Should I be okay with the F150 Eco-Boost

[FL Dawg]

So I am looking at a new 2016 F-150 Eco-Boost 3.5L V6. It only comes with the basic tow package (not the Max tow package). In addition, I am getting the 3.55 electronic locking rear axle. I will be pulling a 27 FB with a GRVW of 7600 lbs. and a hitch weight of 770. I will also be installing a propride3 WD hitch. I hope to travel the USA and want to make sure I have the right TV first. This is a major investment for me and I dont want to mess up. thanks

[Troy Tyson]

I have a 2015 f150 3.5 ecoboost I tow a 27 ft. Airstream, it pulls like a dream. On flat ground with no wind I can get between 13 and 14 mpg. in mountains or a headwind I get around 10.5 mpg. I do not think you will be disappointed with the 3.5.
Troy tyson

[RandyNH]

While Troy is correct and the 3.5 is more than enough I'm curious as to what the actual ratings are for a non-max tow, non-max payload, 3.55 ratio F150 is. All the literature specs the highest numbers with the disclaimer of max setup.

If you're looking at a 2016 then you must have access to the actual truck and associated paperwork and specifications, get those and post the numbers, then get proper answers. As far as the engine goes, you've got plenty of power though.

[JMynes]

I'm not familiar with the 'numbers' for the F150, but my Silverado 1500 with a 5.3 engine is rated to tow 9400 lbs. with a GCWR OF 15,000 lbs.
All loaded up with a full tank of water the 27FB weighs 6620, and combined weight is right at 13k. My 'seat of the pants' impression is that I wouldn't want to go much heavier. I've only towed it home from the dealer, and a trip to the scales, all pretty flat here in Florida. The truck is doing the job well, and I expect it to handle hills okay. Pennsylvania and New York mountains will be the real test.
I'm not a Ford guy, but a 3.5 V6 doesn't sound like the right choice. I think it's turbocharged, right? That will help, but it's going to make that small displacement engine work very hard. I have to wonder about durability.
A wise man once said, "There is no substitute for cubic inches"
I think I need more. I think you will need lots more. Especially if you plan to cross the Rockies.

[FL Dawg]

Twin turbocharged

[FL Dawg]

10,600 10,700 max trailer tow weight....which I should be well under by approx. 3000 lbs

[paiceman]

Make sure you order the correct E rated tires on the EcoBoost. We had one of the first ones that came out with the tow package and they put on D rated.

The new Eco has improved tow rating capabilities over the one we had which was a 2011 model. Towed very well.

[Mergatroyd]

Originally Posted by JMynes

I'm not a Ford guy, but a 3.5 V6 doesn't sound like the right choice. I think it's turbocharged, right? That will help, but it's going to make that small displacement engine work very hard. I have to wonder about durability.

Ford's 3.5 liter V-6 has a lot more torque than their 5 liter V-8, 470 ft-lbs vs 387 ft-lbs, so I would definitely choose the V-6 for a tow vehicle. The V-8 is basically obsolete.

[Mergatroyd]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

If you're looking at a 2016 then you must have access to the actual truck and associated paperwork and specifications, get those and post the numbers, then get proper answers. As far as the engine goes, you've got plenty of power though.

The only way you can tell how much your truck can actually load is to look at the "Tire Pressure and Loading Information" label on the door frame of the actual truck you are buying. The sales literature is completely misleading.

[silverlabs]

The 3.5 EB is a very good engine which puts out more horsepower and torque than many of the V8's out there. I have pulled both a 25 and 28 Airstream with F150 3.5EB (2011 &2015) and had no issues. We travel mainly out West with many trips into Rockies. In many respects the 3.5EB does better than some of the others in the mountains due to the turbos. They don't struggle for air like a normally aspirated engine does. As with any 1/2 ton, watch your speed and control your descent on the mountain roads. The 3.5EB will rev a little more than a V8 while downshifting but does fine. You will do fine with your choice, but do go an get scale numbers to make sure all is adjusted right. Enjoy your travels.

Chuck

[rostam]

Originally Posted by FL Dawg

So I am looking at a new 2016 F-150 Eco-Boost 3.5L V6. It only comes with the basic tow package (not the Max tow package). In addition, I am getting the 3.55 electronic locking rear axle. I will be pulling a 27 FB with a GRVW of 7600 lbs. and a hitch weight of 770. I will also be installing a propride3 WD hitch. I hope to travel the USA and want to make sure I have the right TV first. This is a major investment for me and I dont want to mess up. thanks

What you can pull behind you depends on tow rating and GCWR. Usually GCWR is more restrictive. Given F150's ratings you should be fine pulling a 27.

What you can haul (occupants, cargo, tongue weight) depends on axle ratings and GVWR. Usually GVWR is more restrictive.

Payload = GVWR - vehicle curb weight. Check the payload sticker on driver side door jam. Thats how much weight you can haul (occupants, cargo, tongue weight). Do NOT rely on published payload numbers on Ford website, as the published payload numbers are for a bare bones truck with no options, hence, they are overstated by several hundred pounds. Keep in mind also that Airstream tongue weights are usually understated by several hundred pounds. If the weight of occupants plus cargo plus Airstream tongue weight is less than the payload on the driver side door sticker, you are good to go. Good luck!

[wmcneil]

I am towing a 25' FC with a 2016 expedition and the 3.5L ecoboost. I have no problems. As others have pointed out:

* The engine has plenty of power: 365HP@5000RPM 420lb-ft@2500RPM

* Check the placard on the inside door jam to see what the actual ratings are. Even with the standard towing package, the total weight (GCWR) will almost certainly not be the limiting factor, rather the payload capacity will be. This will determine how much weight you can have in all the cargo that you may put in the truck.

[Roadhoop]

2015 F150 EB XLT SCrew. Configured very similar to what OP is describing. Hauls my 2015 FC 25' RB just fine. As Rostam says payload is the constraint for me, my yellow sticker says 1,890 pounds for my truck. I keep that in mind when loading the truck.

[Mergatroyd]

Originally Posted by Roadhoop

2015 F150 EB XLT SCrew. Configured very similar to what OP is describing. Hauls my 2015 FC 25' RB just fine. As Rostam says payload is the constraint for me, my yellow sticker says 1,890 pounds for my truck. I keep that in mind when loading the truck.

The F-150 I'm looking at online says it can handle a max payload of 1460 lbs. After 350 lbs of driver and passenger that leaves 1110 for tongue load and cargo. Some loaded Airstreams have more tongue load than that.

Also, the actual door label will probably say it can only hold payload at around 1300, i.e., less than the advertised amount.

[Roadhoop]

Yellow sticker is very dependent on trim and package items. I don't have 4x4, no moonroof, etc.. on purpose so that I could get a better payload. There is/was a max payload package. But rare as hen's teeth.

[Wconley]

We have a 2013 F150 EB pulling a 23D. Towing capacity won't be an issue with the F150 but as others have said, look at the Payload sticker on the door jam. Subtract from that the tongue weight and that gives you what's left for passengers and cargo you will carry in the truck. Ours is a loaded Platinum so the Payload is a little over 1100 pounds which doesn't leave much for two people, a dog and "stuff" after subtracting the tongue weight.

Don't go by brochure weights and don't go by the salesmen who we found to universally not understand the difference between what the brochure said is possible and what the actual truck is rated for. I choose to believe they didn't actually lie to us about what we could load the truck up with but were simply as clueless as we were when we bought it. They don't have to live with it but we do so we have to be vigilant in what we carry.

There are a lot of threads on 1/2 ton trucks and some really good ones for understanding the F150. For the F150 if you like creature comforts, look for a Lariat package with the things you like and want. Each addition to the truck takes away from your payload so make your choices. We love our F150 and use it as a daily driver as well as a tow vehicle so we are happy with our choice but we do have to be careful not to exceed the payload rating.

[SailorSam205]

If I read Ford's spec correctly, OP doesn't have the built in brake controller and the upgraded rear bumper that come with the max-tow package and has a slightly lower max trailer weight. I suspect he can have the brake controller added at minimal cost. Only other issue I can think of is that he may not have the OEM tow mirrors. Depending on the trim level, those may be impossible to retrofit. Power wise, the engine should be named Eco-Beast. Ford has been using the engine for a number of years, on both cars and trucks, without a major out-cry of issues not seen by other manufacturers. The EB is a direct injection engine and may be subject to a carbon buildup on the intake valves. This issue was addressed by a modification that came with the 2017 version of the engine. From what I've read, the carbon issue generally doesn't manifest until there is over 100k miles on the engine. As noted by wmcneil, the engine has plenty of power and torque and as shown by the Fast Lane Truck people it performs better than any normally aspirated engine at altitude.

[pappy19]

If I were you I would have the dealer add a set of Firestone Airbags so you can adjust the leveling on your suspension. Very inexpensive for the benefit.

[Torii]

I'm on my third tow vehicle with the same 1975 Airstream which is similar in weight to the OP's. First 2 trucks were 1/2 tons - I was almost ALWAYS over loaded if you go by the book. (1/2 tons allow almost nothing for payload) Despite that, I always felt like they towed the trailer very well - plenty of power (both Chevy 5.3) I use a weight distributing hitch which helps the 1/2 ton truck handle the tongue weight. I thought it was a great setup until I started pulling mountain passes. Going up was never a problem. Braking is the issue. I got tired of the white knuckle descents with the frequent stops to allow the smoking brakes to cool. As soon as I switched to a 3/4 ton truck with heavier brakes I instantly regretted not having done so years ago. The difference is incredible. So forget about whether or not you can pull the trailer with that ecoboost - what want to be able to do is descend a steep pass with the confidence that your truck is more than equipped to slow your roll and stop.

Also - ask your insurance company if they will cover you even though during the accident investigation it was discovered that you were overloaded according to the manufacturers limits.

[OSCS]

Here's my 17 F-150 3.5 EB with my 25 FT AS behind it. Tows like a dream. You won't be disappointed if you decide on it.