F 150 2.7L Ecoboost and 23 FB Flying Cloud

[Llittle54]

What do you think? Currently I have a 3.5L ecoboost and it pulls the trailer no problem.
How would the 2.7 do??
Any real world experience?

[nelsonh]

The 2.7 is the lowest rung of the F150 towing & payload ladder for sure. With a 23' trailer you won't exceed the tow rating, but you will almost certainly feel the difference, and not in a good way. Possibly more critically, you'll also take about a 700 lb hit on your payload depending on trim & options. My PowerBoost has essentially the same payload as the 2.7, and I've found through CAT scale visits that it's sufficient for our (2 person) outings with our 23' rig, but I do have to be cognizant of how much stuff we bring along.


The 2.7 would seem like a step in the wrong direction to me.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Llittle54

What do you think? Currently I have a 3.5L ecoboost and it pulls the trailer no problem.
How would the 2.7 do??
Any real world experience?

What are the towing spec ratings for the truck you have, and the one you are looking at?

The engines are only part of the consideration. A huge factor is what rear end differential it has.

As a side note, there is absolutely no rational reason to downsize and get closer to your max weight rating, vs, NOT doing that....

[jcl]

Originally Posted by JJTX

What are the towing spec ratings for the truck you have, and the one you are looking at?

The engines are only part of the consideration. A huge factor is what rear end differential it has.

As a side note, there is absolutely no rational reason to downsize and get closer to your max weight rating, vs, NOT doing that....

Agree that it is relevant what the current truck specs are, as the Ecoboost has had many different versions. Pre 2021 had lower hp than current versions.

With a 4wd Supercrew short box, there is only a 500lb difference in tow rating between the two available axle ratios. I would still recommend the 3.73.

It the truck has the 8000 lb tow rating that the towing guide lists, and isn't loaded up with an excessive number of options, then it would be well matched to a 23 IMO. The 2.7 has lots of power, and both the peak power and peak hp are at a lower rpm than the 3.5. While the 3.5 has potentially more hp, not sure how many are running up to 6000 rpm to achieve it.

[Bobbo]

I think that you will be disappointed in the power of the 2.7 under load, like going up a steep incline. Deciding that downsizing the engine was a mistake is an expensive mistake.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Llittle54

What do you think? Currently I have a 3.5L ecoboost and it pulls the trailer no problem.
How would the 2.7 do??
Any real world experience?

Hi

In your "part of the world" it's going to be tough to stay out of the mountains. That's where you very much will notice the 3.5 doing a better job.

Bob

[Forester2]

Ditto on the 3.73 axles. I prefer the 5 liter but either way I've had this axle on the last 2 trucks and it makes a difference. Also have a 36 gallon fuel tank on this one and what a pleasure!

[Llittle54]

Thanks all! In light of the current economic uncertainty we’ve decided to put any major purchases on hold. ��*��

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by Llittle54

Thanks all! In light of the current economic uncertainty we’ve decided to put any major purchases on hold. ��*��

Actually economic uncertainty creates opportunities. While people are afraid it’s a good time. Because when FOMO is in place prices rise and no deals to be had. I bought a 2020 F150 during the early months of the pandemic. Lots of uncertainty. Got a great deal on it!! Never see that kind of a deal again.

[Llittle54]

Uncertainty unfortunately is just that, uncertainty. Glad it worked out for you however.

[rwood]

Just my $.02:


We had a 2015 F150 2.7L with 3.73 rear end, trailer tow package, 36 gal. tank, pulling a 23' 2006 Safari more than 45,000 miles (at least 50% 2 lane paved roads), through 47 states (Alaska pending).
Absolutely no complaints.

With Reese weight distribution, it handled western mountains, urban and highway traffic, Great Plains winds without any problems (rarely drove over 65 mph).
As noted, I think the 3.73 rear end made a big difference, as well as manual mode for downshifting/ engine braking, and the 36 gal tank was sweet.
Also as noted, weight limitation requires "prior planning and proper preparation", but with only two empty nesters was NBD.
We were so impressed we bought a 2nd F150, similar configuration, but COVID and subsequent health issues temporally put a hold on subsequent trips.
In short, other than possible weight limitations, I recommend the 2.7L for the smaller trailers

[superChop]

When it’s time to upgrade your trailer, you will have the smallest towing engine in the Ford pick up world and that could be detrimental to getting that larger trailer. Unless your upgrade is a Basecamp?

[Coastal3]

I love my little 2.7L Turbo. It's a daily driver and I get 20 mpg which I think is amazing. I tow a 2010 19' Bambi with no problem. MPG goes down to 13 when towing. I'm very happy with the trade off of getting great mileage around town and having a little less horsepower when towing.

[KeithT]

I’ve been towing non-airstreams with a 2.7 for six years and loved the engine. Never felt the need for more power, with lots of travel in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Wish I had the 36 gallon tank and would probably get the 3.73 rear end if buying another one.

Instead we got a 26RBQ and the tongue weight pushed to an HD.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Llittle54

Thanks all! In light of the current economic uncertainty we’ve decided to put any major purchases on hold. ��*��

Nobody would blame you there, If they considered the cost of everything still. However, reconsider downsizing your engine from the 3.5 in any case.

I have a 2015 3.5 and it makes quick work of any mountain roads with my 23'. The newer generation motor has even more power and its entirely worthwhile.

If you have a 3.5 now, theres no need to change and it would be a mistake to dowsize even at current generation motors. Fix what you have only with FORD parts if you need repairs.

I would replace my whole motor and transmission before I bought a new truck at current prices. I just hit 85K on mine, and theres no issues.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Llittle54

Uncertainty unfortunately is just that, uncertainty. Glad it worked out for you however.

Hi

I suspect that a *lot* of folks will be making very similar decisions. You don't know what you don't know.

Bob

[Llittle54]

That’s exactly what we have decided to do. Our truck has been pretty much flawless and has 112,000. I expect(?) another 100K. Naively I thought that if we replaced it with another equally equipped XL and our great trade in the new truck wouldn’t come to much out of pocket. Oops.

[KeithT]

Originally Posted by KeithT

I’ve been towing non-airstreams with a 2.7 for six years and loved the engine. Never felt the need for more power, with lots of travel in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Wish I had the 36 gallon tank and would probably get the 3.73 rear end if buying another one.

Instead we got a 26RBQ and the tongue weight pushed to an HD.

The one issue with turbo engines is that the fuel economy drops off as the turbos spool up. I imagine the 3.5 may give you better mileage under some circumstances as it may not need the turbos as much. No evidence for this claim, just I thought I was mulling over.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by KeithT

The one issue with turbo engines is that the fuel economy drops off as the turbos spool up. I imagine the 3.5 may give you better mileage under some circumstances as it may not need the turbos as much. No evidence for this claim, just I thought I was mulling over.

That makes sense. More air=more fuel. Downshifting to keep the revs up to produce power with less boost is worth experimenting with.

However, engines designed from the start to be turbocharged seem to do very well. Fuel economy is better than expected.

There’s an amazing number of boosted 2.0 4 cylinder engines producing 250-300 lbs ft of torque. A short and stiff crankcase and effective heat management seem to be major factors.

[Mighty Mite]

Another truck you should take a look at would be the GMC/Chev. 1/2 ton. Powered by the 3.0 Diesel and 10 speed auto. I have one with over 45,000 miles on it. Average mileage around town is 25-27 MPG. Mileage on HWY can be anywhere from 29 to 35 MPG based on Speed and Hills. This is NOT pulling my 16' Airstream. WITH trailer Average trip MPG is usually in the 20-22 MPG. Torq is so strong pulling up a hill is a BREEZE. Top 2 gears are overdrive. 70 MPH is about 1,500 RPM, very silent cabin.