Is there a significant difference in performance

[Hogfan]

Is there is significant difference in performance between a new 2015 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost and a ~2010-2014 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost for towing purposes should we revisit the F-150 topic? Any major towing advantages that we'd be missing out on by purchasing 2010-2014 rather than 2015?

Still hovering around a few year old F-150 or Silverado/Sierra 2500. Would love new, but if we're going to buy a new Yukon for our "daily driver" then I do not want to also spend $50-70,000 on a new TV too.

[AWCHIEF]

I believe the 2015 is lighter in weight by several hundred pounds. That can be nothing but a positive in my eyes.

[dznf0g]

It's about 700 pounds lighter than the 2014 and about 300 pound lighter than comparable GM and Ram.

[AnnArborBob]

There might be a small advantage in terms of "0 to 60 acceleration" and perhaps even a small hypothetical increase in the reported MPG's, but it would seem to me that any major benefit in the 2015's with the aluminum components would come from increased payload capacity. This is a difficult thing to check because virtually every F-150 configuration will have a different rated payload capacity. Does anyone have the "old vs. new" payload capacities for the same configuration? I would think that the delta between old and new capacities would be similar across the entire product line.

[DKB_SATX]

I think the only real-world differences are mostly about equipment. They've FINALLY seen the light and put back the A-pillar grab handle on the driver's side, and they have all sorts of new tech toys like an all-around-view camera system in some models and a nice rail system in the bed. They've added push-button start on upper trim levels for people who just can't be bothered to take the key out of their pockets. For 2016 they'll be changing the SYNC system to a new QNX-based system SYNC3 with better hardware and software to address some of the complaints of user-interface clunkiness that cost them some points on the JD Powers initial quality ratings, and in 2017 the new 10-speed transmissions will at least start to come online (they're mentioned specifically for the Raptor which will be a 2017, but it's likely that the 10-speed will spread to the entire line if it's successful in the field.)

They've changed a few packages around, with "Max Tow" dropping to the 3.55:1 e-locker diff (from 3.73 on the previous generation) and the big, extendable trailering mirrors being a stand-alone option you can order without requiring Max Tow.

They've still made it impossible to get the HD Payload setup with a fancy truck, limiting that package to XL, XLT and Lariat Base (for '15 at least.)

[pappy19]

I am not much of a fan of the new multi-speed trannies. The tranny mechanics I talk to all seem to like them because it gives them more business. Especially the Dodge tranny has a tendency to "hunt" for a gear constantly and thus the internals are failing. I feel certain that Ford is looking at this closely but I am still liking my 5 speed.

[wcgnemi]

I watched a video on you tube comparing a Dodge 5.7, Toyota 5.7 and a Ford 3.7 Turbo.They were pulling a 5000 pound trailer up a fairly significant grade. The Ford had a better time than the Toyota and Dodge 5.7's. The Toyota got approximately 13.5 mpg and the Dodge got approx. 13 mpg. The Ford got 6.9 mpg. I also read in Truck Trend magazine that the Ford 3.7 truck got significantly less mpg pulling a heavy trailer. I have the Toyota Tundra crew cab with 9900 pound towing capacity. I recently got 13.5 miles gallon pulling my 8000 pound airstream to Houston,Tx. My truck has a tow button that I engage when towing. This eliminates it from shifting into the sixth gear. This stops all hunting and saves the transmission from heating up. Heating the transmission up from the constant shifting reduces the life considerably.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by wcgnemi

I watched a video on you tube comparing a Dodge 5.7, Toyota 5.7 and a Ford 3.7 Turbo.They were pulling a 5000 pound trailer up a fairly significant grade. The Ford had a better time than the Toyota and Dodge 5.7's. The Toyota got approximately 13.5 mpg and the Dodge got approx. 13 mpg. The Ford got 6.9 mpg. I also read in Truck Trend magazine that the Ford 3.7 truck got significantly less mpg pulling a heavy trailer.
~~

I have no doubt the Ecoboost was using more fuel since it was making more power (you can't cheat physics... it takes more energy to raise the same mass up the same change in elevation in less time) but I think your memory may be a bit faulty in the comparison between brands.

Below is a reasonably comparable set of numbers for you. They're pulling significantly more weight than the 5000 lb you mentioned. Note that the 2 low-mpg outliers are labeled as "up only" (one for a 2.7l F150 Ecoboost, one for a 6.2l Sierra.) Also note that Ford has a 3.5l Ecoboost and a 2.7l Ecoboost in the F150... 3.7l is the displacement of the older naturally-aspirated V6.

TFLTruck Ike Gauntlet Hall of Fame

[wcgnemi]

You are correct abt the Ford. It was the 3.5 Turbo not the 3.7 six. My mistake. The you tube I saw was definitely not 12000 pounds. There was a chevrolet 5.3 That was disqualified because it could not maintain the required speed up the grade There was not a 6.1 Chevy in the you tube comparison I saw and I am sure there was not a 12000 pound load.

[DKB_SATX]

Well, the 10,800-lb trailer isn't really the fair comparison, since it rules out some and stresses all the half-tons. The one that was right around 8,000 lb for each truck yielded very similar results across brands. The '15 Sierra and '15 2.7l Ecoboost each pulled 7,700 lb up the Ike Gauntlet and returned 4.3 mpg (measured up only) with the Ecoboost about 19 seconds faster. I'd call that a wash, you're within the likely variance of traffic and the "accuracy" of the onboard computer.

The '12 RAM 5.7, '13 Ecoboost and '13 Tundra pulled 8,000 up the Gauntlet within 23 sec. of each other, returning 7.3, 11.3 and 9.4 mpg respectively, averaged over up AND down the route. I don't believe there's the sort of 2x difference in MPG in similar conditions from one brand to the other if you're not including the Ecodiesel RAM in the comparison.

[cgadberry]

Hi to everyone out here. I've been reading as much as I can about payload and tow capacity and limitations. My wife and I are about to make the bold but exciting switch from a big, bulky 42' diesel pusher to a 30' Airstream Classic. My question and I am thinking it's all physics and opinions, can the F150 Platinum quad cab with the tow package with up to 11,300 lbs pull this trailer without problems, transmission issues or is it overwhelmingly opinionated that the recommendation be to go with an F250? I'd really like to know from those with experience with both. Don't really want to have to buck up to a new F250 if we don't have to. Thanks in advance for your responses.

CGad

[silverlabs]

I will jump back into yet another discussion on F150's. I have a 2015 F150 Super Crew Platinum with the EcoBoost V6 with Max Tow. To compare, I also have a 2011 F150 Super Crew EcoBoost V6 with Max Tow. Both 4x4's and fully loaded. As far as payload, I gained almost 500 lbs payload going to the 2015. 485 to be exact. Performance in the 2015 is a little better due to the overall lighter weight. I have pulled my prior 25FC with both and my current 28FC. Both have more than enough power to pull these models. The 28FC has one of the highest tongue weights of any Airstream and I use a Pro Pride hitch. Both of these trucks can easily handle any grade you are going to come across. We have pulled throughout Colorado, NM, Montana, Wyoming and through Alberta up to Jasper and down through BC through Oregon and back to TX. No problems at all. Where you do have to be careful is going down the grades but you need to be that regardless of the vehicle you are using. Control your speed and use the gearing and you will have no trouble. That is the one area where an F250 or 2500 series truck may be nice, as well as the few extra lbs payload you gain. I just looked at a 2015 F250 Platinum and payload gain would be about 400 more lbs over my F150. Obviously brakes are more heavy duty as well which could be a plus. My plan is to consider a new F250 when the aluminum ones come out MY 2017 late in 2016.

We were heading to NM several months ago and got caught in the middle of a wild storm moving through the TX Panhandle and got hit with what we estimate 60-65 mph straight line winds. That was a little tough but slowed down and made it through. The truck did fine managing that broadside hit and the Pro Pride did well also preventing any sway of the trailer. We are about 1700 miles into a trip currently and it has been a pleasure towing with the 2015. On this trip so far I am averaging total trip 12.8 mpg. Pure mileage with trailer hooked up has been 10.4 - 10.5 mpg. (total is including trips without Airstream hooked up)

Hope this helps some.

Chuck