Eco boost and downshifting for grades

[JiminDenver]

Will the Eco boost being a 6 cyl vs a V8 have any impact on using the tranny to control our descent down steep grades?

[Tystevens]

JiminDenver wrote:
The reason I asked is the Expeditions are going to Eco boost and while getting up the hills the fastest isn't my top priority, I will need to replace one of ours eventually. I actually prefer the slower 03 for towing over the faster 07 because the 07 has a stiffer ride. I notice the difference in the power on the steepest of hills, I notice the difference in ride the whole trip.

Well, maybe the best thing I can say is that after having an F150 EB for 6 months, I am expecting to replace our 2010 Suburban w/ an EB Expy EL here in a year or 2. I love towing w/ the EB, and the Expy EL should be an excellent 1/2 ton family hauler/tower. Unless my wife really doesn't like it for some reason (she has veto, after all, since it will be her daily driver), that will likely be our next family vehicle.

[JiminDenver]

Believe me, when on the road the only concern I have is me and mine. I am happy to pull over when I can safely if the cars get piled up behind me but otherwise I go the speed I am comfortable with.

The reason I asked is the Expeditions are going to Eco boost and while getting up the hills the fastest isn't my top priority, I will need to replace one of ours eventually. I actually prefer the slower 03 for towing over the faster 07 because the 07 has a stiffer ride. I notice the difference in the power on the steepest of hills, I notice the difference in ride the whole trip.

[Shadow_Grey]

Down shift, let that little engine scream and don't worry about who is behind you trying to push you...those semi's don't seem to care about it when going up the hill slowly so why should you care going down.

[Tystevens]

It works fine, nothing to worry about. I've towed my 6500 tt down some pretty good grades, both interstate speed and back-roads slow and steep, and didn't need the brakes anymore than with other TVs. For example, coming down the Mirror Lake hwy here in Utah, from 10,600 ft to 6000 ft on steep winding roads w/ up to 10% grade. So comparable to most anything you'd find in Colorado or Wyoming -- I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.

You just can't be afraid to let 'er rev a little bit! It won't provide much braking under 3500 rpms or so.

[Anthony_C]

Let me say as an EcoBoost owner with two years of towing up and down the passes
This truck is amazing. The built in two haul mode mates the truck and trailer into one vehicle like I have never seen before. It will down shift when needed and I have rarely needed to touch my brakes. Just got back from the Canadian Rockies went to Banff and Jasper and had a great time truck handled it flawlessly in 96 -100 degree weather.
My loaded trailer weight is 5,560 LB I averaged 13 MPGs.

[JiminDenver]

I don't know what the Eco boost F150's weigh but our V8 Expedition weighs 5600 pounds on top of our 6000 lb trailer. Going up hill faster is a luxury, coming down in a controlled manner is a necessity.

[coolbreeze01]

More operator error than equipment failure.

[tragusa3]

Sure, but I felt like I had to go down one more gear than I would have expected, therefore going a bit slower than I really wanted to.

Coming down the north side of Monarch pass, I had a Walmart tractor trailer behind me. He stayed on my bumper and I had to keep my speed around 30mph for a few miles of the steepest. I upshifted to speed up a little, and used brakes more for that grade. Never had fade or smelled anything. I should have stayed right in my comfort and let him deal with it.

To make it simple, I agree that the 3.5 has less engine braking than my old V8 did. But I was never concerned. I'm guessing that warped rotors, etc. was more driving style than truck.

[WyoTraveler]

tragusa3 wrote:
I just did 6k miles this summer through several passes in Colorado. I have only 4k pounds of trailer. Down the steeper passes, I would downshift to 1st or 2nd and travel less than 30mph. I probably could have gone faster and used brake more, but the reality is that it was less than 2-3% of our trip. Perfect, no...but hardly a problem.

Went back and read other post. Their 5er was only 5,000 pounds. Could have been operator problems. Do you feel the 3.5L engine could hold you back with a 5000 TT Vs a 4000?

[tragusa3]

I just did 6k miles this summer through several passes in Colorado. I have only 4k pounds of trailer. Down the steeper passes, I would downshift to 1st or 2nd and travel less than 30mph. I probably could have gone faster and used brake more, but the reality is that it was less than 2-3% of our trip. Perfect, no...but hardly a problem.

[WyoTraveler]

Since I live in WY I mentioned that I suspected the 3.5L engine may have problems braking a vehicle and hoped Ford installed better and heavier duty brakes to compensate for lack of engine braking. Many posts followed suggesting I was being overly pessimistic of the 3.5L F150 for a tow vehicle. I'm just reading and watching as more of these PUs start towing large TTS down steep grades. BTW, the grade down the Big Horns is really not that bad compared to other mountain grades in Wyoming.

[JiminDenver]

Thank you for the link, my concern was expressed at the top of page 5 I believe.

We have only towed in the Rockies for near 3 decades and I don't use the brakes much up there except for sudden changes the tranny can't do. There are signs on those curves that tell you how fast to be going in them. There is no reason to be hitting your brakes as you go in.

[rhagfo]

You might look this thread over. although only a 3.7L engine it should give decent engine braking.

Better Rotors needed!