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**DKB_SATX** · 02-19-2016, 04:14 PM

I spend some time on an F150 forum. My sense is that a lot of the people on that forum who buy their truck because they like trucks (as opposed to needing the capabilities of a truck) are over represented in the "gotta have that V8 sound" column, and the people who tow heavy tend to like the ecoboost. The drag racing crowd seems to be split, as does the small-trailer crowd towing mowers and bass boats.

Of course, forum crowds aren't necessarily representative of the real world, especially with as big a real-world population as F150 buyers. I'm guessing a sizable number don't know which engine they have, they just bought what the dealer sold them.

franklyfrank · 02-20-2016, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Complicated technology is great, until it breaks and no one knows how to fix it, not even dealer service departments that are the only ones who have the proprietary software that might be capable of a reasonable diagnosis....

I think that cars and trucks reached the pinnacle of reliability and repairability in the 1990s.

Brevi tempore!

I disagree. The modern cars are far superior to what we had in the past.
I can go 100,000 miles without having to change plugs or do any of bs I used have to do. And as to turbo chargers, they are every bit as reliable as the engines. Every single piece of construction equipment I used in my business was turbocharged including my semis going back as far as my memory allows. It is a true and tried technologie. It was proven on race tracks for fifty years.
Il bet you are using a McIntosh computer as well.

pappy19 · 02-20-2016, 10:24 PM

Wrong, an IBM.

HeavyAssault · 02-21-2016, 03:47 AM

Quote:

I have a buddy with a 2015 SD F250 diesel with 4:10 gears and empty he gets 13 - 14 mpg, pulling his 27' AS he gets 10 - 11 mpg. He has had it back to Ford 3 times because of bad fuel consumption and they tell him it is all the emission controls on the newer diesel motors that are killing the fuel mileage. He is not a happy camper after spending $62K on a truck.

Considering there are no such OEM gear configurations the only problem is the DEF/DPF situation. It's either 3.31 or 3.55 gears in and F250.

Moflash · 02-21-2016, 03:36 PM

I have a 2015 F350 and that is the same mileage that I get around town 13-14 mpg and 17-18 mpg on the highway.10- 12.5 towing my 28ft International.

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pappy19 · 03-05-2016, 03:19 PM

I have driven a new F150 with the 5.0 and 3.73 rearend, and it is one nice truck. It has plenty of power for any AS built today. A few years ago, a magazine did a real world tow comparison with the 3.5 Ecoboost. Two rodeo cowboys drove each with a loaded 2 horse trailers to 5-6 rodeos and checked the mileage and comments on the towing ability of each engine. Both towed the loaded trailers fine, but the 5.0 had way better mileage over the 3.5. I wouldn't have a problem with either engine, but I would definitely want the 3.73 rear end.

Moflash · 03-05-2016, 05:59 PM

But without the turbos the 5.0 is a dud in the mountains.The Ecoboost shines in high altitude.

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SCOTTinNJ · 03-05-2016, 10:48 PM

5.0 with 3.55 rear towing 9,000#

https://youtu.be/E6foaq6NUbg

pappy19 · 03-05-2016, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moflash

But without the turbos the 5.0 is a dud in the mountains.The Ecoboost shines in high altitude.

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That's entirely bogus. The turbo engines may perform very well for a V-6, but the 5.0 will keep up with the crowd. The 2.7 and 3.5 with 3.55 ratios vs a 5.0 with a 3.73 is pretty close in performance. Plus, in the older stages of engine life, replacing 2 turbos could break the bank while the 5.0 just needs spark plugs.

tjdonahoe · 03-06-2016, 06:16 AM

I sure wouldn't want to drive one very long at 4500 rpm trying to get down the road...

m.hony · 03-06-2016, 06:51 AM

Why not?
Redlines are at 7,500 now.
It's doing what it was designed to do.
Even naturally aspirated non turbo engines run on high revs.

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switz · 03-06-2016, 08:14 AM

Our 2012 6.7L turbocharged Cummins can plug along all day at 1,650 rpm (peak torque) at 65 mph towing the 31' Classic and the rig scaling just over 19,000 pounds. Occasionally I see 13 mpg.

Our 2007 Mercedes 3.0L V6 turbo diesel on the flats at 55 mph in 7th gear towing the 23D (rig around 12,000 pounds) runs around 1,650 rpm. It cheerfully drops a gear or two going to 2,200 rpm on moderate hills. On the really steep grades, it winds up to 3,000 rpm (redline at 4,500) maintaining our 55 mph. I have seen just over 16 mpg on the flats.

The key to longevity for the turbochargers and main engine bearings is more frequent oil changes than the minimum suggested by the manufacturer (they do have a vested interest in it wearing just past the warranty date). We went so far as to add an auxiliary oil filter on the Cummins which also helps cool the oil as well as an auxiliary transmission fluid filter.

The diesel versus gasoline engines debate will continue unfettered. One has to make a choice baed upon their needs and budget and live with the results.

Remember the bicycle pulling the Airstream image? It really does not take a lot of power to get an Airstream moving. I have always been extremely interested in getting it stopped even if there were a trailer brake malfunction.

Then the focus is not only on the power plant, but also the brake system of the tow vehicle. And all the payload issues also have to be considered in great detail after selecting (not yet purchased) the proposed tow vehicle.

SCOTTinNJ · 03-06-2016, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I sure wouldn't want to drive one very long at 4500 rpm trying to get down the road...

My 5.0 with 3.55 gears pulls my 30' at 1600-1700 RPM on the flats in 6th. I usually lock out 6th to keep things around 1900-2000 rpm. Sure it's at 4500 in the mountains, but that's not all day.

franklyfrank · 03-06-2016, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moflash

But without the turbos the 5.0 is a dud in the mountains.The Ecoboost shines in high altitude.

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I love cruising through the Rockies with mine.

Moflash · 03-06-2016, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

That's entirely bogus. The turbo engines may perform very well for a V-6, but the 5.0 will keep up with the crowd. The 2.7 and 3.5 with 3.55 ratios vs a 5.0 with a 3.73 is pretty close in performance. Plus, in the older stages of engine life, replacing 2 turbos could break the bank while the 5.0 just needs spark plugs.

What say is partially correct but at high altitudes the 5.0 loses substantial power but the turbo engines do not.Sorry but it is a fact.

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gypsydad · 03-06-2016, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I love cruising through the Rockies with mine.

Just checked out the 6.2L gas Chevy Silverado 1500, with 8 speed and tow package...love my 2012 Echoboost, but you should check out this truck; reported on AS Forum getting 22-23 MPG not towing and 13 MPG towing?? I like the F150 looks and the EBoost, but I was very impressed with this combination from Chevy/GMC! Price loaded after discounts was around $45-$47K. As I approach a new TV perhaps next year, I will seriously consider this one!

SCOTTinNJ · 03-06-2016, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I love cruising through the Rockies with mine.

Which rear do you have? 3.73 or 3.55?

Edit: never mind. I thought you had the 5.0.

franklyfrank · 03-07-2016, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Just checked out the 6.2L gas Chevy Silverado 1500, with 8 speed and tow package...love my 2012 Echoboost, but you should check out this truck; reported on AS Forum getting 22-23 MPG not towing and 13 MPG towing?? I like the F150 looks and the EBoost, but I was very impressed with this combination from Chevy/GMC! Price loaded after discounts was around $45-$47K. As I approach a new TV perhaps next year, I will seriously consider this one!

Sorry but I am not interested in anything GM builds.
Ever since they got bailed out and gave a big part of it the UAW while stiffing the small investors. We had old family members whose entire retirement savings was in GM stock.
They shouldn't even be in business today.

LaBigDogs · 03-07-2016, 08:46 PM

Love my 2015 F-150 3.5. I have owned all 3 axles ratios since 2011 The 3.73 is overkill. Btw I feel the same way you do I was a GM stockholder and US taxpayer that bailed them out. On a brighter note as a Ford stockholder you can purchase on the X plan pricing. 10,000 feet elevation 6% grade up set the cruise on 65 and sit back and be amazed, you will forget you are towing. The V-6 Rocks.

franklyfrank · 03-08-2016, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBigDogs

Love my 2015 F-150 3.5. I have owned all 3 axles ratios since 2011 The 3.73 is overkill. Btw I feel the same way you do I was a GM stockholder and US taxpayer that bailed them out. On a brighter note as a Ford stockholder you can purchase on the X plan pricing. 10,000 feet elevation 6% grade up set the cruise on 65 and sit back and be amazed, you will forget you are towing. The V-6 Rocks.

My sentiments exactly.
I love my 2012 Ecoboost Platinum F-150. I pull a 30' International, have been all over the south west the Rockies and yet to have any performance issues.
Have 76 K miles and as of last year we use it as a dedicated vehicle with the AS.
BTW it does have a 3.73 axle.