I have the 5.0L and it tows my trailer very effortlessly. I had a 2010 F150 with the 5.4L before I had this 2012 5.0L. Both trucks are configured the nearly the same and even the same color. The 5.0L has more low end torque and more high end torque. It tows much easier than the previous 5.4L despite Ford claiming that the 5.4L offered more low end torque from their flywheel dyno.
My trailer is roughly loaded at 6500 lbs. I have pulled quite a few times and never got less than 10.5 mpg and most times got 11.0 mpg in high winds, hills, and thunderstorms.
While the Ecoboost is said to get about 1 mpg better than the 5.0L in normal driving (most I talked to or seen their forum reports, are getting worse than the 5.0L with normal driving), the 5.0L betters the Ecoboost in fuel economy while towing. On the F150 forums, the better 5.0L mpgs while towing is not disputed. I'm getting about .5 to 1 mpg better than my previous 2010 F150 5.4L.
I decided against the Ecoboost because of the on going intercooler condensation issue that still isn't resolved to this day, I didn't care for the turbo lag, and didn't trust the long term reliability of the engine. If the 5.0L wasn't as strong as it is, I may had been in a Ram 2500 gasser (not a diesel fan). I really like the instant response of the 5.0L.
I never have been a fan of turbo engines because of turbo lag, complexity, and poor reliability, but I was going to give this Ecoboost a try until I heard of all the overheating and intercooler issues it was having. They seemed to have fixed the overheating issues but the intercooler issues are even troubling the 2013s with complaints all over the f150 forums.
While I don't trust the Ecoboost, the 5.0L has turned out to be a powerhouse and a great tow vehicle. Actually a much better tow vehicle than I expected.
Here's a review that confirms what a great tow vehicle the 5.0L F150 is.
BTW, if you get an Ecoboost truck instead of a 5.0L, the Ecoboost crew 4WD short bed has 150 lbs LESS GVWR than the 5.0L. Don't ask me why, but it does. If you go to the Ecoboost and need to tow, you really should get the Max Tow package just to get enough payload.
I checked out pricing for a Max Tow Ecoboost truck with the 8200 lbs GVWR Heavy Duty payload package, and it was the same price as a similar optioned F250 with the 6.2L. I'd get the F250 and get a truck that is HD on everything, just not the rear suspension.
You can also get the HD package on the 5.0L even if you can't get the Max Tow package on the 5.0L.
