3.5L V6 of 5.0L V8

kcfissel wrote:
OK Y'all,
I'm trying to decide on my next truck, and the choice is an F-150 V8
Or the F-250 V8. I think I like the dependability of a naturally aspirated V8.
The 6.2 V8 makes 400# of torque at 3800 rpm. I think that engine could run all day at that if needed.

The Twin Turbo$ $care me. I just don't think I could buy a 3.5 EB, regardless of the platform.

What experience have y'all had keeping the turbos in shape to do the job? Please speak to long term durability and upkeep.

Top Fuelers can be built with outrageous HP, but they are built to run for 4 seconds and 1/4 mile.

Hey Ken! Hope you are well. I was nervous about the turbos at first, but the nerves are gone now. I'm at 70k miles and, as you know, been on 4 cross country trips (30k+ miles) with the trailer (7k). I haven't had one single issue, not even a tail light.

Also, I look at autotrader often to see high mileage examples. It's easy to find many Ecoboosts at 150k plus miles and still demanding some good money. I've seen two on autotrader over 300k miles. Can't speak to the life or repairs they had.

I believe any discussion of it being an unproven engine is long behind us. In fact, the 3.5 EB just may be cementing its place as a top tier all time engine.

kcfissel wrote:
OK Y'all,
I'm trying to decide on my next truck, and the choice is an F-150 V8
Or the F-250 V8. I think I like the dependability of a naturally aspirated V8.
The 6.2 V8 makes 400# of torque at 3800 rpm. I think that engine could run all day at that if needed.

The Twin Turbo$ $care me. I just don't think I could buy a 3.5 EB, regardless of the platform.

What experience have y'all had keeping the turbos in shape to do the job? Please speak to long term durability and upkeep.

Top Fuelers can be built with outrageous HP, but they are built to run for 4 seconds and 1/4 mile.

Three things, first, twin turbos only come on the Raptor, a Raptor is not what you will be towing with. Second, they been putting turbos on diesels for decades, it's not rocket science.
Third, there is no problem with getting a V8, you just miss out on the great gas mileage the ecoboost delivers. If its a daily driver, that's a big factor in my book. The 10 spd transmission is icing on the cake.

kcfissel wrote:
OK Y'all,
I'm trying to decide on my next truck, and the choice is an F-150 V8
Or the F-250 V8. I think I like the dependability of a naturally aspirated V8.
The 6.2 V8 makes 400# of torque at 3800 rpm. I think that engine could run all day at that if needed.

The Twin Turbo$ $care me. I just don't think I could buy a 3.5 EB, regardless of the platform.

What experience have y'all had keeping the turbos in shape to do the job? Please speak to long term durability and upkeep.

Top Fuelers can be built with outrageous HP, but they are built to run for 4 seconds and 1/4 mile.

Hi, Ken!

I am new here... very interesting thread, all 10 pages.

I have towed, bumper pull, with inadequate tow vehicle and poor hitches. No more. My last Dodge 2500, gas engine, the big one, would do 30 mph full out, on the “Sisters”. I80, east of Evanston, Wy. In the far right lane, getting passed by 18-wheelers doing 35.

Appropriate hitch and tow vehicle for the rig is a must, IMHO. My current is a 2009 Dodge 2500, long bed, quad cab, Cummins. Works well for the hills on our Intermountain interstates. It’s a Turbo engine. Needed for the high country. My house is 7020’ above sea level. Unless you’re talking manifold pressure above 32”, in the lower elevations, go normally aspirated. My turbos have lotsa miles. Just treat them right... by the book cool downs.

Rich
Wyoming
Dodge 2500 Cummins
Coleman Lantern

troubledwaters wrote:
Those smattering of votes are trying to tell you, if you are operating within its ratings, the F150 HD payload package, with 3.5 Ecoboost and 10 speed transmission is a better package then the 3/4 ton, especially if the truck is a daily driver and a sometimes towing. Now get a 3/4 ton with the 3.5 ecoboost and a 10 speed transmission and you'd have a real monster.

Boy that's a slanted take if I've ever seen one. I look at that comparison and see similar price tags for a glorified half ton grocery getter versus pickup with a lot heavier components from stem to stern. If the usage being contemplated includes towing a 37' TT like OP you'd have to be nuts to go with the F150, imo.

OK Y'all,
I'm trying to decide on my next truck, and the choice is an F-150 V8
Or the F-250 V8. I think I like the dependability of a naturally aspirated V8.
The 6.2 V8 makes 400# of torque at 3800 rpm. I think that engine could run all day at that if needed.

The Twin Turbo$ $care me. I just don't think I could buy a 3.5 EB, regardless of the platform.

What experience have y'all had keeping the turbos in shape to do the job? Please speak to long term durability and upkeep.

Top Fuelers can be built with outrageous HP, but they are built to run for 4 seconds and 1/4 mile.

troubledwaters wrote:
Those smattering of votes are trying to tell you, if you are operating within its ratings, the F150 HD payload package, with 3.5 Ecoboost and 10 speed transmission is a better package then the 3/4 ton, especially if the truck is a daily driver and a sometimes towing. Now get a 3/4 ton with the 3.5 ecoboost and a 10 speed transmission and you'd have a real monster.

Like I said, my head is swimming. :-) I've been struggling with the acronyms so this is a nice summation. Thank you.

I want a recount.

I don't get the daily driver fear. You get used to whatever you drive. Neither of my F150's ride like a cadillac. They're pretty rough riding. Plus you'd end up with a lighter frame, weaker tranny, weaker brakes, smaller axle and a shorter duty cycle. I don't know how that's a better package for a large trailer.

Those smattering of votes are trying to tell you, if you are operating within its ratings, the F150 HD payload package, with 3.5 Ecoboost and 10 speed transmission is a better package then the 3/4 ton, especially if the truck is a daily driver and a sometimes towing. Now get a 3/4 ton with the 3.5 ecoboost and a 10 speed transmission and you'd have a real monster.

Bobbo wrote:
We may have run the OP off. DoberGirl50 hasn't posted since 5/13.

Bobbo, I'm still out here. :-) I've been reading posts and camping without internet service. My head is spinning quite a bit, but the take-away for me is to go 3/4 ton with my TT. There's a smattering of votes for the 3.5 with HD, but mostly I'm hearing go 3/4 ton.

He's not wrong. The 3.5l is a better tow engine with gobs of low-end torque. Plus, turbos helps maintain that power at higher elevations. It's generally the preferred engine for a towing, unless you're OK with turning 4k rpms.

It's the only thing I miss in my F250.