It was suggested that I start a new thread regarding the following question:We are relatively new to RVing. We have a 30' Sunset Trails ultra-light (6,400#) empty. We've been using our son-in-law's Tundra but we're seriously considering a F-150 3.5L with Ecoboost. The ones we're looking at have a 3:43 rear end. It sounds like this truck should handle our trailer. We're kind of resigned to getting lousy mileage when towing but would like to get the best we can the other 95% of the time. Any thoughts?To clarify, the 6,400# is dry weight, not scale weight under tow. Therefore, the total weight of the trailer under tow is probably in the 8K range.Still: same question, second verse - how do you think a F-150 3.5L with EcoBoost will do?

fatheraccountant wrote:It was suggested that I start a new thread regarding the following question:We are relatively new to RVing. We have a 30' Sunset Trails ultra-light (6,400#) empty. We've been using our son-in-law's Tundra but we're seriously considering a F-150 3.5L with Ecoboost. The ones we're looking at have a 3:43 rear end. It sounds like this truck should handle our trailer. We're kind of resigned to getting lousy mileage when towing but would like to get the best we can the other 95% of the time. Any thoughts?To clarify, the 6,400# is dry weight, not scale weight under tow. Therefore, the total weight of the trailer under tow is probably in the 8K range.Still: same question, second verse - how do you think a F-150 3.5L with EcoBoost will do?You may want to look again at the truck. Ford does NOT offer a 3.42 rear gear in their trucks. they offer 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, 4.10, and 3.73. Tow capacity for F150 Ecoboosts range from 7300lbs to 11,300lbs, depending on the rear gear, AND the GVWR of the truck. You will need a pretty high GVWR to get over 8000lb tow capacity. you will need at least a 14000LB GCVWR to get over 8000lb tow cap. And that will only get you 400 to 800 over depending on the truck

If you tow a lot, get the 3.73. If you only tow a few times a year, 3.55 will do. JMHO.

You will be fine with the MaxTow and Max Payload packages. Good luck, John

That's one great Son-in-Law to let you tow your #6400 dry weight TT with his Tundra! ;)I'm sure it's towing it just fine, but I'm also sure it's over one or more of it's other weight ratings (either GVWR, GAWR or payload)... My wife's only driven my new F150 once! ha, ha! :)Anyway, I saw your posts on the other Ecoboost thread and can only say if you want to tow that kind of weight, get the 3.73 gears at least because you'll need the Max Tow package at the very least if you want any hope of staying under payload, GVWR ratings on the truck..The Eco will have no problem towing the weight.. It's how much tongue weight you have and how much payload and rear axle weight you have left.I tow a #5000 GVWR TT (#3400 DRY) and I'm within #400 of the rear axle rating and #600 of the GVWR of my Max Tow F150 with #7700 GVWR and #4050 rear GAWR..I have a #11,300 "tow rating"... ha, ha!Anyway, I have the 3.73 gears and get 17 mpg on my daily commute and have gotten 21 mpg on straight hwy runs going 65 mph.There are many folks that tow 30+ foot, #8000+ lb travel trailers with their NON max tow Ecoboost F150's and are happy... I can certainly feel my #5000, 22' TT behind mine and it's a great tow to be sure... I'll tow it anyplace, anytime..Can you tow your TT with an Ecoboost? Sure you can... Don't expect any better mpg's doing it than the Tundra, but you should be better mpg with the Eco not towing as long as you stay out of the turbos.. It's pretty hard to NOT enjoy the fun of the power of them, but it'll cost you in mpg's.. :)Good luck!Mitch

I believe Max Tow packages with a crew cab come in with a payload of around 1700. If you have an 8000 lb trailer and put 12.5% on the toungue that will be 1000 leaving you 700 for driver, passengers and gear. If you need more then you will want to look at Max payload which gives you another 500 lbs of payload. When truck shopping look at the sticker on the driver side door jamb. That will list the actual payload number for that rig based on the package and options.Good luck to you,Stu

Advisability and Experience with F-150 3.5L w/EcoBoost

12 Replies

ib516
Explorer II
Sep 14, 2014
If you tow a lot, get the 3.73. If you only tow a few times a year, 3.55 will do. JMHO.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Sep 14, 2014
fatheraccountant wrote:
It was suggested that I start a new thread regarding the following question:

We are relatively new to RVing. We have a 30' Sunset Trails ultra-light (6,400#) empty. We've been using our son-in-law's Tundra but we're seriously considering a F-150 3.5L with Ecoboost. The ones we're looking at have a 3:43 rear end. It sounds like this truck should handle our trailer. We're kind of resigned to getting lousy mileage when towing but would like to get the best we can the other 95% of the time. Any thoughts?

To clarify, the 6,400# is dry weight, not scale weight under tow. Therefore, the total weight of the trailer under tow is probably in the 8K range.
Still: same question, second verse - how do you think a F-150 3.5L with EcoBoost will do?

You may want to look again at the truck. Ford does NOT offer a 3.42 rear gear in their trucks. they offer 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, 4.10, and 3.73.
Tow capacity for F150 Ecoboosts range from 7300lbs to 11,300lbs, depending on the rear gear, AND the GVWR of the truck. You will need a pretty high GVWR to get over 8000lb tow capacity. you will need at least a 14000LB GCVWR to get over 8000lb tow cap. And that will only get you 400 to 800 over depending on the truck

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Advisability and Experience with F-150 3.5L w/EcoBoost

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