Question for the ecoboost owners..

falconbrother wrote:
I have looked on Ford's website at ecoboost trucks. I see that there are a number of options for the engine (and transmission). Can the regular ecoboost tow a travel trailer or does a body need the high end ecoboost? What's the real world options here?

Assume your asking about the 3.5 EcoBoost engine. One problem folks run into when choosing a F150 is not paying attention to gvwr and more importantly rawr packages. They buy a CC or SC and then get the one with the small gvwr/3800 rawr then tell everyone the F150 won't do the job.

Example; F150 3.5 EB crew cab can have;
6750-7050 gvwr and small 3800 rawr for around 1400 lbs payload in the bed.

7050 gvwr with 4050 rawr for approx 1600 lb load in the bed.

7600 gvwr and 4550 rawr = around 2100 lb load in the bed.

7850 gvwr and 4800 rawr for around 2400-2500 lb load in the bed.

Ford advertises one hp/torque figures that I've seen for the 3.5 EB in the F150 for serious towing duties.
Use this Ford Fleet spec website for doing research for the right F150 for your job https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/techspec.html

Atwowheelguy & Grit Dog have a good handle on it.

To add to their thoughts:

Consider towing your trailer and what is most important...

Most like to have some extra or buffer for their vehicle and not push it to it's limits at all times. Giving your truck 20% extra towing capability than the intended trailer is said to be a good idea. IE: If the truck is rated to pull 7600 lbs, keep the gross trailer weight to about 6000 lbs. This will ensure that the truck is more than capable to pull the load.

Motors:
The fuel economy between the 2.7 and 3.5 (when the truck is empty), is relatively small. It's 1 mile per gallon different in both city and highway driving; almost unnoticeable. Also, the inital price difference is about $1600 between the two motors if buying a brand new truck.

Transmission:
On the Ford site, it looks like the 3.5 comes with a 10 speed and the 2.7 comes with the 6 speed. Both are good transmissions; however, the 10 speed will have more gear options to optimize the engine RPM "sweet spot" for towing.

Differential:
The 3.55 is a very common differential gear and can be used to successfully tow. The 3.73 allows the truck to pull with more ease.

Tow packages:
Spend the extra money on the tow package for your truck. Ford has done a nice job integrating the trailer brake controller, transmission cooler, and towing equipment all in one. Within specifications, the F150 Ecoboosts are very capable 1/2 ton trucks for towing small to medium bumper pull trailers and small 5th wheels.

^ Fwiw, the gear ratio numbers you're talking about are the axle gear ratios, nothing to do with the trans.

falconbrother wrote:
I have looked on Ford's website at ecoboost trucks. I see that there are a number of options for the engine (and transmission). Can the regular ecoboost tow a travel trailer or does a body need the high end ecoboost? What's the real world options here?

There are 3 EcoBoost engines, of which you can only get 2 for towing.

There is the 2.7l Ecoboost which has great gas mileage, but less power for towing.

There is the 3.5l Ecoboost which has a little poorer gas mileage, but is great for towing.

There is the 3.5l EcoBoost High Output which is only available in the Raptor, which is a terrible towing platform.

This information was true as of the 2017 model year. They may make some changes for the 2018 model year.

Now, as to the transmission. The higher the number the better for towing, but worse for gas mileage. I consider the 4.1 transmission a towing workhorse, but has poor gas mileage. I think the 3.73 transmission is the best compromise between towing and gas mileage, followed by the 3.55 (which is what I have), followed by anything lower. Anything lower than 3.55 is a great gas mileage transmission, but has less towing ability.

First understand the difference between towing and hauling. Towing concerns the weight that the truck is moving, including the total weight of the truck and trailer. Hauling concerns the weight carried on the truck suspension, including passengers and cargo in the truck and the tongue weight of the trailer resting on the hitch ball of the truck.

There are four weight limits that should not be exceeded.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR: Gross Axle Weight Rating (separate limits for front and rear)
GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating
Receiver hitch weight rating

The weight limit that most get to first is GVWR.
GVWR - truck weight full of fuel = maximum payload
You can estimate the weight of your passengers and cargo, but the best is to weigh the truck ready for towing. The payload of each truck is listed on a weight sticker on the driver's door. You won't find this number published anywhere. It is unique to each truck.

On this sticker, note that GVWR = 7100. Payload = 1607. This indicates that the weight of the truck full of fuel as it came off the assembly line was 7100 - 1607 = 5493

This payload, and by association, the GVWR may likely be the limiting factor.



Travel trailers have a tongue weight of about 10-15% of total trailer weight, depending on a lot of factors. Some estimate it at 13%, but the only way to know for sure is to weigh it.

Some say a reasonable maximum trailer weight estimate would be:
(truck payload - wt. of passengers and truck cargo) ÷ 0.13 = max trailer weight
This assumes that 13% of the trailer weight is on the tongue and is carried by the truck suspension.

If your trailer has 15% of the trailer weight on the tongue, the more conservative estimate would be:
(truck payload - wt. of passengers and cargo) ÷ 0.15 = max trailer weight

So when you're shopping, start with the PAYLOAD.

Another weight limit is GCWR. The Ford towing guide shows the GCWR for each combination of body, engine and rear axle ratio.
The Max Trailer Weight is an approximation of
GCWR - weight of the truck = Max Trailer Weight

The weight of the truck is estimated full of fuel with only a 150 lb. driver on board. Any additional passengers or cargo on the truck would be subtracted from that Max Trailer Weight.

This a measure of the total weight the truck can move and stop reasonably without breaking something or overheating.



Another limit is the maximum tongue weight on the hitch receiver. This is shown on a sticker on the receiver. This one has a limit of 1050 lbs. In my case, with a tongue weight of 1000 lbs., this is the weight closest to its limit.



When it's all hooked up, take it to the scales to see if everything is within the limits.

I believe the high end EB you refer too is for the Raptor.

You want to pay attention to Max Tow, Payoad Package, Heavy Diuy Payload Package. Please see the footnotes on the bottom of page three on Fords towing guide.

Ford Towing Guide

What you need depends on how big you plan on towing. What do you plan on towing?

Good luck,
Stu

While some will say it depnds on what your pulling, I would consider the small eng a fuel efficient option and the big one for towing.