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mfoster711's avatar
mfoster711
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2015

2015 Ford V-6 Ecoboost vs V8

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/

Am I reading this correct? It appears the 2015 Ford F-150 with a 3.5L ecoboost engine has more towing capacity that the same vehicle with a V-8 engine.

Looking at a 2015 SuperCrew with 3.5L it has a GCWR of 16100 where as the same vehicle with a V-8 has only a 14200 GCWR. Why is that?

I am planning to buy a F-150 soon to replace my 2007 F-250 and I need to make sure it can still handle my camper. I have an Outback Terrain 250TRS that has 5483lbs empty weight and 2017lbs Carrying Capacity. Roughly 7500lbs total weight if fully loaded.
Tow Vehicles

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  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2015
    Like others say, and especially if you tow a lot, I would get that 3.5L EcoB with the Heavy Duty Payload option. That not only gives you more GVWR and rear GAWR, but stiffens the suspension and adds LT tires. Much needed mods in a heavily loaded half ton IMHO, and probably cheaper than doing it yourself after-market, like I did.

    That engine has been around since 2011 and has proven to be a winner for Ford.
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2015
    I was driving back from the deer camp this afternoon and noticed a conventional camper weaving in and out of the fast lane passing cars and hauling balls. I thought this had to be a diesel towing this camping pulling this speed. Once I passed this camper at 80mph is when I noticed it was a F150 EcoBoost pulling this camper (28-30ft) at the speed limit of 75mph.

    Not sure how hard he was pressing the go pedal, but I sure was impressed.
  • mbopp's avatar
    mbopp
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2015
    You need to drive an EB to see how much low-end grunt it has.
    Super crew? How many people are you hauling? I'd opt for the Max Payload package since the limiting factor on 1/2-tons is payload, not tow capacity.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2015
    What you have to understand is that a 3.5 Eco at full boost is a 7.0L engine. That is bigger than any engine put in pickups today. Get the Eco up in high altitude and it will waste a V8.
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2015
    There's a group of guys at FTE that have a get together to pull a 15k lb trailer up a very steep hill somewhere in Ohio and video the event. The EcoBoost truck actually performed better than a 6.2 V8 and a V10.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2015
    Get the new F-150 with the EB 3.5, heavy payload and max towing package and you will be surprised at just how capable some of these newer properly equipped "1/2 ton" trucks are. Of course they cost as much as a 3/4 truck designed to do the same job and way more stable doing it.

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