Ford F-150 EcoBoost review

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Earthcreeper

I have been following some posts. I just purchased an AS 25 Classic. Stated dry weight is 6140, tongue weight is 870 dry, GVWR 8000. Hoping to pull this with my EcoBoost with a 3.55 rear axle, does not have Max Tow. F150 rated for 9600 towing and GVRW of 7200. Comments?

Check the axle weight ratings of the EB, tag should be on the driver door jamb.

Payload may be the limiting factor not performance ability.

As Gene stated in a previous post factory weights are mostly fiction.

I also have a 25 Classic, this is the loaded tongue weight.


The Classic's are rather plump.

Bob

[dkottum]

Earthcreeper, I have found a good weight distribution hitch able to transfer sufficient weight is a good starting point. We tried a couple of hitches but settled on a Propride with 14,000 bars does the trick on our 2012 1/2 ton Dodge Ram, as well as completely stable towing.

doug k

[iowaroots]

I have looked into the Propride however, my payload is so limiting that the added 195 pounds to the hitch weight is too much so I need to keep that much lighter if possible. Without the Max Tow package my upside on pay load is stated in the door jamb as 2156 and that is with the P rated tires. I have replaced to tires to E rated for safety. Still researching the weight distribution hitches. Of course the new Anderson is likely the lightest weight I just have not been able to get comfortable with the idea of torquing the chains and such. Sort of going between the grunion Draw TITE or Reese hitch with 1000 pound bars as a minimum.

[dkottum]

Weight distribution is an underlying theme of this thread because it so important to the capability of the truck. As is stability. Many of us have learned (I have used and tossed the Equal-I-Zer and Andersen) nothing does it as well as the Propride/Hensley design.

Although it is heavy, the differential to another hitch is less significant, and much of this is distributed among axles. It is also expensive, but would have been $1,000 cheaper if I hadn't bought two other less capable hitches first.

doug k

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Weight distribution is an underlying theme of this thread because it so important to the capability of the truck. As is stability. Many of us have learned (I have used and tossed the Equal-I-Zer and Andersen) nothing does it as well as the Propride/Hensley design.

Although it is heavy, the differential to another hitch is less significant, and much of this is distributed among axles. It is also expensive, but would have been $1,000 cheaper if I hadn't bought two other less capable hitches first.

doug k

^
X2

We use the Hensley and are well pleased.

Bob

[paiceman]

We had an Ecoboost, 2011 ordered and we thought set up to tow a 25'. In fact it did, towed great, but then a friend suggested I check the tires - not even close to being able to take the tongue, loaded truck and passengers. We then purchased a 30' new AS, obviously situation less acceptable. Sold truck to neighbor for what I paid for it and purchased a F250 Diesel, it too can tow the 30' actually very easily - it's tires are E rated and can take what we have in the truck and tongue weight.

When doing all the research the dealership has NO idea, Ford headquarters is very limited in their knowledge, tires shops are not much better, at least around here. So, I made the decisions after much research. Your truck can tow the trailer, the payload may be sufficient, but the tires are probably not.

I suggest anyone out for a new tow vehicle start with the tires.

Respect

Bud

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by paiceman

We had an Ecoboost, 2011 ordered and we thought set up to tow a 25'. In fact it did, towed great, but then a friend suggested I check the tires - not even close to being able to take the tongue, loaded truck and passengers. We then purchased a 30' new AS, obviously situation less acceptable. Sold truck to neighbor for what I paid for it and purchased a F250 Diesel, it too can tow the 30' actually very easily - it's tires are E rated and can take what we have in the truck and tongue weight.

When doing all the research the dealership has NO idea, Ford headquarters is very limited in their knowledge, tires shops are not much better, at least around here. So, I made the decisions after much research. Your truck can tow the trailer, the payload may be sufficient, but the tires are probably not.

I suggest anyone out for a new tow vehicle start with the tires.

Respect

Bud

When I wasn't happy with the P-rated tires on my 1/2 ton truck, I didn't buy a new truck, I bought new tires (XL).

doug k

[mojo]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I also have a 25 Classic, this is the loaded tongue weight.

Bob - are you placing the scale under the jack stand? If you place it under the base of the Hensley, you should get a different number. My 25FB weighs 900# at the hitch and 1200# at the jack stand.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by mojo

Bob - are you placing the scale under the jack stand? If you place it under the base of the Hensley, you should get a different number. My 25FB weighs 900# at the hitch and 1200# at the jack stand.

Mo,

I used the plate from my floor jack under the Hensley with a section of wood between the bars. It wasn't directly under the ball, about 3" back, not perfect but as close as I could get...safely.
As close as I can figure it was about 100# off.
The AS was fully loaded for 'dock'n though, full FW, LPG and all provisions.

Remember the Classic is a little plumper than the average AS.

Bob

[JFScheck]

Adding my Weather Tech mudflaps this weekend after I get my ARE topper installed. Sure is a pretty truck, even when dirty...

[slowmover]

Toys, toys, there is no end to it . . . . .

[graysailor]

Lots of reviewing going on about the Eco Boost. I guess the jury is still out. Some are getting outstanding fuel milage and others are not. Still undecided myself. I just would hate to have to get a big diesel for everyday use.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

Adding my Weather Tech mudflaps this weekend after I get my ARE topper installed. Sure is a pretty truck, even when dirty...

GREAT looking rig John....enjoy.

White looks rite!!

Bob

[Gene]

Originally Posted by graysailor

Some are getting outstanding fuel milage and others are not.

I've noticed that too. The big differences in mileage are when not towing—they seem to range from 17 to 25 mpg. When towing they are all in the 11-13 area depending on trailer weight and about the same as other, normally aspirated, 1/2 ton trucks. I haven't re-read all the posts and I'm sure there are outliers, but I think that is pretty much true.

Are they driving different versions of the EB that have a lot of gas eating options, weigh more or less or have different rear axle ratios? Is there a trick to driving these that changes gas mileage substantially? I don't understand how some people are getting around 40% better mileage than others. Do they need adjustments that some dealers don't know how to do? Are there problems with some of the computers in the trucks?

A good thing is that I haven't seen anything in this thread about direct injection problems. Some vehicles with direct injection have had valve problems.

Gene

[mojo]

The difference in mileage varies with the drive train gearing and 4WD and 2WD. The problem the Ecoboost first experienced is with the charge air cooler and excessive moisture. I experienced this after driving from NO to El Paso in rain for two days. This problem has been random and has been corrected by installing a deflector plate to redirect moisture. Also reflashing the PCM. Had this done and all has been fine.

Have not heard anyting about valve problems on the Ford forums.

You won't find much information about it on the Airforums or the Toyota forums.

[HeadWest]

I'm on about my fourth tank of gas. First 3 tanks were all in the mid 13 MPG range. Mostly in town but seeing similar with highway driving. Not too impressive with no load and not towing. Part of the problem seems to be that I tend to drive it a touch fast on the highway. Yesterday, I went to pick up my Propride hitch and set the cruise around 71-72 mph. At that rate I was getting in the mid 16 range. I'm sure it will suck the gas with the Airstream in tow. BTW, the F150 is a crew cab with max tow.

[Ramble On]

I've had my 2012 f 150 EB 4x4 supercrew w/ max tow package, 3.73 gears since September 2012, gas mileage is 23mpg highway, 12mpg towing 28'.
Drive any gas pickup over 65mph and the gas mileage will suffer significantly.

[Gene]

Thanks for the explanation mojo. Still seems like a big difference between versions. Glad to hear there are no reported valve problems anywhere. I think someone wrote a while ago the advertised mileage is for the most basic, stripped down version.

Ramble, I get the best gas mileage (aside from leaving it at home) at 45 with a Tundra, but other than driving winding and hilly roads, I can't drive that slowly. Those are pretty impressive mileage numbers for highway driving with all the options. What also intrigues me is the big difference between towing and not towing. Towing mileage is a little over 50% of not towing, but with our truck it is 65-70%.

Gene

[slowmover]

Pickup trucks are rollover prone. Made to carry a payload, so that is the trade-off. And geared to run the highway from 55-65/mph.

Over 60 is speeding when it comes to fuel efficiency and there is no realistic time savings on a trip of under 300-miles; if one is keep the vehicle 150k and establish habits to keep it new as long as possible then 60-62 works fine from all standpoints.

(I run my truck at 1,725-rpm @ 58-mph solo or towing, for example, this is how the CPM figures in my sig were deduced.)

The order for comparisons in re MPG, is:

1] Vehicle spec
2] Climate
3] Terrain
4] Driver skill

If one can sort these, then MPG comparisons might be made. Travel speeds in excess of 65-mph are just thrown out as meaningless.

.

[graysailor]

Good info here. I agree that not much to be gained by driving over 65. Little time is saved but a lot of fuel is consumed.