EcoBoost 2.7 or 5.0 V8 towing 23D ?

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by switz

We tow our 2015 23D International with a 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI V6 turbocharged diesel using a Hensley Arrow hitch. The V6 diesel has more torque than the standard V8 option that year. We have zero issues pulling the 23D loaded for camping with a target speed between 55 and 60 mph. We see over 16 mpg towing on the flats and 28.5 when unhitched. It is an all wheel drive model.

I took the car to CanAM in early October 2012 to have the hitch reinforced and the Hensley stinger modified by shortening the car side about 5" and putting a small bend in it to preload the weight distribution hitch.

In October of 2012, it was also able to pull our new 2013 25FB International Serenity from the selling dealership in Los Angles to Phoenix through the mountains on I-10 and especially going uphill coming out of Palm Spring it dropped back to 5th and 2,200 rpm while maintaining 55 mph (which is the posted speed limit when towing in California).

We overloaded the axle ratings when both I and the wife, some gear in the back of the car and the fully loaded camper crossed the scales and we acquired a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500HD Cummins. We used the same Hensley Arrow but with a different stinger for the truck.

The Mercedes has the power to pull the 23D loaded for camping and have one or two 2000 watt Honda generators (converted to propane), a grill with stand, 12Vdc air compressor kit, two camping chairs and a 30 pound propane tank in the back and both of us in the front seats.

Since the car has over 145,000 miles on it, I do not try and hot rod the rig.

So give Andy a Call at CanAM in London, Ontario to discuss tow vehicles. You may be in for some favorable surprises. (866) 226-2678 or (519) 652-3284

Wut's a 'stinger'???

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by MelGoddard

True, but what about the other 'operating' costs such as filters, oil changes etc.? Diesel filters especially can be rather expensive; and they ARE needed.

My 2015 RAM ecodiesel will reach the 20,000 mile mark by the end of next month. When purchased in Dec 2014 I also purchased a warranty plan ($900) extending the original warranty to 50,000 mi or a total of 48 months what ever comes first, it also included 4 free oil changes usually costing about $100 for the Diesel engine.
The point is for the first 50K miles the out of pocket expenses will exceed a gas engine but in a very manageable amount, also averaging OVER 16mpg towing & 24.5 not towing will neutralize that additional cost. The torque in itself makes the additional Diesel engine cost worthwhile & at resale or trade in time much of that cost is recouped. Having said all that a Diesel is more costly from initial cost to fuel to maintenance but once you own one it's difficult to go back, I know as this is my third one.

[tjdonahoe]

My 07 dodge 4/4 with a 6.7 it gets 12.5 with our 31' classic, the top of the hitch is 22" not 26" as someone reported, my oil changes cost $7.00 for the Baldwin filter and about $32 for 3 gal. of chevron 15-40 , Walmart has charged me $58, not the 100 as previously reported

[switz]

The stinger for the Mercedes is a 2"x2" solid steel bar with attachment ears. One end goes into the Hensley (or ProPride) receiver opening and the other end goes into the tow vehicle receiver opening. Hensley offers the straight bar and several bars with offsets usually in 2" increments.

ProPride makes an adjustable unit for the Hensley hitch as well as a different unit for their own hitch (second generation Jim Hensley design). I have the adjustable unit for the Classic as my Curt 15049 after market hitch (rated 2,550 pounds of tongue weight and a 17,000 pound trailer) has a much lower opening than the stock Dodge receiver which we cut off the frame. However, the trade off is the adjustable unit is much heavier since there is more steel involved. I also attached the "Rock Tamers" mud flaps to the ProPride stinger and tend to leave it on the truck.

[n2916s]

Wandered a mite away from the OP's question as to the 2.7 liter Ecoboost or the 5.0 liter on an F150...

As many have pointed out, if you think you will ever move up to a larger trailer, then maybe the 3.5 Ecoboost would be a better idea. But, considering it is a turbocharged power plant, the 2.7 would be fine in the mountains for what you are planning initially.

Mike

[ShinyPete]

RFP-

I have no experience with the 2.7 EcoBoost, but agree with others on here that (per the specs) it is too small for a tow truck, even for a 23. It's a gas mileage engine (even shutting off @ lights) likely dressed in a crew cab 5.5' 2wd with no towing package.

We recently went through this same decision process and ended up with a '15 F150 crew 6.5' 4wd with MaxTow (which gives you the 3.5 EcoBoost and all the best towing goodies). So I don't have to retype and waste space again, here's my thread describing our details:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...le-141137.html

I like our new truck so much that I am trying to talk my father-in-law out of a new F250 gas 6.2L for an F150 3.5 EcoBoost MaxTow. The specs are just better for our applications, it gets better mileage all the time, and you don't have an F250 ride.......

Texas has lots of trucks.........so my recommendation is have your dealer find you an XLT Sport or lightly equipped Lariat (gives you almost 2k payload), and MaxTow. And in a '15 F150 only due to all the improvements I talk about in the other thread compared to the 09-14 F150. I know we all tout what we own (run what you brung), but per the specs, and for us, ours is about the best equipped 1/2 ton of any brand for our Flying Cloud 27fb that I found.

Hope this helps.........

[n2916s]

The 2.7 cranks out 320 hp and 370ft/lbs of torque. It comes in all the same sizes and trims as the 3.5. Rated to tow up to 8500# so I suspect it would have no trouble towing a 23'.

The 3.5 though, can be configured to tow about 12000# so if you would like to keep your future options open...

[SCOTTinNJ]

I have the 5.0 and really like it (even towing my 30'). That said, it's easy to see the strength/effortlessness of the 3.5 when you look at these numbers.

5.0 - 387 lb ft @ 3800 rpm
2.7 - 375 lb ft @ 3000 rpm
3.5 - 420 lb ft @ 2500 rpm

[tjdonahoe]

Just thinking my model A has 205 cubic inches , this 2.7 has roughly 165 cu in, how long will it stand up pulling an airstream, just thinking.....

[n2916s]

Legitimate concern, but the 3.5 (only slightly larger displacement) has been in the F150 since 2011 and has a solid reputation. Heck, even Consumer Reports likes it.

It is my number #2 choice (still waiting on the Titan XD gasser availability).

Mike

[Tom_T]

Originally Posted by MelGoddard

Wut's a 'stinger'???

As switz noted - since the Hensley & ProPride hitches' "Heads" couple to the trailer's coupler with a ball of their own - the normal tow or draw-bar with a ball isn't needed - so you use a double-ended tow-bar that has a 2" square tube or solid bar which plugs into both the TV's receiver & the H/PP hitch head.

It resembles a Bee's stinger when plugged into the TV - since there is no ball on the end - ergo the nickname.

Sorry for the confusion.

And for us - the 3.5 V6 EcoBoost's noise in that 2013 F150 4x4 was a big factor on a long trip - & not just on the 800 miles towing ABQ > SoCal, but also for the extended part not towing from SoCal > ABQ > OK/AR & back to ABQ NM & then the 800 miles towing to SoCal - it drove me batty!

However, the OP & each individual needs to make their own personal decision on that & any other factors, which was why I suggested they do test drives towing with each option - & an extended trip if possible.

Tom
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