Ford F-150 5.0L V-8.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, we have discussed the Eco-Boost, but I keep thinking that maybe a 5.0L V-8 might be better for me. Most of what I have read so far is that the gas mileage between the two are very similar. Eco-Boost out pulls the 5.0 but gets worse mileage while towing and better when not towing. Simple comparison of these two and my Lincoln Navigator.

F-150 Eco-Boost......... 365 HP and 420 TQ.
F-150 5.0L V-8............360 HP and 380 TQ.
Lincoln 5.4L V-8............300HP and 355 TQ.

[r carl]

I would want to own the 5.0L after the warranty expires.

[SCOTTinNJ]

I just went through deciding on what to pull my 2014 25' FC with. After thinking about, driving, and reviewing all types of vehicles I ended up with a crew cab F-150 with the 5.0 V8 and 3.55 rear. Just got back from a 2500 mile trip with it. While we weren't out west we did go up and down the Smokies in VA and TN, for example 40 between Knoxville and Asheville.

Did I desire more power? Sure, but short of a 6.7 liter diesel owner who doesn't??

The 5.0 did fine. Moreover, it's a proven engine with tons in service. I'm happy with the purchase.

Gas mileage for the entire trip was pretty much locked at 12.5 mpg. I think I had a high of 13.5 and a low of 12. Didn't vary much at all.

[Soyboy]

Personally, I am thinking about the F150 Ecoboost as a replacement for my Duramax (with Max Tow and Likely Max Payload). I may flip on that and stick with a diesel, but the new ones are so complicated that I like the relative simplicty of a gasser, turbo or not. Plus the newer diesel are too quiet LOL. Compared to the early Dmax's like mine, the specs aren't that far apart (300 HP/500Torque for my 2003), so I don't think I would notice much real world difference. The Dmax pulls my '99 28' Safari with ease. Having towed with a gasser V8 prior to the Dmax (different trailer BTW), I like the low end torque of the diesels and turboed gassers. Pulling away from stops, dragging the trailer over mountains is more relaxing when the engine has "lower end" torque. But the V8 will get the job done, no doubt. Having owned a number of turboed vehicles over the past 20 years, I'm not concerned about post-warranty problems any more than I would be with any other engine (although I do understand what you mean about the 5.0 being around for a while). In any event, to each their own. I always enjoy reading folks real world experiences.

[SteveH]

If I owned a mid sized trailer, I would definitely also own a 1/2 ton gasser truck, and it would probably be a V8 engine. Just more comfortable with things I am familiar with. However, because of the seats in the Ford truck, it would be some other brand, but that's my personal problem because of my bad back.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Soyboy

I like the low end torque of the diesels and turboed gassers. Pulling away from stops, dragging the trailer over mountains is more relaxing when the engine has "lower end" torque.

I once drove a D-Max but never towed with one. Soyboy, what would be your 0 to 60MPH times with the D-Max towing your 28'? thnxs

[jcl]

The Ecoboost 3.5 has been around longer than the Coyote 5.0 V8. Considering the complexity of the new heads, I wouldn't see any reason for a Coyote 5.0 to be better out of warranty than an Ecoboost 3.5

I would opt for the turbos, but that is partly due to local mountain passes and an appreciation for maintaining power at higher elevations. I also like the torque.

If the Ecoboost consumes more fuel when towing, given that it is a more efficient engine, then you can always back off the throttle and drive it like the V8

Jeff

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by jcl

The Ecoboost 3.5 has been around longer than the Coyote 5.0 V8.

Fair enough. I was thinking that it basically piggie-backs the generally low tech V8's that have been around forever.

And for the record, I have driven Saab turbos for years. Love them. Just didn't want to go that route for a truck just yet.

[ukulele2010]

I chose the Ecoboost over the V8 largely because I live in a high altitude environment (Colorado), the slightly better gas mileage, and the power curve. The peak measurements that are shown above do not capture what is happening at various times in the engine. I do wonder about its longevity and its higher initial cost...

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

~~

The 5.0 did fine. Moreover, it's a proven engine with tons in service. I'm happy with the purchase.

Gas mileage for the entire trip was pretty much locked at 12.5 mpg. I think I had a high of 13.5 and a low of 12. Didn't vary much at all.

Fair enough. I was thinking that it basically piggie-backs the generally low tech V8's that have been around forever.

Let me say first off that I don't think there's anything wrong with the new 5.0. Reports are that it's a fine engine. However, it's no more proven than the 3.5L Ecoboost. The 3.5L Ecoboost was introduced in 2010 on the Taurus and Flex and offered on the F-150 starting in 2011, the modular 5.0L was introduced in 2011 in the Mustang and F-150. Reports are that the Ecoboost outsells the 5.0, so including the Mustang (which is not quite the same as the truck engine) there should be a similar number of each engine in the field. The modular 5.0 doesn't bear much resemblance to the old 302.

[On edit: I started my post earlier and got distracted by work... when I started there wasn't already a post saying essentially the same thing.]

[kscherzi]

F-150 Eco-Boost......... 365 HP and 420 TQ.
F-150 5.0L V-8............360 HP and 380 TQ.
Lincoln 5.4L V-8............300HP and 355 TQ.

2015 F-150
F-150 Eco-Boost 2.7L....325 hp and 375 TQ.
F-150 Eco-Boost 3.5L....380 hp and 460 TQ. (New for 2015 Lincoln Navigator)

Maybe the F-150 will get the same version of the engine as the Navigator. Requires premium fuel though.

[Nomad518]

I was really tempted by the performance stats on the Eco-Boost 6 engine, but I bought the 5.0L 8 with the towing package, integrated brake, and higher ratio rear end instead. I guess I'm just old school and found more comfort in the more traditional V8 than with the turbos on the 6. I've been happy with my decision as this is the best TV I've owned. But, I'm always interested in talking to those who made the other decision and selected the Eco-Boost engine. I think they're both good options. We just completed an 800 mile round trip towing the AS through the mountains of Northern California and Southern Oregon. The truck performed great! When towing on the flat stretches we were getting almost 14 mpg. And, average mpg through the mountain stretches was in the 12-13 range. I love my truck.

[SilverBuddha]

I spent a full day at my local Ford truck dealer test driving several F150s' and selected the 5.0L V8. I must admit I was impressed with the Eco Boost when it took off like a Rocket Sled however, I didn't enjoy the loud sound of the turbos, especially if I was towing for several hours (IMHO).

Fortunately for me (and my pocket book) my truck stays parked in the garage except for towing and visits to the home improvement stores.
If I were using the vehicle for everyday commuting, I would have considered the Eco-Boost however, I have several friends who own the Eco-Boost F150 and don't get any better mileage than I do.

I towed a 25' FC AS through the Pocono mountains and didn't have any trouble.
I'll be curious about the performance at higher elevations (I.e. Rocky Mts.).

Good luck with your decision. Hint: a Black color F150 with shiny chrome looks really sharp pulling an Airstream!

Cheers

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by SilverBuddha

Hint: a Black color F150 with shiny chrome looks really sharp pulling an Airstream!

Cheers

Like this?

[SCOTTinNJ]

By the way, not to throw a monkey wrench into this thread, but I did camp near a guy with an SOB and an Eco boost. He said he used to own the 5.0 V8 and would never trade back. He loved the Eco boost. Said the low end torque was night and day.

[ShinyPete]

We, like several others here, have an F150 S-crew with a 5.0 v8, 3.55, and "standard" tow package. We bought a 2013 XLT 2WD a year before we bought Pete, our 2014 Flying Cloud 27FB. We were fortunate in that the XLT gave us enough payload and capacities to handle the 27FB just fine. My son has an FX4 with the ecoboost, and that engine is strong! A lot more equipment on his truck though, and it does cut into the payload.........

We haven't been outside of Florida in the almost year we've had the combo, but it does fine. In fact, I used the specs of the truck when shopping, insisting on an UVW of the coach under 6k lbs, and tongue weight under 900 lbs. Pete now weighs about 6800 lbs loaded, with a tongue of about 1100 with a ProPride hanging on it. My only wish is for the 3.73 rear-end, but I leave it in tow mode in 5th and it does fine.

This truck and trailer are perfect for us, and we plan on keeping them both for a long time!

[SilverBuddha]

To SCOTTinNJ: Yes, EXACTLY like that! Are you my doppelganger?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I tried several times to build my own truck and couldn't ever get the Max Tow package; Well, I guess you can't get it with the 5.0L V-8 engine. If I'm towing, I need the towing mirrors. Now it seems that I'm back with the Eco-Boost engine. Thinking that if no one has what I want, that I would just order one. I was told today that any new orders would have to be the 2015 models even though they won't let you custom order one yet. Also believable is that the new 2015 F-150's won't be discounted for quite some time. I can get a pretty good price on a 2014 model.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Do you need max tow?

[r carl]

Wouldn't it be better to go with a 3/4 ton than a max'd out 1/2 ton?