Big Block to EcoBoost
I have had my new truck for awhile now, but waited to write this up until I had the opportunity to make the run from Portland to the Oregon Coast on Highway 6. This route provides a lot of turns and hills to give the truck a good test of the power train and the vehicle stability.
My observations are based on coming from a 2001 Suburban 2500 8.1L with a 4.10 as a point of reference. This is not intended to be an F150 vs Suburban 2500 post. The Suburban towed well.
A Little Background
I had been sitting on the sidelines for awhile waiting to decide what truck to purchase. The rig needs to serve as my daily driver and provide a stable towing platform for my trailer that comes in loaded at 8,150 lbs. I live in town and have a short commute of 4 miles one way with 8 stop lights that are not timed very well. For several reasons I had decided to go with a gas truck. I have driven Toyota, Chevy and Ford, looked at these as well as Ram and focused on an F250 with the 6.2 or the F150 Max Tow / HD Payload.
After completing my research and performing some test drives I ordered a 2012 F150 in June of 2012 and took delivery in August. It was late enough in the year that we really did not have time to tow much after the break-in period.
Non Towing Performance
Engine / Transmission – I am very pleased with the EB engine performance. Plenty of power and I like the low end torque. This is the quietest engine I have ever had and I like it. It took a little while to get used to the lower rpm shift points but that is part of the character of the engine. The EB engine combined with the 6 speed transmission does very well.
Stability / Handling – The truck handles great and is a pleasure to drive. This is the preferred vehicle for DW and myself on trips.
Non Towing Milage In Town
Milage is as low as 12mpg on my 4 mile commute through 8 stop lights. If I am driving longer trips around town when the engine warms up and I am not stopping every couple of hundred yards I see up to 16-17mpg.
Non Towing Milage On the Road
Milage on the road varies from 19 to 21 when I am unloaded depending on terrain and speed. When on the flat running at 65 I see about 20-21mpg.
Towing Performance
Engine / Transmission – The EB delivers plenty of power and at low rpms. This combined with the 6 speed transmission has made for a comfortable towing experience. With the tow / haul turned on the engine braking did better than I expected and was helpful. I did not see any need to use the Select Shift to override the transmission behavior. Coming from the 8.1L and 4.10 I felt like I had as much or more power than before.
Stability / Handling
The truck provided a stable platform. It handled the braking and turns well. The integrated brake controller is awesome. The F150 with a canopy weighs about 500 lbs less than the Suburban 2500 but has a foot longer wheelbase. Overall better steering and braking made the driving much more relaxed with the new rig.
Towing Milage
Milage runs about 9 to 10 based on speed and terrain.
Summary
After coming from a 2001 Suburban 2500 to a 2012 F150 Max Tow / HD Payload I am happy with the change. Overall driving is more comfortable whether towing or running empty and I have cut my fuel consumption by a third.
An Important Note
The F150 Max Tow / HD Payload is NOT an F250 (or 2500). I am towing a trailer that weighs 8,150 which puts me at 88% GCVWR and 90% or less on GVWR, axle ratings and payload. However I am nearly maxed out on the receiver with a tongue weight of 1100 when it is rated at 1150. Although it tows my trailer well I would not tow a larger trailer with this truck because I would not want to exceed the specs. This is fine for me because I have no plans to go to a larger trailer, but this may be a concern for others.
Good luck all,
Stu
My observations are based on coming from a 2001 Suburban 2500 8.1L with a 4.10 as a point of reference. This is not intended to be an F150 vs Suburban 2500 post. The Suburban towed well.
A Little Background
I had been sitting on the sidelines for awhile waiting to decide what truck to purchase. The rig needs to serve as my daily driver and provide a stable towing platform for my trailer that comes in loaded at 8,150 lbs. I live in town and have a short commute of 4 miles one way with 8 stop lights that are not timed very well. For several reasons I had decided to go with a gas truck. I have driven Toyota, Chevy and Ford, looked at these as well as Ram and focused on an F250 with the 6.2 or the F150 Max Tow / HD Payload.
After completing my research and performing some test drives I ordered a 2012 F150 in June of 2012 and took delivery in August. It was late enough in the year that we really did not have time to tow much after the break-in period.
Non Towing Performance
Engine / Transmission – I am very pleased with the EB engine performance. Plenty of power and I like the low end torque. This is the quietest engine I have ever had and I like it. It took a little while to get used to the lower rpm shift points but that is part of the character of the engine. The EB engine combined with the 6 speed transmission does very well.
Stability / Handling – The truck handles great and is a pleasure to drive. This is the preferred vehicle for DW and myself on trips.
Non Towing Milage In Town
Milage is as low as 12mpg on my 4 mile commute through 8 stop lights. If I am driving longer trips around town when the engine warms up and I am not stopping every couple of hundred yards I see up to 16-17mpg.
Non Towing Milage On the Road
Milage on the road varies from 19 to 21 when I am unloaded depending on terrain and speed. When on the flat running at 65 I see about 20-21mpg.
Towing Performance
Engine / Transmission – The EB delivers plenty of power and at low rpms. This combined with the 6 speed transmission has made for a comfortable towing experience. With the tow / haul turned on the engine braking did better than I expected and was helpful. I did not see any need to use the Select Shift to override the transmission behavior. Coming from the 8.1L and 4.10 I felt like I had as much or more power than before.
Stability / Handling
The truck provided a stable platform. It handled the braking and turns well. The integrated brake controller is awesome. The F150 with a canopy weighs about 500 lbs less than the Suburban 2500 but has a foot longer wheelbase. Overall better steering and braking made the driving much more relaxed with the new rig.
Towing Milage
Milage runs about 9 to 10 based on speed and terrain.
Summary
After coming from a 2001 Suburban 2500 to a 2012 F150 Max Tow / HD Payload I am happy with the change. Overall driving is more comfortable whether towing or running empty and I have cut my fuel consumption by a third.
An Important Note
The F150 Max Tow / HD Payload is NOT an F250 (or 2500). I am towing a trailer that weighs 8,150 which puts me at 88% GCVWR and 90% or less on GVWR, axle ratings and payload. However I am nearly maxed out on the receiver with a tongue weight of 1100 when it is rated at 1150. Although it tows my trailer well I would not tow a larger trailer with this truck because I would not want to exceed the specs. This is fine for me because I have no plans to go to a larger trailer, but this may be a concern for others.
Good luck all,
Stu
