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Old 05-20-2014, 10:45 AM   #1
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Ford F150 Eco-Boost.

Hi, I'm seriously considering a Ford F-150 Eco-Boost for my next tow vehicle. My present tow vehicle does fine, but is getting old, and I want a pick-up this time. [note: present vehicle not mentioned by name]

Please only post about this vehicle, and only this vehicle, in this thread. And only with this engine. There is, and has been, a lot of interest in the Ford Eco-Boost F-150, so lets talk about it.
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Old 05-20-2014, 10:56 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS View Post
Hi, I'm seriously considering a Ford F-150 Eco-Boost for my next tow vehicle.
Me too. My current tow vehicle is older. I'm really excited about the upcoming F-150 and its aluminum body for weight savings. I understand Ford has said that the savings may translate into a payload boost. I don't want a bigger truck than the F-150 short bed because I want it to fit into my garage.
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Old 05-20-2014, 11:12 AM   #3
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Probably worth specifying the 3.5 litre Ecoboost, as Ecoboost refers to a full family of engines. The 3.5 is offered at different hp and torque ratings depending on the platform, and the next F150 will have a 2.7 Ecoboost as well as the 3.5.
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Old 05-20-2014, 12:19 PM   #4
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Payload is #1 consideration.

I have owned 2 EcoBoost F150's. If I ever do it again, I would order the HD Payload Package w/E tires and all chassis upgrades necessary to get the highest payload and tow capability. The EB engine/transmission have all the power needed to tow an Airstream 25ft Classic or smaller. Finally, I average 17-18mpg when not towing and with the SWAY CONTROL feature turned OFF. This little bit of information saves me about 2 miles per gallon when not towing. Otherwise, my 4x4, Crew, 3.53 averages about 15+ mpg when not towing and less when towing, closer to 11 mpg.
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Old 05-20-2014, 03:22 PM   #5
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Probably worth specifying the 3.5 litre Ecoboost, as Ecoboost refers to a full family of engines. The 3.5 is offered at different hp and torque ratings depending on the platform, and the next F150 will have a 2.7 Ecoboost as well as the 3.5.

Hi, with the 3.5L Ecoboost being the only one at this time in the F-150, we should also include the new 2.7L Ecoboost when it comes out. I'm thinking about the 6 1/2 foot bed on the crew cab, if it will fit into my garage. I will have to re-measure my new garage as it's supposed to be 22' deep. I have a feeling that it is actually 21 1/2' deep. Maybe the 5 1/2' bed version will be enough.
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Old 05-20-2014, 03:28 PM   #6
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I have owned 2 EcoBoost F150's. If I ever do it again, I would order the HD Payload Package w/E tires and all chassis upgrades necessary to get the highest payload and tow capability. The EB engine/transmission have all the power needed to tow an Airstream 25ft Classic or smaller. Finally, I average 17-18mpg when not towing and with the SWAY CONTROL feature turned OFF. This little bit of information saves me about 2 miles per gallon when not towing. Otherwise, my 4x4, Crew, 3.53 averages about 15+ mpg when not towing and less when towing, closer to 11 mpg.
Hi, I thought about this also, but have never seen on the lot; So I may just have to order exactly what I want. So at a two miles per gallon loss it must be activating the brakes quite often. Need to turn the sway control off even when not towing?
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Old 05-20-2014, 03:38 PM   #7
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The Ford F-150 3.5 liter Eco-Boost is a great truck which can tow nearly any Airstream.

The only caveat I would suggest you consider is the payload capacity of the F-150 model you are considering (you have to look this up for each combination of cab/bed/engine/drive train/options since this figure can vary quite a bit.) In general the F-150 3.5 liter Eco-Boost's payload is in the 1,800 to 2,000 lbs. range.

That may sound like a lot, but when you figure the hitch weight of an EMPTY 25 foot Airstream is about 800 lbs., a cap for your pick-up can be 200 to 300 lbs., gasoline for the pick-up about 100 lbs., two passengers @ 150 lbs. each, you are already at about 1,500 lbs. before any other gear you may bring along (e.g., generator, "gear," dogs, firewood, etc..)

So if you pack your truck heavily, you need to be careful about payload. If you don't have a cap and leave your bed pretty much empty, then the F-150 Eco-Boost is a great choice.
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Old 05-20-2014, 04:04 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by AnnArborBob View Post
The Ford F-150 3.5 liter Eco-Boost is a great truck which can tow nearly any Airstream.

The only caveat I would suggest you consider is the payload capacity of the F-150 model you are considering (you have to look this up for each combination of cab/bed/engine/drive train/options since this figure can vary quite a bit.) In general the F-150 3.5 liter Eco-Boost's payload is in the 1,800 to 2,000 lbs. range.

That may sound like a lot, but when you figure the hitch weight of an EMPTY 25 foot Airstream is about 800 lbs., a cap for your pick-up can be 200 to 300 lbs., gasoline for the pick-up about 100 lbs., two passengers @ 150 lbs. each, you are already at about 1,500 lbs. before any other gear you may bring along (e.g., generator, "gear," dogs, firewood, etc..)

So if you pack your truck heavily, you need to be careful about payload. If you don't have a cap and leave your bed pretty much empty, then the F-150 Eco-Boost is a great choice.
For those of you who do not already own a F150 Ecoboost, the payload range is 1590 to 3060 lbs depending on how it is configured. And the payload ratings already include a full tank of gas and a 150 lb. driver.
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Old 05-20-2014, 07:36 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS View Post
Hi, with the 3.5L Ecoboost being the only one at this time in the F-150, we should also include the new 2.7L Ecoboost when it comes out. I'm thinking about the 6 1/2 foot bed on the crew cab, if it will fit into my garage. I will have to re-measure my new garage as it's supposed to be 22' deep. I have a feeling that it is actually 21 1/2' deep. Maybe the 5 1/2' bed version will be enough.
Since you're thinking about the long version, you can get the HD Payload setup without compromise (unless you're just desperate for a Platinum model or 20" wheels).

I'm planning to buy a new tow vehicle in the spring of 2016, so I get to wait and see what the aluminum truck weighs and what its payload is like. I don't really want the extra foot of truck to deal with, but I like the higher payload. It might be just enough to make me happy without HD Payload if they put more than half of the promised weight savings toward payload. Assuming they still offer the HD Payload configuration on the aluminum-bodied truck, of course.
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Old 05-20-2014, 07:48 PM   #10
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I have a F-150 ecoboost without max payload and and 25 B and and I'm over on the back axel. The next one will have the max payload. No problem for towing I like my truck
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Old 05-20-2014, 07:55 PM   #11
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Several of our customers own the F150 with the Ecoboost, and every one of them loves theirs. One customer bought a full-size 5th wheel to be towed by his Ecoboost. I thought he was nuts, and told him so (those who know me can attest that not being able to express my opinion is not one of my problems). He invited me to do a test drive, and off we went. Takeoff from zero to about 10 mph was a bit sluggish, but not bad, and after that I was almost able to forget about the 5-er sitting on the bed. I had to keep slowing down, as 65+ was no problem towing.
He did order and get installed a set of towing mirrors, which are nice to have, and I think they are a regular option on these trucks now. He says he gets 12 mpg towing.
The other customers aren't as "push the envelope" as him, but they all report good results. I hear about turbo problems, but nobody I have talked to has had issues, it's all been someone else, or a friend of a friend.
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Old 05-20-2014, 08:33 PM   #12
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I'm about 99 percent I'll get a ecoboost, I even bought 100 shares of Ford stock to qualify for the X-Plan. I'm sure some of you can do better but I prefer to minimize my time at the sales office. Though even then it seems to take hours. I'll probably also get a 4x4 to get the larger fuel tank.
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Old 05-20-2014, 08:58 PM   #13
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Just a heads up, with your 27FB you will be over max payload if you include a passenger, cap, etc...
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Old 05-20-2014, 09:10 PM   #14
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I had a 2012. Enjoyed it immensely, great for towing, but it was overkill for my needs. Swapped for a smaller Jeep Grand Cherokee.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ost-74084.html
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Old 05-20-2014, 10:31 PM   #15
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Just a heads up, with your 27FB you will be over max payload if you include a passenger, cap, etc...
A well-selected F150 (even without the HD Payload setup) will have similar payload to the Navigator he's been using for years.
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Old 05-20-2014, 10:47 PM   #16
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Just a heads up, with your 27FB you will be over max payload if you include a passenger, cap, etc...
I get it. Wife + dog + cap (maybe) + misc stuff = 400 - 700 lbs. Hitch loaded maybe 900 to 1,000 lbs (Airstream says 770 lbs). So payload need is up to 1,700 lbs. This is close or over some 2014 configuration payloads. I'm hoping the 2015 aluminum F-150 ecoboost Lariat has higher payload as a benefit.

Also, the ecoboost has 38% more horsepower and 16% more torque than my 2003 Windsor 5.4 V8. Plus it doesn't lose power at altitude due to its turbo. The only thing missing is the V8 sound, but getting 30% better gas mileage when not towing more than compensates.
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Old 05-20-2014, 11:41 PM   #17
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we have a nearly 3 year old 2011 F150 Lariat 4x4 Supercab, 145" wheelbase / 6.5' bed, 3.5L Ecoboost,

it rides on factory P275/65R18 OWL All Terrains, has 3.73 limited slip rear, (7,700 GVWR)

and with the Max Trailer Tow Package, iirc, it's rated to tow 11,300 pounds, with a GCWR of 17,100.

we pull our 2002 Safari 25C Six Sleeper with it. the 25C has GVWR of 6,300. we use a plain old Reese w/d bar hitch. the tongue weight, loaded, is about 850 pounds.

the truck has plenty of get up and go, hitched and unhitched. suffice it to say that it pulls our AS just fine with no towing issues at all.

am sufficiently happy with this vehicle that I will buy / lease another one. we're planning on a new 2015 for the fall, if Ford production co-operates!

this 2011 is my sixth F150 since 1996. suffice it to say that, towing or not, it works for us.

very local - in town, suburban, mileage is about 14 mpg. highways at 62 to 65 mpg will get you up around 21 - 22 mpg. at 75 mph, about 18 mpg. towing is usually about 12 to 13 mpg, though we have seen as high as 14.5 mpg.

I did try turning off the Roll Stability Control with no apparent or measurable difference in mileage.

we protect the bed and our cargo with a BedRug and a Truxedo Lo Pro QT tonneau cover. both were new in 2005 an have been in / on our 2005, 2008, and 2011 Fs.

the Sony sound is good enough for the average listener. the reverse sensing is excellent. the rear camera makes hitching up effortless. the moonroof is as close to ragtop as I'll see any time soon. even the electric sliding rear window is handy.

if I could change two things, they would be -

shorter rear axle gears (3.55s) with all the rest of the Max Tow Package elements, notwithstanding the resultant 1,500 pound reduction in towing capacity, and,

put a Garmin Nav into the dashboard in place of the Ford + Microsoft SYNC / Sony piece of junk! the inventory of Ford POI info is perfectly abysmal! my old $125 Garmin is a much better NAV system.

ymmv.
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Old 05-21-2014, 04:24 AM   #18
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F150

We have 2011 EcoBoost, and will be ordering a 2015 when they become available, enough said
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Old 05-21-2014, 04:30 AM   #19
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The only thing missing is the V8 sound, but getting 30% better gas mileage when not towing more than compensates.
If you get to missing that sound, you could always burn a CD and play it in the stereo...
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Old 05-21-2014, 06:27 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS View Post
Hi, I'm seriously considering a Ford F-150 Eco-Boost for my next tow vehicle. My present tow vehicle does fine, but is getting old, and I want a pick-up this time. [note: present vehicle not mentioned by name]

Please only post about this vehicle, and only this vehicle, in this thread. And only with this engine. There is, and has been, a lot of interest in the Ford Eco-Boost F-150, so lets talk about it.
My friend has a ego boost get low mileage towing
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