Ford 2017 F150 Ecoboost 3.5

[DennisL]

Wondering if you can show me a photo of your blue ox setup? I just got an F150 (upgrade from my Tacoma) to tow my 19' Bambi, and Im stumped on whether or not I need a different shank. I currently have the 7 hole, but I think I might need the 9... you ahve a similar setup, so I'm super curious where you have your hitch ball mounted and how many chain links you use!! Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by ratch

I have a 2018 F150 Platinum Package towing a 25 International Signature with the 3.5 EcoBoost. It is the real deal. I've towed it to the California desert, and several places in the Northwest. I have the Blue Ox hitch. With this setup I can maintain speed limit through the Oregon passes as well as the ins and outs along the Oregon coast. Freeways are no problem.
Prior to this I had a 2013 F150 towing a 23 Flying Cloud. This was a great package but the performance of the 2018 is far superior ranging from performance to creature comfort and many new features.
I looked at various options in the other trim levels and decided on the Platinum. In addition I got telescoping mirrors and the max trailer towing package. The adaptive cruise control, lane warning and trailer backup assist are all great features.
As for carrying capacity the Platinum package reduces it, but no problem for me as I'm not trying to take everything from my house with me.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

Here are a few reasons why I think people don't feel comfortable sometimes towing with an F150:
1) Just not use to towing.
2) Don't have the right WDH set up or have it set properly.
3) May need to alter some things on the TV like tires or shocks.

I know for me 1 and 2 were biggies. As I got more experience I got more comfortable. And when I went to the Propride it was easier to get things dialed in better. I didn't try 3. But when I have to get new tires I'm going to heavier duty tire. May also put in Bilstein shocks.

4. They’ve towed with an 3/4 or 1 ton diesel.

[Sidwar]

just curious what hitch setup you are using kscherzi

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by CanuckStream

. . .
. . . Is anybody currently towing ANY airstream with this truck? If so, how is it?
. . .

We have the same engine in our 2017 Ford Transit 350 van, and the turbo is starting to whine every morning at start-up when cold, at 62k mileage.

Anyone else noticing this?

Thanks,

Peter

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

We have the same engine in our 2017 Ford Transit 350 van, and the turbo is starting to whine every morning at start-up when cold, at 62k mileage.

Anyone else noticing this?

Thanks,

Peter

Unless you didn't quite describe the situation clearly, I would guess it's something else making a "whine." The turbos shouldn't be doing much of anything at startup. I'd be surprised if the computer will call for any boost at all until you're putting a decent load on the engine.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Unless you didn't quite describe the situation clearly, I would guess it's something else making a "whine." The turbos shouldn't be doing much of anything at startup. I'd be surprised if the computer will call for any boost at all until you're putting a decent load on the engine.

Thanks David. Yes . . . probably a bad guess on my part . . . but the whine sound is distinctly new and noticeable. Fortunately I have a service appt. in a week or so for something else.

Peter

[GCinSC2]

Peter

Not same vehicle and others can top my numbers but my 2000 VW Beetle 1.9L TDI has original turbo at 440K. Hits its usual numbers of boost. My 2005 Dodge 5.9L Cummins 220K original turbo.

Do you have any gauge that shows boost?

I’ve used a simple ScanGageII on the bug and Dodge and boost is one of the user selectable displays.

Just knowing what the norm is really helps with understanding what’s going on or not going on.

Good luck

Gary

[DennisL]

Originally Posted by CanuckStream

Hey gang. Looked around and didnt see one that specifically fit. I am looking at the above in a Platinum Package.

The towing capacity, and torque numbers seem very impressive.

Is anybody currently towing ANY airstream with this truck? If so, how is it?

Thanks

Coco.

Hi there! I’ve got that rig, I have a 2020 f150 lariat, max tow package, 3.5 ecoboost and I adore it. I tow a 2017 19’cb and have been pulling it around the country for the last three months. You’ll get 10mpg or worse if you use the trailer preset and cruise at highways speeds (don’t let anyone tell you otherwise)
That part stinks but otherwise I hardly notice the trailer is behind me and highly recommend it.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

. . .
Good luck

Gary

Thanks for the suggestions Gary . . . will let the dealer sort it out at the upcoming service appointment.

Have a good weekend,

Peter

[TGK]

I have a 2017 F150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4 with the 3.5L Ecoboost, Max Tow Pkg, 36 gal tank & 5.5ft bed. Ford payload stated as 1,765#'s. I've been towing a 23ft 1971 tandem axle Safari with it for 4 years. Approx dry weight of 3,800 lbs and max weight of 5,200 lbs. I've had this truck/trailer in most all of the western states and have been very pleased with it's performance. Towing, I see 11 - 15 mpg depending on load in the trailer & truck, terrain, and speed. Prior to the F150, for 12 years I towed it with a '99 F250 5.4L Gas 4x4 SuperCab. For a trailer the size of mine, the F150 with Ecoboost is a vast improvement over the older F250 and a much better daily driver than the F250. When not towing & cruising on relatively flat freeway or highway terrain, I've experienced 20 -22 mpg. Having said that, if I were ever to move to a trailer much larger than my current one (which I have no plans to do), I would step up to an F250 or F350. The max weight rating of my trailer is almost a match for the empty curb weight of my truck. Towing a heavier trailer, I'd want more truck in front of it.

[JoeHTP]

Yes, my truck started at 62k too and it’s a ‘17.

In my case it was the cam phasers.

Specifically for the ‘17, Ford has a TSA where they will try a software fix and extend the warranty for a year. If the software fix does not do it, then I think they will still replace under warranty.

I believe you have to get your truck in to dealer before 8/20/21 though.

18’s have it too and there is a TSA for them too.

Look up F-150 cam phasers…very common problem, and expensive to fix.

Originally Posted by OTRA15

We have the same engine in our 2017 Ford Transit 350 van, and the turbo is starting to whine every morning at start-up when cold, at 62k mileage.

Anyone else noticing this?

Thanks,

Peter

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by TGK

I have a 2017 F150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4 with the 3.5L Ecoboost, Max Tow Pkg, 36 gal tank & 5.5ft bed. Ford payload stated as 1,765#'s. I've been towing a 23ft 1971 tandem axle Safari with it for 4 years. Approx dry weight of 3,800 lbs and max weight of 5,200 lbs. I've had this truck/trailer in most all of the western states and have been very pleased with it's performance. Towing, I see 11 - 15 mpg depending on load in the trailer & truck, terrain, and speed. Prior to the F150, for 12 years I towed it with a '99 F250 5.4L Gas 4x4 SuperCab. For a trailer the size of mine, the F150 with Ecoboost is a vast improvement over the older F250 and a much better daily driver than the F250. When not towing & cruising on relatively flat freeway or highway terrain, I've experienced 20 -22 mpg. Having said that, if I were ever to move to a trailer much larger than my current one (which I have no plans to do), I would step up to an F250 or F350. The max weight rating of my trailer is almost a match for the empty curb weight of my truck. Towing a heavier trailer, I'd want more truck in front of it.

I suspect your SuperCrew is closer to the max weight of your Safari than the empty weight of it, actually. Mine scales out a bit over 5k lb if I subtract the weight of fuel and my fat butt. Ford's claimed 4k curb weight is gonna be for a single-cab short-box XL with the base engine.

[TGK]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

I suspect your SuperCrew is closer to the max weight of your Safari than the empty weight of it, actually. Mine scales out a bit over 5k lb if I subtract the weight of fuel and my fat butt. Ford's claimed 4k curb weight is gonna be for a single-cab short-box XL with the base engine.

Actually, that is pretty much what I said in my post. I reviewed it and I posted.

"The max weight rating of my trailer is almost a match for the empty curb weight of my truck."

The max weight of my trailer is 5,200 lbs, which is close to unloaded curb weight of my truck.