Max Trailer Wt. Recommendations for F-150 5L or Eco/Boost

[YankeeBP]

I am new to RV-ing and would like some candid advice from some of you experienced RV-ers.

I am in the TV and TT research stage.

I plan to do some long distance towing. For example, Chattanooga, TN, to the Canadian Rockies and back (5000 plus miles). There will only be my wife and me, so we are thinking that we want a smaller ultralite TT (<= 24 feet).

I plan to tow with a Ford F-150 4x4 either with the 5.0L v8 or the v6 Eco/Boost. I am undecided at this point.

If I understand Ford's towing charts correctly, the F150 with the 5.0L V8 and a 3.55 rear-end has a maximum loaded trailer weight for towing of 7700 lbs. I have seen a recommendation that one not exceed 80% of that weight, which is 6160 lbs. I have not checked the same stats on the v6 eco/boost.

I would like to keep my TT as light as possible because I would rather be over-powered than under-powered. Consequently, I am focusing my attention on Ultralite TT's whose dry weight is in the range 3000 lbs to 4000 lbs. with a slide-out.

What experiences and advice can you give me?

[TNRIVERSIDE]

93Cobra2771 wrote:

YankeeBP wrote:
I am new to RV-ing and would like some candid advice from some of you experienced RV-ers.

I am in the TV and TT research stage.

I plan to do some long distance towing. For example, Chattanooga, TN, to the Canadian Rockies and back (5000 plus miles). There will only be my wife and me, so we are thinking that we want a smaller ultralite TT (<= 24 feet).

I plan to tow with a Ford F-150 4x4 either with the 5.0L v8 or the v6 Eco/Boost. I am undecided at this point.

If I understand Ford's towing charts correctly, the F150 with the 5.0L V8 and a 3.55 rear-end has a maximum loaded trailer weight for towing of 7700 lbs. I have seen a recommendation that one not exceed 80% of that weight, which is 6160 lbs. I have not checked the same stats on the v6 eco/boost.

I would like to keep my TT as light as possible because I would rather be over-powered than under-powered. Consequently, I am focusing my attention on Ultralite TT's whose dry weight is in the range 3000 lbs to 4000 lbs. with a slide-out.

What experiences and advice can you give me?

You will be happy with either the 5.0 or the Eco. My personal choice would be the eco due to the awesome torque curve down low, compared to the 5.0 (yes, I have towed with both, unlike many in this thread).

Intercooler issue is few and far between on the Eco. As is the hot "tick" of the 5.0's, and the oil consumption issues.

ALL motors will have problems of one type or another. Any manufacturer. Any size motor. Any fuel type.

I HIGHLY recommend the 3.55 at a minimum, and preferably the 3.73 for towing. I HIGHLY recommend the max tow package, as it gives you the 3.73, towing mirrors, integrated brake controller, and 300# more payload (in case you ever decide to trade up), plus super engine cooling on the 5.0, and upgraded receiver hitch.

As far as fuel mileage, the eco and the 5.0 get very close both loaded and unloaded (and again, I have towed the exact trailer with both). The difference is that the eco will not shift as often as the 5.0 due to the torque curve. I can get roughly two mpg better with my eco than my dads 5.0 on the same trip.

Being as how you are going to be doing some mountain towing, I would lean toward the Eco due to altitude power loss on an naturally aspirated motor like the 5.0.

On the biggest f150 forum on line, there are 5 ecos with known blown engines. I know at least two were aftermarket programmed for more horsepower. Stay away from that for best longevity, IMO.

Good information Richard. It's good to hear from someone with experience using both then comparing. Thanks

[Padlin]

goducks10 wrote:

Padlin wrote:
My trailer is 3500 lbs, pulling it all over the east coast I get between 10 and 12 mpg, 10 is doing 75, and 12 is 55. Non towing it's between 16 and 18, 18 is if I baby it as much as I can. You can do better depending on how you setup the truck, mine has every gas killing option I could get, HD, 8' bed (36 gal tank), supercab, 4x4. I also looked at the 3/4 and 1T diesels but couldn't justify the extra $10k. I didn't consider the 5.0 so can't comment on it. I bought the EB for the best payload I could get (mines 2200) so as not to be limited on my next trailer, I discounted the gas 3/4T's due to their lousy gas mileage when not towing. I'm fine with what I get.

LOL, you looked at diesels for a 4000lb TT. Why?

I needed a new vehicle and had no intention of buying one that could not handle the next trailer.

[93Cobra2771]

YankeeBP wrote:
I am new to RV-ing and would like some candid advice from some of you experienced RV-ers.

I am in the TV and TT research stage.

I plan to do some long distance towing. For example, Chattanooga, TN, to the Canadian Rockies and back (5000 plus miles). There will only be my wife and me, so we are thinking that we want a smaller ultralite TT (<= 24 feet).

I plan to tow with a Ford F-150 4x4 either with the 5.0L v8 or the v6 Eco/Boost. I am undecided at this point.

If I understand Ford's towing charts correctly, the F150 with the 5.0L V8 and a 3.55 rear-end has a maximum loaded trailer weight for towing of 7700 lbs. I have seen a recommendation that one not exceed 80% of that weight, which is 6160 lbs. I have not checked the same stats on the v6 eco/boost.

I would like to keep my TT as light as possible because I would rather be over-powered than under-powered. Consequently, I am focusing my attention on Ultralite TT's whose dry weight is in the range 3000 lbs to 4000 lbs. with a slide-out.

What experiences and advice can you give me?

You will be happy with either the 5.0 or the Eco. My personal choice would be the eco due to the awesome torque curve down low, compared to the 5.0 (yes, I have towed with both, unlike many in this thread).

Intercooler issue is few and far between on the Eco. As is the hot "tick" of the 5.0's, and the oil consumption issues.

ALL motors will have problems of one type or another. Any manufacturer. Any size motor. Any fuel type.

I HIGHLY recommend the 3.55 at a minimum, and preferably the 3.73 for towing. I HIGHLY recommend the max tow package, as it gives you the 3.73, towing mirrors, integrated brake controller, and 300# more payload (in case you ever decide to trade up), plus super engine cooling on the 5.0, and upgraded receiver hitch.

As far as fuel mileage, the eco and the 5.0 get very close both loaded and unloaded (and again, I have towed the exact trailer with both). The difference is that the eco will not shift as often as the 5.0 due to the torque curve. I can get roughly two mpg better with my eco than my dads 5.0 on the same trip.

Being as how you are going to be doing some mountain towing, I would lean toward the Eco due to altitude power loss on an naturally aspirated motor like the 5.0.

On the biggest f150 forum on line, there are 5 ecos with known blown engines. I know at least two were aftermarket programmed for more horsepower. Stay away from that for best longevity, IMO.

[goducks10]

Padlin wrote:
My trailer is 3500 lbs, pulling it all over the east coast I get between 10 and 12 mpg, 10 is doing 75, and 12 is 55. Non towing it's between 16 and 18, 18 is if I baby it as much as I can. You can do better depending on how you setup the truck, mine has every gas killing option I could get, HD, 8' bed (36 gal tank), supercab, 4x4. I also looked at the 3/4 and 1T diesels but couldn't justify the extra $10k. I didn't consider the 5.0 so can't comment on it. I bought the EB for the best payload I could get (mines 2200) so as not to be limited on my next trailer, I discounted the gas 3/4T's due to their lousy gas mileage when not towing. I'm fine with what I get.

LOL, you looked at diesels for a 4000lb TT. Why? Funny thing is I towed a 4050lb TT with an 08 F150 5.4 3.73 and got 10.5 average. All that new technology goes out the window when hitched up.

[Mvander]

For a trailer that size you would be alright with the base 3.7 v6.

[Padlin]

My trailer is 3500 lbs, pulling it all over the east coast I get between 10 and 12 mpg, 10 is doing 75, and 12 is 55. Non towing it's between 16 and 18, 18 is if I baby it as much as I can. You can do better depending on how you setup the truck, mine has every gas killing option I could get, HD, 8' bed (36 gal tank), supercab, 4x4. I also looked at the 3/4 and 1T diesels but couldn't justify the extra $10k. I didn't consider the 5.0 so can't comment on it. I bought the EB for the best payload I could get (mines 2200) so as not to be limited on my next trailer, I discounted the gas 3/4T's due to their lousy gas mileage when not towing. I'm fine with what I get.

[2112]

You can have any reputable mechanic change out your gears to 3.73 at any time. Ford service can tell you the new tow number so call them to see what you will gain. However, this does not affect payload. I did that on my last truck. It went from 6500 to 7700 just by replacing the gear. The speedometer should have been a little off but I didn't notice.

I agree with you on the sound. The 5.0 has a nice tone when loaded up.

[bogeygolfer]

2112, great advice on the 3.73 rear end. When I was looking for a truck in September, I found the 3.73 was rated for 9900 I think, and the 3.55 (which I ended up buying) was rated for 7700. I bought the 3.55 because that's what was available at the time, and I don't tow very often with this truck (but will use it as a toad soon) - but I'd have rather had the 3.73 just in case I do tow more in the future. They just weren't as easy to find at that time.

Also, I bought the 5.0 and have been pleased with it for everyday driving although I did like the performance of the Eco. I saved almost $2000 buying the 5.0 since Ford had better incentives on that engine than the Eco. Also, my salesman had an Eco and traded his own for a 5.0 - not because of any turbo problem, but because he said he just never got the mileage he expected and he didn't want to spend the extra money on the next truck. He doesn't tow, either.

I sure liked the idea of the Eco, but it seems like it's kinda like having a diesel in some respects - if you use it for towing, it's worth it for the performance; otherwise, the V8 will do just fine for the majority of us. Plus, I really like the sound of the 5.0.

[joshuajim]

I don't know about turbo lag on my '13 Ecoboost, but I do know that with my 8,000# loaded trailer in tow with right at 1,000# on the tongue (yes I have the HD payload package with 2,592 yellow sticker pounds available), ...if I stab the throttle it will spin the rear wheels.

[2112]

Oh darn, I'm late for the eco-bashing again.

I think you heard it all, except I would recommend considering a 3.73 rather than 3.55. The yellow sticker will tell you what the particular truck is capable of. Pay attention to the payload #s. The more on the truck the lower the payload, generally speaking.

Pick the engine you are more comfortable with.

You see what I tow and with what (sig below)

[brulaz]

06Fargo wrote:
Why do folks even worry about "turbo lag" in a pick up twuck anyways?

That's what I first wondered, but go on on some F150 forums and you'll be blown away by people tuning and modifying their trucks and posting drag race times. And there's dirt track truck racers and "tractor" pulls with pickups as well.

There must be a half a dozen different tuners available for the Ecoboost alone, as well as exhaust system mods, intake mods, very expensive, replacement intercoolers, you name it.

The after-market people in the F150 racing/mod community are very creative and apparently making good money at.

And these folks don't drive their truck like I do, that's for sure.

[Atlee]

Buit the fact remains that anyone with a 1/2 ton pu will almost always run out of cargo capacity before they run out of tow capacity.

That's exactly what I ran into pulling my relatively light weight Koala. That TT has a max weight of 4900+ pounds. Yet, I have to be very careful how much stuff I put in the bed of the truck. I'm pushing the upper limits of the cargo capacity that's on the yellow sticker that's on the driver side door frame.

Once I substract for the two people up front, the hitch weight, and the tongue weight, there isn't a lot of weight left to use.

skipnchar wrote:
Your tow rating with EITHER engine will depend on how you equip your truck.F150 has a maximum trailer weight of 11,500 lb. and may be as low as you describe in your post, it's completely up to you. The so called 80% rule is complete nonsense. The truck is perfectly capable of towing 100% of its ACTUAL rating. That means you have to do the work to find the true trailer size it can handle. For what it's worth, they don't MAKE a 24 footer that would tax your truck with EITHER engine choice. The ecoboost will type MUCH better in the mountains though because there is NO power loss due to elevation (just like with a diesel).
Good luck Skip

[Atlee]

Seems to me the even bigger benefit of the EcoBoost is when yhou're pulling in the mountains of the western US. That turbo charged engine should lose a lot less pulling power than any non turbo gas engine.

8iron wrote:
The 5.0L is good for 380 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm, while the EcoBoost puts out 420 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm and is quicker 0-60...even with the alleged turbo lag it has more get get up and go than the 5.0.

[noteven]

Why do folks even worry about "turbo lag" in a pick up twuck anyways?