Help me spec my Ecoboost F150

[Widget]

I’m settled on getting the 3.5l Ecoboost 145" wb and mulling over the finer points of specing out my perfect truck. Yes most have these have probably been touched on in various threads across this and other forums, but I’m hoping for one focused dialogue from those that have experience in a similar use case to help finalize the decisions. FWIW we have a ’72 23’ Safari and tow with the X5D (tow mirrors) at this point. We don’t need to change and love the way the X5d pulls the trailer. If I had to nitpick the only complaints I have is that we need to use extension mirrors. The country boy in me is itching for a truck again. Usage will be around the Northeast and ADK region.

Tow Mirrors – Of course the Tow Mirrors are going to provide more visibility, but I’ve heard they rob up to 1mpg. Let me hear your feedback pulling 23-25’ trailers. Our older 8’ width should help a bit. Can you see decently with the standard mirrors? How about on a 8’6” trailer?

Payload Impact of Options –This is one area I haven’t found many answers to. How much do the various options subtract from the Payload? I’m guessing the dual pane sunroof is a beefy option. Just wondering how big of a hunk it eats away. The packages I'm interested in are
-Dual panel sunroof
-Tailgate step
-Adaptive Cruise
-FX4

Gearing/ – Should I wait till the new rumored 10spd comes out? Thinking the 3.55 rear end (if it can be had with MaxTow Pkg) and the new transmission will provide the best balance of everyday use as well as do an admirable job towing. Not in this tow vehicles lifetime would I ever see us going beyond a 25’ unit, so I’m not interested in planning for the future. Should I consider the 3.31?

[slowmover]

Contact Andrew Thomson at Can Am Rv. Get his input on what matters most for stability.

Then the rest.

[mixedpuppy]

I haven't looked at the newer specs, with our 2014 Lariat (and almost all options), we ended up with a usable payload of 1610lbs. Basically, the Lariat options stripped out just over 300lbs off the maximum payload the F150 has when configured with 4x4, max tow, max payload. The AC/heat in the seats is worth the payload loss, the chrome and sunroof maybe not so much (it does look nice). Love the tailgate step (I'm short).

IIRC, max tow automatically includes the 3.75 gear. I would anticipate unknown needs and go with max. My only gripe with the truck is payload, I didn't anticipate wanting more payload.

I don't know about the mileage drop, but I like the mirrors extending, otherwise I would have much less visibility since our 27fb is wider that the truck.

[Widget]

Thanks Mixedpuppy. I should note this will be a 2015 or newer so there's been some significant changes around payloads resultant to the aluminum body.

Regarding Andy's pov on stability, I follow his recommendations fairly closely, see my current TV, but he's not a ford dealer so I'm afraid his input isn't that helpful with regard to my specific questions.

[BoldAdventure]

I cannot speak for the Ford, but in the Ram the Sunroof takes off nearly 60lbs of payload. That Ford sunroof is beautiful, and I imagine, HEAVY. Leather seats, heavy. Console, Heavy. Premium sounds, more speakers, subwoofer = HEAVY.

Not spot on numbers, but you can take a guess yourself. Good luck.

[KJRitchie]

2015 F150 have reduced GVWR ratings so payloads seem to be about the same as 2014 models except for King Rang/Plantinums. This is the actual payload shown on the door load sticker. Those trim levels gained payload. XLTs, Lariats seem to be about the same 1600 to 1700. I was hoping for 2000lb payload for an XLT Supercrew XLT 156" wb but didn't materialize. I don't like the seating and door arrangement of the Supercabs with have the highest payload without ordering HD Payload Pkg which seems to be delayed until next year.

Can't find any examples of F150s at my local dealers that have the tow mirrors. I'd miss having them. Not so much the larger mirror but the wide angle 2nd mirror is great for keeping track of my Airstream tires in tight turns to avoid obstructions.

Stiil F150 seems to have better payloads than other 1/2t manufacturers.

Kelvin

[Widget]

@Boldadventure - good info on the sunroof. 60# and I'd go for it. My guestimate for Fords dual panel was 150# +/-. Hoping to find some real world numbers from someone that has check doors of similar spec'd trucks. It will be a Lariat so Leather/Console are happening. I'm not paying for a factory sound upgrade and don't want the weight so that's out. Pretty much the options in my original post are the only ones on the maybe lineup. Everything else is what it is.

@KJRitchie- You're probably right they will be lower than what I'm dreaming of. For now it's not so much what the number is, but the deviation the options that are on my "maybe" list could create.

It's not like our trailer is a monster and we roll real light, Cabinets are empty and trailer only loaded with what we need for the trip. Less than 10k for TV and Trailer at last weighting with the x5.

[Wayne&Sam]

But if you travel with dogs, you want that sunroof. Not for the sun but for the ventilation when parked and you want to ensure the cab doesn't over heat for the dogs. At least that's what I do - crack the windows and crack the sunroof and the cab will stay cooler. Obviously there's a limit to this method when it gets very warm.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[richinny]

ford published a guide that has the weight of every accessory. (at least they did in 2012) my truck delivered weight was over the estimate by 50#.

make sure your state doesn't have a weight limit on passenger plates. ny is 5500#.

[m.hony]

My truck is a 2007. I put tow mirrors on it in 2012. I can't tell a difference in fuel economy.

[BillfromWI]

I have a 2013 Ecoboost with nearly every option but I don't think the weights that I could provide would be very relevant for the current version.

I used the Ford online configurator to spec my truck and found it very helpful. For example, some of the options I wanted; e.g., max tow and payload were not offered without the 3.73 gears. That may have changed but I would try the configurator. As a result this truck will never achieve the fuel economy Ford quotes, but I'm satisfied with its lifetime 12 mpg towing average.

I tow a 2014 Flying Cloud 25FB. The truck is great but I wish the tow mirrors extended another 2 or 3 inches. I love this truck and it is quieter than our Mercedes and BMW sedans.

[Nmengineer]

We have a 2013 F150 SuperCrew with the MaxTow and a 6.5' bed. It tows our 27' FC without a problem. I would really recommend the maxtow mirrors and the other oil coolers and trailer brake controller. With your lighter trailer the rest is your preference. Great choice for a truck!

[RBeard66]

We have a 2014 fully loaded w/ tow package, F-150 Lariat. 3.5L Ecoboost towing a 2015 25' FB Flying Cloud. The truck pulls well, quiet, shifts nicely in the tow/haul mode, and I added after market mirror extenders and a rear-view wireless camera for additional assistance in passing, parking and backing in. What I am disappointed in is the mileage experienced thus far. Approaching 50% or more of the total allowable tow weight, we're averaging 10MPG at 60MPH on most level Interstate travel (I10 E-W) so far. When not towing, We travel at 65MPH and average 22-23 MPG. I am considering an upgrade to the F250 diesel. That seems to be a drastic reduction in MPG when towing. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? Others?

Russ63

[55AS]

My 2014 EB 3.5 Supercrew is averaging 18-19 mpg in non towing combined driving and 13-13.5 towing my 3000 lb Flying Cloud.

[Widget]

Russ63 your numbers don't seem that far off from what I would be expecting. I pull 16.5mpg while towing today so sadly, I'll be giving up mileage going to this vehicle. I'll have to see if I can find the ford manual with options & weights for the '15 models.

Any comments or feedback from owners of current gen on the infotainment/Sync systems?

[gmw photos]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Contact Andrew Thomson at Can Am Rv. Get his input on what matters most for stability.

Then the rest.

Speaking of stability, the "one thing" that I did to my Nissan Frontier truck that helped stability more than anything else was to add a hellwig anti roll bar under the back.
I have driven a 2015 F150, factory stock. If I were to buy one, that would be the first thing I would add to it, especially if I used it for towing ( I would ) but even if I did not use it for towing. ( perhaps the 2015 F150 comes with one standard ? )

[Widget]

Surprisingly the F150 has no stock rear swaybar. The hellwig will be one of the first additions. Maybe even front and rear. I'm a tinkerer by heart so there's a long list of add-on's and mods that will get done eventually.

[mdritt]

I took delivery two weeks ago of my F150. I traded my F350 6.7, I got tired of feeding the beast. I got the Max Tow package, 3.5 Eco, 4X4 and the 302A Equipment Group, 40-console-40 front seat, 157 inch wheelbase, 36 gal tank, and tailgate step. My door sticker says 1772 lb. payload. Don't know about 2016, but the Max Tow requires the 3.55 rear end. So far, I'm very happy with the truck, especially all the towing gadgets that are included. I hooked my 8400 lb Boles Aero on and took it up a 10 mile grade from 5600 feet to 6000 feet and it only downshifted briefly into 5th a couple of times. It should handle my 73 Overlander quite well.

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by Russ63

We have a 2014 fully loaded w/ tow package, F-150 Lariat. 3.5L Ecoboost towing a 2015 25' FB Flying Cloud. The truck pulls well, quiet, shifts nicely in the tow/haul mode, and I added after market mirror extenders and a rear-view wireless camera for additional assistance in passing, parking and backing in. What I am disappointed in is the mileage experienced thus far. Approaching 50% or more of the total allowable tow weight, we're averaging 10MPG at 60MPH on most level Interstate travel (I10 E-W) so far. When not towing, We travel at 65MPH and average 22-23 MPG. I am considering an upgrade to the F250 diesel. That seems to be a drastic reduction in MPG when towing. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? Others?

Russ63

I also have a 2015 F-150 with Ecoboost, pulling a 25' Flying cloud, and I average about 16 litre/100 KM., or about 18-20 MPG. at 110 KPH. (70 MPH) I have a 6 spd. trans, and the 6th. speed is never used. It's a useless redundancy. The perfect RPM for this engine is 2500, (max. torque) and in 3rd. gear will give me about 60 KPH. In fourth gear, will give me 92 KPH, (about 57 MPH). In 5th. gear, 2500 will give me 120 KPH, ( or 75 MPH.)
Mine comes with a 3.55 final drive, although I wanted a 3.73., but it handles the 'Cloud quite well. If I had a 4.10 or 4.56 final, I could probably use that 6th. gear to advantage. but as is, it's a useless add-on.
You should not run your engine below 2000 RPM, to avoid 'lugging', and to allow the ancillary services to do their job. (Air condition compressor, water pump, A.C. generator, power steering etc.)
Let the engine 'swing' it's muscles, and the turbos to breath properly, and you will get good performance and decent gas 'milage'. (In Canada, 'Klikage'?)
I CAN cruise at 120 KPH, but the wife gets nervous, so I just keep it around 110 on our 400 series highways. The Airstream is quite stable at either speed.

[Widget]

Anybody have comments good or bad on the SYNC mytouch infomedia system? Wondering how it will compare to the next gen sync3 coming out. It looks like SYNC3 may be in the 2016 Escapes which are at the dealers. Might have to go in and play around a bit.