Max being towed with an F150 Ecoboost

[blownsub]

Im looking for a new tow vehicle. Been watching the Ecoboost and all the pros and cons. Please chime in with opinions, experiences and facts. Has the intercooler/condensation issue been resolved? What is the max that's being towed on a regular basis? i.e. once every 60 days or so. Thanks in advance..

[2112]

I bought my Max Tow SCAB new in March 2011, 2080lb payload and 11,000lb tow rating. Currently I have 23000 miles on it.

I use to tow this 35' Outback, 7600lb dry with 900lb dry tongue weight. I never weighed it loaded.




It may have been too long for the 145" wheelbase. Sway was a problem that I could not correct. I installed Timbrens and a second sway bar that improved it but did not eliminate. My sway issue could have been the way I had things packed. I towed it about 30 miles home empty without a sway bar when I bought it with no problem at all but things went downhill once I started putting things in it. I never found out the root cause due to the camper being stolen. I towed this one a total of 900 miles.

Now I tow this 31' Durango, 8000lb dry, 1200lb dry hitch weight. I have not weighed this one loaded either.



This 5th wheel tows like a dream. I have towed it 1100 miles so far, 500 of that in the past few days, and love it. I concur what others have said about the transmission being impressive, set it and forget it. It will drop down to 5th gear going up long hills at 65 mph. It's a very smooth ride and I never once felt uncomfortable whereas the Outback was white-knuckle at times. I got 10.8 mpg on this last trip.

I have not had the condensation shutter issue. I towed about 100 miles in the rain yesterday without a problem.

[bimbert84]

crcr wrote:

I'm curious what mileage your Hemi was getting on the exact same trip?

Well it varied, obviously, but around 8 - 8.5 MPG would be a good average.

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. But the towing performance 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 lock out 4+5 or nothing. 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 those things help add up to a better towing experience.

A lot has improved in 10 years, but I guess you still have to feed the horses....

-- Rob

[crcr]

bimbert84 wrote:
I had my first tow this week with the rig in my sig. 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.

For reference, my 2003 Ram Hemi on the same trip pulled fine, but I had to run in direct (2600 RPM -- it probably could've run in 4th if I had the option to lock out just 5th), dropping to 2nd (3900 RPM) almost as often as the Ford dropped to 5th.

Mileage with the Ford, 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.

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.

-- Rob

I'm curious what mileage your Hemi was getting on the exact same trip?

[bimbert84]

I had my first tow this week with the rig in my sig. 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.

For reference, my 2003 Ram Hemi on the same trip pulled fine, but I had to run in direct (2600 RPM -- it probably could've run in 4th if I had the option to lock out just 5th), dropping to 2nd (3900 RPM) almost as often as the Ford dropped to 5th.

Mileage with the Ford, 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.

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.

-- Rob

[carringb]

EcoBullet wrote:

scottz wrote:
A co-worker of mine has a 2012 ecoboost F150. He had the intercooler problems and waited about 6 months before he could get it fixed. He has buyers remorse on the ecoboost. He could demonstrate the issue on-demand simply buy kicking down as you would to pass another vehicle, it would just sputter (this is unloaded). The first months he had the vehicle he did not have the problem.

Does it still do it after being fixed? If it is fixed, seems like it would no longer be an issue. If not fixed, that can be extremely frustrating. I recently went through something like that with a Dodge Caravan. It will be a long time before I ever consider another, and it will NEVER be at the same dealership. BTW, love the Toyota Sienna we replaced it with.

My friend's truck had his fixed in one day. It take a return visit for diagnostics initially because it wouldn't duplicate on the firs visit. Problem has not returned since. He did have an issue with the dealer forgetting to re-secure the factory heat shields under the turbo, so they ended up installing a nice skid-plate for the inconvenience.

[EcoBullet]

scottz wrote:
A co-worker of mine has a 2012 ecoboost F150. He had the intercooler problems and waited about 6 months before he could get it fixed. He has buyers remorse on the ecoboost. He could demonstrate the issue on-demand simply buy kicking down as you would to pass another vehicle, it would just sputter (this is unloaded). The first months he had the vehicle he did not have the problem.

Does it still do it after being fixed? If it is fixed, seems like it would no longer be an issue. If not fixed, that can be extremely frustrating. I recently went through something like that with a Dodge Caravan. It will be a long time before I ever consider another, and it will NEVER be at the same dealership. BTW, love the Toyota Sienna we replaced it with.

[BeerCan]

I used to own an ecoboost. My biggest issue with it was fuel dilution of the oil. I changed it every 5k because of this. Otherwise it was one of the best gasoline motors I have ever towed with.

[scottz]

A co-worker of mine has a 2012 ecoboost F150. He had the intercooler problems and waited about 6 months before he could get it fixed. He has buyers remorse on the ecoboost. He could demonstrate the issue on-demand simply buy kicking down as you would to pass another vehicle, it would just sputter (this is unloaded). The first months he had the vehicle he did not have the problem.

[sele]

Kevin O. wrote:
I'm certainly not covering up anything.My truck is running just as good as the day i brought it home two years ago. Yes there are a few having a problem with condensation and I'm not denying there is a problem. But the % cannot be all that high compared to how many have sold and how many are still selling. So it's definitely not as big a problem as you make it out to be. The Ecoboost in the F150 is still selling like hotcakes and everyone i talk to tells me theirs is running great and tows like a beast. So if the OP is looking for a TV and wants to stay with a 1/2 ton then the Ecoboost is the logical choice.

x2 our first trip we towed about 100 miles out of the Ozark mnts back to southern Illinois in a downpour we were even advised to leave the campground with refund because of rising water. It was as hard of rain as I have ever towed in. To this date still no issue and love this truck as a daily driver and tv

[Kevin_O_]

I'm certainly not covering up anything.My truck is running just as good as the day i brought it home two years ago. Yes there are a few having a problem with condensation and I'm not denying there is a problem. But the % cannot be all that high compared to how many have sold and how many are still selling. So it's definitely not as big a problem as you make it out to be. The Ecoboost in the F150 is still selling like hotcakes and everyone i talk to tells me theirs is running great and tows like a beast. So if the OP is looking for a TV and wants to stay with a 1/2 ton then the Ecoboost is the logical choice.

[Mike_Up]

Kevin O. wrote:

Mike Up wrote:

blownsub wrote:
Im looking for a new tow vehicle. Been watching the Ecoboost and all the pros and cons. Please chime in with opinions, experiences and facts. Has the intercooler/condensation issue been resolved? What is the max that's being towed on a regular basis? i.e. once every 60 days or so. Thanks in advance..

NO, there's 2013 new intercooler issues still. Go to F150Forum and do a search.

I would stay away from this engine until it's cured with a definite fix. Government is doing an investigation on the issues and may require Ford do a Recall. Interesting if so, as a recall will not have a fix until Ford finds one.

I recommend the 5.0L as it's one hek of an engine and much more powerful than the outgoing 2009/2010 5.4L in low rpm torque and high rpm horsepower. I had a 2010 and couldn't believe how much better the 5.0L towed. The reason I brought this up as the 5.4L had the Max Tow package option if you wanted it even though it was less powerful than the 5.0L that does not have that option.

If you need the Max Tow option, for 2013 Ford is offering the 6.2L on XLT trims and above that will have the Max Tow Package option.

Once Ford finds a fix for the intercooler issue, the Ecoboost should be a great engine.

Oh Mike, Are we trolling again in the Ecoboost threads.:B

Ah, are we trying to cover up a serious problem that the OP specifically asked on. :B

blownsub wrote:
Has the intercooler/condensation issue been resolved?

[Kevin_O_]

Mike Up wrote:

blownsub wrote:
Im looking for a new tow vehicle. Been watching the Ecoboost and all the pros and cons. Please chime in with opinions, experiences and facts. Has the intercooler/condensation issue been resolved? What is the max that's being towed on a regular basis? i.e. once every 60 days or so. Thanks in advance..

NO, there's 2013 new intercooler issues still. Go to F150Forum and do a search.

I would stay away from this engine until it's cured with a definite fix. Government is doing an investigation on the issues and may require Ford do a Recall. Interesting if so, as a recall will not have a fix until Ford finds one.

I recommend the 5.0L as it's one hek of an engine and much more powerful than the outgoing 2009/2010 5.4L in low rpm torque and high rpm horsepower. I had a 2010 and couldn't believe how much better the 5.0L towed. The reason I brought this up as the 5.4L had the Max Tow package option if you wanted it even though it was less powerful than the 5.0L that does not have that option.

If you need the Max Tow option, for 2013 Ford is offering the 6.2L on XLT trims and above that will have the Max Tow Package option.

Once Ford finds a fix for the intercooler issue, the Ecoboost should be a great engine.

Oh Mike, Are we trolling again in the Ecoboost threads.:B

[AlmostAnOldGuy]

Although I do not tow every. 60 days year round I would if I could :).

I have a SuperCrew with the 157" wheel base Max Tow / HD Payload (8200 GVWR) and tow a trailer that is 8150 fully loaded. It has towed this rig well and I am happy with the setup. I am at less than 90% of GVWR and GCVWR however the receiver is rated for 1150 and I am right at 1100. I consider this to be the max capability for the truck towing a TT. The 11k tow rating is for a flatbed at 10% tongue weight.

For more details see my trip report Big Block to EcoBoost

Good luck,
Stu

p.s. I have never experienced a condensation problem.

[FishOnOne]

elivi8 wrote:
No problem here either. Towing a 26 foot Cougar 26BHS. We camp a few times every month. We have towed 3000 km on the trailer all in the west coast. The truck is 2012 Ford F-150 ecoboost, 6.5 ft box with max trailer tow package.

The trailer weighs 7300 lbs (verified at the scales) with water and ready to go for camping. I usually have firewood in the truck as well.

There is always lots of power. I find the speed sweet spot to be at 105 km/h.




Ryan

Again.... Very nice rig.

If I were in the .5 ton truck market I would consider a EcoBoost.