2012 vs. 2015 F-150 5.0 V8

[kevinstennes]

I have a 2012 F-150 Screw 5.5' 4x4 with 5.0 V8, 3.55 and 6 speed auto. Also, just recently purchased a 2015 F-150 Screw 6.5' 4x4 with 5.0 V8 and 6 speed auto.

I purchased the 2015 after putting the trailer in my heated shop for the winter, so haven't towed with it yet. Just curious if anybody out there has towed with both trucks and feedback on whether or not there is any noticeable difference. I plan to tow with the 2015 because it is set up for the wife and kids, canopy, longer bed, etc.

Trailer is a 2014 27' Cascade

[The Big Toe]

The 2015 is going to be a lot lighter and should tow better.

The 5.0l Coyote is rated higher for 2015 but a lot of us think Ford was sandbagging from the get-go. Ford says they 'tuned' it more gooder or some such nonsense.

Right.

The aluminum body on the new one really helps. I haven't towed with one but I've driven them and -- There's a difference.

I'm jealous

[kevinstennes]

Originally Posted by The Big Toe

The 2015 is going to be a lot lighter and should tow better.

The 5.0l Coyote is rated higher for 2015 but a lot of us think Ford was sandbagging from the get-go. Ford says they 'tuned' it more gooder or some such nonsense.

Right.

The aluminum body on the new one really helps. I haven't towed with one but I've driven them and -- There's a difference.

I'm jealous

The 2015 is my wife's daily driver (plus 3 kids in the back seat and the Yellow Lab in the back). Like I said, I haven't towed with it yet, but it sure is quick all by itself. And gets about 1.5 MPG better out on the open highway. Have done as well as 22.3 MPG on mixed highway driving (hilly terrain, etc.) and doing 64-68 MPH. I look forward to towing with the 2015 and making some comparisons. The 2015 is longer, sits lower, etc., so I'm hoping it feels a bit more stable with the 27' behind it.

thanks for the input!

[The Big Toe]

Originally Posted by kevinstennes

The 2015 is my wife's daily driver (plus 3 kids in the back seat and the Yellow Lab in the back). Like I said, I haven't towed with it yet, but it sure is quick all by itself. And gets about 1.5 MPG better out on the open highway. Have done as well as 22.3 MPG on mixed highway driving (hilly terrain, etc.) and doing 64-68 MPH. I look forward to towing with the 2015 and making some comparisons. The 2015 is longer, sits lower, etc., so I'm hoping it feels a bit more stable with the 27' behind it.

thanks for the input!

[rlocicero]

I went from a 2011 F15o super crew 5.0 w/tow package and 3.73's to a 2014 F150 3.5 ecoboost, 3.73's and max tow. I could not be happier. The ecoboost pulls better than the 5.0L. I did replace the oem tires with a better rated one.

[kevinstennes]

Originally Posted by kevinstennes

The 2015 is my wife's daily driver (plus 3 kids in the back seat and the Yellow Lab in the back). Like I said, I haven't towed with it yet, but it sure is quick all by itself. And gets about 1.5 MPG better out on the open highway. Have done as well as 22.3 MPG on mixed highway driving (hilly terrain, etc.) and doing 64-68 MPH. I look forward to towing with the 2015 and making some comparisons. The 2015 is longer, sits lower, etc., so I'm hoping it feels a bit more stable with the 27' behind it.

thanks for the input!

Originally Posted by rlocicero

I went from a 2011 F15o super crew 5.0 w/tow package and 3.73's to a 2014 F150 3.5 ecoboost, 3.73's and max tow. I could not be happier. The ecoboost pulls better than the 5.0L. I did replace the oem tires with a better rated one.

Thanks for the feedback. I went from towing with multiple PowerStroke diesels to a F150 with 5.0, so definitely had to reduce my expectations. I've been happy with the 2012 5.0, but it definitely wants to be in the higher RPM ranges to keep things moving down the road! I imagine, with the EcoBoost torque, that you are pulling well at lower RPMs.

[Phil M]

I have a 2011 F150 with the 5.0 and 355 gears and 6 speed auto. I pull a 23' Wildwood @ about 4,000lbs. It does a lot of down and up shifting but maintains 60 MPH and about 11.6 MPG. I have had Banks tune the engine for economy. without the trailer, I get about 21 MPG @ 70 MPH on long trips and about 18 - 19 in town.

[kevinstennes]

Originally Posted by Phil M

I have a 2011 F150 with the 5.0 and 355 gears and 6 speed auto. I pull a 23' Wildwood @ about 4,000lbs. It does a lot of down and up shifting but maintains 60 MPH and about 11.6 MPG. I have had Banks tune the engine for economy. without the trailer, I get about 21 MPG @ 70 MPH on long trips and about 18 - 19 in town.

That's great mileage, Phil! I'm happy to get 9.8 MPG towing the trailer, but that's usually with some pretty hilly terrain.

[Phil M]

We travel mostly in Northern California with the TT and have gone to Yellowstone with it. I would rather have the 372 gears but this gets me where I want to go. Our daughter lives in Arizona so we make several trips there. The Banks helps with about 2-3 MPG. when we go to Tahoe, it is 7400 ft over the pass and I drop down to 8-8.5 MPG

[The Big Toe]

Originally Posted by rlocicero

I went from a 2011 F15o super crew 5.0 w/tow package and 3.73's to a 2014 F150 3.5 ecoboost, 3.73's and max tow. I could not be happier. The ecoboost pulls better than the 5.0L. I did replace the oem tires with a better rated one.

I was looking at the ecoboost but there were problems with it hydro-locking at the time. And I live in South Florida.

Plus, there were complaints of Fuel Economy with the ecoboost.

I'm sure Ford has worked the problems out by now. Back then, their solution was to back off the amount of boost. wonderful.

I wasn't as concerned about the fuel economy. You have to learn how to drive a vehicle that has a huffer on it. You love the power and you love to feel it even more. And that will eat some gas. You gotta treat it like a lady. But when it's time to work, they're hard to beat. They just love to pull.

The Coyote V8 is nothing to sneeze at, though. RPMs don't bother it. But the ecoboost is just a little more stout, IMO

[Highway]

2011 F150 Ecoboost with 6speed automatic...I installed Timbren axle stops on the rear...made a huge difference in tow/haul handling... Home - Timbren Industries Inc. Suspension Products

[sunnyinfla]

If your lookin for more stability ya shoulda got an 8 foot bed....