Ford 2017 F150 Ecoboost 3.5

[turk123]

I owned a 2016 Platinum F-150 for a little over a year. I have a 27' International FB and an equalizer hitch at the time. The truck has lots of power and is impressive for towing. The only issue I had was the payload and downhill driving. The payload on mine I think was around 1500. You can easily overload it if you are going on a long trip and need more goodies.

The downhill issue is why I switched to an F-250. The eco-boost engine has very little compression power to slow you down. Your 16 footer will be just fine, but the 25 (or when you look at the 27s and go with it!!) can make you use your brakes a lot more. If you are in towing mode, every time you tap the brake, you drop a gear. Pretty soon your at 5500 rpm and giving it gas to go up a gear. Of course you could always use the manual shifting, but that kind of defeats the purpose of tow mode.

Ok, I probably overdid it with a 2017 Platinum F-250 diesel, but it is nice!!! Lots of payload (2200) and nice firm ride while towing. Heck, it rides better than my f-150. Downside, it is longer. Upside, I could use the bed space!

Justification: I trade my vehicles every 4 years with about 130,000 miles on them. I usually get a 4 year loan. With the diesel I went with a 5 year loan, put some money down, and my payment is lower than the f-150. How long can I keep the diesel? Maybe twice as long.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by CanuckStream

Hey gang. Looked around and didnt see one that specifically fit. I am looking at the above in a Platinum Package.

The towing capacity, and torque numbers seem very impressive.

Is anybody currently towing ANY airstream with this truck? If so, how is it?

Thanks

Coco.

I had a 2012 Platinum F-150 with the HD tow and the Eco-boost Towing a 28' International and simply loved it. No issues whatsoever.
However when we traded for our current 2017 30' Classic it proved to be light over all for this trailer so we traded for a 2017 F-250 with the 6.7 Diesel.

[Wetfeet]

We pull our 2015 Flying Cloud 20 with a 2013 F150 Lariet 4x4 with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine. You hardly know the trailer is back there! We have pulled it at least 20,000 miles, to places like Banff-Jasper, Tucson, Florida, Smoky Mountain NP, Yellowstone, Glacier, etc. The Ecoboost is not a throw-away engine. The only feature I wish I had is adaptive cruise control. You cannot go wrong with an F150 set up for pulling a trailer.

[Daquenzer]

I have 2017 XLT with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I easily pull my 28' International. I also have 1750lbs of payload. Which isn't a great deal, but it works for us. I use my F150 for work (real estate appraiser). It rides great. One of the reasons I didn't go with the Super Duty. The ride wasn't as good. And I get about 20 mpg during the winter and 22 mpg during the summer. When I retire I think the next truck I get will be a gas F250. More payload. Diesel is too expensive to operate, maintain, and the initial cost is ridiculous. Although I drove an F250 with a diesel and it was impressive. The ride wasn't too bad, but I just wouldn't want it for an everyday around town vehicle. But when I retire I won't be sitting in it much except for pulling the AS.

By the way one way to get around the payload issue is putting more stuff in the AS. We don't put that much in the bed of the truck.

[Streamer1492]

Purchased a 2012 3.5 Lariat 4x4 373 gear 6.5 box,max tow package Supercab with capacity around 1776#, pulling a 28' 2010 international with about 500-700 pounds in TV bed. Put over 40,000 towing no issues. 16 mpg at 75mph no trailer, 10-11 at 65mph towing without much headwind. Mainly Montana to Nevada to Texas.

Sold and bought a 2016 2.7 Lariat, 4x4, max tow, max payload, 373 gear, 6.5 box, Supercab. Payload is 1932# Had to order because Ford no longer included tow mirrors or 36 gal tank in the Supercab with max tow. (who was the idiot at ford that did that max tow without mirrors!).

Pulling a 2014 27FB international, about 22,000 miles towing so far, no issues the 2.7 get just under 20 at 75 no trailer and between 9-10 towing at 65. Same Montana, Utah, Nevada, AZ, NM, Texas with lots of mountains. Pulled a friends 30' international from Vegas to SLC, the 2.7 worked a bit harder, but no issues but only 8 mpg. Just make sure to get the towing mirrors and larger gas tank. And don't expect anywhere near 3000# capacity.

[Kyoshi]

Hi, we Have the F150 Platinum and pull an AS 28ft international Signature . We had an F150 2010.The new Platinum pulls very well, much more power going up hills on highways and smaller roads. The mileage is not bad and we are very pleased with its pulling capacity. Going on first long trip this Feb to Florida so may have more comments after that.,

[JRF0st3r]

You don't really need more feedback but most who own one of these love to talk about them. We have a 2017 F-150 4x4 Lariat with 3.5L V6 Ecoboost, Max Tow Package, 502A Equipment Group. It has 360˚ cameras plus Lane Keeping System. Decided against the Adaptive Cruise Control because we read other posts concerned about truck quickly stopping while towing. Seeing positive comments now about this feature, maybe we made a mistake. Tires were upgraded to Michelin LTX AT2 on 18" wheels.

Payload is 1811 lbs. and tongue weight on our 22' Safari is 600#.

The power telescoping and folding tow mirrors are awesome and I'm sure glad we got the retractable side box steps. It took me some time to understand the Pro-Trailer Back Up Assist but now it's great.

I've only towed 3 times, 2000 miles, so far but even my spouse loves how it performs.
Jim

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by CanuckStream

Thanks. The Platinum was listed at 79k CDN (new) and are already down about 20k on the 2017.

I was going to wait on the 2018 diesel model but the EcoBoost numbers seem pretty impressive to me. Especially that torque.

I’d be a little wary of buying the first year of an engine. But that’s just me. But maybe that engine has been used elsewhere. The only real advantage I would see with the diesel is the gas mileage. But then you pay more for diesel in maintenance, up front costs, etc. So I don’t see the economy yet.

I really wish that Ford would put a bigger diesel in the F150 that had more horsepower.

[mikewilke]

We have a 4x4 version with the Max Tow Package, etc. to tow our 27 AS.

Love this truck.

Only thing I wish was different . . . better outside mirrors.
The ones that come with it look really nice, but don't extend far enough out.
Mike

[dfgarvin]

For the past 2 years I have towed a 2016 Flying Cloud 27FB with my 2015 Platinum F-150 with the 3.5 Eco-boost. I have towed the trailer for 26,000 miles from coast to coast. Great truck. Pulls thru the mountains with no problem. The Platinum package makes it even better with the extended mirrors, blind spot warning, heated/ac seats with message. All is good!

Dan

[tbashin]

I’d go F 250 Latiat. 17’s are on sale and all the capacities jump up past the F150 for less worrying in the future on what you might have to leave behind to stay safe. Adaptive cruise, BLIS, and Lane change warning options are available. Go diesel and you’ll match the mileage of the F150 too. That’s $almost $9k add though.

[CanuckStream]

best group ever !!

Test drove the F150 today. Very nice truck. Key factor is having a brother that works for Ford.

The f250 for daily use just seems liked GROSS overkill. Heck even the f150 is too much daily driver.

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Leon Wilkins]

Originally Posted by CanuckStream

Hey gang. Looked around and didnt see one that specifically fit. I am looking at the above in a Platinum Package.

The towing capacity, and torque numbers seem very impressive.

Is anybody currently towing ANY airstream with this truck? If so, how is it?

Thanks

Coco.

I have the 2016 Lariat version and pull a 25' FB FC. Trailer tracks very well and power is more than adequate. Thought the Platinum was too much extra not worth price. Love the backup assist feature. I chose the 3.55:1rear end for good torque with smooth ride without trailer.

[mikeinca]

We had a 2017 F150 Lariat 4x4 Crew with the 3.5L EcoBoost. A great truck with plenty of power, a quiet ride, and it pulled our 25' Flying Cloud without difficulty. It was well equipped but not completely loaded and had a 1638# payload capacity. While this was adequate, it was marginal by the time I allowed for tongue and hitch weight, passengers, gear, etc.

When we traded for our current 30' Classic I was concerned that with the additional tongue weight we'd be exceeding the payload for the F150. I found a willing buyer for the 150 and got a great deal on a Platinum F250 which has a payload more than 500# greater than the previous truck. No regrets and I don't have to be quite as careful loading up for a trip. The firmer suspension on the F250 also seems to minimize the fore aft motion (porpoising) I sometimes got with the F150. But if you have the right size trailer and it fits your payload requirements, the F150 is a very capable tow vehicle and arguably a better daily use truck than the F250.

[Bob662]

Does anyone know when Ford stopped using the failure-prone 4R75 transmission, and was it used in the F-150, or just the E-series vehicles?

I also wonder if Ford has improved the trailer brake controllers and other electronic modules? I've replaced one TBC and the current one is suspect, plus the electronic module controlling the air conditioner has a mind of its own. I'll look at the Silerado next time, unless Ford has gotten its act together on the newer F-150's.

[WKPwildlife]

I just received my 2018 F150 (4x4 Crew cab 3.5L) Platinum a few weeks ago. I’ll use it to tow our AS 19’er and maybe some day a 25’er. The towing capacity and torque profile look exception but, for larger trailers, payload capacity may become a concern.

Yesterday, after logging 800 mi (close enough to the 1,000 break in period), I hitched up my 19’er. Hmmm, the tail gate won’t open all of the way. More importantly, the minimum turning radius will be a lot bigger than with my old Jeep GC. The trailer mounts 3 - 5” closer to the TV because the receiver is recessed slightly forward of the bumper. I’m now asking around (Ford, Airstream and hitch dealers) how to address the problem. I’m hoping that a 14” Reese hitch extender (and longer safety chains) will resolve the issue but I’d like Ford and Airstream to comment first. I’ll keep you posted on the outcome…..
Bill

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by Bob662

Does anyone know when Ford stopped using the failure-prone 4R75 transmission, and was it used in the F-150, or just the E-series vehicles?

I also wonder if Ford has improved the trailer brake controllers and other electronic modules? I've replaced one TBC and the current one is suspect, plus the electronic module controlling the air conditioner has a mind of its own. I'll look at the Silerado next time, unless Ford has gotten its act together on the newer F-150's.

I think the last year for the 4R75 in the F series was around 2005. Regardless, in 2017 Ford paired the 3.5L EcoBoost with a new 10 speed transmission developed jointly with GM. For 2018 the 10 speed is now available with other engines including the 5.0L V8.

I can't speak to the other issues you bring up, but for the year that I owned an 2017 F150 there were no problems: not a single one. It was my first American vehicle in a number of years and I have to say I was very impressed with the overall quality.

[kscherzi]

Have a 2017 F150 Lariat Super Crew max tow 3.5 Ecoboost with 10 speed transmission. It has all the electronics including adaptive cruise control. Leather seats heated and cooled. . I'v driven it almost 21,000 miles so far including a 9,000 mile trip to Alaska towing my 27FB. Payload is 1,660 lbs. Weighed the truck and trailer at the CAT scales fully loaded for camping and all is well within load spec. Plenty of power, almost too powerful. I'm very happy with the truck. Driving home from Flagstaff last week about 800 miles it averaged slightly more than 22 mpg (not towing).

[KU9L]

My payload sticker on my 2017 XLT says 1847 pounds instead of the 2,100 pounds the salesmen was reading off his chart at his desk. I don't have the eco-boost, but same concept & it was a challenge to stress to the salesmen I needed to.see the payload sticker and not just the window PDF, which imho should have all facts & figures on it pertaining to that build. -Dave

[77domer]

WE have a "17 supercab 4x4 and tow 25' international. Have had it almost a year and have had no issues towing. We live in Northern Arizona and have no trouble climibing US 17 from Phx to Prescott. We have about 5000 miles on the truck with no issues.

The mirrors that came with the 17 do not extend out far enough, although this is a lane warning system that can be extended to include the length of the trailer. However we did replace with mirrors that extend out. If I had it to do over again I probably would not have done this as we have a rear camera that helps.

Love the truck, Get about 11 mpg at around 65 mph.