" and 180#, I think it would be really tight to a larger person. Only consolation is that other vehicles didn't have much more room.

The guy I talked to said that since the twin turbos are so close to the motor there was no turbo lag detected.

[pwb01]

All F150 models with the max towing option include a 3:73 rear end and have an 11.300# capacity. the regular towing option includes a 3:55 and has a capacity of 7300# as does my v8 XLT.

I find it very roomy except for the back seat in my super cab model but the super crew has plenty of room back there. We just don't need the room with the two of us. The back seat is a place to put stuff for us.

You're right about the lack of turbo lag. I didn't find any.

[Bobo]

To answer some of the questions. I purchased a 2011 F 150 FX4 Ecoboost back in November. I don't have the max trailering package but it is still rated for 9600 lbs.

The FX4 package gives you 4WD, 3:73 rear axle with electronic locking drive, skid plates and no chrome.

I have only pulled my T- 2499 once so far to have it inspected. Lack of power is not a problem.

Fuel milage. I average 18 MPG around town. Doing thruway, 65 MPH, 16.5 MPG. I have achieved 22.3 MPG with this drivetrain, but you have to keep your speed around 45-50 MPH.

What I have done to help in the milage situation is install a K&N high airflow filter and using full synthetic motor oil. Synthetic motor oil not only increases milage and performance, but on the cold NY winter mornings it does not thicken up like conventional motor oil, less strain on your motor.

No turbo lag at all. It is quiet, powerfull and fast. I have yet to floor it and see what it can do.

The Ford has been flawless. 6500 miles so far. I posted about it earlier and have yet to get DW to post fotos.( yes I am a Dumb***).

I highly recommend this truck. I have been a diehard GM owner all my life, but when this motor came out, it was the answer to my problem. A TV that can pull but yet get everyday good milage to get to work and back.

[pwb01]

Thanks everyone. Between your comments, Consumers Reports and other rating sites I decided to buy the truck. I have to wait a few days to pick it up until they install step rails. Either that or bring a step ladder to get in.

With that we bought the 5th wheel we've been eye balling for many weeks.

[markbrit]

Congrats Paul on the new truck!

Keep us posted as it looks like an interesting concept. I need to get over the idea that a truck needs a V8, it may be outdated thinking.

What did you do with the old truck? Trade in? Was dealer fair?

[bink68]

Just finished 780 miles of towing a Winnebago One 30RE (replaced our 2499) down I-95 this past weekend with a 2012 Ecoboost Super Cab. Averaged 8.4 MPG at 60 - 65 MPH into 10 to 25 MPH headwinds. Part of that was using winter gas in the earlier 1/3 or more of the trip so, I'd think that we'd be a bit higher with the summer gas. Latest non-towing mileage is right about 20 MPG in SC - it will go down quickly with stop and go driving.

I've got the 3.55 rear end with tow capacity of 9600 lbs. Dry weight of the Winne is reported to be 6,600 lbs. Power is not an issue - pulls the 34 ft without any problem.

Check out the truck applications in the unit - the truck actually tracks the miles that you have the trailer hooked up to it.

Dave

I can attest that the Ford anti-sway program does work as it activated 3 times in high cross winds in North Carolina on Sunday.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

ecoboost is on the Ford Taurus. Looks like a hot car.

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by markbrit

I need to get over the idea that a truck needs a V8, it may be outdated thinking.

I think this is a real valid point, and an idea that A LOT of people have. My mom has a 3.5 Duratec (non-turbo) and I can't imagine a similar size engine would tow such a big trailer. But it sounds like it does a great job at it!

[Jim-Bev-2363]

It looks like Ford is going to turbo all of their engines for more power and more MPG. Ecoboost fuel injection and turbocharging is on a 2.0 I-4 motor. Put more horsepower on lighter weight vehicles equals better mileage.

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363

It looks like Ford is going to turbo all of their engines for more power and more MPG. Ecoboost fuel injection and turbocharging is on a 2.0 I-4 motor. Put more horsepower on lighter weight vehicles equals better mileage.

I think that's a very European thing, because I heard recently that they are taxed over there in many cases based on the size of the engine. So automakers turbo them so they can get away with smaller engines and keep the taxes down (I'm guessing for their end consumers).

Plus, they seem to be doing a lot of twin-turboing too.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Checking what would happen to the Expedition if turbocharged. Might improve mileage and make it hard for a v6 to outrun us, LOL!

[Bobo]

Paul,

It's obvious that the Ecoboost can handle a conventional trailer. I have not heard of anyone pulling a 5'r with it. Please let us know how it pulls and handles.

Bobo

[bink68]

I've read in more than one publication that Ford will phase out most of its V8 line in the coming years as all of the manufactures meet the new CAFE mileage standards. It's even been said that the Corvette's standard engine will end up being a turbo V6 in its next generation of cars.

That doesn't concern me too much as my experience with European turbo charged cars has been very good. Just make sure that you use high quality oil and always change it on schedule.

Good luck with your turbo.

Dave

[1979Sunline]

i will wait for these new ford motors to prove themselves before i jump ship, sofar, the only eco boost owner i know, likes his truck, but his mpg isnt very impressive compared to my hemi, its better, but it would take a decade to pay off the difference in sticker price. he also says it tows very well and is a stable truck, which it must to boast a 11k towing rating, but with forced induction comes more wear and tear, more parts to fail, and a bit more maintenance. this is a proven concept in cars, but ill wait 5 years or 100k miles of abuse in a truck before i jump that ship.....repairs etc as the truck ages could reap big money in the forced air world......and that concerns me as i always buy used vehicles.....longevity has yet to be proven IMO.....

nevertheless it is a nice truck, I AM NOT KNOCKING IT, just skeptical...and i will keep my eyes on it, but until then, my truck will always have that v8 rumbling under the hood. there is no replacement for displacement