What towing options on an F-150?

wowens79 wrote:
It kinda sounds like you may already have the bug for a bigger trailer than the r-pod. If so, I'd think about skipping the pod, and going straight to the bigger camper. If you swap in 2 years you will get killed on depreciation, might as well start with what you want.

We did this exact thing. We were looking at an RPod on a dealer's lot, thinking seriously of buying. Saw an Airstream 19' Sport on the lot. Looked in it, but it was too small. Dealer said he had a 22' Sport. Looked at it, and ALMOST bought it, but didn't like the layout of the bed. Dealer said he had a 23' Flying Cloud Front Bedroom. We loved it! So, went to look at an Rpod, bought an Airstream. (We also had to buy a new pickup truck. Our old truck would have pulled the Rpod just fine, but was VERY marginal with the FC 23FB.)

When it comes to engine choices go with the 5.0 coyote engine. A friend of mine works on Fords daily and that's what he recommends verse the ecoboost variants. I like the ecoboost myself but will say that I have ridden in an F150 4 door,4x4 with the 5.0 and it has crazy amount of pulling power for its size. If it would be me, I would opt for the 4x4 6.5 bed, 5.0 engine 4 door, and max GVWR that I could get. Luxury options are totally up to you. Regardless the F150 serie is a great truck. Good luck on your search!

It kinda sounds like you may already have the bug for a bigger trailer than the r-pod. If so, I'd think about skipping the pod, and going straight to the bigger camper. If you swap in 2 years you will get killed on depreciation, might as well start with what you want.

Bobbo wrote:

normal_dave wrote:
While I really appreciate the Ecoboost technology, keep in mind most folks report "More Boost, less Eco" regarding towing.

More boost, less Eco is true for every engine made, including the Coyote. Although for the Coyote, since it doesn't have boost, it should be more power less Eco. To get power, you have to press the accelerator harder. The thing I don't like about the Coyote is the power loss at altitude in the mountains that the turbochargers in the EcoBoost GREATLY mitigate.

I carefully chose and really like my coyote V8, but there is no denying at altitude, the Ecoboost engines are uniquely great.

normal_dave wrote:
While I really appreciate the Ecoboost technology, keep in mind most folks report "More Boost, less Eco" regarding towing.

More boost, less Eco is true for every engine made, including the Coyote. Although for the Coyote, since it doesn't have boost, it should be more power less Eco. To get power, you have to press the accelerator harder. The thing I don't like about the Coyote is the power loss at altitude in the mountains that the turbochargers in the EcoBoost GREATLY mitigate.

While I really appreciate the Ecoboost technology, keep in mind most folks report "More Boost, less Eco" regarding towing.

I think the Coyote 5.0 V-8 is the best kept secret in power and torque for the dollar, and newer technology returns reasonable daily driver fuel mileage. 380 ft/lbs of torque is plenty to get your particular job done.

Look for an XLT in your body style preference, tow package, mirrors yes, factory brake controller, preferably 3.73 gears. With the new transmissions, the lower (higher numerical) final gear ratios don't hurt highway gas mileage, but still give all the towing benefits. I'm arguing you could get more truck for less money, and do a surprisingly good job towing your choice or larger trailer later. Don't be afraid to run it at higher rpms to get the most out of it, it's made for it.

This was a fun video: (did make me think...)
Which F-150 Engine would the techs choose?

Edit: here's an example advertised in Nashua for about $ 38K
F-150 SC 5.0 4x4

We'll See wrote:
I have the 2.7. It is a very impressive motor. The 6 speed transmission works well too. I wouldn't hesitate to tow up to a 7,000 loaded trailer with this truck. I have the regular tow package and the Ford brake controller. It is a crew cab with the 5.5 foot bed. It has a 6,500 pound gvwr with just under 1,6000 pounds of payload. Note that the 2015 and later F150s are much lighter than the earlier models.

Wow! 1,6000 pounds of payload!

I have the 2.7. It is a very impressive motor. The 6 speed transmission works well too. I wouldn't hesitate to tow up to a 7,000 loaded trailer with this truck. I have the regular tow package and the Ford brake controller. It is a crew cab with the 5.5 foot bed. It has a 6,500 pound gvwr with just under 1,600 pounds of payload. Note that the 2015 and later F150s are much lighter than the earlier models.

Hybridhunter wrote:

pfidahospud wrote:

David LaBrie wrote:

Do the Factory tow mirrors retract in any way when not towing?

Yes, both sides extend, retract, fold out and back electronically (when equipped). Slickest thing ever. I'd rather have oversize mirrors that work well than aftermarket bandaids.

Well, if we ignore the hyperbole here, there are a ton of excellent, vibration free options. And the factory tow mirrors don't fold in even comparable to the regular mirrors. They are a pain the rest of the time. If you get the electrically folding ones (generally impossible to find except on the 3.5 max tow models) and worth something like $500.

Both just opinions, but if it's a daily driver, and has to fit through drive throughs with your spouse driving..... I think the regular mirrors are good.

Or garage doors, tight parking, getting your mail out of the mailbox, etc. The mirrors are huge even when retracted(not folded). Maybe it is just me but I am frustrated with the fact that the passenger side is flat and has a very small field of view for its size. I wish that mine was a least a little convex.

pfidahospud wrote:

David LaBrie wrote:

Do the Factory tow mirrors retract in any way when not towing?

Yes, both sides extend, retract, fold out and back electronically (when equipped). Slickest thing ever. I'd rather have oversize mirrors that work well than aftermarket bandaids.

Well, if we ignore the hyperbole here, there are a ton of excellent, vibration free options. And the factory tow mirrors don't fold in even comparable to the regular mirrors. They are a pain the rest of the time. If you get the electrically folding ones (generally impossible to find except on the 3.5 max tow models) and worth something like $500.

Both just opinions, but if it's a daily driver, and has to fit through drive throughs with your spouse driving..... I think the regular mirrors are good.