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perryg114 · 11-05-2011, 03:34 PM

I am not sure I would buy an Ecoboost as a full time tow vehicle at least not until it gets some time under it's belt. I am not saying it is a bad motor but everything has it's limits and we don't know what they are at the moment.

Perry

paiceman · 11-12-2011, 06:39 AM

We drove to NJ from Pittsburgh on Thrusday night in our new Ford F150 Ecoboost to pick up the used 25'FB AS we purchased. 378 miles. On the way out she averaged 20MPG running at an average driving speed of 67MPH. On the return towing the AS she averaged 10.4 running and average speed of 64MPH. Aside from 30 miles of missed turns and getting out of eastern NJ all driving was Turnpike.

Around town for the first 700 miles of only hilly driving the truck average 16MPG, on the trip as noted averaged 20MPG and towing 10.4MPG.

The truck is an F150 Econboost with a 3.73 Rear and 6.5' bed rated to tow 11,300#. HD Towing Package. Our trailer was basically empty so say she runs at 5,500#.

The truck could and did accelerate up any hill we were on during our trip on the PA Turnpike. Never a Turbo hesitation or lag, not even a milisecond I could detect. Passed many Semi trucks both on the limited flats and up hills, never a towing issues. Covered the 378 miles in about 7 hours, had to stop more often for fuel as the truck only has a 26 gallon tank and I was not sure of the accuracy of the gage, it's accurate.

If anyone wants to stay away from Diesels, my wife drives a deiesel school bus and wants nothing to do with them at home, so after considerable research we opted for this F150.

Highly recommended from our one trip experience.

Respect

Bud

RamblinManGa · 11-12-2011, 07:17 AM

Hi from GA. . . OK, add me to the pile, just traded for an EcoBoost FX4 F150. They came off the sticker by $6k, gave me top book for mine and I drove it home. The V10's 10mpg going to the hdwe store empty was killing me. The 2012s won't be at dealers till FEb or so (I was told). In loved my F250 and it did a great job towing this summer(7000 miles) After we tow to Alaska and back this Summer, I'll let you know if it was the right move. Regards, Craig

LHall · 11-12-2011, 09:16 AM

I am hopeful that they will have this engine available in the Expedition when we will wear ours out and need a new TV. We have been very happy with our 5.4L Expedition, sounds like the EB gets the around the same mileage towing that we currently experience, but much better not towing.

Gringo · 11-12-2011, 11:39 AM

I've been praying they'll put a 7.3 Powerstroke in an Expedition. Or build a four wheel drive diesel van.

I must need a new god or something.

Gene · 11-12-2011, 01:14 PM

Several issues on this thread lately—

CR—it is information and one of several sources of reviews. Not the absolutely best information, but it is pretty good. And where are you going to get bullet proof tests done by testing labs of all cars and trucks? So, it easy to criticize CR, and I frequently do, but sources of information are limited. Try to find information on trailers that is reasonably objective and you'll realize what we get from CR is far better (they don't test RV's because of enormous costs involved and a limited market). Compare CR with this thread where all the reviews are anecdotal and early in the history of the vehicle. I sometimes disagree with CR (I think they are way off on 4Runners for ex.), but it is better than most reviews. When I look at car magazines' reviews, they seem to be most interested in speed, prettiness and handling, they get their test vehicles from the manufacturers so those vehicles have been tested to make sure the magazine doesn't find anything wrong and the magazines don't care about reliability.

Non-owners commenting—I thought the non-owners were asking questions. Some of the questions may be unwanted ones, but seem logical to me. I'm glad everyone who bought one likes it and get back to us in a few years.

New owners—my experience is that new owners, including myself, are a lot happier with their recent purchase than some owners that have had the vehicle for a while. While a cliché, the phrase "everyone's truck is the best ever made" is a generalization, there is some truth in it.

Gas mileage—Bud's examples of his trip are not that different from our mileage with our Tundra except for not towing on the highway. Others have given different (and a bit higher) numbers for mileage with the EB.

So, after a few years there will be better information on the EB and hopefully it works out for everyone.

Gene

TIMEMACHINE · 11-12-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ,

New TV every 2 years????
Not us

Naw, just every 3 years.....

I must say the 2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost is a convincing tow machine, but the overall pricing on the 1/2 ton trucks is getting a bit over the top. If my 3 years was up I would consider the F150 Ecoboost, but I have 2 years to go and $45,000 (well equipped 4X4) is pricey, especially considering the depreciation on a half ton (or any vehicle in these times).

I have had trucks made by the Big 3, all had their pros and cons, however, I do think Ford makes strong trucks and they have a substantial country wide dealer network which is great when you are on the road pulling your Airstream.

spzrs · 11-12-2011, 04:44 PM

We bought a Ford Eco this spring and then traded our 2003 Ccd for a 2012 FB 25' Flying Cloud. Love the truck and trailer. Drove all over the west this summer, up and down mountains, to Glacier and back. Have 19000 miles on the truck and 5000 are towing trailer. No complaints here. Did everything we wanted, mpg is decent with trailer and great without, considering it's a truck. Has power, pep, and no problems pulling at altitude. The Platinum looks great with the AS as well.

paiceman · 11-12-2011, 05:37 PM

we decided on this truck specifically because the Non Towing MPG were rated higher and in fact so far are and for the towing ability.

Next trip will be at an average of 60MPH as when I did that for half and hour I reached about 13MPG - the truck has two seperate milage and trip monitors A and B. I kept A for the whole trip and played with B. I realize not very scientific but it has satisfied us.

Respect

Bud

ps: Took out the dinetter today and placed in two lounge chairs. Easy job and came out pretty nice.

SteveH · 11-12-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paiceman

Took out the dinetter today and placed in two lounge chairs. Easy job and came out pretty nice.

Pictures, please.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 11-12-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIMEMACHINE

Naw, just every 3 years.....

I must say the 2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost is a convincing tow machine, but the overall pricing on the 1/2 ton trucks is getting a bit over the top. If my 3 years was up I would consider the F150 Ecoboost, but I have 2 years to go and $45,000 (well equipped 4X4) is pricey, especially considering the depreciation on a half ton (or any vehicle in these times).

I have had trucks made by the Big 3, all had their pros and cons, however, I do think Ford makes strong trucks and they have a substantial country wide dealer network which is great when you are on the road pulling your Airstream.

Hi, TIMEMACHINE is on his third truck [three different brands] and us poor people are still towing with the same ole Lincoln; Maybe, [just maybe] we might buy a new or newer tow vehicle next year.

SilverCabin · 11-15-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, TIMEMACHINE is on his third truck [three different brands] and us poor people are still towing with the same ole Lincoln; Maybe, [just maybe] we might buy a new or newer tow vehicle next year.

Ditto! I've been thinking about trading the 2006 Lincoln for one of these new EB F-150s, but I like not having a car payment. I've only got 77K miles on Hoke, so he still has some life left. My thought was to get an easier truck for Pat to drive when towing. A new F-150 with EB and tow/haul would do that, whereas Hoke is all manual when it comes to managing the transmission.

Keep the reviews coming. This will definitely be my next truck whenever it happens.

Randy

perryg114 · 11-15-2011, 04:59 PM

All manual is good. You don't have to worry about complicated transmission problems.

Perry

mysecondjoy · 11-15-2011, 07:34 PM

I purchased my EcoBoost in April and now have 15,000+ miles total with 7,800 towing my 28' Safari Airstream. The mileage crossed the Appalachians twice - but not the Rockies. Power is not a problem at all and gas mileage is 11 to 11.5 MPG. I drive a consistant 60 MPH and do my best to avoid interstate type roads. I am a happy camper.
John Dibble
Punta Gorda, FL

ROBERTSUNRUS · 11-15-2011, 08:57 PM

Hi, I keep thinking about what I want for a tow vehicle next; And I compare it to my Lincoln.

(1.) An F-250 with a 6.2 L engine will have more power, larger brakes, larger tires/wheels, but worse gas mileage.

(2.) An F-150 with a 6.2 L engine will have more power, larger brakes, larger tires/wheels, but worse gas mileage.

(3.) An F-150 Eco-boost will have a smaller engine, [3.5 L] but will have 65 more horsepower and 65 lbs more torque than my Lincoln. It will most likely get the same gas mileage while towing and way more when not. My naturally aspirated Lincoln 5.4 L will lose lots of power in higher altitudes and a super charged [blown or turbo charged] engine won't. I believe all of the F-150's will have bigger brakes than my Lincoln.

halimer · 11-16-2011, 08:11 PM

Bob,

The F250 6.2L is a flexfuel and only gets 405 Ft lbs of torque. F150 w/6.2l get about 430 ft lbs of torque. Will probably give better mpg due to the fact the F150 is lighter.
I'm looking to get a new truck with 4x4 next year. I down to the F 150 HD with eco boost, F 250 6.2l(both in Lariat) or a Ram 2500 Laramine cummins in crew cab and short bed.
Decisions decisions!

mark

artwester · 11-21-2011, 06:02 PM

I towed our '05 31 Classic for a few years years with a 2005 Suburban 2500, 8.1 liter, 4.10 rear. No problems. This past summer we traveled at total of 22,000 miles, 7,000 in the Suburban and 17,000 with a Silverado. The gas cost for the Suburban was 3.02 miles per dollar. The mid summer switch to the Silverado Diesel-Allison saw an increase to 3.34 miles per dollar.

Andrew T · 11-21-2011, 07:04 PM

I went a little different route which is likely to be expected. I had driven a few F150 Echoboosts and was pretty impressed with the performance. Impressed enough that I wondered how well it would work without a big boxy truck wrapped around it.

In 69 there was a car life article where they towed Airstreams with 4 different carsn one was a Hemi Cuda and it did 0-60 in I think 14 seconds with a 69 27' Airstream. The SHO with a 30' Serenity knocked it off in 14 seconds. By far the fastest 0-60 run I have ever recorded with a tow vehicle.

Andrew T

Gene · 03-09-2012, 08:38 AM

It has been over a year since this thread started about the EcoBoost. How are these trucks doing after that time? Any problems with direct injection, turbos, and does the V6 engine hold up well towing the heavy weights?

Gene

Aage · 03-09-2012, 09:13 AM

Gene,

I think that Ford is still enjoying their day in the sun, since they have a number of well-designed and well-built products.

Except, vehicles with the MyFord Touch system.

They have just had a calamitous drop in quality ratings on cars equipped withe the system. Their customers are calling them cumbersome and distracting to use.

Sadly, all it will take is an accident which can be blamed on the new system, and that will be it for My Ford Touch.