F-150 Non Ecoboost 3.5 towing?

[TomG2]

Anyone tried towing with what appears to be the current standard Ford engine? I know how everyone raves about the turbo models, but how about the majority of F-150's on the lot? Thinking of towing something under 5,000 total weight with one.

[rphillips1985]

Well I have 2 additional trips under my belt with the same setup as last time.

The first was up to Keystone, SD over labor day. We went up I25 and over 16A into keystone. The truck handled it well. I put down about 1300 miles combined (with trailer about 800 miles and without about 500 miles). Average MPG was around 11.7 for the trip.

Notes:

If you go up to the black hills use caution on what roads you get on there are alot of low clearance areas because of the tunnels. I would recommend planning out your route very clearly.

Wind conditions through WY were not the most pleasant. I will be getting a recurve or similar sway control weight distribution hitch in the future. Overall it didnt get out of control at anytime. I will say that the ecoboost numbers worry me a bit; from my prospective an F-150 (any engine combo) is too light to handle a 10k trailer.

Trip to Grand Lake (over Berthoud pass).

The truck and trailer combo did well going up to over 11k again. No problems up or down the grades. I-40 going up is a bit slower due to the switchbacks (which is fine by me). Map time vs actual was accurate. About 10 mpg for the trip.

Notes from the trip:

No issues at all other than normal traffic (inexperienced box truck driver over berthoud). Saw some moose come through the campground. When you get to these mountain towns it is absolutely necessary to plan your fuel stops and make sure you have enough room to get in with a trailer (height and width).

[IdaD]

rphillips1985 wrote:
I am currently using a 2016 F-150 with the 3.5 NA to tow a 2017 Jay Flight 264BHW. Specifications are:

F-150: 3.5 NA with 3.73 rear axle ratio, supercab 4X2, tow package 6100# GVWR and Tekonsha P2 controller. Stock 17 inch wheels. EAZlift weight distribution hitch.

Jay Flight: 2017 SLX 264BHW, dry weight with accessories 4970#. I have not weighed the trailer on a scale at the point. I estimate that I am some where around 6000# loaded.

Over the weekend we went up to Rifle, CO over I-70 through Dillon and Vail pass from Denver and back. There were 6 of us (3 200lb persons, 1 125lb person and 2 small dogs, 20lb each). Aside from traffic I was able to maintain 45 mph up the 7% grades from Vail to the summit and Dillon to the tunnels. Max transmission temperature was 230 F according to the onboard monitor. Breaking down the grades was also no hassle as the truck held 3rd gear and I used little to no breaking to maintain 60 mph.

Verdict:


The truck handled the hills well and had no problem during the trip (no over heating etc). Fuel mileage was 9.6 mpg on the way there (Denver to Rifle) and 11.9 mpg (Rifle to Denver) which is not great but fairly standard with a gas engine. The motor is high revving; pulling hills typical rpm was anywhere from 4250 to 5000 and passing (on hills) could go as high as 6000. This motor makes its max torque at 4250.

Overall this truck is very capable within its tow rating when properly equipped. If I were towing every day I think I would want a bit more. For RVing and towing only semi regularly this truck is plenty as long as you are not in a hurry (65 up a 7% grade is not going to happen with my setup and I am perfectly fine with that). The GPS said it would take approximately 3.5 hours we made it in 3.75 hours.

I will update as we take additional trips.

That's impressive, and I'm serious.

[rphillips1985]

I am currently using a 2016 F-150 with the 3.5 NA to tow a 2017 Jay Flight 264BHW. Specifications are:

F-150: 3.5 NA with 3.73 rear axle ratio, supercab 4X2, tow package 6100# GVWR and Tekonsha P2 controller. Stock 17 inch wheels. EAZlift weight distribution hitch.

Jay Flight: 2017 SLX 264BHW, dry weight with accessories 4970#. I have not weighed the trailer on a scale at the point. I estimate that I am some where around 6000# loaded.

Over the weekend we went up to Rifle, CO over I-70 through Dillon and Vail pass from Denver and back. There were 6 of us (3 200lb persons, 1 125lb person and 2 small dogs, 20lb each). Aside from traffic I was able to maintain 45 mph up the 7% grades from Vail to the summit and Dillon to the tunnels. Max transmission temperature was 230 F according to the onboard monitor. Breaking down the grades was also no hassle as the truck held 3rd gear and I used little to no breaking to maintain 60 mph.

Verdict:


The truck handled the hills well and had no problem during the trip (no over heating etc). Fuel mileage was 9.6 mpg on the way there (Denver to Rifle) and 11.9 mpg (Rifle to Denver) which is not great but fairly standard with a gas engine. The motor is high revving; pulling hills typical rpm was anywhere from 4250 to 5000 and passing (on hills) could go as high as 6000. This motor makes its max torque at 4250.

Overall this truck is very capable within its tow rating when properly equipped. If I were towing every day I think I would want a bit more. For RVing and towing only semi regularly this truck is plenty as long as you are not in a hurry (65 up a 7% grade is not going to happen with my setup and I am perfectly fine with that). The GPS said it would take approximately 3.5 hours we made it in 3.75 hours.

I will update as we take additional trips.

[TomG2]

I have the 3.55 rear axle ratio. Like I said, I am only towing a lightweight trailer or running empty most of the time. I do wish I had the Selectshift transmission that would let me choose my top gear manually, although tow/haul mode handles most situations very well. It has taken a while, but I am beginning to enjoy the little engine turning over 7,000 rpm's under hard acceleration. It does make a little power in that range.

[2112]

Thanks for the update TomG2. Keep us posted.
Do you know what rear gear you're running?

[SoCalDesertRid1]

goducks10 wrote:

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
I didn't know there were mountains in Florida.

Glad the new truck is working out for you and thanks for the report!

There called overpasses everywhere else. 🙂

LMFAO!! 😛 😛

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Mike Up wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Not sure everyone gets that TomG2 is asking for a friend.

It's nearly 300 hp...it will do the job it's rated for.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

We have that engine in our 2015 Explorer 4WD. Our Explorer weighs 4722 lbs and has a 1398 lbs payload.

While it has 290 horsepower, it is a very lofty 6500 rpm so at normal levels at 5000 to 5500 rpms, it will be considerably less.

It's torque is the short coming. It's pretty low at only 255 lbs at 4000 rpms. That's what's going to make towing more difficult with heavier trailers.

It's a great engine and quick, just not a torque monster and for towing, torque is king.

Wow...

Stick some 5.38 gears in that thing, so you can reach those lofty rpms! 😛

[mythree]

Love the one in our flex. I've got to update to show the change. Tow a popup beautiful, and with three bikes. The power seems to be strong after 3500 rpm.

[Mike_Up]

jerem0621 wrote:
Not sure everyone gets that TomG2 is asking for a friend.

It's nearly 300 hp...it will do the job it's rated for.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

We have that engine in our 2015 Explorer 4WD. Our Explorer weighs 4722 lbs and has a 1398 lbs payload.

While it has 290 horsepower, it is a very lofty 6500 rpm so at normal levels at 5000 to 5500 rpms, it will be considerably less.

It's torque is the short coming. It's pretty low at only 255 lbs at 4000 rpms. That's what's going to make towing more difficult with heavier trailers.

It's a great engine and quick, just not a torque monster and for towing, torque is king.

[goducks10]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
I didn't know there were mountains in Florida.

Glad the new truck is working out for you and thanks for the report!

There called overpasses everywhere else. 🙂

[colliehauler]

Thanks for the update, as long as your happy with it that's all that matters.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

I didn't know there were mountains in Florida.

Glad the new truck is working out for you and thanks for the report!

[nomadictxn]

TomG2 wrote:
Update: Since there was not a lot of information available on the F-150 normally aspirated 3.5 V-6, I purchased one from the local dealer to find out for myself. So far, it has been very good. After 4,000 miles, the mostly highway mileage is 22.5 mpg. Towing a 3,000 trailer through the rolling hills of Texas, it gets 15.0-17.0 mpg, depending on my right foot. I have not tried to tow my 6,000 pound travel trailer, but with over 1,600 pounds of payload, it should handle it even if it is a little slow. I plan to travel with the lightweight anyway. Seat of the pants feels is as quick or quicker than my 5.4 V-8 F-150's. No ecoboost, but that is not what I wanted

Thanks for the review Tom. I am interested in a short cab short bed F 150 with that base V6 with a 3.55 axle. I will use it as a daily but have considered pulling a 4kish tt. Keep us updated.
Regards Sir.

[TomG2]

Update: Since there was not a lot of information available on the F-150 normally aspirated 3.5 V-6, I purchased one from the local dealer to find out for myself. So far, it has been very good. After 4,000 miles, the mostly highway mileage is 22.5 mpg. Towing a 3,000 trailer through the rolling hills of Texas, it gets 15.0-17.0 mpg, depending on my right foot. I have not tried to tow my 6,000 pound travel trailer, but with over 1,600 pounds of payload, it should handle it even if it is a little slow. I plan to travel with the lightweight anyway. Seat of the pants feels is as quick or quicker than my 5.4 V-8 F-150's. No ecoboost, but that is not what I wanted