Ford Ecoboost Thread

Will · 09-22-2012, 11:20 AM

A lot of forum members a interested in the Ford turbo 6 cylinder Ecoboost. Since I have had one for year now, I'll start the thread and hope that others with Ecoboostwill join in on the fun.

Until just a few weeks ago I was towing a 6,000 pound (loaded)Rockwood Roo hybrid, so all of my experience is with that. For the last year I pulled that unit several time both short and long halls. The longest being at 2,400 miles round trip vacationto Maine and back. Not much of that trip was flat and the trailer pulled just fine with Equl-i-lizer hitch and Ecoboost.The only negative I found was the gas millage when towing. My average MPG Not Towing, is as high as 24. Towing it's around 8 MPG. I thought that was a bit low for 6 cylinder. Power wise, I always had more than I needed and a lot more than 8 cylinder Chevy. Evin going up hills we had plenty of power.

It's going to be interesting what my new 30RK will do.

Stan · 09-22-2012, 01:41 PM

"Power wise, I always had more than I needed and a lot more than 8 cylinder Chevy"

Hmmmm....my 8 cyl Chevy gets 13 while towing!!

Hunter11 · 09-22-2012, 10:06 PM

I am a member of a saltwater fishing forum down here and a lot of the guys on there have went to the Ford Ecoboost for hauling their 6k to 8k bay boats. Most are very pleased with the fuel mileage and power until they have to tow their boats and their mileage goes to around 8 to 9mpg and they were expecting more than that when compared to their empty mileage. Those that sold their 3/4 ton diesels to go with the Ecoboost wish they had never made that choice. I think they are rated to tow around 10k with the Ecoboost I am just not sure I would want to tow that much weight with a 1/2 ton truck no matter what engine it had in it.

mikenannie · 09-22-2012, 11:32 PM

We bought a 2012 Ecoboost 3 weeks ago. We have about 1700 miles on it so far and love it. Only one short trip towing our ST 20 CK so far, 30 miles or so, and it towed beautifully.

Mixed driving we get about 17 (on our first 2 tanks of gas). Not sure about MPG towing yet. We're heading out on a 300 mile trip at the end of this week, so that will be our first long trip and our first chance to check mpg towing.

From what I've read on RV forums, most folks towing less than 8k are getting somewhere between 9-11 mpg. Most say it's comparable to what they would get with a v8 and they are good with that since they love the torque the engine provides. If I can get around 10, I'm happy with that - I didn't buy this truck / engine for the towing mpg. I bought it for the towing capacity and economy when not towing. I love the 36 gallon gas tank too!

For us, we camp maybe 10 weekends a year and take 3-4 longer week long trips, so I think this truck will give us all the towing capacity we would want, while still getting pretty decent mileage when not towing - which is most of the the time. Our truck with the Max Tow option, which includes a 3.73 rear end and about a 1800 lb payload, has a towing capacity of 11,300 lbs which is more than twice the weight of our full loaded (current) trailer. We have plenty of room to upgrade to a newer trailer in the years ahead as well.

Thanks for staring this thread Will.

Will · 09-23-2012, 02:06 AM

I agree with mikenannie 100 percent. The better MPG while not towing out ways the few times a year you are hauling the TT. I have to add that durring our trip Maine my average highway speed was around 75, the posted speed limit.

Just a reminder to everyone tring to get a true MPG reading with this tuck. You have to reset the fuel ecomomy setting before you leave with the TT, or your going to average in on towing driving.

Hunter11 · 09-23-2012, 02:14 AM

If you were towing your trailer at 75 mph you have other issues.....

mikenannie · 09-23-2012, 02:59 AM

I always calculate mpg by hand.

Mike

Will · 09-23-2012, 03:38 AM

I mean to say average of 65mph

Hunter11 · 09-23-2012, 04:05 AM

I was going to say, at 75 mph you were putting those ST tires to an extreme torture test.

artgpo · 09-24-2012, 02:15 AM

I have sat here and just lurked the past few days. Some of the claims people will make about their trucks are simply amazing.There isan idiot here where are working who is claiming his new (to him) 2001 F250 Powerstroke can tow 18,000 lbs. In reality it is rated for 12,000 lbs. Anyone can claim anything. The important thing about engine power when towing is torque. The 2013 EcoBoost (from Ford's website) has 365 hp and 420 lb ft torque. Compare this to the 2013 Silverado HD Duramax with 765 lb ft of torque. Heck, my 2009 has 660 lb ft torque. I get between 10 to 12 miles per gallon per gallon when towing my almost 12,000 fully loaded Cruiser, although we never tow that much weight. The EcoBoost is a major step forward but still cannot tow a fiver ofa decent size. Next year GM will bring out an all new generation of the Silverado. I am certain they will also have some new engine technology to boost the EPA mileage rating of the 1500 series. Have not heard anything about a new Duramax.

Edited by: artgpo

mikenannie · 09-24-2012, 04:20 AM

Art, good points.

There will never be a tow vehicle that fits the needs of every person who tows 'something'.

You're correct about the Ecoboost stats. It's also able to tow, due to that torque, a decent amount of weight - per the manual - 11,300 lbs. Obviously, towing a trailer safely requires many other considerations beyond a number stated in a manual or brochure. Can a 1/2 ton tow a 'decent' size 5th wheel? That depends on what decent means. I know some tow 7500 lb 5th wheels with properly equipped Ecoboost trucks. Keep in mind that these truck also have HD Payload options that increase the payload and therefore increase the pin weight options available to them. But, by and large, if you want to tow a 5th wheel, you're likely better off with a 3/4 ton truck.

Unfortunately, most RV'ers never read the manual, never understand the math or physics, and never take their rig to a scale to make sure they are within the safe and legal limits. We all know people like this. It's also unfortunate that the RV industry, dealers in particular, are focused on the next sale, and for the most part, are also uninformed when it comes to weight, towing and physics.

RKamperRV · 09-24-2012, 06:33 AM

That's right. Getting it moving is one thing, but getting the rig stopped is an entirely different story. Braking power and truck weight play a major factor in the equasion.

atc · 09-24-2012, 08:54 AM

We were so close to buying an eco boost but went with the hemi instead its a 2011 I am glad we did. I even got to drive the eco for a weekend. Keep in mind Im in Canada. But with the dodge for mixture city highway I am sitting at 19 mpg towing our sunset trail reserve 31BH 11-13 mpg and a trip to Banf this past June averaged 23mpg. I have afew friends that went eco for work and aren't happy.

Edited by: atc

BWS · 09-24-2012, 10:29 AM

I have been pulling a 2011 Cruiser 31RK Fifth Wheelfor 2 Years with a 2011 EcoBoost. The truck pulls the trailer without issue. The brakes are very safe and are actually the same size as a F250. With the integrated brake control and sway control on the truck I have never felt as if the trailer is pushing the truck around. My weights (scaled) are within all limits. 9500lbs loaded, 3950 on the rear axle. We have towed all over Ontario including a 600km trip across Highway 60 in Algonquin park with quite a few 6 to 8 percent grades. My fuel mileage on this trip was 22.6 liters per 100 kms. If the truck is equipped and set up properly, pulling a 5th wheel is not a problem. At the end of the day, the reason I purchased the Ecoboost F150 was the $8000 difference to buy a diesel F250. Just My 2 cents.

RKamperRV · 09-24-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWS

I have been pulling a 2011 Cruiser 31RK Fifth Wheelfor 2 Years with a 2011 EcoBoost. The truck pulls the trailer without issue. The brakes are very safe and are actually the same size as a F250. With the integrated brake control and sway control on the truck I have never felt as if the trailer is pushing the truck around. My weights (scaled) are within all limits. 9500lbs loaded, 3950 on the rear axle. We have towed all over Ontario including a 600km trip across Highway 60 in Algonquin park with quite a few 6 to 8 percent grades. My fuel mileage on this trip was 22.6 liters per 100 kms. If the truck is equipped and set up properly, pulling a 5th wheel is not a problem. At the end of the day, the reason I purchased the Ecoboost F150 was the $8000 difference to buy a diesel F250. Just My 2 cents.

I'm not even going to debate this. If you are towing a 9500# 5er you have 1900# on the pin...more than a half-ton truck can handle.

This says it all:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/201...d-f-150-1.html

'Nuff said! See my signature...

Edited by: RKamperRV

BWS · 09-24-2012, 02:23 PM

As always, if you have a 350 than you can pull a Fifth wheel. Us poor mortals with 150's should only be allowed to pull TT's. I have my #'s and no issues. Your right, I'm wrong.

mikenannie · 09-24-2012, 09:44 PM

I don't see the issue. If BWS has the payload capacity, he has verified his weights on a CAT scale and they are within the limits specified by the truck manufacturer, what is the issue?

The heavy duty payload package creates a truck capable of handling the pin weight you noted.

artgpo · 09-25-2012, 02:16 AM

I second what Ricks says. Go and look at Ford's own numbers. The gross carry weight would appear to be 8,800 pounds. That is not enough to safely carry a fiver with a 1,700 - 1,900 lb. pin weight.

RKamperRV · 09-25-2012, 04:17 AM

There are two numbers to pay attention to: GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight (truck alone)) and GCWR (Gross Combined Weight (truck and trailer together). You can't exceed either. And remember, the GVW includes the truck's curb weight PLUS fuel, cargo, contents, passengers and the trailer pin weight or hitch weight. GCW includes all of the above plus the gross trailer weight.

mikenannie · 09-25-2012, 05:26 AM

All true Rick. My guess is that BWS is below the GCWR which is somewhere in the 17000 lb area. As he stated, he is within the limits of his vehicle having weighed his setup on a scale. If you look at RV.net forums, you'll find many knowledgeable people pulling travel trailers and 5th wheels with Ecoboost trucks. Many are quite heavy, but still within the limits of a properly equipped F150. For the very heavy weights / payloads, you need the Max Tow package and the Heavy Duty payload package.

Personally if I were a full time RV'er, and pulling close to the limits, I'd likely upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck. But, that's just me.

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