Ford F150 3.5L Eco Boost

[ElCamino Man]

Originally Posted by BillTex

True, the 6.0 and 6.4 engines were NOT known for efficiency.

Psssh any diesel engine made after about 2003 wasnt known for efficency lol. Thats why I would kill for a 1999-02 Excursion with the ol 7.3L. Bullet proof and gets 20-22 mpg (unloaded highway of course)

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by CloudDancing

I have a 2012 F150 with Eco-boost and pull a 27" FB Classic with it. (I traded in a 2010 F250 with 6.4 liter Turbo Diesel) I've towed my AS for 7300 miles with the F150 Eco-boost including a 5000 mi trip to the east coast and two trips in the mountains of Colorado. Compared with the F250 Turbo Diesel I am very happy with the capacity and the milage.
When pulling the same trailer I'm averaging about 10 MPG with the F150 vs about 11 MPG with the F250 Diesel. As diesel fuel is more than 10 % more expensive I am saving money just on the fuel costs. When you add in the saving in differential engine cost including service and initial outlay, the saving is substantial. When not in tow I average about 15 city and 19 highway but if I keep my foot out of it, I've seen highway stretches of 21 MPG. ( I never average more than 16-18 highway with the diesel)
As to pulling hills, Wolf creek pass is one of the highest and steepest passes in Colorado as well as North America. I pulled my AS over it in September and was able to easy maintain 45 MPH which is about the same as the F250 diesel over the same pass pulling the same AS. I give this combo a strong recommendation

The right choice of TT -- design -- trumps the choice of TV where efficiency is paramount for a given size rig. The range of potential TV's expands.

Any chance you've weighed the rig (different trucks) to show the weight advantage to the EB? I'd imagine it's over 1k savings to the EB, but wondered specifically.

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[Harpo]

Originally Posted by Harpo

The wife recently took the truck back into the dealer for the rough shifting and the shuttering problem we are having with our Ecoboost. They likewise reflashed our PCM but they also ordered a "deflector" for the cooling system which they will install once the part comes in. Not real sure what this will entail.

UPDATE: Happy to report that since the alterations (i.e. reflashing the PCM and adding the cooling system deflector) we have had no problems with either the shuttering or the rough shifting either towing or not towing.

[CloudDancing]

I haven't weighted the F150 but from the specs ( Ford doesn't just tell you the net weight) GVWR-Max Payload= net weight, I think I'm saving 900 lbs compared to the F250

I had that shudder, only when towing and only when warm. I 've have a firmware update done once but haven't heard anything about a deflector.
I'm going to call by dealer Monday. The shudder has improved but I was attributing this more to the truck's learning algorithm under load.

Either way the shudder is now only when towing and I seldom feel it even then.
I did notice that the transmission temperature went up to near the hot range when climbing Wolf Creek Pass which perhaps the deflect may address.

[BillTex]

Not that I am a believer in Consumer Reports...but this is an interesting comparison of turbo charged versus normaly aspirated gas engined vehicles...

EB F-150 at bottom of chart...

[ROBERT CROSS]

For the new EB...what's recommended.

Is it 87 not towing, 89 towing?

Bob

[AWCHIEF]

My 2012 F150 Ecoboost manual states 87 octane is recommended. From the manual “Premium fuel will provide improved performance and is recommended for severe duty such as trailer tow.” The EPA sticker that came on the window says overall average of 18. I am getting an overall average of 17.5 currently. Towing it drops to 16. I spoke to my dealership and they said that when I bring the truck in for my first service at 5000 miles that they will flash the computer with some updates and my fuel mpg should improve a bit along with fixing the slight shudder that I sometimes have when accelerating.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Not that I am a believer in Consumer Reports...but this is an interesting comparison of turbo charged versus normaly aspirated gas engined vehicles...

EB F-150 at bottom of chart...

Bill, thanks for the link. I was about to look it up.

Gene

[philecoboost]

I have 2012 F 150 Ecoboost, screw,6.5 bed, max tow and HD payload package. Tows my 28 Classic with ease, plenty of power and great handling. My son is engineer at Ford so I get a lot of info regarding this setup. 17K on truck now, 6K towing. I would not tow this AS without this HD package though. Gives me comfortable margin for gear etc in truck. also, 3.73 rear end. Solo 19 to 22 driving easy. Towing AS, 11 to 13 depending on conditions. I was able to order this truck exactly as I wanted and the 3 month wait was well worth it.

Phil

[mojo]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Not that I am a believer in Consumer Reports...but this is an interesting comparison of turbo charged versus normaly aspirated gas engined vehicles...

The only thing relevant I saw in that CR report was...

"One benefit to the turbocharged engines is an abundance of torque at low to mid rpm. In daily driving, this means a more effortless feeling of thrust with reduced need to downshift while climbing hills or when delivering the kind of moderate acceleration most drivers demand."

Seems that CR's main concern with any vehicle report centers around fuel economy. Hey we're towing 5,000 to 9,000 lbs here. If you want to get up the 10% grade on a 9,000 foot high mountain pass, I'll take the turbocharger over any normal aspirated vehicle.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by philecoboost

I have 2012 F 150 Ecoboost, screw,6.5 bed, max tow and HD payload package. Tows my 28 Classic with ease, plenty of power and great handling. My son is engineer at Ford so I get a lot of info regarding this setup. 17K on truck now, 6K towing. I would not tow this AS without this HD package though. Gives me comfortable margin for gear etc in truck. also, 3.73 rear end. Solo 19 to 22 driving easy. Towing AS, 11 to 13 depending on conditions. I was able to order this truck exactly as I wanted and the 3 month wait was well worth it.

Phil

Thanks...I feel better now.

11.2mpg average, cross-country.

Bob

[kscherzi]

Originally Posted by philecoboost

I have 2012 F 150 Ecoboost, screw,6.5 bed, max tow and HD payload package. Tows my 28 Classic with ease, plenty of power and great handling. My son is engineer at Ford so I get a lot of info regarding this setup. 17K on truck now, 6K towing. I would not tow this AS without this HD package though. Gives me comfortable margin for gear etc in truck. also, 3.73 rear end. Solo 19 to 22 driving easy. Towing AS, 11 to 13 depending on conditions. I was able to order this truck exactly as I wanted and the 3 month wait was well worth it.

Phil

Nice truck. What is your payload rating? Do you have 4WD? Lariate or XLT? From what I see payload for 150's is all over the map. Depends a lot on configuration. Looks like you did your homework. I'm looking to buy a 2015 if I can wait that long.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by mojo

The only thing relevant I saw in that CR report was...

"One benefit to the turbocharged engines is an abundance of torque at low to mid rpm. In daily driving, this means a more effortless feeling of thrust with reduced need to downshift while climbing hills or when delivering the kind of moderate acceleration most drivers demand."

Seems that CR's main concern with any vehicle report centers around fuel economy. Hey we're towing 5,000 to 9,000 lbs here. If you want to get up the 10% grade on a 9,000 foot high mountain pass, I'll take the turbocharger over any normal aspirated vehicle.

Yes...but the OP (and others who have been shopping the EB) start out by saying they are looking for greater efficiency.
Looking at the data in this report, real numbers that others have posted, the need to run high test, and the up charge of the EB...I am not so sure there is much to be gained over a normaly aspirated gas motor...certainly not efficiency.

[slowmover]

A quote from TXIceman in re his 1989 34' AVION (weight 8k +):

The fellow to whom we sold our 1989 Avion 34V is towing it with a new FORD F150 Ecoboost. He is happy with the way the truck tows and reports 13-mpg at 60/65-mph on the flats in Texas.


Has anyone towed a travel trailer with a ford flex ecoboost? - iRV2 Forums

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