Ford F150 3.5L Eco Boost

[paiceman]

We recently returned from a 1,2. 00 mile trip, from Pittsburgh, PA to the UP of MI. We have the EB with 6.5 bed, Platinum and 3.73 rear HD towing package. Did a good job, little shimmy on start up from traffic lights etc. We got about 11.2 MPG overall running at about 65-70 MPG. Loaded witth two generators and fuel in back with other "stuff" along with three kayaks on the truck rack, plus two of us and a 60 pound dog. Truck did well, but we are now considering a 30' AS to give us some more room inside and was wondering if anyone has any experience towing a 30' AS with the F150 EB. I am leaning toward dumping it and going with an F350 Diesel, but don't really want to spend the coin on both another new truck and a new 30' AS. One is bad enough.

Thanks

[dkottum]

Going from 25' to 30' is the same frontal arena and about 800# more total weight, tongue weights are similar. I doubt you will notice the difference one trailer to the next. This is because the overall increase in total weight, truck, trailer, and gear, is not much while the frontal area, the most significant factor, is exactly the same.

We went from a 20' Airstream to a 25' Airstream, about 1200# more and there was little if any noticeable difference.

doug k

[slowmover]

The heavier trailer is more a matter of acceleration from a stop and the worst mountain ascents. The longer trailer can catch more "wind" (being pulled a bit more; these rounded trailers are pulled by winds passing over versus being pushed as with squared trailers), but neither are said to be enough of a change to warrant a different TV.

The change would more be warranted by how much junk one carries with one and this relates to TW [tongue weight].

Weigh the combination singly and combined as seen in threads with "CAT Scale" in thread title to see where you are now. Best hitch rigging (and maybe some other changes) will offset the worst tendencies of any combination.

Properly distributing the TW is where the action is for any rig.

[richinny]

it will probably amount to payload capacity.
i towed from miami to nj and found no power issues. my bed had about 25 lbs. of cargo.

base truck is 6000 full tanks and luggage.
34' with just the driver, 35 gal fresh water, empty grey/black tanks, 40 lb of propane and loaded for the season minus food tipped the scales at 9200 lbs.

i don't know the grades i went up/down but i don't think they were much.

[paiceman]

I have been reading the specs on the 25' and the 30' Flying Clouds and unless listed incorrectly by the dealer who has them both, the difference is 1,500 pounds in GVW of the trailer and the hitch on the 25 is actuall showing to be 37 pounds more than the 30'?

We carry two honda 2000 generators @ 45 pounds a piece, two lounge chairs at 8 pounds a piece, a grill at 5 pounds and three kayaks at a total of 115 pounds then the two of us and our labrador at a total of 370 pounds, leveling boards at 20 pounds, charcol at 10 pounds extra generator fuel at 100 pounds for a total of 816 pounds cargo, everything else is in the trailer.

Still like "Tim the tool mans" theory, bigger is better. F250 Diesel with Max Tow

Thanks

[msmcv51]

I have been looking at the F-150 Ecoboost also. I talked with a pool repair guy who has had one for about a year. He has been towing a Bobcat on an equipment trailer with it and said that it does better than his older F-150 with a 5.4 L engine. I have not seen one yet at any W.B.C.C.I. Rallies.

[Gene]

Paice', I can't answer your question about the EB and a 30' trailer, but a diesel is going to another extreme. The larger gas engines can do the job, have less maintenance and less initial cost.

Gene

[DMT]

Plaice,
Another option is to stay with the EB engine but get the F150 with the max payload package. Ford tells me this gives you beefed up suspension, brakes and differential using many of the F250 components. You can't get this option on the Platinum but can on the Lariat and some other trim levels. Something to consider anyway.

[paiceman]

Thanks, we have the beefed up towing package, but it comes with 20" Pirelle Scorpion tires that have a load rating of only 1097 pounds and this is with the Platinum package? We have it on the window sticker and the invoice where we paid for the max tow package -- HD supplemental radiator, extra tran cooling, pull out tow mirrors etc. But the low rating tires, unless I am reading it wrong on the side wall and the door sticker.

[paiceman]

MSMC - I have no issues at all with the ability of the EB to tow. The 25' we have with all tanks full (on purpose) had no issues in mountains, straights, curves etc. We did a lot of research before buying it, thought the 25 was right for us, now are looking at a 30' and from what we are reading and in talking with folks it appears we would be illegal. I am however, very confident it can pull the 30' with no issues. My major concern are the tires right now.

[DMT]

Paiceman,

I was referring to the maximum payload package. This a different option than the maximum towing option. You can get both but on a Platinum trim. I also have a Platinum and have several posts on the problem with GAWR rear. I changed from scorpions to 10 ply load range E Michelins. Also installed Timbren rubber suspension enhancements. Overall, the truck tows very well and stops well, but I have to limit the gear I take due to the lousy payload restriction. Difficult to do with kids.

The max payload option would fix this.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by paiceman

We did a lot of research before buying it, thought the 25 was right for us, now are looking at a 30' and from what we are reading and in talking with folks it appears we would be illegal.

Is that according to the recent SAE tow ratings of trucks? You may be able to get suspension parts from the maximum superduper extraspecial package to upgrade the truck you have.

Since most people don't use trucks as trucks, many come with cheap tires. But those OEM tires don't seem enough for the truck unloaded. Wouldn't a full size pickup weigh more than 4,400 lbs.? Cross check on Perelli's website and see what it says there for the same tire. And if you put more air in them, they should have a higher weight rating.

Gene

[dkottum]

You're on the right track finding better tires, stay with your truck. Why waste your hard-earned money on something you already have. As for payload, some of that is redirected to the trailer by the weight distribution hitch.

Although the 30' is capable of carrying 1500# more than the 25', the actual trailer weight difference is much less, closer to 800#.

doug k

[py1950]

I have 6-7000 miles of towing my 2010 27 FB International using the F150 w/Ecoboost. Routinely climb Hog Pen, and Unicoi Gaps outside of Helen. Also towed across the mountains outside of Cherokee NC and Chattanooga TN. Plenty of power. Gas mileage, 9-9.5 mpg around the mountains. Have averaged as high as 13 mpg between Pensacola and Atlanta.

[Andrew T]

Hi Paiceman

I think your reading your sidwalls incorrectly, your tire capacity is likely 1095 Kilograms or 2400 pounds per tire. If you are anywhere near this much on the rear axle then you need to adjust your hitch to move some weight to the front wheels.

Towing a 25 or a 30 is virtually identical I doubt you could tell the difference if you did not know which one you were towing.

If you want 4wd the 250 is actually quite a bit less stable in an emergency maneuver due to the solid front axle and higher Centre of Gravity. We have many customers towing 30's 31's and 34's with F150's they work very well, I would not trade the ride and handling of the 150.

Andrew T

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by paiceman

Thanks, we have the beefed up towing package, but it comes with 20" Pirelle Scorpion tires that have a load rating of only 1097 pounds and this is with the Platinum package? We have it on the window sticker and the invoice where we paid for the max tow package -- HD supplemental radiator, extra tran cooling, pull out tow mirrors etc. But the low rating tires, unless I am reading it wrong on the side wall and the door sticker.

The 20" Pirelli Scorpion ATRs are rated between 2403 lb per tire and 3195 lb per tire on TireRack's website. That said, I don't think I'd choose a 20" wheel for towing duties.

[mojo]

I run my scorpions at 41-42 psi and they handle just fine. However when they wear down I will replace with a LT or XL tire.

[paiceman]

Sticking with the EB, at least for now, tires are 2430 so fell ok there. Little body sway even with 25' so increased bars from 850# to 1,200#, made a difference when we tested a 30' today. Worked great, took it out for 100 miles, averaged 13.8mpg, not too many hills, some stop and go an some interstate, kept it at 60 MPH. We bought the 30' Flying Cloud.

Thanks again for the input, much appreciated.

[SteveH]

There was a comment in a newer type hitch thread where the towing vehicle, a newer Ford F150 aparently went into sway control mode using the vehicle's brakes and throttle controlled by it's onboard computer. This was a result of the truck and Airstream being passed by a big truck in combination with cross winds.

My question to you F150 Ecoboost drivers is, is this something that happens frquently, or even periodically?

If this has happened to you, please tell us under what road conditions, speed, and what type of hitch you are using.

Thanks
Steve

[paiceman]

Steve, although I've never experienced that type of sway, under advice of Ford and several AS dealers I turn the truck sway control OFF when towing the AS and let any sway be controlled by the hitch assembly. As everyone I've been passed and I've passed numerous tractor trailers and never had a serious sway issue