F150 for "light" towing

Today I purchased a 2018 Ford F-150 with the 3.5 ECO, 10 speed , Max tow, 6 1/2 foot box, 20 inch wheels, 4x4.
I plan to tow a 7800 LB trailer. Max tow with this truck is 13,000. Time will tell.

Bionic Man wrote:
I am going to change my answer. I have been in a brand new (rental) RAM 1500 Big Horn this week with the Hemi. The sound of the V8 is AWESOME. For the sound alone, if you are resolute on Ford, I would go with the 5.0.

I'd also recommend checking out both Chevy and RAM. You might be surprised in what you find.

If there is one thing that Chrysler has done right is the exhaust tone of their V8's. They have nailed the sound from the regular "Hemi" all the way to the Hellcat variants.

stevemorris wrote:
exhaust sound and high performance during daily driving are meaningless to us, don't care, it can sound like a "briggs and Stratton" for all we care!!
we want decent mileage for everyday and good towing performance
mechanical simplicity is a big one for me, regular v8 rather than highly stressed turbo v6, simpler less troublesome transmission too. we'd prefer a stick shift but I doubt that's gonna happen!

And that V8 will sound better. Ever hear an eco boost with a "performance" exhaust? It almost embarrassing. Driver should have a bag over their head! Lol
Sounds like a wet fart into a bowl of mashed potatoes!

exhaust sound and high performance during daily driving are meaningless to us, don't care, it can sound like a "briggs and Stratton" for all we care!!
we want decent mileage for everyday and good towing performance
mechanical simplicity is a big one for me, regular v8 rather than highly stressed turbo v6, simpler less troublesome transmission too. we'd prefer a stick shift but I doubt that's gonna happen!

If you can swing it, Ecoboost 3.5 with the Max Tow. That way, light or heavy you can tow it. We tow a 35', 9900lb TT with ours and it does great. I can kiss 20MPG unloaded (3.73's and 4x4) and get 7-10 pulling the camper. It runs like a Diesel.

Unloaded the truck is sports car quick. Sound means nothing to me - I'd rather have the better performance even if it sounded like a Briggs and Stratton.

I am going to change my answer. I have been in a brand new (rental) RAM 1500 Big Horn this week with the Hemi. The sound of the V8 is AWESOME. For the sound alone, if you are resolute on Ford, I would go with the 5.0.

I'd also recommend checking out both Chevy and RAM. You might be surprised in what you find.

before i bought my 15 Silverado 1500 (traded it for my present rig), i test drove a leftover 14 Ford f150 with the 5.0.


i really liked that truck, but it had no back-up camera and it was very basic compared to the new 15 Silverado and was more money?

that's where ford has finally lost me, a Ford man for several decades. they won't negotiate with you like Chevy and dodge. i still feel Ford builds the best of the big 3, however, this 17 dodge i have now is also really nice and runs great.

i think things have really closed up quality wise between the big 3, so much so that it's now a matter of personal preference, than one being better than the other.

but back on topic. that 5.0 Ford sure had a lot of juice, no doubt about it. that truck had the 5.0 and 3.73 gears. good combo.

For simplicity,I would opt for the 5.0, I had an '11 and it towed our previous trailer (20') with ease. Got 9.9 MPG towing, 16-20 MPG empty.

You'll also appreciate the comfort of a new full size truck.
All the new ones are like a heavy duty luxury car compared to a decade ago.
Base engine will do the job but will rewarded you with returning less than ideal power, fuel mileage while towing and resale.
Personally I'd go for the baby Eco boost or 5.0. More towards the 5.0 for its simplicity.
It's the most impressive small block v8 out there IMO and returns good mileage if you drive it accordingly.
At the same time, look at the other 2 brands. I have no issue with Rams other than I prefer rear leafs for a tow rig. I have a 2016 Chevy 1500 and had a '14 a couple years ago. Very powerful comfortable capable truck as well.

I will share that I know someone that tows a 6000-7000 lb fishing boat, while hauling a small camper on his F150 2.7. He tows all over the mountainous northwest with no problems and averages over 11 mpg. That's with the 6 speed. He's surely overloaded, but the engine has zero issue dragging it up and down the mountains.