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Grodyman's avatar
Grodyman
Explorer
Jan 07, 2019

Ecoboost 3.5 Towing MPG Sucks

Hi all, back after a couple years without a RV......I jumped back in with a Passport Ultra Lite 153ML, GVWR of 4500lbs.

I just returned from picking up the trailer and pulled it with my 2017 F150 3.5 Ecoboost with 3.55 gears.

I was astonished to pull such a lightweight, aerodynamic trailer and the best MPG I got was 10.2 MPG. I went as low as 8.5 MPG.

I could have done better than that with my F250 with the 6.2 V8.

I am surprised how dreadful the towing MPG is with truck considering the overall weight of the truck/trailer combo is a couple thousand pounds lighter than I usually travel.

Unloaded this truck is great, but if you are on the fence about a F150 and a F250, go with the F250 gasser all the way UNLESS you drive a lot of unloaded miles.

The truck had plenty of power, no issue there, but I simply cannot imagine pulling 7K-10K lbs with this truck, the MPG's must be around 5.

My current range is about 250 miles pulling this Ultralight, given the fuel tank size. So, essentially, adding an ultralight trailer dropped my MPG nearly in half. Not what I expected.

Gman
Tow Vehicles

89 Replies

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  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    Jan 07, 2019
    I agree with the comment you can have either ECO or Boost, but not both.
    Driving unloaded I get 20-21mpg. Towing my 9Klb FW I can expect as low as 6 with a strong head wind and as high as 13 with a strong tailwind. I average 10mpg @ 65mph. This is mostly flatland at just above sea level. Mileage drops at higher elevations.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jan 07, 2019
    It's not designed for optimal towing MPG.

    95% of full size pickups never tow and those that do only do it 5-10% of the time... the rest of the time a small V8 is overpowered. This is a way to make a V6 more acceptable those people.

    Fact is it takes fuel to make power and towing takes power...even light weight trailers have the aerodynamics of a brick.
  • ShinerBock's avatar
    ShinerBock
    Explorer
    Jan 07, 2019
    Ironically that engine got much better mpg than almost all of the V8 half ton competitors both towing and unloaded in almost all the tests where they tested them back to back over the past several years.
  • Grodyman's avatar
    Grodyman
    Explorer
    Jan 07, 2019
    BarabooBob wrote:
    I drive a 2011 3.5 l Ecoboost. I just got back from a 400 mile trip not towing. I held 70 mph for most of the trip and got 20.5 mpg average. As the salesperson said when I bought the truck (used) he told me to remember one very important piece of information, if you are towing a trailer, or traveling at 80 mph or higher, your mileage will SUCK> One of the members here said it best-You have an Eco Boost. You decide whether you want Eco or Boost but you can't have both at the same time.
    We tow a new 17FQ Viking and get about 12 mpg at 55 mph. If we go 65 mph we get 10 mpg. The problem. I love the truck for towing and have gone through the Appalachians and never had a problem. Next year we are going to the Rockies for 5 or 6 weeks.
    This is a 1/2 ton truck, I do not expect big diesel performance.


    My crappy mileage was 10.2 mpg at 60 mph, and 8.5 mpg at 65 (cruise control).

    I can't drive 55.....

    Gman
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Jan 07, 2019
    Slowing down and babying the gas pedal might raise the fuel economy a little bit, but no miracles to be had with that engine. You're definitely not the first one to experience its thirst for gas while towing. If I were in the market for one I'd personally get the 5L V8.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 07, 2019
    Could have told you that. My brother towed with one to where we were hosting. I asked him and it was 10. Heck I got that all day with my Cummins dually pulling a 13,500 pound fiver.
  • BarabooBob's avatar
    BarabooBob
    Explorer III
    Jan 07, 2019
    I drive a 2011 3.5 l Ecoboost. I just got back from a 400 mile trip not towing. I held 70 mph for most of the trip and got 20.5 mpg average. As the salesperson said when I bought the truck (used) he told me to remember one very important piece of information, if you are towing a trailer, or traveling at 80 mph or higher, your mileage will SUCK> One of the members here said it best-You have an Eco Boost. You decide whether you want Eco or Boost but you can't have both at the same time.
    We tow a new 17FQ Viking and get about 12 mpg at 55 mph. If we go 65 mph we get 10 mpg. I love the truck for towing and have gone through the Appalachians and never had a problem. Next year we are going to the Rockies for 5 or 6 weeks.
    This is a 1/2 ton truck, I do not expect big diesel performance.
  • blt2ski's avatar
    blt2ski
    Moderator
    Jan 07, 2019
    That motor sucks fuel no matter what it is in.
    I have one in a transit can at work. If I get 18 mpg, that is a good day. Manager has one in her SUV, about the same.
    As noted tho, plenty of power.

    Marty

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