First tow with Ecoboost

[bimbert84]

2013 F-150 SCREW 4x4, 3.5L Ecoboost, 3.73, max tow, but not max payload
2004 Springdale 295BHL, 31'5", 7500# loaded
Hensley hitch

After trading in my 2003 Ram 1500, I had my first tow this week. Mostly flats, but some rolling hills. On the way out, I engaged tow/haul, set the cruise at 62mph, and let it go. I was stunned at the towing performance. It held 6th gear (1600 RPM) for most of the trip, occasionally dropping to 5th (2100 RPM), and down to 4th (2800 RPM) only a few times. It never had to reach for 3rd. The entire trip was a very quiet, smooth tow. The integrated trailer brake was flawless, and the engine braking during tow/haul worked very well. Overall, I was very impressed.

Mileage, on the other hand, was not what I had hoped for, but still not bad. I got 8.5 MPG on the way out. On the way back, I locked out 6th gear and saw a pretty dramatic improvement to 9.2 MPG.

For reference, my 2003 Ram was a 4x2 with the 5.7L Hemi and 3.92 gears. It did not have a tow/haul mode, but rather an O/D lockout, which locked out both 4th and 5th gears. There was no ability to lock out just 5th. On this same trip, the Ram would pull fine, but I had to run in 3rd (2600 RPM), and it would drop to 2nd (3900 RPM) almost as often as the Ford dropped to 5th. I averaged 8-8.5 MPG.

I don't have enough data yet with the Ford to know if locking out 6th was the reason I saw the improvement coming back home. There wasn't any wind to speak of either way, but the ambient temperature was 15-20 degrees higher on the return trip. In any event, the Ford did do better with mileage, just not as much as I had hoped. Maybe my expectations were just a little off.

The towing performance, however, was a significant improvement, not because the Ram couldn't do the job, but because the Ford can do it at a lower RPM, and therefore more quietly. And there's a lot more to it than just the engine. The Ford has a 6 speed tranny, whereas the Ram had a 5. With the Ford, I can lock out any gear, but with the Ram I had to run in either 3rd or 5th (whereas 4th probably would've been perfect). The Ford has computer-controlled engine braking and an integrated brake controller, but the Ram had neither. And the Ford has a slightly stronger chassis. All of these things help add up to a better towing experience.

The bottom line is that a lot has improved in 10 years. But I guess you still have to feed the horses....

[pitch]

2013 Ram 5.7 6 speed transmission. Tow a Jayco 23b hybrid max weight 4995#. 4 trips in NY about 1100 towing miles total,varying terrain, mostly two lane state roads.
Lock out 6,engage tow/haul pulls fine about 1800 2000 rpm on level road at speed. Hit a hill the rpms hit about 3200 thing just takes off and hauls. 8 to 10 mpg depending on wind and road conditions

[IronJoce]

I have towed my 7700lbs 5th wheel for over 8000 miles with my EB and I tried all the combinations possible in term of speed, locking gears and even tried shifting manually.

I recently installed LT-E tires, run them at 70PSI and set the cruise at 60MPH. I get over 10MPG all the time. I have no turbo gauge so I don't know about PSI but this thing stays in 6th 95% of the time and this how I get the best mileage.

This is a super quite and efficient engine for towing. I'm so spoiled now that the only thing I am considering next is a diesel... nothing else unless ford comes out with a 5.0L EB next week... 😉

[Buck50HD]

About locking out 6th gear... with our 5th wheel, the engine needs 6-8psi boost to hold 6th gear at highway speeds while 5th gear only takes around 1-3psi. I'd rather let it spin a little bit at lower boost but I guess it's personal preference. It's also easier on the trans. Mileage seems to be the same or better in 5th. It will make 10.5-11 psi boost at 2100RPM in 5th gear so you have about 60% more torque available any time you want without downshifting to 4th. It takes a decent hill to get it out of 5th.

[bimbert84]

Mark Heisler wrote:

that really not a far test.
your truck is a new 2013 and your old truck is a 2003.
a true test would be having a new 2013 ram.to pull against.

It's not a test or a competition, it's a comparison. I'm not suggesting anyone should buy a new Ford instead of a new Ram. I'm merely reporting how my new truck tows compared to my old truck (which I really liked, BTW).

BillyW wrote:
Did the 2003 Ram 1500s come with 5 speed autos? I thought that was later.

Yes. Actually, mine was a 2003-1/2, which is when they introduced the Hemi. It came with a 5-speed tranny, which included 2 overdrives, both (but not one) of which could be locked out. The tranny was always the weak spot because of the fairly poor spacing of the gear ratios.

Terryallan wrote:
I can believe the better MPG by locking out the highest gear. Your engine is happier at a little higher RPM. Making more power and running more free. They have to work harder to hold that higher gear while towing, and actually use more gas.

EcoBullet wrote:
I'm pleased with the way mine pulls as well. My trailer is a little lighter and more streamlined. I also locked out 6th and got 10.2 mpg on a trip last month. Love my truck!

Good to know. I'll leave 6th locked out for my next trip and see how it goes.


-- Rob

[sele]

I have about 1800 miles on mine so far and have been pleased with the entire experience so far. I average somewhere between 9.5 and 10 mpg. Most of it has been in the eastern Ozarks in Missouri. We are going the first week of August to Door County WI which is about 450 milestone way. It will be interesting to see how it goes. It has made a good tv foe us.

[EcoBullet]

I'm pleased with the way mine pulls as well. My trailer is a little lighter and more streamlined. I also locked out 6th and got 10.2 mpg on a trip last month. Love my truck!

[Terryallan]

I can believe the better MPG by locking out the highest gear. Your engine is happier at a little higher RPM. Making more power and running more free. They have to work harder to hold that higher gear while towing, and actually use more gas.

[TurnThePage]

Did the 2003 Ram 1500s come with 5 speed autos? I thought that was later. Regardless, the Ecoboost showed it's mettle. Good stuff. I'll be in the market soon (hopefully).

[larry_barnhart]

Mark Heisler wrote:
that really not a far test.
your truck is a new 2013 and your old truck is a 2003.
by rights your new truck should be better
a true test would be having a new 2013 ram.to pull against.
my bother law has one and just loves it and his mpg is good
what do the other new dodge owner have to say

Yes it was a fair test because he was using his old truck to compare to the new truck. Nothing more than that. Of course the new truck would be better because that is normal for 10 years difference and technology. I would feel the same if we traded our 05 awesome chev but really don't care to change at this time .
chevman

[FishOnOne]

Great report.... The Ecoboost continues to prove it's a strong performer in the towing department.

[Hannibal]

Excellent report! The Ecoboost is sounding more and more interesting. Here's wishing you many miles and years of good service and happy trips!

[Mark_Heisler]

that really not a far test.
your truck is a new 2013 and your old truck is a 2003.
by rights your new truck should be better
a true test would be having a new 2013 ram.to pull against.
my bother law has one and just loves it and his mpg is good
what do the other new dodge owner have to say