Ford F150 Eco-Boost.

[boliversr]

Friend has a ego boost gets low mileage towing I went with the 5.0

[openroad118]

F-150 pulling semi out of sand.....
https://autos.yahoo.com/news/ford-f-...180002459.html

[pappy19]

Before you all go out and buy the Ecoboost, just try a 5.0 for fun. A couple years ago the 5.0 beat out the EB in mileage and towing in a real world challenge with cowboys towing horses. I posted the article a while back but can't find it now.

[iowaroots]

Yes. I turn off the "Tow Sway Control" ONLY when not towing and I do this on every key cycle because there is no setting to leave it in the off position. I leave it on when towing. I agree that the brakes must be involved somehow. I asked Ford Dealer Salesperson about this and a mechanic at that same Dealership and they know nothing about it. Go figure. Don't take my word for it. Clear out your mileage and start fresh, you will see a notable increase in mileage. Still want better mileage, burn NON_ETHANOL in your tank and pick up another increase in mileage.

[rostam]

Does anyone know if having the max payload package affect the ride/handling/turning radius at all?
Basically, doesn't having the package make the truck a 3/4 in disguise?
Thanks

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by rostam

Does anyone know if having the max payload package affect the ride/handling/turning radius at all?
Basically, doesn't having the package make the truck a 3/4 in disguise?
Thanks

HD Payload is only available on the longest wheelbase for the respective configuration, so it WOULD increase the turning radius compared to the shorter wheelbase, but would be the same as that for the SuperCrew w/ 6.5' bed without HD Payload. I don't know about the ride difference, but I wouldn't expect much handling difference beyond what you'd expect from the extra foot of wheelbase and LT vs P tires. I haven't driven one yet because hanging out in truck dealerships can quickly turn into an expensive hobby. Replacing my '07 isn't scheduled until Spring 2016.

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by rostam

Does anyone know if having the max payload package affect the ride/handling/turning radius at all?
Basically, doesn't having the package make the truck a 3/4 in disguise?
Thanks

About the only common part between the F-150 and F-250 is the Ford logo. The engines, brakes, suspension and frames are all different. All beefed up considerably. All it takes is a side by side in person comparison to see how different these two trucks really are.

Just about any V-8 or V-6 EcoBoost equipped F-150 will safely tow just about any Airstream up to 28 feet in length so long as you don't load up the truck bed with a lot of stuff (including a cap) and use a proper weight distributing hitch. Some versions of the F-150 will let you carry more payload than others. The longer wheelbase models should be more comfortable riding while towing at the expense of turning radius. The F-250 begins to make sense for towing if you carry lot in your truck bed, do a lot of mountain climbing or want an increased margin of safety.

[IanPoulin]

For my height, the f150 ecoboost was really my only option - the F250 sheds too much leg and head room for me to sit safely and comfortably. Towing my inaugural trip with my '28 from Richmond to virginia highland haven, I had no concerns on the way in whatsoever as to power and capability of the engine.

My only concern on the trip was that in tow/haul mode driving home, there was a fairly substantial downward grade on the blue ridge parkway near Roanoke, where even in second gear, the engine compression itself was not enough to keep stability in my ride - I had to favor brakes far more than I would have liked.

Ian

[paiceman]

We had a 2011 Ecoboost, and a 25'AS. But then traded the AS for a 30' AS Flying Cloud. Of course dealership et al said we would be fine. We had 3.55 rear, 3.5 Eco, full HD suspension, and towing package. Plenty of power, but with all we take with us, wife, a Labrador, two kayaks, two generators, two bikes, so on and so forth we were way under on payload. Fortunately I have a young guy across the street with a great job, lots of coin and loves the vehicles I order. So after one year of ownership I sold it to him for what I paid for it and bought an F250 Diesel. Did 5,000 miles last year, tons of power, stopping and payload. This year planning on about 10,000 miles in one trip. Would love it if Ford came out with an F250 or F350 in a small block Eco then I would switch if payloads matched up etc. This is our first diesel and they are expensive to operate and maintain. But as my wife says this is why you worked and traveled every week for work during your forty plus years. So, we pay. With a 25' AS properly set up F150 Eco I don't think you'll be sorry. I would suggest HD everything and make sure you get the D rated tires.

Enjoy

[md11flyer]

When I bought my 2012 F159 EcoBoost I did not have any plans to tow or even own an AS and if I had known then I would have opted for the HD tow package which gets your payload up around 3100 # (you will need this most likely). But, I purchased an old 1988 29ft Excella that needs some TLC and immediately towed it 600 mile. My F150 Super Crew, 6.5 ft bed, is a 2x with 3.15 gears. Non towing I consistently get 21-22 mpg. With the AS hooked up that was cut in half, but expected. First time I moved the rig I barely touched the throttle and with less than 1k rpm, we were moving! Incredibly torque. Accelerating onto the FWY is like moving a heavily loaded car. Absolutely no issue at reaching cruising speed by the end of the on ramp. There really is no issue with power with the EB. It has more HP and torque than the 5.0l V8 and equals the bigger block V8. The engine is quiet, very smooth and screams when I want to show off. If you do not need 4x4 then don't get it. An identical 4x4 as a 2x has less payload capacity by about 400#. I will trade my 2012 in 2015 for an aluminum F150 in silver, with HD tow package. I may even put a blue pinstripe on it........

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by md11flyer

I will trade my 2012 in 2015 for an aluminum F150 in silver, with HD tow package. I may even put a blue pinstripe on it........

You ARE going to supply us with photos when that happens, right?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by paiceman

~~
We had 3.55 rear, 3.5 Eco, full HD suspension, and towing package. P
~~
I would suggest HD everything and make sure you get the D rated tires.
~~

Originally Posted by md11flyer

When I bought my 2012 F159 EcoBoost I did not have any plans to tow or even own an AS and if I had known then I would have opted for the HD tow package which gets your payload up around 3100 # (you will need this most likely). But, I purchased an old 1988 29ft Excella that needs some TLC and immediately towed it 600 mile.
~~
I will trade my 2012 in 2015 for an aluminum F150 in silver, with HD tow package. I may even put a blue pinstripe on it........

The proper name for the package is important when you're ordering or searching for an F150.

THERE IS NO HD TOW PACKAGE. I repeat, there is no Ford package on the current-generation F150 named "HD Tow."

There is an HD Payload package that is available on certain configurations of the truck in XL, XLT and Lariat trim levels. This is the package that increases the payload and includes E-rated LT tires. It only comes with the 3.73 limited-slip differential, so Paiceman with a 3.55 diff could not have had "full HD suspension" (not Ford OEM at least.) HD Payload, if selected, automatically adds the Max Tow package.

If you tell the salescritter you want "HD Tow" he'll be happy to sell you one of the many trucks he has on the lot with Max Tow but without HD Payload, because it's unlikely he has an HD Payload truck on the lot... they're long wheelbase, and they come with unfashionably "small" 17" wheels, so all the guys buying an F150 to drive to their white-color job during the week and the golf course on the weekend don't want them.

[dprvashon]

I read through this and other threads about TVs thinking mine was adequate but lite, noisy, and void of creature comforts. Lo and behold, I just traded in my Nissan Frontier for a 2014 F150 3.5L Echoboost. Although my learned son in law suggested I not trust an engine that new (he prefers to wait until they produce it for 5-6 years), I went with suggestions in this thread to get the echoboost with the max towing. I got the FX4 model and is it NICE, quiet, smooth and fun..... The max towing adds the electronic telescoping mirrors, larger radiator, transmission cooler and added payload. This combo has a greater towing capacity then with th 5l V8. Perhaps overkill for my Bambi but who knows what I may be pulling in the future..... and to heed my son's fears, I did elect the extended warranty.....#happycamper

[driftwood]

SUGGESTIONS?

What rear gearing ratio do you recommend - I tow a 2000 25' Safari (aprox 6000 #'s)

With a 315 I was told the non-tow economy is near 22 mpg - but would drop to near 10 mpg towing 6K

Would the 355 be best if towing is the majority of the miles used for the truck? & what towing economy do you think the 355 would deliver?

What about the 373?

145 WB - Crew

Thanks for the advice

[mojo]

If you stay down in the flatlands the 3.55 will be fine. If you go to he mountains often, the 3.73 will do you better. Expect mpg's 10-14 depending on which way the wind blows.

[driftwood]

THANKS FOR THE REPLY ! ... Any other opinions out there ???

[BoldAdventure]

I was all ready to purchase a newer 2012 2500HD GMC Sierra, but then my wife and I had a newer Ford Edge as a rental for two weeks in Portland. Needless to say, I loved the car. I've always been a GM guy really, but once in my early 20's I owned a Mustang. Presently we own a Trailblazer, a Corvette and a Pontiac G8 GXP, all of which I'm selling in the short term real soon.

Back to my point, the Ecoboost looks really promising, I've found a few with payloads closer to 1700 (not the max payload) but higher than the lower payload a few folks have complained about.

From my calculations, even with assuming a 1000lb hitch, I should have about 360lbs left in payload after myself, my child and wife. My tool box might weigh an extra 50lbs but I'm not sure I need an 1000lbs of available payload. I'm not sure what I'd do with it.

I know the Max Payload is only available on the longer wheelbase, but I've found a few that have a payload of 1700 and 3.73 rear gear.

2500 seems like a no brainer, but I just don't want such a large vehicle, and there seems to be so many folks pulling with the smaller trucks.

Anyways, we plan on towing a 09-12 25~27FB International Signature (Depends on the deal and what we find when we find it, no AS at the moment)

I guess the only other thing I'm hesitant about is the Premium fuel thing. I've read that you can run 89, but Ford recommends you run 91 or higher. A few folks say the difference is about 6% in improved fuel economy running the premium. But no one has mentioned if that is while towing or not.

I honestly didn't think I'd spend this much time deciding on a tow vehicle. Not as cut and dry as I had originally thought.

[richinny]

highway towing with 3.73's i get between 11-12.5 along the east coast (pretty flat) locally that drops to 9-10mpg.

solo i get 12-13 locally and at highway speeds i get 24mpg @ 50 and drop about 1.25 mpg per every 5 mph increase to 70.

if you drive hard it will suck the tank dry in a hurry. i used the 87 octane on a short haul and noticed a big loss in power and economy.

if you go light on options you'll have a higher payload as mine is 1804#.

[wanderwasi]

We just completed our maiden voyage with our 2013 F150, EB, 3.73 gears in a max tow package breaking through 5,000 miles on the trip. We were pulling our new 2012 30' Serenity at approximately 7,800lbs.

The trip was from Minneapolis, MN to the Alumapalooza Rally in Jackson Center, OH and back for a total of 1,500 miles.

The truck pulled great and I was actually impressed with the power the EB engine had. Mileage was 10.9 until the last day/last 200 miles through the hills in WI on a very windy day with the AC running so it dropped to 10.5.

Our only concern is keeping the payload in the truck manageable but we knew that going into the purchase.

A big consideration for staying with a "smaller" truck is that my wife will usually need to park in garages at the hospitals that she works at while we're traveling.

Hope this "trip report" helps you.

Jase

[kscherzi]

I guess I should be happy with the 11 mpg towing I get with my 2003 5.4 V8 Expedition. Sort of hoped the ecoboost would have more eco.