Ford F150 Ecoboost Failure??

[jbroedlow]

To further the debate as to whether or not the Ford F150 Ecoboost is big enough to tow lets say a 27ft Airstream, I want to hear from people that have actually towed with this vehicle and have felt that it was underpowered to do the job and have subsequently traded off to something bigger.

We have purchased this vehicle with the max towing package, 4x4, 3.73 axle but have not yet received the Flying Cloud 27FB. We'll also be towing with a Propride Hitch.

Our attitude is to try it, if we like it we'll keep it (the tow vehicle) and if we feel it's unsafe or underpowered we'll trade it.

Comments?

[BigAl]

You will like it. It has enough power to tow my 31. If you didn't get heavy duty payload package you may have to watch your payload in the truck.
Al

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by jbroedlow

To further the debate as to whether or not the Ford F150 Ecoboost is big enough to tow lets say a 27ft Airstream, I want to hear from people that have actually towed with this vehicle and have felt that it was underpowered.
Comments?

It has plenty of power or "Torque" - the issue is the load the truck has to carry (tongue weight of the trailer plus passengers and cargo in the truck - don't forget truck accessories such as CAPS, etc.). Your max payload for your exact vehicle can be found on the drivers side door via a sticker - either on the truck you own or the truck you are looking at purchasing.

[SteveH]

Just my opinion, but if I were going to tow any Airstream larger than a 19' with any 1/2 ton truck, I would install some Timbren overload springs.

They won't solve all of the issues with the weight, but they will solve the suspension issues with the weight.

[dutchie]

I tow my 27 FB international with a 2013 ford Eco boost , 3.73 gears, max tow package ,

In my opinion , it pulls it like a dream , no trouble at all so far for me , and this is my second Eco boost truck , they got the best pulling power of the 1/2 tons on the market

[Howard L.]

Just to be contrary. I started with our 2012 30 flying cloud with a 2011 Chevy 1500 with the 403 hp 6.2 V8. It was not enough for me, so we now pull with a 2500, Duramax. That said you Eco-Boost and Tundra 5.7 drivers sure like your TVs so guess every body has their ideas of power needed. Just watch that total weight and I would also check with ford the rating in the hitch receiver. That 2011 Chevy with big engine and full tow package had a receiver with a tongue weight rating of 500 #.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Howard L.

Just to be contrary. I started with our 2012 30 flying cloud with a 2011 Chevy 1500 with the 403 hp 6.2 V8. It was not enough for me, so we now pull with a 2500, Duramax. That said you Eco-Boost and Tundra 5.7 drivers sure like your TVs so guess every body has their ideas of power needed. Just watch that total weight and I would also check with ford the rating in the hitch receiver. That 2011 Chevy with big engine and full tow package had a receiver with a tongue weight rating of 500 #.

Current F150 receiver capacity with WD hitch is 1130 lb. Interestingly that's exactly 10% of the rated max trailer weight, so it may be an aribtrary figure that's smaller than the engineering value.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Howard L.

Just to be contrary. I started with our 2012 30 flying cloud with a 2011 Chevy 1500 with the 403 hp 6.2 V8. It was not enough for me, so we now pull with a 2500, Duramax. That said you Eco-Boost and Tundra 5.7 drivers sure like your TVs so guess every body has their ideas of power needed. Just watch that total weight and I would also check with ford the rating in the hitch receiver. That 2011 Chevy with big engine and full tow package had a receiver with a tongue weight rating of 500 #.

Hi, I believe that you miss-read the rating of your receiver; The receiver on my Lincoln also states a 500 lb max without a WD hitch and about 1,000 lbs with a WD hitch.

[Howard L.]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I believe that you miss-read the rating of your receiver; The receiver on my Lincoln also states a 500 lb max without a WD hitch and about 1,000 lbs with a WD hitch.

Yes, this was without WD. but I could not find label with rating, so called dealer. He checked with Chevy and came back with tongue wt of 500. At any rate I replaced with a class 4. Waste of money, as I bought the diesel truck right after.

[graysailor]

I pull my 25' Cloud with an EchoBoost with no problems at all. The only thing that slows me down in the hills is me. I am just cautious. In reading other forums nothing out there get much better then 13mpg when towing and I like getting 18+ when on the open road and not towing.

[tvketchum]

Since September, we have towed our 30' Classic with our 2013 F150 Ecoboost over 2000 miles. The truck handles well, with sway and 1000 lb bars on the WD hitch. There is plenty of get up and go in Tow/Haul mode. The truck was factory equipped with the tow package, 3.73 rear end, receiver and wiring. The brakecontroller was added by the dealer as were tow mirrors. Our usual speed on the interstate is 55 to 60. A truck passing will cause a little, brief sway, but otherwise, the truck does well. If I had to do all over, I might go with the F250 and higher tow capacity, only because we are full timing. However, I don't feel the F150 is unsafe and needs to be upgraded. It is very comfortable feeling the AS is under control in this combination.

[kscherzi]

I tow a 27 with a 11 year old Ford Expedition SUV. It has 100 fewer horsepower than the ecoboost and naturally aspirated ( not turbo). I pulled it up and over the Sierras many times. At 7000 feet on 6% grades I slow to about 45 mph. I'd like to upgrade to a ecoboost someday.

Get a F-250/350 if you need the payload (or are made of money), but I don't think its necessary for the trailer.

[kamadeca]

Thought I would throw my two cents in as well. I have towed our 2009 28' International with my F150 ecoboost this year (total of over 17000 kms). We have travelled from Southern Ontario to Newfoundland, to Saskatchewan and all points in between. The latest trip was from Saskatoon to Mesa, AZ. Not once has it ever stumbled, or did I feel it underpowered. Lots of get up and go and probably the most comfortable ride I have experienced. I have had many vehicles over the past 40 years and can honestly say the F150 is the best vehicle I have every owned. I will probably jinx myself now, but other than regular service, it has never been in the shop for anything.

Try it you'll like it.

[graysailor]

You can boost up the payload with the EchoBoost but the truck needs to be well specified. The salesmen don't always know what they are talking about so a little homework is in order.

[Firedog1]

we have the 2014 F150 ecoboost and love it, tows the 25' Classic like a dream.

[rodsterinfl]

You can boost up the payload with the EchoBoost but the truck needs to be well specified. The salesmen don't always know what they are talking about so a little homework is in order.

Bingo!
The 2015 Ecoboost is slated to be a 320 HP (like the '09 5.4 Liter) as a 2.7 Liter as a second option to the larger 3.0. I wish I could fully answer your question on the towing. I am planning for the 2.7 as a replacement for my 4.6 3V (292HP/320Torque). If you are planning new, consider that in not too long, the 2015 will debut with an 8 speed tranny and aluminum and 800 lbs less.

[streamer_a]

We have towed our 2013 28' International just over 8,000 miles with our 2013 F150 Ecoboost, Max Tow Package. No issues. Plenty of power. Braking good. Handled some poor situations (ice, snow, 50mph cross winds) very well. Example as recent as yesterday:

20140109 Arkansas ice - YouTube

I roll around at 70mph all day (at 8mpg). Stable.

I have a theoretical concern about payload. Theoretical because I am probably close to the max payload rating (about 1,700 lbs) but not noticeable - no sagging, etc.