2015 F150 2.7L Ecoboost

[Keith Gantt]

You never want to start a trip worried about your tow vehicle trust me. 2015 ecobost super cab 4x4, best tow vehicle ever had, ALWAYS go with a little extra power it give you confidence to go anywhere.
Previous tow trucks, Chevy 4x4 5.3, 4x4 dura max, z71 5.3 suburban , none as good as my ford.
23 ft , 5 people,5bikes ,2 dogs ,tent and all the gear for two weeks ....12.2 mpg average in comfort, all weather. Never a question on tow truck over the tallest pass. We set out next year on 7000 + mile trip , no doubt 3.5 ford will do it again.


The Streaming Gantt's on Airstream Forums

[Oxen]

Originally Posted by Keith Gantt

You never want to start a trip worried about your tow vehicle trust me. 2015 ecobost super cab 4x4, best tow vehicle ever had, ALWAYS go with a little extra power it give you confidence to go anywhere.
Previous tow trucks, Chevy 4x4 5.3, 4x4 dura max, z71 5.3 suburban , none as good as my ford.
23 ft , 5 people,5bikes ,2 dogs ,tent and all the gear for two weeks ....12.2 mpg average in comfort, all weather. Never a question on tow truck over the tallest pass. We set out next year on 7000 + mile trip , no doubt 3.5 ford will do it again. Attachment 248267


The Streaming Gantt's on Airstream Forums

The issue in comparing TVs doesn't seem to be its towing capability, because there are so many adequate options. The issue is controlling the rig on a mountain downslope. In this case a large bore diesel seems to be the remedy. I will eat crow, tolerate one 'daylight' being out and unfixable and look at a Grandpa Motors truck with a monster diesel.

I said look at one, not buy one. That would take a lot of convincing.

Jer

[NashBuff]

In the middle of our first trip with our 4th AS. 2010 Classic Limited 31. Our new 2015 F150 is just plain awesome. This is our 4th AS but only our 2nd TV. I am so impressed. The trip so far is 600miles. Look, I am not Consumer Reports, but this Platinum F150 4x4 is a rock star.

[graysailor]

I would think that you are pushing the limit with payload.

[IanPoulin]

Why? My 3.5L ecoboost carries 2700# payload - same frame a chassis, a 2.7L ought be the same when ordered with max cargo package.


2011 Airstream International Serenity 28' - 30a/taupe
2013 Ford F150 v6-ecoboost with max tow and HD payload packages

[graysailor]

Great. I only had 1300# with my Platinum.

[IanPoulin]

Wow - order HD cargo then for sure!


2011 Airstream International Serenity 28' - 30a/taupe
2013 Ford F150 v6-ecoboost with max tow and HD payload packages

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Keith Gantt

You never want to start a trip worried about your tow vehicle trust me. 2015 ecobost super cab 4x4, best tow vehicle ever had, ALWAYS go with a little extra power it give you confidence to go anywhere.
Previous tow trucks, Chevy 4x4 5.3, 4x4 dura max, z71 5.3 suburban , none as good as my ford.
23 ft , 5 people,5bikes ,2 dogs ,tent and all the gear for two weeks ....12.2 mpg average in comfort, all weather. Never a question on tow truck over the tallest pass. We set out next year on 7000 + mile trip , no doubt 3.5 ford will do it again. Attachment 248267


The Streaming Gantt's on Airstream Forums

We average 6-7K miles each summer, driving from CA to MT and Northwest parks... Used to tow from TX and no issues. Now from San Diego, past 2 summers in a row, towing the 25' AS outside Vegas on long grade both directions, the 3.5 EB quickly pegged red and overheated while going up the long grade....temp outside was 115+ both times at 60-65. (I know; speed limit is 55 in CA, but too slow with traffic flow.) Had to slow to 50mph and move into the truck lane to get it temp down each time...also had issues several times in Rockies going down long windy steep highway grades, where the "tow" mode did not proved enough engine breaking compression, even in 2nd gear...had to use the manual "tow break" inside to assist with the F150 breaking. I have the Platinum, Supercrew, 4X4, 2012 shortbed F150 model with tow package...contemplating next TV as a result of these issues. Otherwise, love the truck. Will see about new F-150 with newer transmission next year, and also check out the diesel..May look at Chevy and Dodge also...hate to go Diesel, but may be the cure...just don't want to buy a 250 if I don't have to...too much truck for everyday driving around town, parking, etc...

[j-ten-ner]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

...also had issues several times in Rockies going down long windy steep highway grades, where the "tow" mode did not proved enough engine breaking compression, even in 2nd gear...May look at Chevy and Dodge also...hate to go Diese...

Not a bad idea to take a look at the GM trucks. They come with the "Grade Brake Assist". It's a nice feature and makes me chuckle when I see other trucks at the bottom of the hill with smoking brakes.
I guess many drivers don't know how to go downhill w/o "riding" the brakes.
One rule is to use the same gear (or lower) going downhill as you'd use to go uphill.

In some cases you'd still have to apply the brakes. But it is more efficient to brake "hearty" and release again.

Grade Braking Operation on Full-size Trucks
2014 Silverado, 2014 Sierra Towing Assist Features | GM Authority

I also really like the "Hill Start Assist".
It'll hold the brakes for a few seconds to prevent the rig from moving while the driver takes the foot off the brake pedal to the accelerator.

so long
j-ten-ner

[DC Bruce]

When I was shopping for a TV for my FC 27, I spec'd out the 2.7 on Ford's website. IIRC, it would have been maxed out on payload in a crew cab, even with the special higher payload package, etc. Go for the 3.5; it has a good track record and lots of people happily tow an size AS with it. The 2.7 might be ok with a 25 or smaller.

[TinLoaf]

I'm retiring my 2010 VW Touareg TDI which has towed about 90,000 miles over the past five years.

The new tow vehicle is a 2016 XLT with the 2.7 liter EcoBoost and optional 3.73 axle.

Before that, I towed four years with a 2005 F-150 with 5.4 liter V8. It did well. The new 2.7 liter has 5 more horsepower and 10 more ft. lbs. of torque, plus two more gears. I think it will do quite well.

I'll keep you informed, good or bad.

[gypsydad]

Not sure why you chose the smaller EB engine with the 25' AS? Also, what is total payload capacity? You have to be at 800+ LBS with just the 25'AS? Just curious... Love the F150 ride however...

[TinLoaf]

The 3.5 liter EcoBoost was a design later modified to become turbo, and it has turned out to be a very nice engine. The 2.7 liter EcoBoost was designed from the start to be a turbo, so I feel we'll see even better reliability with the newer design. The block is made from the same compacted graphite iron as the PowerStoke and is now used in the 3.5 liter EcoBoost Gen II engine for 2017.

My VW had 220 hp / 409 ft lbs of torque and was a supurb tow vehicle. The new EcoBoost has 325 hp / 375 ft lbs, plus the truck has a curb weight over 500 pounds LESS than the VW.

My payload is over 1,600 pounds with the lighter extended cab. Not an issue.

[Oxen]

Originally Posted by TinLoaf

The 3.5 liter EcoBoost was a design later modified to become turbo, and it has turned out to be a very nice engine. The 2.7 liter EcoBoost was designed from the start to be a turbo, so I feel we'll see even better reliability with the newer design. The block is made from the same compacted graphite iron as the PowerStoke and is now used in the 3.5 liter EcoBoost Gen II engine for 2017.

My VW had 220 hp / 409 ft lbs of torque and was a supurb tow vehicle. The new EcoBoost has 325 hp / 375 ft lbs, plus the truck has a curb weight over 500 pounds LESS than the VW.

My payload is over 1,600 pounds with the lighter extended cab. Not an issue.

According to a Ford engineer the Gen 2, 3.5 liter Ecoboost engine does NOT have compacted graphite iron sleeves in the cylinders as the 2.7 liter does. However, I hope that your are right.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by Oxen

According to a Ford engineer the Gen 2, 3.5 liter Ecoboost engine does NOT have compacted graphite iron sleeves in the cylinders as the 2.7 liter does. However, I hope that your are right.

The 2.7 is not reported to have CGI sleeves, but rather a CGI block. It is a two piece block, with the upper casting of CGI and the lower casting of aluminum. Interesting design.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by TinLoaf

The 3.5 liter EcoBoost was a design later modified to become turbo, and it has turned out to be a very nice engine. The 2.7 liter EcoBoost was designed from the start to be a turbo, so I feel we'll see even better reliability with the newer design. The block is made from the same compacted graphite iron as the PowerStoke and is now used in the 3.5 liter EcoBoost Gen II engine for 2017.

My VW had 220 hp / 409 ft lbs of torque and was a supurb tow vehicle. The new EcoBoost has 325 hp / 375 ft lbs, plus the truck has a curb weight over 500 pounds LESS than the VW.

My payload is over 1,600 pounds with the lighter extended cab. Not an issue.

Hi TinLoaf- the 3.5EB has 375 HP, 470 Torque and appears to be about $1,000 less than the 2.7EB. They both are said to have same GCI used in the blocks; the MPG seems the same, maybe 1 mile different; what am I missing? Wouldn't you be better off with the 3.5 for payload hauling and towing an AS?
Appreciate your homework...as I mentioned, we are still looking at the options and after 98K miles on our 2012 EB with no issues, to me, more HP/Torque seems the way to go.

[TinLoaf]

I got the huge end of year rebates on a remaining 2016. The 3.5 Gen II EcoBoosts are only in the 2017s with no rebates. In effect, it would have been $10,000 more, so the 3.5 Gen II wasn't really an option for me.

The 3.5 Gen II EcoBoost also comes with the new 10-speed transmission which I'm unsure about.

In the 2016s, the 2.7 is a $750 option and the 3.5 is a $1,950 option in the build lists.

In the end it all came down to the numbers with my old 5.4 liter F-150. The little EcoBoost has more power, more torque, all at lower RPM, and with more gears and less weight. The old 5.4 did great. I fully expect the 2.7 will be even better.

However, I do question whether the small displacement will hold up to towing in the long run. I'm putting a lot of faith in Ford and trusting that this engine was designed from the start to handle basic towing.

I had the same doubts with VW's 3.0 liter, but turned out to be absolutely solid (still have it).

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by TinLoaf

I got the huge end of year rebates on a remaining 2016. The 3.5 Gen II EcoBoosts are only in the 2017s with no rebates. In effect, it would have been $10,000 more, so the 3.5 Gen II wasn't really an option for me.

The 3.5 Gen II EcoBoost also comes with the new 10-speed transmission which I'm unsure about.

In the 2016s, the 2.7 is a $750 option and the 3.5 is a $1,950 option in the build lists.

In the end it all came down to the numbers with my old 5.4 liter F-150. The little EcoBoost has more power, more torque, all at lower RPM, and with more gears and less weight. The old 5.4 did great. I fully expect the 2.7 will be even better.

However, I do question whether the small displacement will hold up to towing in the long run. I'm putting a lot of faith in Ford and trusting that this engine was designed from the start to handle basic towing.

I had the same doubts with VW's 3.0 liter, but turned out to be absolutely solid (still have it).

Understand the "numbers" on price....we got $12K discount when I purchased my new 2012 Platinum EB back in April 2012; Now, best I have been offered is $6K discount on 2017 models, but the dealer I know said after the 2016 inventory is mostly gone, (January/February he thinks,) should get back to $10K discounts from Ford. Biggest concern I have is payload on new truck. When you add a shell topper, 150-200 lbs, a generator-40-100 lbs, camping gear/misc at ~40 pounds, firewood at ~40 lbs, Kayaks at 80 lbs, driver/passenger at 375 lbs, then 25' AS FB at 800-1000 lbs, = ~1,800lbs, there not many F150's that are standard with that capacity in 4X4 SuperCrew short beds, from what I have been told. Special order with the "camper" package will take it from 3 leaf springs to 5, I believe, which will get up to around 1900 lbs with the HD Tow package also.
Still going to look close at early reporting on the new EB and 10 speed, also the Silverado 6.2 8 speed...then by spring, I hope to either be convinced which way to go, or more confused...

[Oxen]

A 2017 F-150 Super Crew 4X2 w/ 3.5 EB has a payload capacity of 2890#, 2650# w/ 4X4 w/ heavy duty payload package and 18"' wheels, if the wheelbase in 156.8". Check the site, ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/. Perhaps your choice would be a 145" wheelbase. If so, the comparable payload would be 2260# or 2060#.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Oxen

A 2017 F-150 Super Crew 4X2 w/ 3.5 EB has a payload capacity of 2890#, 2650# w/ 4X4 w/ heavy duty payload package and 18"' wheels, if the wheelbase in 156.8". Check the site, ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/. Perhaps your choice would be a 145" wheelbase. If so, the comparable payload would be 2260# or 2060#.

I spent a good hour with the dealer I know here in Austin, and we had to use his order system to enter a Lariat SuperCrew, Shortbed, 4X4, HD Tow, power running boards, camper package, and most all options except sunroof. It came in $5-6K less then Platinum package, but payload was still only 1900 lbs. The printed spec sheet Ford has is not very accurate once you start adding the options. I will look again in January and see if things got easier to configure.