experiences towing with 3.5L ecoboost

[Melanie83103]

Hello - we are seriously considering one of the ford vehicles with the twin turbo 3.5L ecoboost engine. Anyone who has experience towing with this engine, I would love to hear how it's working for you!

We have a small trailer (16 foot Amerilite, dry weight 2300 pounds) and a small light boat. Want something that can easily tow our trailer cross country, sometimes in mountains. Any input is appreciated!

Oh one more thing - am I going to see much difference between the 3 Fords that have this engine? Is the F-150 necessarily better than the Flex?

Thanks!

Melanie

[Melanie83103]

Thanks for the input. It sounds like most of you have the ecoboost in the F-150. Do you think it would be different in the explorer or the flex? The engine appears to be the same - 3.5L V6 ecoboost. Would it be any different in the different vehicles? I would really prefer to have a 3rd row of seating which is why I keep looking at the flex or explorer....

Yes, I will do a search through the posts too 🙂

Melanie

[tragusa3]

A search will pull up tons of similar threads. But I never mind repeating myself. 😉

We just pulled slightly more trailer 6k miles through the southwest, including a few weeks in the rockies. It was an absolute pleasure to tow with. Never a hiccup. Way, way relaxed...the truck and my nerves.

Even 10% grades in some places were a cakewalk. Never taxed the engine. The same grades coming down were the only slight complaint. I wished for more compression braking. But to be honest, I didn't smell brakes either, so it did fine.

[NiasWagn]

I pulled my 6K lb (loaded) trailer through the hills around Branson with no issues. I got the 3.73 gears which helps. My rear end was also a little soggy but adding a leaf spring did the trick. That was a $300 update. I'm very happy with it after 45K miles. I'll be returning to Branson later this year with a bigger trailer but I have no concerns.

[Groover]

I am amazed at the power my 2013 has. It outpulls my single valve V10 with no trouble. Mine is used to pull a 17' horse trailer that weighs about 5,500lbs with one horse in it. The only issue is that the rear suspension is a little soft when pulling. I replaced the rear shocks with Rancho 9000's and it helped some. The real solution would be to use a load distributing hitch or get max payload package. I would expect the Flex to be even softer but might still be adequate for a 2300lb trailer. Just keep in mind that you probably will be much more in control with a load distributing hitch and good trailer brakes even though they may not be required. Also, your trailer will weigh a lot more than 2300lbs when embarking on a camping trip. Since I need two tow vehicles I plan to buy a second Eco-boost as soon as the max payload package is available and replace the old V10. That might tell you how much I like the Eco-boost.

[BenK]

Think which model half ton, which options and how you load (including the weight
of the people/pets/etc) are going to matter more in regards to the ratings system
than the trailer itself (assuming it's GVWR isn't up there)

Meaning that if your proposed TV is loaded with all options, crew cab, etc
and you also load it up to it's GVWR or RGAWR before hooking up...there
might not be any ratings left for the trailer tongue weight/hitch/etc

[DwnSth]

Agree with riven1950. We have about 23,000 miles with about 12,000 towing. Have not taken it out west yet but no problems at all in Smoky's which may be the steepest the 150 has been.

I don't know about the Flex, would it be considered a possible tow vehicle. The new Expedition with the 3.5 should be a nice combo though. My 2nd favorite tow vehicle was my 98 expy.

[riven1950]

Can't speak on the Flex or 2.7eco but I have a 3.5eco, xlt, 3.55,4x4,cc. It is a 2013, purchased in Dec 2013. Now has about 14,000 miles. We just had the battery replaced under warranty, other than that no problems.

We have towed about 6,000 miles with it. Some hills but no mountains. We had a 18' aerolite (4,000 loaded ), now have a 25' Apex ( about 5200 loaded ). Have been to the Fl keys twice, once with each trailer. It tows like a dream compared to the 2004 F150 4.6 v8 4 speed I had. As to hills, only thing I can relate to so far are the tall bridges in Charleston and Jax. Mine will not miss a beat in tow haul / cruise getting to the top. I know they are not mountains but do give an indication of how it would handle the hills.

Met a fulltimer in the Keys in Dec pulling a long TT with the same truck. He said it went up the mountains like crazy. Said his only problem was with braking on a couple of steep Rocky Mountain grades. Could have been operator error plus he was pulling 2 or 3 times what you will have.

I would not hesitate in taking mine cross country.

I can't imagine you having any problem at all.

[mbopp]

A search will give you hours of reading on towing with a EB F150.
Short story - our TT weighs 4800# empty (no idea loaded) and with my wife and I it doesn't lack for power.
For your trailer and boat either the 5.0 V-8 or possibly the base V-6 would be OK.