2013 F150 EcoBoost MPG

[spencerhut]

We are at 92k on our 2013 F150 and to date the F150 EcoBoost has had zero mechanical repairs, nada. Tires were replaced, battery, oil changes, wiper blades. That is it.
We just drove to our Idaho house in snowy conditions and averaged 20.6 MPG over the 1100 miles. One stretch was 22.5 MPG.
Pulling either out 27ft Airstream or our 9ft tall dual axle enclosed trailer the truck gets 12.5 MPG. Loaded or empty it seems to get 12.5 MPG towing either trailer. Towing our dual axle car trailer it gets 17.5 MPG empty and 15.5 MPG with our Miata loaded.
It's been a great truck. I really thought we would replace it with a 3/4 diesel, but I may just get another '15 or '16 EcoBoost.

Any diesel owners out there doing any better? Someone please convince me we need a diesel.

[ShinyPete]

Spencer-

I'm glad to hear of your excellent results with your 3.5L EcoBoost. We're just breaking in a new '15 F150 with the 3.5 EB, and at 2400 miles or so and only short tows we're not quite there yet on the mileage. Should get better though. My son loves his '14 F150 FX4 crew with the EB (40k miles and he works it), and so far I'm very enamored with this one. I think they even tweaked the 3.5 a bit in '15 for a little more grunt.

When we were shopping this summer I just couldn't justify the F250 gas because of the poor mileage, nor the diesel because of the price jump and complexity. We have an '05 F250 6.0 powerstroke with low miles and while it's been a good truck, it is now eating through egr and oil coolers like candy. Oh, and it rides like a lumber wagon even towing our '14 Flying Cloud 27fb. I'm told the new F250 rides some better, and I bet the new Ram with air ride is awesome.

Ymmv and I know everyone loves what they own. As a friend of mine used to say "run what you brung". However for us, the new '15 F150 is doing everything we need it to do and I'm glad I didn't go with a F250. Now when the '17 F250 redesign hits.............. We'll see. You can read about our '15 here if you like:

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

Hope this helps.

[Chuck]

4x4, or 4x2?

[spencerhut]

Originally Posted by Chuck

4x4, or 4x2?

quad cab short bed, 4x4 off road package w/skid plates, Max Tow package and the 36gallon tank.

[55AS]

Another EB fan here. My 2014 SuperCrew with 3.5EB averages 19.7 mpg in combined driving and 12.5-13 when towing the AS. 20,000 miles so far and loving the truck.

[Rgentum]

Last year, I bought a 2015 Ram 2500 Laramie crew-cab 4x4 short-bed with a Cummins diesel & a 2015 Forest River Wildcat Maxx 32 ft-overall 5th wheel, which I have since traded in for a 2016 AS FC 27 FB. The 5th wheel weighed approx. 9K lbs dry; the AS weighs approx. 6K lbs dry.

Pulling the 5th wheel on trips (typically, 60-65 mph), I got 11-12 mpg, never lower than 10, never higher than 12.

Pulling the AS on trips, I get 13-15 mpg.

Driving the Ram with no load at 60-65 mph, I get 20-22. Recently, I drove I-5 from Seattle to Portland (approx. 150 miles) at around 65 mph & got 22.5.

Rightly or wrongly, my understanding is that I would get around the same mpg or somewhat worse with a comparable gas engine. What I can say about the diesel is that it has TORQUE beyond belief, and I've been told that its resale value is substantially better than gas (although admittedly at a substantial increase in original purchase price). So far, the Ram diesel is everything I could hope for for pulling the AS that I have --- as responsive and effortless as could be. Except for the additional weight of the trailer, the truck drives as if the trailer's just not there (a LOT different, and much, much better, from my experience towing the 5th wheel, which I found unpleasant).

In 1984, I bought a Ford F150 with a 302 V8 and put a Lance 8 ft (non-self-contained) camper on it --- a major mistake. The F150 was fine & peppy with no load, but putting the camper on it slogged it down so I was lucky to drive at 30-35 mph over the Castaic Pass, going north on I-5 out of LA, & also made it quite tippy going around corners (and also reduced its gas mileage to around 8 mpg). I have no experience with half-ton trucks since then, but I can't imagine towing my 27 ft AS with my old F150. The various comments here re current half-tons suggest that half-tons have improved greatly since 1984.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by spencerhut

quad cab short bed, 4x4 off road package w/skid plates, Max Tow package and the 36gallon tank.

Nice! my favorite color, too.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by BambiTex

Another EB fan here. My 2014 SuperCrew with 3.5EB averages 19.7 mpg in combined driving and 12.5-13 when towing the AS. 20,000 miles so far and loving the truck.

We have a 2012 F-150 Super-crew short bed with 76,000 miles pulling a 2013 30' international. Been all over the west and south west, up and down every pass in the Rockies and the truck is pure delight. Never been in the shop for other than maintenance. My mileage is not as good as yours averaging 11.0 to 11.5 however I have a led foot and not particularly concerned. If I stick to 65 Mph than I do get 12.0 MPG however I get bored with that on straightaways.

[Arcticfox]

We have a 2014 F150, Eco-boost, Lariat, 4x4 with Max tow package. We got the truck last November and have put just over 86,000 Km on it in the first year. We have been around North America pulling our 28' FC and the truck has been Flawless. The unit gets a constant 12-13 mpg towing and 19-21 not towing.
A few months back I (almost) talked myself into a F250 diesel till I rode in one. I think I will keep what I have and in another year or so just buy another F150. Wonderful truck and perfect for pulling an airstream!

Been a great rig in all towing conditions and terrains.

[HiJoeSilver]

Glad to hear others are having good results with the F150 EB. Just bought a '15 and still breaking it in, no towing yet, but love it so far. More tow capacity means more options too. Last truck was 11yo so time for an upgrade.

[bmark]

We have a 2011 with 55000 miles and very happy. Same mileage everyone else is posting. pickuptrucks.com has a story on a f150 with a 3.0 diesel for 2017 so that might make an interesting combo.

[splintair]

Originally Posted by spencerhut

We are at 92k on our 2013 F150 and to date the F150 EcoBoost has had zero mechanical repairs, nada. Tires were replaced, battery, oil changes, wiper blades. That is it.
We just drove to our Idaho house in snowy conditions and averaged 20.6 MPG over the 1100 miles. One stretch was 22.5 MPG.
Pulling either out 27ft Airstream or our 9ft tall dual axle enclosed trailer the truck gets 12.5 MPG. Loaded or empty it seems to get 12.5 MPG towing either trailer. Towing our dual axle car trailer it gets 17.5 MPG empty and 15.5 MPG with our Miata loaded.
It's been a great truck. I really thought we would replace it with a 3/4 diesel, but I may just get another '15 or '16 EcoBoost.

Any diesel owners out there doing any better? Someone please convince me we need a diesel.

Our 2003 F250, with 7.3 ltr diesel, SRW, extended cab, auto trans, gets 20-23 mpg highway. Towing our 7 k# 24' TT, we get between 13.5 & 15mpg. Most of our travel is within AZ, NM, CO and TX.

[Shiloh4570]

I'm curious what gear ratio most of you have. I'm towing a 27' Classic with my 2013 Lariat, EcoBoost, crew cab, 6 ft box and heavy duty tow package with a 3.73 rear end. The best I've ever done pulling empty is 17.5 mpg and my towing mpg is 9.5. I love pulling my trailer with this pickup and I'm going to order a 2016 soon, but I'm thinking the 3.55 might be a better ratio. Opinions?

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by Shiloh4570

I'm curious what gear ratio most of you have. I'm towing a 27' Classic with my 2013 Lariat, EcoBoost, crew cab, 6 ft box and heavy duty tow package with a 3.73 rear end. The best I've ever done pulling empty is 17.5 mpg and my towing mpg is 9.5. I love pulling my trailer with this pickup and I'm going to order a 2016 soon, but I'm thinking the 3.55 might be a better ratio. Opinions?

We have the 3.73 on our current 2014. If I remember right, it becomes your only option when you order the HD Tow and HD Payload Packages. By the time we are ready to order a new one, I'm guessing the 17's will be out and possibly the new 10 speed transmission. I'm thinking that should make an (already) very good Airstream Tow unit even better....

[Tao]

I'm in negotiations to buy:
2015 F150 4x4 Super Crew, 145" WB, 3.5 EB with 3.31 axle and standard Trailer Tow Package. Has the 36 Gal fuel tank and Intergrated Trailer Brake Controller, Tuxedo Black with Med. Gray Cloth interior.

MSRP: $50,115.00

Any suggestions before I sign the papers?

Jack

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by Tao

I'm in negotiations to buy:
2015 F150 4x4 Super Crew, 145" WB, 3.5 EB with 3.31 axle and standard Trailer Tow Package. Has the 36 Gal fuel tank and Intergrated Trailer Brake Controller.

Any suggestions before I sign the papers?

Jack

Hi jack:

The issue I would see with this truck is it will not have the HD Payload package or HD Tow packages. This of course will not be an issue if your not planning on using it to tow a trailer. If you are, you might want the additional payload that the PL-Package gives you. It's my understanding that the HD Payload Package did not become available till this fall. So I'm guessing you will not find a 2015 with it.

It would be good to know what your payload is on the truck your looking at. You can find that out by looking at the yellow sticker on the drivers door. I'm guessing it will be around 1100 - 1200 lbs and that is not much if you plan on using it with an Airstream.

Not sure if any of this is relevant in your situation, I just thought I would throw it out there.
Cheers
Doug

[Tao]

I hope to pull at 27' Front Bed with it when finances allow for that purchase.
Now, looking at the Ford docs on towing, they are showing the trailer tow capacity for the 3.5EB with 3.31 axel at 10,700 pounds max. Considering that is well above the 27FB, I was thinking the "standard" Trailer Tow Package should do fine.

Am I missing something????

Jack

[Arcticfox]

I'm not sure your missing anything Jack...
The issue with this truck might be the payload capacity. I'm not sure about a 27' but my 28' FC has a tongue weight of just over 1,000 lbs. So if you have a heavy tongue weight like that, you won't have much wiggle room to actually put anything in the box. Remember "payload" is everything you place in the truck including passengers. So one needs to be aware of that. The trucks ability to actually tow a trailer in not an issue. It will do it just fine and you will be happy with everything except the payload.

Now if you get lucky and the truck has a payload of say 1400 - 1600 then that puts a different completion on things as you would have the ability to add another 500 lbs or so in the box and away you go.

At the end of the day, these numbers will drive you nuts if you let them. The good thing is there is ways to mitigate the heavy tongue weights a little if you have to....

Cheers
Doug

[Tao]

"At the end of the day, these numbers will drive you nuts if you let them. The good thing is there is ways to mitigate the heavy tongue weights a little if you have to...."

OK, tomorrow morning I'll be at the dealership and checking out the truck.
1. I should check the drivers side door opening for the "payload" the truck can carry - hoping to see something in the 1400-1600 pound range, right?

2. If it's not that high, then can I compensate with a weight distribution hitch, like the Hensley or ProPride?

Jack

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by Tao

"At the end of the day, these numbers will drive you nuts if you let them. The good thing is there is ways to mitigate the heavy tongue weights a little if you have to...."

OK, tomorrow morning I'll be at the dealership and checking out the truck.
1. I should check the drivers side door opening for the "payload" the truck can carry - hoping to see something in the 1400-1600 pound range, right?

2. If it's not that high, then can I compensate with a weight distribution hitch, like the Hensley or ProPride?

Jack

Hi Jack:
Yes the higher the payload weight the better... You can assist the tongue weight greatly with a proper hitch. We use the ProPride system and like it very much. You can also help your weight by only filling one propane tank at a time, this actually makes a big difference and unless your using your furnace all the time the second take is not that important as a fill-up is never very far away. Next packing less gear (think lighter) in the nose of the trailer and more in the rear helps also. I have even heard of folks who moved their batteries to assist when needed. For me that a bit of overkill but everyone to their own.

Good luck and let us know how you make out

Cheers
Doug