2015 F150 HD Payload 5.0L vs F250 6.2L

[KJRitchie]

Bruce's, what are you towing with now?

When you test drove a 5.0L did you find it noisy? Noisier than the EB?
Is it a requirement to use premium when towing with this engine?

With HD Payload you should get over 2000lb payload on the Lariat. What color are you going for? The 5.0L is also a little lighter than the 3.5L EB.

Thanks

Kelvin

[DC Bruce]

Kelvin
I'm a newbie with an FC 27 that I bought last fall sitting on the dealer's lot. I only bought it when I did because of a good deal and reported discontinuance of that model with twins. The new classic 30 with twins hadn't been announced, and it probably cost 2x what I paid anyway. What I like about the 27 is a gas oven plus a small microwave. It's just the 2 of us plus a big dog, so we don't need a ton of space. And this is a '15 model with ducted a/c and two units. I don't find the V8 to be any noisier than the turbo V6, although I didn't spoil it up to 5000 rpm. Given that the GVWR of the trailer is 7600 lbs. I don't think I'm anywhere near taxing the power limits of either engine which, if memory serves, is over 10k lbs. The max payload package comes with the 3.73 rear regardless of engine choice. Both engines are specified for 87 octane fuel, unlike the 6.2 Chevy which is specified for 91 octane or the two Ram gas engines which are specified at 89, all per the owner's manuals. Not sure why the Ram 6.4 is advertised as a premium gas engine. Owner's manual says no benefit from using 91 octane gas in those engines. No doubt the biggest difference between the V-6 and the V-8 is the fatter torque curve in the V-6, which will result in lower engine rpm when pulling max load up a big grade. Since I'm not pulling anywhere near max load and am not interested in exceeding 60 mph on a sustained basis, I'm not sure this will make a difference to me. If I we're pulling a 10000 lb GVWR Classic 30, then I'd feel differently. But then I'd probably get a 3/4 ton diesel.

[DC Bruce]

Color? I'm thinking "blue jeans"with gray interior. Black is hot in the sun. I like the deeper red/burgundy, too. Your thoughts?

[KJRitchie]

My Tundra is white so I wouldn't want another white truck. I would like to complement the color of the tow vehicle with the Airstream. First choice is Ingot Silver, Magnetic and then Blue Jeans. DW likes Ruby Red. Our 4Runner was similar when we had the Casita but I don't want another red vehicle. She doesn't care for Blue Jeans much so I pretty much look at Ingot Silver most of the time. Magnetic is almost too dark.

I may have to check out Supercabs now that Ford has changed how the door opens wide. XLT Supercars can achieve the 2000b payload without HD Payload. However, most dealers will not order those for stock with 3.73 which I feel the 5.0L needs and they usually put on the FX4 package which I don't want.To get HD Payload with the Supercab you have to order the 8 foot bed to get the 157"wb.
We check out a 2014 Supercab but felt it was too cramped in the rear. Our Tundra Double Cab rear is spacious so we didn't feel the need to get the Tundra Crew and I wanted a 6.5' bed. There are separate doors vs Fords suicide doors. However, we don't anticipate hauling people in the rear so maybe the Supercab will work for us but it will probably mean special order for me also.

If I do this it won't be until after June.

Kelvin

[r carl]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I wonder why the 302 and the ego booster only pulled the horse trailers for one month?

I don't care what anyone say's, that is the funniest thing I've heard in a long time!

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Top

Uh, yeah. :roll eyes:

Can't find the article. Sounds legit.

This isn't the exact article with the rodeo cowboys towing, but it is a good article nonetheless.


Op/Ed: Owner's Perspective - Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote vs. EcoBoost - TFLTruck.com: Truck News, Views & Reviews | The Fast Lane TruckTFLTruck.com: Truck News, Views & Reviews | The Fast Lane Truck

[KJRitchie]

Thanks for sharing. Tough decision to make; 5.0L vs 3.5L EB when you are spending $40K+.

I've decided to shelve the idea of an F250. I've been checking these out on the commute to work and several examples in the parking lot and they are so darn big and ride so high. Running one of these without diesel is not taking full advantage and I don't need a 3000lb + payload.

I want an additional minimum of 500lbs payload over my Tundra (1465lbs) so if I want to add a camper shell (200lbs) and throw a canoe on top (100lbs) I've got some spare payload to play with for extended travels. Other addtions may be a 2000w generator (50lbs), portable solar (50lbs), pancake compressor (40lbs) and some extra tools (50lbs), figure 500lbs needed for discretionary payload over the essential payload of my AS tongue and hitch weight, passengers, camp chairs, folding table, BBQ equipment and ice chest so if HD Payload can give me about 2200lbs that would be ideal.

Can the 5.0L provide me the same or better experience towing as my Tundra 5.7L power and mpg?

I figure the 3.5L EB will pull at higher altitude better than the 5.0L but even the Ike Gauntlet grade is only 7 miles and at the end of each fuel leg I'll be more pleased to spend less money on gas than to have gotten up the grade 1 minute sooner.

According to the 2015 F15O owners manual Ford recommends best performance for the 2.7 and 3.5 EB to use premium fuel grade. It also mentions for these engines to not use fuel below 87.

To provide improved performance, we

recommend premium fuel for severe duty

usage, such as trailer tow.

We recommend regular unleaded gasoline

with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.

Some stations offer fuels posted as regular

with an octane rating below 87, particularly

in high altitude areas. We do not

recommend fuels with an octane rating

below 87.

I don't see these limitations for the 5.0L in the owners manual.

Since Ford is not taking orders, so I've read, for HD Payload that gives me time to ponder my decision.

Kelvin

[pappy19]

You can also add the Firestone Air Bag system to keep your tail from dragging like this:

[Moflash]

The computer senses fuel quality with knock sensors and retards timing to prevent pre-detonation(pinging) thus reducing engine performance on Ecoboost.Premium fuel allows for maximum ignition timing advance so more horsepower and torque is achieved.With small displacement engines running twin turbo regular unleaded can be used but premium is much better for the long run.

The 5.0 will perform well except in high altitude thin air where horsepower will suffer 15-30% whereas the Ecoboost turbos are virtually oblivious to the altitude change.The same is true for turbo Diesel engines.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[tjdonahoe]

The idea that lower octane gasoline is lower quality is dead wrong. It has more btu's per pound than premium You are susposed to use what your engine was designed for.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by pappy19

You can also add the Firestone Air Bag system to keep your tail from dragging like this:

Or move all items to the rear of the camper.

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

The idea that lower octane gasoline is lower quality is dead wrong. It has more btu's per pound than premium You are susposed to use what your engine was designed for.

If you have a Ecoboost or other high output small displacement engine you need to read your manual as this engine was designed for maximum performance with premium but will operate with regular with reduced power output.

Premium actually contains less BTU than regular and is designed to burn slower and at higher compression reduce pre-detonation thus allowing for more ignition timing advance and power output.

Burning premium in a normal non turbo or supercharged low compression engine will have no benefit.

So those who choose to burn regular in engines designed for premium are reducing their engine performance ,lowering their mpg and reducing their engine life while pinching pennies.