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.

[Grit_dog]

BillyW wrote:
I can't see a problem. If it's rated for the task, and you're not in a hurry...

^This.
When you say std engine and majority of the truck onthe lot, do you mean base V6 or the 5.0?
No experience with the 6 bangers but I've towed a lot of heavy trailers with the 5.0 F150.
Pulling up to 14-15klbs low profile, it worked very well, save for the soft suspension. I put Timbrens on it day 1 and lowered them to almost touching with no load, lol!
I will admit there was a couple times though I dropped the trailer on the side of the road and went home n got my personal truck, in my sig, just due to some ridiculous tongue weight and the tail wagging the dog. It wasn't because the 5.0 couldn't pull or stop the trailer. (With trailer brakes of course).
I've pulled the same stuff with my 6.2 F250 and I believe the 5.0 pulled every bit as well.
The only hi profile trailer I pulled with the 5.0 was a 32' enclosed snow machine trailer, mostly empty at about 4klbs. The 5.0 drug it around easily at highway speeds and had no trouble maintaining 60-70mph up hill at low altitude. In fact I think it would hold a higher gear longer than the 6.2.
If you're looking at V8s, I'd put the 5liter up against any newer gasser out there.......and I'm not even a Ford guy!

[colliehauler]

I know it's not a direct answer to your question but a friend of mine in Texas bought a new Ford but it had the 3.7 base model. Doing some research the V-6 had more hp then the old 460 during the late 70's. Use to pull all the time with that.

As long as your friend knows the limitations it should work fine.

[TomG2]

I get it that the ecoboost is great. That is not the question. The dealers here in South Texas stock a lot of models with the standard 3.5 engine and I was asking if anyone had any experience towing with one. Good or bad? Actual fuel mileage?

[Tystevens]

It would be so worth the approximately $500 upgrade to the 2.7l EB, for towing and non-towing, that I cannot understand the question. At least, when I bought my '15 3 weeks ago, they had a significant EB related rebate that made it only $500, or maybe less (not really apples to apples, because they didn't have the 3.5 n/a in any trucks I was looking at, anyway).

I haven't towed with it yet, but for driving around, the 2.7 is a great motor.

[TomG2]

After 13 years full timing and towing everything from 18' travel trailers to 32' fifth wheels, I am well aware of what is involved in the process. I currently use a 6.0 Silverado 2500HD. My question concerns the standard non-turbo V-6 that Ford uses for their standard engine. A friend wants one to tow a very small travel trailer. No fifth wheel, no 30' travel trailer.

[brulaz]

Heh, hard to find a NA V6 F150 around here.

But they're rated to pull over 7K lbs. Max payload is only 1600# though.

I towed our 4K # trailer all over with a less powerful NA V6 (Tacoma), and it was fine except the payload was only 1100# (we were way over) and had only a 5 speed tranny so we were screaming in 3-4th all day against the prairie headwinds.

[APT]

Towing any high walled RV takes quite a bit of power to pull two sheets of plywood through the air at 60-65mph. A naturally aspirated V6 with 253lb-ft of torque will be towing at 3000rpmm vs. the 5.0L V8 at 2200rpm. Add any freeway overpass, hills, mountains, and they both will shift down a gear or two. So for the same desired speed, the V8 will be running about 2/3 the engine speed of that V6.

The Ecoboost offers peak torque in the 2000-2500rpm range, so it will not need to downshift much as even the 5.0L V8, just increase turbo boost. That's why owners love the Ecoboosts (and turbo diesels).

I recommend the 2.7L Ecoboost for your desired RV.

[TurnThePage]

I can't see a problem. If it's rated for the task, and you're not in a hurry...

[Terryallan]

TomG2 wrote:
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.

I wouldn't, but it is up you. I won't buy a truck will any thing less than the 3.5 EcoBoost, or a V8. The bigger the better.