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Old 05-28-2019, 03:07 PM   #1
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Those with an F150 Ecoboost....

Hello, so I am considering an F150. Had a recent post of upgrading my tires on my silverado...may just get a truck along with the upgraded tires (lol). Doing reasearch to purchase a used one 17/18 low miles, max tow package, 3.5 ecoboost. How good are these as tow vehicles? I see lots of them with max tow but with 3.31 axle. Is that sufficient? I would negotiate the LT tires as part of the deal. I currently have a 2009 silverado with 5.3 and 3.55 axle and it seems to struggle up mild hills pulling my 6000# loaded camper. What specs do you have on your F150 truck? Just looking for some real world experience.
Thanks in advance. Jim

Note - considered 3/4 ton truck but with using it as a daily driver and only occasional Rv towing it doesn't seem to be justified.
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Old 05-28-2019, 04:50 PM   #2
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Hi Jim,

I started with a 2015 F150 eco boost 3.0 engine. I had a 9,000 lb gvw trailer at the time. The truck was max tow, but not max payload. From members on this forum and others, it appears the max payload are more rare, but will give you much more payload in addition to your towing specs. With 6,000 gvr on your trailer, you likely don’t need it unless you upgrade.

If you get a newer truck than I had, it will be more capable. I believe they may have changed transmissions or added a few gears. I put on load range “E” LT tires. This reduces the “squishy” feeling people report on turns, and helps reduce sway. I also had 5,000 lb airbags.

We went on a 6,000 mile trip and it performed well. Because of the lighter weight than the Superduty I currently have, I did get pushed a bit from heavy winds or passing big rigs. It had plenty of power for long steep hill climbs (great divide), but you can smoke your brakes going down hill for long distances. Your trailer is lighter, so it should be fine as long as you use your transmission properly and use tow mode. That is a really great engine.

Others here who still have them will likely chime in with more information. Good luck!
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Old 05-28-2019, 07:01 PM   #3
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I bought my Eco-Boost new in 2013 -- Special order.
I don't think you can get them built like that any more. But, I could be wrong.
Heavy duty payload - Max tow-10 ply tires, 3.71 gears, 3.5 Eco engine

Maximum loaded trailer can be 11,100#
Pin/hitch weight, 2310#


My trailer isn't real big, but it does get pretty heavy when I load it up.
Dry weight is 6622#
GVWR is 11625#


We have towed to WA. and CO. I let the engine work for me going down the steep long grades and there wasn't any problems with brakes getting hot.


When I'm working it, it does like it's gas.


You don't want the small Eco-Boost engine!
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Old 05-28-2019, 08:55 PM   #4
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Thanks guys. Yes the 3.5 ecoboost Max tow is the one I would go with. Minimum 3.55 gears. I like to buy used vehicles that still have at least a year factory warranty on them. Will negotiate in the LT tires if it don't have them already. Found one on autotrader at a dealer that I almost went to look at. They were upfront about it and said it was a factory buy back due to being a lemon...umm...no thanks on that one. Not in a hurry as the silverado is doing a fair job right now - but thanks to midwest winters getting a little rusty and other age related maladies. Safe and enjoyable travels....Jim
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Old 05-28-2019, 10:39 PM   #5
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Lloyd, -on this truck you ordered, Heavy duty payload - Max tow-10 ply tires, 3.71 gears, 3.5 Eco engine, is that still a F-150 ? Is this also a diesel ? Sounds like a awesome mix.
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Old 05-28-2019, 11:22 PM   #6
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Lloyd and I have the same truck. 3.5 twin turbo gas. The key for me is the heavy duty payload, and some mods I made
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Old 05-29-2019, 12:11 AM   #7
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WOW, V6, just caught a few utubes, reviews are very impressive and I'm in awe with that 3.5 eco and 3.71 gears..Most called that mix a beast !!! Thanks Mark5, and I apologize for slightly high-jacking this thread XLTJim !!
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Old 05-29-2019, 07:37 AM   #8
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I forgot to add--- The 10 ply tires came on 7 bolt heavy duty rims.
I know you can get the 18-19-20-and 22 in. wheels and tires, but I didn't want those.
If you can find one with both the max tow and heavy duty payload that would be the best in my opinion.
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Old 05-29-2019, 08:48 AM   #9
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agree with all of the other Ford owners - incredible truck. The one thing I would add is that we also got the 36 gallon fuel tank - not sure if that is standard or not - but really, really, happy we have it. I think the normal was 18 at the time??? It'll keep the speed limit on nearly all grades, but as Lloyd says, it does get thirsty.
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Old 05-29-2019, 10:21 AM   #10
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Sorry about my curiosity but what kind of gas mileage are you all getting with this little 3.5. Last night on a utube video they compared all 3 ford trucks, v6, v8, and diesel, of course diesel was the king with the same load on all 3 comparisons, but the v6 got 11.3 mpg and that was an American gallon (3.78L ). Which I think is fine as our v8 chevy 5.3 gets 11mpg on a imperial gallon (4.55L) of course trailer weight is the deciding factor. But are you getting around the 10-11 mpg with american gallons with say around a 6800 lb trailer on back ? I must say the more I researched this little engine the more impressive it gets. One thing we noticed for the last couple years following the chuck wagon races around Saskatchewan that the majority of tow vehicles are the Ford, and the next runner up is the Ram. Last year was 6 Fords for every Ram and what totally surprised me was in the competitors yard of trucks and trailers was only 1 lonely Chevy. That is a fact as I even pointed it out to the Misses as we walked through the holding yard !! Next week when we attend our first races there'll be some serious surveillance going on with there tow vehicles.
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Old 05-29-2019, 01:25 PM   #11
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I have seen 11mpg---on rare occasions. I usually get 9 to 10.
Wind is really the deciding factor. It hates side winds and head winds. either one of those two can, and some times will knock the mileage down to 6.5.


I'm not pulling a trailer. I have a 5th wheel which is some what taller then most trailers, so there again it's pushing more wind.
I use to sweat the mileage issue. Not any more. If I have to worry about a few extra gals. of gas, I figure I better stay home.
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Old 05-29-2019, 02:08 PM   #12
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I usually average about 9.5 - 10.5 while towing. Average speed is about 65 mph. It tows great, real smooth.



Around town I only get about 15 mpg. I live on top of a mountain, so no matter which way I go, I have to re climb the mountain. While cruising on the Interstates, i've gotten up to 21 mpg.
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Old 05-29-2019, 02:40 PM   #13
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Thanks wholeheartedly, this thread has been a complete learning lesson. This gas mileage as stated by Lloyd is completely acceptable as those are American gallons and anything close to 9 in my opinion is fine on average. I've made and saved notes for reference on this vehicle.
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Old 05-29-2019, 07:35 PM   #14
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Really enjoying the conversation on this and glad I started the post. Thanks everybody. I believe my mind is made up. Just need to keep my eyes peeled for the right one.
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Old 05-29-2019, 08:00 PM   #15
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I have 116,000 miles with 21,000 towing only 1 major issue, camshaft position sensor. Towing this past weekend I was extremely happy coming back from South of St. Louis getting 10.5 mpg, then the wind changed direction and I was lucky to see 8 mpg. Overall I enjoy the truck.

Check out Heller Ford in El Paso, IL they tend to have some decent prices.
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Old 05-30-2019, 09:00 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aceallenk View Post
but the v6 got 11.3 mpg and that was an American gallon (3.78L ). Which I think is fine as our v8 chevy 5.3 gets 11mpg on a imperial gallon (4.55L) of course trailer weight is the deciding factor. But
Ace...if you are getting the milage from the trucks computer and have it set the mpg instead of l/100 km...then the mpg is in American Gallons. You multiply that number by 20% to get imperial. Just wondering.
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Old 06-06-2019, 02:37 PM   #17
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I bought a 2016 Ford F-150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost, 355 gears, max tow package. Absolutely love it, my camper is only 8000 lbs loaded. Hardly even know its back there. Mine has the 36 gallon tank, which is an option.
16.6 miles per gallon. 12-14 while towing
I did buy a set of air bags for the 1/2 ton truck, just because I want to haul the four wheeler while its hooked up to the camper
You wont be disappointed
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Old 06-07-2019, 10:18 PM   #18
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Quote:
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I bought a 2016 Ford F-150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost, 355 gears, max tow package. Absolutely love it, my camper is only 8000 lbs loaded. Hardly even know its back there. Mine has the 36 gallon tank, which is an option.
16.6 miles per gallon. 12-14 while towing
I did buy a set of air bags for the 1/2 ton truck, just because I want to haul the four wheeler while its hooked up to the camper
You wont be disappointed
Wow, 12-14 mpg while towing? That is great. I averaged 9 with mine.
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Old 06-08-2019, 11:28 AM   #19
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Wow, 12-14 mpg while towing? That is great. I averaged 9 with mine.

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Old 06-11-2019, 02:11 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by xltjim View Post
Hello, so I am considering an F150. Had a recent post of upgrading my tires on my silverado...may just get a truck along with the upgraded tires (lol). Doing reasearch to purchase a used one 17/18 low miles, max tow package, 3.5 ecoboost. How good are these as tow vehicles? I see lots of them with max tow but with 3.31 axle. Is that sufficient? I would negotiate the LT tires as part of the deal. I currently have a 2009 silverado with 5.3 and 3.55 axle and it seems to struggle up mild hills pulling my 6000# loaded camper. What specs do you have on your F150 truck? Just looking for some real world experience.
Thanks in advance. Jim

Note - considered 3/4 ton truck but with using it as a daily driver and only occasional Rv towing it doesn't seem to be justified.
Jim,

I only had diesels in the past but after tons of research and California registration being upwards of $800 to $1000 annually for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks I bought a 2016 3.5 ecoboost and I love it. As described in my signature I have done upgrades to mine also which has made it better for towing. I would definitely get max tow and the 36 gallon fuel tank. I started out with E load range tires but went to D load range for a little softer daily driver ride. Their still 65 psi vs 80 psi max but would have never kept those stock 35 psi tires it came with. Your not going to get any better than 9-13 mpg towing but if your not towing every weekend which most dont you will be more than happy with this truck. I've towed two different campers with my truck, first one was a toyhauler which weighed 8500lbs without toys and 850lbs tongue weight and and now the sunset trail which weighs 5500lbs with a 550lbs tongue weight and the mileage is what it is. The new F-150's have the 10 speed transmission so maybe a little better all the way around. On the bright side I can get the advertised 20 mpg's not towing doing 65 mph. I will add that once I got airbags I got rid of the weight distribution hitch and modified a solid ball mount with a tab for a mini ball and added sway control which is so much easier to handle each time I tow. My two cents is I dont think you can go wrong with an ecoboost unless down the road you want a big heavy camper then it might not be a good option. Good luck on whatever you decide.
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