So, this maybe an "FW too far." I am enamored of the F150 ecoboost. 11,000 pound towing capacity, and from what I've read, plenty of power. The tricky part would be hitch weight, under 1200 pounds. On top of that, I want a built in generator. Are there any FW's that would fit the bill, or should I get real and stick to TT's? I did run across someone pulling a Keystone Cougar 315res with the ecoboost, but it had some mods, Timbrens and Hellwig helper springs.

Get serious. If you really want an eco thingy, then stick with a TT. If you want a fifth wheel, get a real truck with real capabilities. My brother bough an eco boost and pulling his Jayco ultralite TT he is only getting around 10.5 MPG. Heck my Dodge Cummins pulling my 13,500 fiver gets that as a minimum. So dont let the eco hype get you suckered into an undersized TV.

diver110 wrote:So, this maybe an "FW too far." I am enamored of the F150 ecoboost. 11,000 pound towing capacity, and from what I've read, plenty of power. The tricky part would be hitch weight, under 1200 pounds. On top of that, I want a built in generator. Are there any FW's that would fit the bill, or should I get real and stick to TT's? I did run across someone pulling a Keystone Cougar 315res with the ecoboost, but it had some mods, Timbrens and Hellwig helper springs.Howdy Diver. Any of the smaller 5th wheels I have seen have no provision or room for a generator in the front. I suspect if one the generator may add additional weight to an already to heavy for your half ton hitch weight. Have you considered any of the Nash Brand. They are all pre compartmented for generator and are a sturdy built unit. All the weights of the Nashes I am familiar with would suit up nice with your dream truck. Good luck with your hunt. Safe trails.

The ECOBOOST means nothing...you only have a 1/2 ton truck and only the smallest and shortest FW out there might work...If you are serious about a FW get yourself a cable truck...minimum 3/4 ton truck and diesel if you can afford it

Thanks. I thought that is what you would say. I'll stick to TT's. And yes, I have heard of Nash, even looked at a few while vacationing in OR.

donn0128 wrote:Get serious. If you really want an eco thingy, then stick with a TT. If you want a fifth wheel, get a real truck with real capabilities. My brother bough an eco boost and pulling his Jayco ultralite TT he is only getting around 10.5 MPG. Heck my Dodge Cummins pulling my 13,500 fiver gets that as a minimum. So dont let the eco hype get you suckered into an undersized TV. When have we seen gas engines pulling trailers or boats in the past , and getting 10.5 ,I was lucky to get 8 pulling with any weight with gas, pulling 13K with a diesel I see 12 once in awhile, but on average 10-11 ., and certain condition's down to 9 . I agree if you want to tow heavy go diesel, but 10.5 is nothing to scoff about towing trailers. Too good of reviews with these newer gas engines to overlook.

F-150 Ecoboost, built in generator | Good Sam Community

Ed9824v
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
Clinton_FL wrote:
While I agree with everyone here about sizing everything correctly the EcoBoost will not get any better MPG towing than any other truck while towing a load. Sure it will get great unloaded, but if you are buying it to tow. mpg should not be a factor. If people are saying 10mpg towing, that is what my v10 gets but or course, that is all the time :)

As for the 2015, I have not heard any rumor about an ecoboost in a 3/4 ton, but i do know the 19.5's are back for the 450, which could only mean they are going to compete with dodge and there 30000lbs.

My boy gets terrible milage, worse mileage towing then my dodge diesel and 2500 more lbs tow trailer. and the actual non tow mileage is not up to what they claim, BUT does tow well
83trekker
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
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Clinton_FL
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
While I agree with everyone here about sizing everything correctly the EcoBoost will not get any better MPG towing than any other truck while towing a load. Sure it will get great unloaded, but if you are buying it to tow. mpg should not be a factor. If people are saying 10mpg towing, that is what my v10 gets but or course, that is all the time :)

As for the 2015, I have not heard any rumor about an ecoboost in a 3/4 ton, but i do know the 19.5's are back for the 450, which could only mean they are going to compete with dodge and there 30000lbs.
valhalla360
Navigator
Oct 02, 2013
DHCamper wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
A thought: If it's a good option for heavy duty towing...why don't they put it in the F250/350 trucks?

Wait for 2015, I believe there will be even healthier ecoboost motors in the 3/4 ton models.

What exactly is a healthier ecoboost? If you are suggesting a eco-v8, that's a different animal.
DHCamper
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
valhalla360 wrote:
A thought: If it's a good option for heavy duty towing...why don't they put it in the F250/350 trucks?

Wait for 2015, I believe there will be even healthier ecoboost motors in the 3/4 ton models.
valhalla360
Navigator
Sep 29, 2013
A thought: If it's a good option for heavy duty towing...why don't they put it in the F250/350 trucks?

I think Ford is betting 99% never get close to the rating limit and those trucks will be fine. They can point at overloading for the ones that do push the limits.
Flapper
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
2112 wrote:
My FW (see sig below) has knock outs for a genny but I never looked into what brand/size. Installing one would certainly push me over my payload.

As far as towing a FW with an EB; sure I get 10-12 towing but I also get 18-22 when not towing. And that all depends how I drive it. I had to haul aurse from Junction to San Antonio doing 85 yesterday and I got 18.4mpg doing it. I can't complain.

I have to back the second part of this up - but can't answer the OP's need for a generator compartment. 4K trip this summer was at 11 mpg, Minn to Maine. Mixed city/hwy is about 17. Best ever was 20.5.
If you match the rig to the truck, it is fully capable. Bigger may be better for both truck and 5th, but everything costs. If a generator compartment is mandatory, the OP will have very limited options. But if I put the gen. on my 3K rear hitch on the 5th, I actually subtract from the pin weight, and stay far below the overall limits of my setup.
psford
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
2112 wrote:
My FW (see sig below) has knock outs for a genny but I never looked into what brand/size. Installing one would certainly push me over my payload.

As far as towing a FW with an EB; sure I get 10-12 towing but I also get 18-22 when not towing. And that all depends how I drive it. I had to haul aurse from Junction to San Antonio doing 85 yesterday and I got 18.4mpg doing it. I can't complain.

My son also has the 2011, and it is awesome towing a 24 foot boat, does a great job. No complaints from him. years ago towed a 18 foot boat with single axle trailer with a chev 350, no comparison to the newer trucks, was lucky to get 8-10 mpg, and 25-30 mph up mountain grades. That newer ford rolls over those same grades
2112
Explorer II
Sep 29, 2013
My FW (see sig below) has knock outs for a genny but I never looked into what brand/size. Installing one would certainly push me over my payload.

As far as towing a FW with an EB; sure I get 10-12 towing but I also get 18-22 when not towing. And that all depends how I drive it. I had to haul aurse from Junction to San Antonio doing 85 yesterday and I got 18.4mpg doing it. I can't complain.
psford
Explorer
Sep 29, 2013
Me Again wrote:
psford wrote:
CREATO wrote:
psford wrote:
donn0128 wrote:
Get serious. If you really want an eco thingy, then stick with a TT. If you want a fifth wheel, get a real truck with real capabilities. My brother bough an eco boost and pulling his Jayco ultralite TT he is only getting around 10.5 MPG. Heck my Dodge Cummins pulling my 13,500 fiver gets that as a minimum. So dont let the eco hype get you suckered into an undersized TV.

When have we seen gas engines pulling trailers or boats in the past , and getting 10.5 ,I was lucky to get 8 pulling with any weight with gas, pulling 13K with a diesel I see 12 once in awhile, but on average 10-11 ., and certain condition's down to 9 . I agree if you want to tow heavy go diesel, but 10.5 is nothing to scoff about towing trailers. Too good of reviews with these newer gas engines to overlook.

Here here fully agree equipped right the F150 Ecoboost will Handel smaller 5vers have friends that are doing it. Also after pulling a 5ver I doubt you will go back to tt. Now on the other hand if full timing and majority of miles are towing may consider F250/350. The E.B. mpg really shines when not towing and the ride is first cabin. Don't over look this very capable vehicle the only one in the 1/2 ton class to consider when you look at all the specs.

Sure these new gas engines won't handle the weight of big fifth wheels, but some like donn have no idea how they perform, and they were not built to tow big fifth wheels, but it would be crazy to go out and get a big old dually diesel, when some of these newer gas engines will get the job done very nicely given the weight range they handle. All you have to do is drive one to realize they are very capable . Hell we have a 2013 Ford Escape 4 cylinder with the EB, that will run circles around donn's old dually in acceleration . :)

IMO as time goes by we are going to see more ,and more of these gas engines towing some pretty heavy stuff that we have never seen before.

I have not yet seen an V6 Eco Boost replace a V10 in a motorhome!!! V10 Fords and 8.1 GM are the choice for real heavy gas powered rigs. Chris

I guess some don't get it here, take ten, fifteen years ago you didn't see half tons with the smaller V6's or 8's with the tow rating ,and power of today. Of course you won't see them in motorhomes or towing large fifth wheels , and I certainly didn't say that, they don't have the capability. You naysayers need to catch up with the times here these 1/2 tons are not the same 1/2 tons of yesterday.