Ford Ecoboost Thread - Page 2

BWS · 09-25-2012, 06:15 AM

Sorry to cause such a s--- storm. I have the heavy payload, Max tow, 373 gearing and the e-rated tires. The truck is 2-wheel drive. My GCVW is 15700 of an allowable 17100. My pin weight is 1700 lbs. That is the reason I bought the RK. Rear Kitchen. On a side note, I hope I know what I'm doing. I am the Operations Supervisor at the largest Raw Milk transportation company in Ontario. Everything I do is trucks and weights.

mikenannie · 09-25-2012, 06:22 AM

BWS - no storm, just good discussion. The more we discuss, the more we all learn.

RKamperRV · 09-25-2012, 11:12 AM

Ditto - this is fun!

**Lloyd** · 10-12-2012, 11:59 PM

This is a good thread. Thought I would boost it back toward the top again, seeing as I'm quite interested in the postings.
I have been gone for awhile and wondering if anyone is towing a 5er with an Eco boost.
I see BWS is.

mikenannie · 10-13-2012, 12:48 AM

Old Farmer, while camping in Ludington,Michigan a week ago we had a guy next to us pulling a 5th wheel with an Ecoboost. He had this 5th wheel
http://www.thegreatoutdoorsrv.com/Wildcat/312BHX.htm

8200+ lbs. He said they had towed it all the way to Yellowstone and back this spring. The only issue he had was on a day when it was 104 degrees outside, he had the truck overheat one time. He said that he thought it was likely his fault becuase he forgot to select Tow/Hual mode when he started out that day. I'm not sure how much difference that would have made, but he seemed very happy with his truck and 5'er. He also told me that his brother was in the process of buying an Eco as well.

He liked our truck becuase we had the Chrome package. He claimed that with the HD Payload option, needed for 5th Wheel, that he couldn't get the chrome. Not sure that's true, seems odd to me. His truck was black.

**mark5w** · 10-13-2012, 05:26 AM

Mikenannie
It's true, you cannot get a 13 xlt with the chrome package, if you get the hd payload and trailer pkg. Just picked up my 13 2 days ago. Tried to order it with chrome but deales computer would not allow. He made a call to ford and they confirmed.
Will be picking up a new 5th wheel as soon as I have 1,000 miles on truck. weights 9100lbs. after looking at the older 250's the new 13 is rated almost the same or close in all categories as far as towing ability. Tired on hearing the 150's don't have grunt to pull 5ers. If that's the case either do the older 250's (non diesel) and I see a lot of them on the road and at campgrounds.

By the way, I've been towing a 8000lb (DRY) 5er for the past 7 years with my 05 f150 xlt\ 5.4 triton. Tows like a charm; have to look in rearview mirror to remind me that the rv is there. Been from PA to SC and back twice each summer, OC Maryland in between and towed up mountain area in the Pocono's.

Edited by: mark5w

mikenannie · 10-13-2012, 07:02 AM

Interesting. I wonder why they can't put the chrome package on an f150 with the HD package?Mark5w, let us all know how well your new truck pulls your new 5er!

Congratulations, sounds like a great rig.

**Lloyd** · 10-13-2012, 08:36 AM

I just went to Ford's web site and built a f150 Lariat, and I thought it had the chrome.

mikenannie · 10-13-2012, 09:13 AM

Old Farmer. I believe you have to add the HD Payload option and it's not obvious how to do that on the website. I believe you have to first select the 3.73 rear end before the HD Payload option will display in the options. You can certainly order an XLT with Chrome (that's what I bought), but not with the HD Payload - that's my understanding.

artgpo · 10-14-2012, 03:30 AM

I just looked at the 2013 F-150 specs from the Ford website. With Ecoboost the carry capacity of the truck w/Supercrew cab is anywhere from 7,700 to 8,800 lbs. Not enough for towing the average 5th wheel. Remember, cargo capacity is the weight of the truck, full tank of gas, passengers, 5th wheel hitch AND pin weight, usually 20 - 25% of the fiver's total weight. Even the smaller, lighter fivers have a pin weight of about 1,500 - 1,800 lbs.
The fact the guy's truck overheated should tell you something about towing a 5th wheel with a 1/2 ton truck.

**Lloyd** · 10-15-2012, 05:29 AM

Art, I'm starting to think you are prejudice.

I also am starting to think you probably have way more truck then you really need for the job.

luvtocamp7 · 10-15-2012, 10:43 AM

I pull my Zinger 31SB with a F150 Ecoboost. My Zinger dry weight is 8,100 LBS so I would say around 9,100 LBS loaded. One thing that made a huge improvement on my towing was the Equalizer hitch, Air bags and getting the correct stance for my truck. The truck has no problem pulling and stopping the rig "BUT" windy days are no fun when pulling my rig. I tow at 65 to 70 MPH on calm days but windy days its 55 MPH. I went to Myrtle beach this Summer from Ohio and got 9 MPG and that was through the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia. I did have the opportunity to pull my rig with my friends 3/4 Ton Dodge with a Cummins and there was a big difference in stability. My next truck will for sure be a 3/4 or 1 Ton or I will down size my Rig. My 2 cents.

mikenannie · 10-15-2012, 11:40 AM

I'm curious. What do you mean it's no fun in the wind?

I've noticed that for me, the trailer seems to float from side to side on windy days. Not sure if it's the lighter truck springs, 35 psi in the load range 'C' LT tires, or if the standard shocks are the issue. I haven't had time to adjust them, but I'd like to eliminate this 'float' feeling. I was thinking that maybe changing the shocks to the HD Payload shocks might help.

**Lloyd** · 10-15-2012, 11:44 AM

My guess would be the tires. If you don't have E rated tires, the sidewall is flexing and making the TV kind of slosh back and forth.

fhenn · 10-15-2012, 11:51 AM

Try 55 to 65 PSI in the tires next trip. if the are LT's 35 psi is not enough. As Lloyd says to much flex in the side walls. Darn Lloyd you are right once more

Will · 10-15-2012, 11:55 AM

Can you tell us more about the air bags you put in.

Thanks
Will

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenannie

I'm curious. What do you mean it's no fun in the wind?

I've noticed that for me, the trailer seems to float from side to side on windy days. Not sure if it's the lighter truck springs, 35 psi in the load range 'C' LT tires, or if the standard shocks are the issue. I haven't had time to adjust them, but I'd like to eliminate this 'float' feeling. I was thinking that maybe changing the shocks to the HD Payload shocks might help.

mikenannie · 10-15-2012, 12:22 PM

The tires say max 50 psi on the side wall. But the Ford manual says to never inflate beyond the psi on the door jam sticker (35 psi) regardless of what the tire says. I was tempted on the last trip to air them up, but didn't. Do most folks air up their rear and/or front tires when towing?

luvtocamp7 · 10-15-2012, 12:35 PM

Yes, the sloshing back and forth is uncomfortable in the wind.

As for air bags, I have the Air lift bags and inflate them to about 75 PSI. After I hook my trailer up with the WD hitch my truck sags less than 1 inch. I am a big believer in the air bags they help keep your truck level when loaded.

Good point on the E rating tire, i wonder if this would help eliminate the floating around feeling.

avvidclif · 10-15-2012, 01:03 PM

Two factors to think about. One, pulling a bumper pull trailer is always fun, tightening the anti-sway bar will help. Two, my F350 SRW with a full tank of diesel weighs over 8100 lbs and has E rated tires. Both help, the weight and the tires. Nothing against your rig but look at the size and weight of the trailer compared to the truck. My previous tow vehicle was a GMC 1500 and my trailers were in the 25' range, 6-7000lb loaded, PU weighed around 4400. I had the overload shocks with springs on the rear, LT tires, and it was still no fun in the wind.

Set up the WD hitch so the truck doesn't squat over an inch and tighten the anti-sway bar. You'll get used to it....GRIN

My suggestions.

**Lloyd** · 10-16-2012, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenannie

Old Farmer. I believe you have to add the HD Payload option and it's not obvious how to do that on the website. I believe you have to first select the 3.73 rear end before the HD Payload option will display in the options. You can certainly order an XLT with Chrome (that's what I bought), but not with the HD Payload - that's my understanding.

I have a dealer working on this for me. He called me last night with some more info.
I can't get the Lariat with HD payload/ HD tow load. I have to get it in the XLT. All of that will put E rated tires on the truck, which is a big plus as far as I'm concerned. I believe the GVWR will be in the neighborhood of 9400# and the GCWR will be around 15400#, These are both kind an estimate seeing as we haven't been able to add the extras yet that a person might want. We will have to see what he comes up with on the chrome package.

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