Anyone using Ford F150 with Ecoboost

[kiddoc1]

The Ford F150 with 3.5L V6 Ecoboost engine, 4 X 4, 3.73 ratio claims 11,300 lbs towing capability. Does anyone have experience with this? We do not have AS yet but are looking for one of the larger ones, 25+ feet. I like the idea of a gas engine getting good MPG.

[Wayne&Sam]

Look HERE.

[exthemius]

Originally Posted by kiddoc1

The Ford F150 with 3.5L V6 Ecoboost engine, 4 X 4, 3.73 ratio claims 11,300 lbs towing capability. Does anyone have experience with this? We do not have AS yet but are looking for one of the larger ones, 25+ feet. I like the idea of a gas engine getting good MPG.

I assume you're looking at a larger NEWER unit?

[lg907]

We purchased a 2011 F-150 Supercrew with the ecoboost engine to pull our 1987 27' Sovereign and it works as advertised. We get 22-23 mpg on the highway without the trailer, but that drops to about 13 mpg towing at 60 to 65 mph. The truck has power to spare and we can easily accelerate up any grade. I've never towed a trailer with one of the heavier duty trucks, so I can't comment on differences in the ride. If a large truck passes me, I can feel the trailer move a little, but I don't have a sway bar (only weight distribution bars). My wife and I love the truck. It's quieter on the highway than our Lexus and it's really comfortable. The back seat area is HUGE and you can flip the seat up and have a large flat area for gear. We've got nothing bad to say about it.

[flynaxos]

Be sure to check out the payload capacity. The combination of passengers and tongue weight will put you pretty close to max. You won't have a lot of capacity for all the things you would like to carry in the truck bed.

I looked very closely at the EcoBoost for our '08 Ocean Breeze 27' but felt it just wasn't enough for us. I'm searching for an F250 Diesel or a Silverado/Sierra 2500HD with the DuraMax diesel/Allison transmission.

[lg907]

Flynaxos makes a good point on the payload restriction. We've got the Max. Trailer Tow Package on our F150, which has a payload limit of approx. 1800 lbs. We don't carry much in the bed of the truck and our tongue weight is about 650 lbs., so we're fine, but if you wanted to put a lot of weight in the bed, you might want to look at a heavier duty truck.

[fmr.capt.evi]

Hi kiddoc1, and welcome. I'm a new ecoboost owner. My opinion is that your payload will be penalized by only about 2/3 of your tongue weight, not the full amount, because you will be using a weight-distributing hitch.

[coopstream]

Bought new f150 with 5.0 and 3.73 rear end to pull our 2008 25ft International. Pulled it approx 5000 miles this summer. Loved it. mileage around 12 but went over summitt at 70 if that is what you wanted. Great truck, never underpowered.

[BigAl]

If truck payload is the rear kicker then get the supercab with 8 foot box. you will get 2670lb as payload and hd payload package. The maxtow gives you 11,300lb trailer limit. The 5 liter v8 had max 9800lb trailer limit.
I have the above combo and it is all they claim it to be. The ultra long wheelbase really smooths out the ride but is challenging for manuverability in downtown Toronto with alleys etc. Also you miss out on some parking spots due to the length.
Al

[kiddoc1]

Originally Posted by fmrcaptevil

Hi kiddoc1, and welcome. I'm a new ecoboost owner. My opinion is that your payload will be penalized by only about 2/3 of your tongue weight, not the full amount, because you will be using a weight-distributing hitch.

Thanks, but could you explain that further, please?

[kiddoc1]

Originally Posted by exthemius

I assume you're looking at a larger NEWER unit?

Shawn, we are looking for one of the bigger AS, perhaps with a slide. Condition is much more important than age (just look at me).

And thanks for the link to your blog. It is delightful!

Frank

[barts]

Originally Posted by fmrcaptevil

Hi kiddoc1, and welcome. I'm a new ecoboost owner. My opinion is that your payload will be penalized by only about 2/3 of your tongue weight, not the full amount, because you will be using a weight-distributing hitch.

Actually, the weight distributing hitch merely moves the effective point of contact forwards - so if you're short on rear axle capacity, it's great. If you're running short of GVW, it won't help at all, since what is removed from the rear axle load on the TV is added to the front axle of the TV.

- Bart

[barrettjl]

Hi,

I had similar questions here. A few things I learned from that thread and other research:
1) The F150 with a Max Tow package and without the HD Payload package will probably be close to the Max GVWR, so you will not be able to put lots of stuff in the bed.
2) A WD hitch moves some of the weight off the truck axles onto the trailer axles (there are some scale sheets in that thread showing that)
3) According to the folks at Equalizer, a correctly setup hitch will transfer 50% to 60% of the tongue weight to the truck axles, the rest to the trailer axles.
4) You may also get close to the Max Rear GAWR.
5) You will probably be nowhere close to the GCVWR

In the end, we decided to go with a F150 Super Crew, 3.5L EcoBost, Short Bed with the Max Tow package to tow a 25FB with a tongue weight of 832 (unloaded).

To make that decision, we used these Ford Vehicle Specifications here for the 2012 model to determine the towing and payload capacities.

The 2012 F-150 lists all the capacities like GAWRs and Base Curb Weights (plus all dimensions)

The 2012 Truck Payload Workbook lets you estimate the curb weight with options you chose so you can estimate the GVW and the GAW for both axles, letting you calculate payload

The 2012 RV and Trailer Towing Guide explains all the concepts like GVWR, GCVWR, and GAWR.

If you are interested, I can post the detailed numbers I came up with and how. But basically, we figure with 2 adults, 2 100-pound dogs, about 300 pounds of payload in the bed of the truck, a tongue weight of 832 pounds, and a WD hitch, we will be about:
400 pounds below GVWR
300 pounds below GAWR-front
390 pounds below GAWR-rear

I stress that this is all an estimation based on my understanding and interpretation of the information above. Your (or mine) actual results may vary! I will post the actual numbers once the truck and trailer are delivered (by April we hope).

[fmr.capt.evi]

Great post, barrettjl....thanks for putting that together.

[dznf0g]

Barrettjl,

You are absolutely correct in your analysis. Same is true for the Chev 1500 w/Max Tow package.

Problem with both of these trucks for us RVers is, we have a tendency to add toys as time goes on. RAWR will, sooner or later, be a concern for you, IMHO. I considered a 1500 Maxtow until I ran over the scales with a regular 1/2 ton truck. Rear axle was the problem.
You're right about the GCWR...you'll always be fine with the powertrain and brakes.

IMO, these two trucks are fine for boaters who have a completely different weight distribution formula. I am just worried that in a couple of years, unless you are very careful, you will wind up accumulating more stuff like the rest of us do. One day you'll decide to run over the scales and you will be shocked at your weight gain.

It think it'll take a lot of discipline to stay under the RAWR.

[kiddoc1]

barrettjl, you are amazing. The towing guide you listed are just what I needed. Thanks.
Frank

[barrettjl]

Glad to help!

One other note. I agree with dznf0g that we we'lll alway have to be vwey careful about the rear GAWR and GVWR. If we could have fit either a 3/4 ton or even an F150 with the HD package (which is only available on the 6.5' bed) where we have to park the truck, we would probably have gone that route. But the F150 5.5' is as big a truck as will fit.

Jeff

[Mike25FB]

Yes! I have 15,00 miles on my 2014 F150 EcoBoost. I easily pull a 25FB fully loaded with water and gear. The A/S 25FB has 5,000 towing miles on it and we have had zero issues towing and handling. I did a great deal of research before purchasing. I was set on a diesel but after research on the EcoBoost I was sold and still am.