Baby Eco-Boost or Should I Have a V8?

[A2pfunk]

Originally Posted by DavidBo

Looks like the end of the year push is on, I've found a few 3.5s that are going for about the same price as a 2.7 only a few months ago. I'm sure I'll be a lot more comfortable with all that extra power, one thing you can never have too much of is towing capacity. I'm sure the DW will take full advantage of that capability! I just wish the 2104S had a bit more storage space, but I can make it work.
I'll be sure to post a picture or two when I finally pull that trigger. I'm really getting the new truck itch now, can't wait to pick that baby up!

More storage space? Get a cap for the bed. I am not totally in love with the look it gives the truck, but the fact that I never have to worry about stuff blowing out, getting wet, or getting stolen? We have kids who are 10 and 7. So we bring a LOT of junk with us on trips, including our 17 night cross country trip earlier (we do one 2 week cross country trip a summer, plus lots of other summer trips). All of the bikes, toys, scooters, propane grill, beach toys, firewood (I'd never move firewood), tools (sockets, floor jack, jack stands, etc) cable locks for the bikes, floating contraptions, and more all get put in the back of the truck before we hook up.

And I hear you on that new truck itch. I became a case of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" when I was looking. I wanted max tow, 3.5 EB, Supercrew. Then I wanted the Moonroof, upgraded exterior camera system and Backup Assist (the only thing on the truck that I will admit is a waste). Then I wanted premium sound, remote start, etc. etc. etc. Mostly because of the Max Tow and HPP (Ford actually makes a heavier duty frame with thicker steel), it made more sense to go with a Platinum then try to custom order and mix/match options. The idea of a Platinum seemed crazy at first, but again.. the X plan, rebates and PCO made it a lot less painful. Plus, we keep our trucks a while. The Wife made it clear that I would probably be buried in this one.

One way or another.

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by A2pfunk

More storage space? Get a cap for the bed.

Not a bad idea. I have a tonneau cover on my current truck, personally I consider that non-optional. I like keeping stuff out of site, especially my Champion generator. I can see how a cap adds lots of additional relatively secure space.
Great...now I got another thing to add to the wish list!

[kcmusa]

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-got-mine.html

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by kcmusa

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-got-mine.html

This is great information, thanks! I wonder if this can be combined with the X-plan? I sure wish I knew about this stuff several cars ago.

[67L48]

Yes. As with all the other rebates, a PCO is compatible with the X-Plan. I mentioned some of this way back on Post 13 of this thread. If you want to know even more about the specifics of purchasing a Ford, I highly recommend spending some time at a Ford forum. And, if there were people at a Ford forum with specific questions about buying a Forest River product, I'd send them over here. Different tools for different jobs.

[Tundra 2014]

FYI- On Youtube there is a post where someone interviews ford mechanics on their choice between the 2. It was 9 to 3 for the V8. I wonder how many 3.5 Ecos are out there w/ 100K on them, just curious. My experience w/ high power gas engines was users do not allow the engine to run for a minute after coming off the highway. My wife tended to be guilty of this and we replaced 2 turbo in 86K miles. We traded it in and it was going out again. The turbo bearing coke when the oil flow stops, producing more friction when started again. It water cooled journals and electric water pump runs after shutdown not as much problem, as in BMWs.

[A2pfunk]

I believe the 3.5 EB came out in '11 or '12. They are now on at least the second (if not third) generation and have improved some of the issues people had with the original.

[mjbenedict]

Originally Posted by Tundra 2014

FYI- On Youtube there is a post where someone interviews ford mechanics on their choice between the 2. It was 9 to 3 for the V8. I wonder how many 3.5 Ecos are out there w/ 100K on them, just curious. My experience w/ high power gas engines was users do not allow the engine to run for a minute after coming off the highway. My wife tended to be guilty of this and we replaced 2 turbo in 86K miles. We traded it in and it was going out again. The turbo bearing coke when the oil flow stops, producing more friction when started again. It water cooled journals and electric water pump runs after shutdown not as much problem, as in BMWs.

My 15’ F150 EB is at 70K and I’ve only had to replace the throttle body twice, it certainly spent more time at the dealership than my last three Rams which I put over 100K on. I’m going back to Ram for this and many other reasons. Sometimes it picks and chooses whether it wants to give me power when I’m passing another vehicle.
Tows great though, just have to hold my breath and hope the throttle body doesn’t fail far from home or to have all 4 brakes lock up when parked overnight.
Was that negative?

[Boomerweps]

Thanks for the high oil consumption V8 info.
Never checked my oil on my new truck till now. About 6500 miles, down a quart or so. V8 uses over 8 quarts on an oil change! I'm hoping the oil usage was normal break-in. In my other many Fords, I would burn about a quart between oil changes. With my mileage, and the vehicles telling you when to change the oil, that's about twice a year, spring and fall.

[badgerbob]

I also have the eco-boost pulling a Roo and now and R-Pod but the eco boost can pull just as well as my sons RAM diesel. It has great climbing long hills and the gas mileage is a little better than the v8. I love mine and would buy another one.

[breul]

Just turned 150,000 miles on my 2012 eco boost. Plan on pulling my 25ft TT down to Florida again this Winter. Only problem I have had is with the rear end. Motor is flawless and fun. Going to run it till it dies and then buy another one.

[Mr Towed]

We LOVE our 3.5 EcoBoost (2017 with 10 speed). Bought it 11 months ago and have put almost 6000 towing miles on it. We came from a Silverado 2500 with 6.0V8 with 6 speed transmission. The 3.5 in our F-150 is better in every way, torque (by far) horsepower (by a good bit) and noise level SO SO SO much quieter, never screams like V8 did and never feels like it is struggling. Tons of power and with the 10 speed it's always in the right range. We can pull into a site late at night and not disturb the whole campground like we did wth the big V8. Plus, when you're coming in slow I think it sounds awesome, I guess it's the turbos. I'm sure the V8 is rated similar for towing but if the price is close at all I'd highly recommend the 3.5.

[Stygshore]

Driving a 2.7 Eco 4x4 SCREW currently. Reading this thread has me worried about hauling the 6400 empty 29’ camper I have being delivered tomorrow. We have hauled a 5000 lb 23’ camper all over Michigan without any issues.

We are pushing closer to the towing limits, and have to pack lighter for sure. The RV dealer, car dealer, and RV manufacturer all said It would tow it fine, but would not recommend going any bigger/heavier

Crossing my fingers I guess. Worst case I got 6 months to find a tow vehicle. ...

Does anyone tow a larger camper with a 2.7?

[J Man]

The 2.7 ecoboost is still a strong motor. Is that what you are considering? If not the eco then definitely I'd go V8 over the basic V6, as that is going to be a heavier truck than the frontier and the stock 6 cylinder doesn't offer enough power, in my opinion.

I bought my F150 a couple months ago and the 3.5 eco max tow wasn't much more than the 2.7 eco once you added all the tow items. So for me, the 3.5 was a no brainer.

[LTnTN]

Owned a 2013 F150 3.5 EB for almost 100k miles, with 16k of that towing a 9,000 lb. 5th wheel. I’ll sum up the engine performance like this. i24 West between Chattanooga and Nashville, Monteagle Mountain averages 6% grade for 4 miles ... set the cruise at 65 ... it downshifted to 4th gear, and held the 65 at 2,800 rpms. Drove around every other V8 pulling a camper, and most passenger vehicles. Pulled up and down and over several sections of the Appalachian Mountains with never a shortage of power. For a 1/2 ton truck, I wouldn’t own anything else.

[DAHVGER]

go with the 3.5 ecoboost!

[Skidooman]

If you decide to go with a 3.5 Eco boost make sure it is a late 2015 build or newer. 2011-2015 3.5 are terrible motors. They have major timing chain and turbo problems. So far it seems the new versions are much better. The late 2015 builds use 2 primary timing chains instead of 1. That seems to help them from stretching. The 2.7 I haven't seem many problems with however there are much fewer of them on the road.

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by Skidooman

If you decide to go with a 3.5 Eco boost make sure it is a late 2015 build or newer. 2011-2015 3.5 are terrible motors. They have major timing chain and turbo problems. So far it seems the new versions are much better. The late 2015 builds use 2 primary timing chains instead of 1. That seems to help them from stretching. The 2.7 I haven't seem many problems with however there are much fewer of them on the road.

Oh I'm definitely going for new, this is a good time to buy a 2019 with the 2020s filling up the lots. I'm glad to hear they seem to have the worst of the bugs worked out, I tend to avoid the first new years of an all-new design for that very reason.

[Gunslinger1]

I agree, I tow my Grey Wolf 23MKBL 28’ TT with a 2017 V-8. Lots of muscle and lots few parts to break vs the ECO Boost V-6..

[Major Oz]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Just my experience, but I went with V-8 upon advice from my cousin who has the v-6 turbo Raptor and had problems with it. Very happy with the V8. No struggle at all even in NY and VT hills. I too have a light trailer. I get 11-12 mpg towing, and at least 18 mpg not towing on the mostly 2 lane roads around where I live. Even better on all highway if you don't drive like you stole it.

My 2014 King Ranch 3.5 EB is, far and away, the king of the road for half ton towing. Mine is pushing 160K, with never a hickup.



Pulled my 7500 lb TT all over hell and back, including Montrose to Durango, Salt River Canyon, and places where it is inhumane to take a goat.


Keep the maintenance schedule......change the filters......rotate the tires.....and HAVE A GOOD weight distribution hitch.


Those that blow up the EB engines are the same ones that, in my youth, threw the rods in their muscle cars.


She will never let you down.


(my old hemi would cry to read this)