150 with Ecoboost

[Len]

I have a Crossroads zinger 33QB TT 8010lbs loaded 950 tongue weight I have anti sway bar and load leveler bars on trailer tongue ....I have been deciding on buying the Ecoboost with Max Trailer towing and Heavy Duty payload package. That will bring it to 11,300 max towing..The HD payload package will give me xtra 600 lbs loaded weight(from 7550lbs. to 8200lbs. payload) along with beefier rear end shocks and springs (so hopefully may not need airbags).
Last week I tried my friends 2011 Eco boost w/o the HD package. It did have towing but didn't think it had the Max Towing because it didn't have telescoping chrome trailer mirrors or the Trailer brake controller. Even so I hooked on to my trailer and pulled for about 20 miles around in 25 to 30 mph. crosswinds. The power to pull seemed fine The front didn't raise up or feel too light, as compared to the 2006 F-150 Triton 5.4 of my sons I tried earlier. I feel with the HD springs and Max tow packages should address any concerns.
I have been on the F-150 site and a few people say they would never even consider pulling a 8010lb. trailer in a ecoboost F150....need a F-250. Well got me thinking and gathering specs:
F250 with 6.2 gas engine 385 HP. 405 torque F150 ecoboost 365hp. 420torque
F250 wheelbase crewcab 156.2' F150 wB supercrew 156.5"
F250 GVWR (max payload W/O trailer) 10,000lbs. F150 (w/HDpackage) 8200lbs.
F250 GVMR (inc. towing) 19,000lbs. F150 (w/max tow and HD package) 17,100lbs.
Benefit of F-150 ..better gas mileage disadvantage may cost more with xtra options to make it comparable to F250. Guys I'm still searching and haven't really talked with anyone who has a ecoboost with both Max towing and HDpackage towing a 8010lb. loaded trailer along with stuff in the P/U bed of the f-150 wish I could but haven't yet..

[gsxr]

I was looking to purchase a new f150 eco boost and ended up with an f250 diesel 6.7
fuel millage is similar to the ecoboost althoughdieselcostsmore I have 400HP and 800TQ

ive had it 6000 miles and averaged 17.8 mpg

[Len]

Thank you gsxr I was looking at the Diesel engines because of the good power and fuel mileage. But as you say that xtra 60 cents more per gallon could add up and I will only use the towing 1 month out of the year...the rest of the time it will just be my work truck. No towing.

[Captain Mike]

Bottom line is it will cost more to run a Diesel on a short term life cycle. Some people will trade a vehicle at 100,000 miles and in this case Diesel may not make sense. For me I have drunk the Cummins KoolAid and will buy which ever vehicle offers this motor.
Sometimes it's nice to be able to fuel up in the back part of the gas station with the big rigs.
Fyi, I get 23 on the highway 70 to 75 with the ac on and a couple houndred lbs of gear. With the 5th wheel 12 to 13 and I do not go by the computer readout.
Buy what you like and what makes the most sence for your needs.

[Len]

Thanks for the input Captain. from the looks of what your pulling (wow a boat AND a fifth wheel!) I can understand the love of the Cummins! currently I own a 95 Dodge Dakota I bought brand new so you can see I don't trade vehicles often so I need to get best all around long term! Seems F 150 ecoboost w/Max tow and Hd package should do the trick. Maybe If I put a Mack truck bulldog on my hood I might sneak around back and fill up with unleaded regular with you and the big truckers

[Yanik]

I have a F150 Ecoboost and it`s so easy to pull a trailer...there is so much power coming out of that V6 it`s incredible, I did pass two cars on the road and it was like if I wasn`t pulling anything behind me...

[Len]

Thanks Yanik that's what I want to hear. I plan on buying the 6 1/2 ft. bed to fit my 4 wheeler and looks like longer wheelbase (comparable to a F250 ) should help stability.
From reading other posts regarding handling in winds of passing semi's majority of that is getting the right hitch and weight distribution. How does yours handle in windy, semi passing conditions...with a lode in your P/U bed at the same time? Do you use 10% Ethanol regular? heard someone say should use only straight Reg.

[gsxr]

im sure the ecoboost max tow HD will be a great TV

[Yanik]

I use the regular, I went for the long weekend of may camping with a full load of wood in the back of my truck with a few bikes, the trailer loaded almost to the max and 5 passenger in the truck, and it was such a smooth ride, I did not feel the motor forcing for nothing and even on long strenches I was doing almost doing the same MPG as when I am not pulling anything...no kidding. I have the 6 1/2`bed and the Max Trailer tow paquage with the 3.73, basically I build my truck to be able to tow the maximum load...I will never get to that load...but it`s always nice to have a cushion and not to be worried when you pull...

[Len]

Great to Hear! Yanik thanks!

gsxr HA!

[gsxr]

Tow vehicle lol

[Captain Mike]

"a full load of wood in the back of my truck with a few bikes, the trailer loaded almost to the max and 5 passenger in the truck, and it was such a smooth ride, I did not feel the motor forcing for nothing and even on long strenches I was doing almost doing the same MPG as when I am not pulling anything...no kidding."



Yanik, my customers tell me they are getting around 20mpg hwy with the new Ecoboost 4x4 F150's. None of them have towed to date.

Are you getting close to 20mpg when towing your trailer and gear?

[Yanik]

no I meant city...I do approx 15-16 mpg as my average in the city... I did not do enough highway to test my average mpg on the hwy.

[Wolverine1]

I went with the Ecoboost with the max tow package on it (3.73 Diff). We had my maiden voyage over the July 4th week. Went to Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. Drove to Ohiopyle via Penn turnpike to Rte 119 to Rte 40 out of Uniontown. Coming out of Uniontown there is a big incline on Rte 40. Incline was 3miles longand the truck handled awesome! I am very happy with my purchase!! Thanks to all for the input...

[Len]

Hey thanks for your input...makes me feel great knowing the success you have had. Did you encounter any side winds of semi tractor trailers pushing you around...see I'm from Oklahoma (you see during football season Oklahoma blows and Texas sucks I know bad joke , my wife is from TX.) and will be going to California and north to Washington ..like the anti sway on the F-150 just didn't hear how the truck handles in that situation. I hope to get mine August 1st.!

[Wolverine1]

Len,
Had many trucks passing us. Did not experience the trucks pushing me around. I also have an Equalizer weight distribution hitch. Did experience some side winds,but the winds were not that strong,coming into the large valleys but the truck handled great. You could feel the anti sway system kick in. This purchase was a good one for me.

[Len]

Great ! I also added the heavy payload package along w/tow package to my Lariat that I ordered. So feel my added 6ft. length should be fine (my 32ft. xroads TT as compared to your 26ft.)