Thoughts on the 2017 F150 EcoDrive?

[RadioWagon]

Howdy y'all. First time truck buyer here, wondering if anyone out there has personal experience with the new Ford F150 EcoDrive. We're studying it carefully, with the goal of full timing in a Cloud 25' FB Twin. That's the AS model we are mostly sure we will get, but I guess to play it safe, we will measure the GVWR for the 27', which is 7600 lbs.

Here are the specs of the model we like:
SuperCab
6-1/2' bed
3.5L V6 EcoBoost® Engine

Reasons we like it:
--The front seat has a configuration that allows for one long bench with arm rests, instead of a massive console we'd never use. That lets me sit in the passenger side with my legs crossed, plus have a little room in the middle of the floor for a small cooler. Drinks and sammiches, hello!
--The back seat on the SuperCab is a good size--not huge, not tiny.
--The back seat on the SuperCab has seats that fold up flat against the back wall, which would be a great space for our 35-lb dog to spread out on long drives. We could also lower the smaller of the two back seats so she could hop up and look out the window.
--It was generally a nice-driving truck with good responsiveness and get up and go.
--The miles per gallon on the highway and city are so, so much higher than all the other trucks that can handle this kind of weight.
--I know you can get this with other trucks, but the 36 gallon tank is nice.

We test drove a Toyota Tundra with the V8 engine tonight, and it was nice, but didn't have quite the same giddyup, and the engine seemed a little louder with a lot less acceleration. Not that this matters, just from my perspective I don't love the "look at me, vrooom!" vibe. I am not into attention, particularly on the road.

So, any thoughts on the 2017 3.5L EcoBoost? I know the Eco thing was new in 2016 and the 2017 has released more availability in models. Do you guys think this is as good or better than a V8?

**** Please note that this would be our only car, all the time, for husband and myself.

[NoResults]

I have the 2016 3.5 Ecoboost and love the truck. I am towing a 23FB with a weight of 5200 loaded. Towing in Mountains of Eastern Oregon on a 800 mile trip I averaged 13.8 mpg. When not towing I get 20 to 21 on the freeway and about average of l5 combined.

If my truck was wrecked I would replace it with the 2017. I understand it now has the eight speed transmission.

I have HD towing package XLT with 36 gallon tank.

Dave

[davloose]

We just bought a 2017 Ford F150 Eco-Boost XLT to pull a 25 foot 2017 International weighing 7300 pounds. We couldn't be happier with the truck for pulling that trailer, or for daily driving. As for get up and go, 0 to 60 is 0.1 seconds slower than the Ford Focus ST I traded in for it at 6.1 seconds!

We just towed or new airstream 900 miles home, and every mile of it was a pleasure. No sway, no being pushed around by semi's, or traffic passing us.

We got the SuperCrew cab and shorter bed, as we value space inside more, but it's a good length either way to make towing as easy as possible.

Depending on the trim you choose, be sure to look at the sticker inside the door (B pilllar) to know your payload, we are at 1850 lbs, and our configuration can pull 11,900 lbs. you'll love the 10 speed transmission, backup camera, trailer assist,etc...

[HiJoeSilver]

I love, let me rephrase, LOVE my F-150. The 36 gallon tank is nice when towing especially when you find yourself out exploring the back country. I could sleep in the back with the seats up. My bed is only 5-1/2'. Good load capacity and towing capacity. No problems towing 5000lbs through the mountain west last year.

[RandyNH]

Ford has had the Eco thing since 2008, they revised it in '15 and the 10 speed transmission was '16. There are a bunch of research and reviews out there on it with over 200 and 300 thousand miles, with them going strong, with proper maintenance. They are great for towing just about any Airstream produced.

The two things to look for is max tow package and max payload package, these will give you the most ability and margin of safety for towing, but limit which options package you can get.

Good luck

[lsbrodsky]

One of the guys in our club has a new one pulling a 30 and loves it. Yes, the 10 speed and towing package. While I am a GM guy and just bought a new 2500 HD(gas), I think Ford is way ahead on the 1/2 ton pickup. GM cannot compare to the 10 speed and the 36 gal fuel tank. Everything else is about the same.

Larry

[dkottum]

The 2018 Ford Expedition is based on the F150, will have the aluminum body and EcoBoost engine, a more stable tow vehicle than the F150 with full independent suspension, more spacious with a full enclosed body, and a nicer daily driver with the shorter wheelbase.

It will be available soon and ought to be among the very best overall tow vehicles for towing a mid-size to large Airstream, especially for full time use where it also is your daily transportation.

If you want towing torque with great fuel economy, hang in there for the F150 3.0 turbodiesel engine option to be available soon. If this engine becomes available in the Expedition, it will be even better.

[Bobbo]

I just bought a 2017 SuperCab 3.5l EcoBoost 6.5' bed 4x4. I have only had it 2 weeks, so I can't answer your question, but I thought you may be interested to know it has a 1895# payload capacity per the door sticker.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Bobbo

I just bought a 2017 SuperCab 3.5l EcoBoost 6.5' bed 4x4. I have only had it 2 weeks, so I can't answer your question, but I thought you may be interested to know it has a 1895# payload capacity per the door sticker.

Good for hauling chores. More relevant to towing, what are it's scaled weight, front and rear axle ratings, and GCWR?

[RandyNH]

Ford has had the Eco thing since 2008, they revised it in '15 and the 10 speed transmission was '16. There are a bunch of research and reviews out there on it with over 200 and 300 thousand miles, with them going strong, with proper maintenance. They are great for towing just about any Airstream produced.

The two things to look for is max tow package and max payload package, these will give you the most ability and margin of safety for towing, but limit which options package you can get.

Good luck

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Good for hauling chores. More relevant to towing, what are it's scaled weight, front and rear axle ratings, and GCWR?

Haven't had it on a scale yet. FAWR = 3450#, RAWR = 3800#, GCWR = either 16000# or 17100#. I am not sure which because I have the Max Trailer Tow Package, but not the Heavy Duty Payload Package. The 17100# GCWR is if you have the "MAX Trailer Tow Payload Package." I am assuming 16000# just to be on the safe side.

[RadioWagon]

It's great to hear so many happy campers have the F150. I checked out the 2018 Expedition, but think we might like a truck more. The Expedition looks HUGE! We will be using the vehicle to car camp and like having the separate quadrants (front seat for us, back cab for dog, covered canopy bed in the way back for "living space.")

One thing we are going to check out is a custom order, since it doesn't seem like our exact wants are available on the lots or likely will be available anywhere nearby (or anywhere at all).

I never knew car shopping could be fun!

[pegjust]

After pulling our 19 ft with a Tacoma, we upgraded to a 2017 F150 economist with tow package and love it! My favorite feature of the tow package is the switch on the gear shifter than allows you to put it into tow mode. When in this mode, as soon as you touch the brake, it downshifts ( the harder you press the break, the more gears it downshifts) saving the wear on your brakes and more confident driving experience.

[Lil Bear]

We have thw 2016 F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost that tows our 2017 23FB. We use the Blue Ox anti-sway system and it tows great.

Some would suggest a slightly heavier TV...like the F250 but if this is your only vehicle that might be too big as an everyday driver. Get the max tow package that gives a class IV hitch, etc.

We have the leather buckets in front and love the heated and cooled seats. The center console is big but it also stores our wireless AS rear camera monitor when not being used as well as other goodies.

Enjoy!

[Gleverett]

2013 F150 Crew Cab Eco-Boost towing 25' FC twin. Very pleased with my truck and its towing capacity during the last 10,000 miles of towing. If you don't plan on using the truck for hauling lots of things in the bed I would suggest the Crew Cab over the Super cab as it gives you lots of back seat room with much better access having 4 doors. Also make sure you get the 35 gal fuel tank which gives me about 325 mile range before I refuel. Avg about 10.5 mpg towing

[DKB_SATX]

I ordered my '17 F150 Lariat 4x4 because I wanted it in a very particular way and no one stocks their lot with trucks like mine.

I ordered the Max Tow package, which by default includes the bigger fuel tank and the 3.55 electronic-lock differential... so it's cheaper to order the package if you want those things (and you want those things.) I also offered the "Trailer Tow Mirrors" which dealers don't seem to like because they make it look more like a truck, apparently. I'm TOTALLY hooked on the big mirrors now even when I'm not towing. I also did NOT want the giant moonroof in the Texas sun (and because I tend to keep a vehicle a long time... body-on-frame construction isn't kind to sunroofs over lots of miles.) I wanted the top-trim Lariat for the LED headlights, cooled seats and the availability of the 360-degree cameras so I had to pass on the HD Payload Pkg... Ford restricts that to lower-trim F150s apparently to push the buyer who wants both luxe features and big payload about $14k up the foodchain to an F250.

In about 7200 miles (nearly half of that towing) I'm very, very satisfied with my choice. The only option I feel I should've added from the start is the LT tires, but I think I'll be happier with a set of Michelins rather than Ford's OEM LTs, so I'll wait until I'm in the mood in a month where Michelin is running a promo through their retailers. It would've been a $250 option on order, and it'll end up costing me more like $700 aftermarket but I'll have Michelins.

A word of warning... The 3.5 Ecoboost is capable of delivering quite good fuel mileage in daily driving, but you have to want it. There's a LOT of power available when you tip into the throttle and it's fun to use, but it's definitely hard on the fuel consumption. Also, their ad-campaign MPG claims are for lightly-equipped 2WD trucks with the 3.31 diff. On my well-equipped 4wd SuperCrew with my heavy foot, I average a little over 20 mpg on highway trips running in the mid 70s. Towing the Flying Cloud I'm averaging nearly 11 mpg running in the upper 60s. This is hand-calculated MPG, by the way, the truck almost always reports about 1 mpg higher than the real number.

[dvgofaz]

The eco boost F150 is no joke. I pull a 2005 '34 classic with a 2016 f150. Mine is the 4x4 short box version and has every towing/payload extra you can order. My max tow wgt is 11,300 and I'm pulling about 9500. NO problem getting up to hwy speed in the acceleration lane and more importantly it stops well if you suddenly need to garb a bunch of brake. I have not had to do that but I did make a 'panic stop' test just to see.
I have the 4 door super cab and as mentioned the back seat area is great.

[PatLee]

Yeah, but the MPGs are so much lower than for the F-150.

[denton]

Originally Posted by dkottum

If you want towing torque with great fuel economy, hang in there for the F150 3.0 turbodiesel engine option to be available soon. If this engine becomes available in the Expedition, it will be even better.

I am planning to buy a 2018 model also. They are scheduled to be available to order 'in the fall' with spring 2018 delivery. The diesel is apparently available 'shortly thereafter'. It will be built in the UK.

[pfcardwell]

Great truck.
Love the large gas tank
Bought the A.R.E shell Z series
kind of bummed not quite color match
and fit is a bit off.