Baby Eco-Boost or Should I Have a V8?

[Bones09]

I have a 2017 Supercab XLT with the tiny 2.7 Ecoboost and my lovely wife has a 2017 Supercab XLT with the 5.0 V-8. BOTH trucks have the MAXTOW feature. Yes I know, my wife’s truck is waayyyy cooler (she tells me that all the time). Our TT weighs just shy of 7,600 lbs. and both trucks tow without an issue. Truly, I don’t see the results of the Ecoboost outweighing the sounds and power response of the V-8. Just my opinion. Good luck!

[Rick J]

Originally Posted by DavidBo

I know I know...not another "what size truck will I need" thread! Actually, I have done lots of research, much on this invaluable forum, and I've narrowed my decision down to two vehicles so please bear with me.
Backstory first. I have a 2018 Ultra Lite 2104S. My wife and I (and a spoiled rotten German Shepherd) use it primarily for long weekends at nearby campgrounds and state parks, and since we live near the coast it doubles as our hurricane bug-out shelter. It came in really handy for Harvey a couple years ago. Right now I pull it with a 2014 Nissan Frontier that I tweaked up a bit for towing purposes, and I know that's not enough truck. It works decent for our needs now since we keep our trips short and very light, but we will be retiring in a few years and plan on hitting the road for several months and no way will that truck work.
Long story slightly shorter, I'm pretty set on the F-150 and I'm torn between the 2.7L (that's so tiny!) Eco-Boost or the V8 engine option. I wouldn't mind the 3.5L pressurized motor, but I think that's a bit of overkill and more than I'd like to spend right now. The V8 does pull more, but this truck will also be a daily driver so I like the better mileage of the Eco-Boost. I was hoping someone out in FRF land might have some real world experience with this combination and hopefully have some advice to offer. I know there are other options and I haven't completely ruled them out, but I have a connection with a nearby Ford dealership that I'd like to take advantage of so I'm leaning towards the blue oval.
I belong to a lot of forums and this by far is my favorite, I'd really appreciate any input towards making this decision, thanks in advance for any advice and happy camping!

You are comparing apples to oranges. The 3,5 is a towing beast and gets almost as good of mileage as the 2.7. The 5,0 tows well but really revs up on grade . I tow 6500 pounds from Calgary to Phoenix yearly with the 3.5 and it rarely revs over 3000. It averages 11 to 12 mpg at 65 mph both ways. You have to burn fuel to move weight.

[Rick J]

Originally Posted by nayther

Had a friend with F150 EB, nothing but trouble. Traded it for F250 gasser 5.0 and LOVES it. He came from a Super Duty and was downsizing, he tows a lighter weight 27' toy hauler. Hot Rod Magazine just did an expose on the new 7.3L Ford that will be offered in their 250 and up line up. Traditional pushrod engine, small block, very interesting choice as I look to upgrade in about a year.

Everyone always has a friend who had problems.....You can't get an F250 with the 5.0. It's either a 6.7 diesel or 6.2 gasser. The 2020 will have 6.2 gas or 7.3 gas or 6.7 diesel

[Rick J]

Originally Posted by DavidBo

I hear you, that's why I can't wrap my head around the numbers claimed for the 2.7EB. I don't care how many hair driers they hang on that thing, 325hp from so few liters means something is pushing its mechanical limitations.

You can tune EcoBoost engines to 200 hp per liter. 700 hp 3.5 l V6. Who knows about longevity or if the drivetrain can take it. But for all those who say the EcoBoost is overworked, they are only running at 50%

[Wcujr]

Enjoyed my 2.7 F150 XLT for three years, plenty of power with 8k loaded 21 bh up and down hills in NY PA etc. W/O towing I average 23mpg vs.towing @ 11.5 mpg. We just got back from a 4K mile trip with our GSD no regrets. Take a look at the 2.7 v 3.5 performance comparrisons, like me you might be surprised. Cheers!

[Underthedog]

fwiw:
2016 F150 3.5L Ecoboost Crew Cab XLT
HD payload, max tow


~70K. 3 trips through rockies with trailer, minor local with trailer, daily commute mixed city/hwy. Trailer Roo 21SS ~6K.


No issues towing/stopping. 10 mpg with trailer, 24 mpg commuting. I've seen as high as 30 mpg all hwy, once.





I do not recall any premium to get Ecoboost. Minor difficulties getting young salesman do understand my requirements for towing were not a sort of price negotiation.

[jhudson13]

I have a 2017 2.7 EB with the 3.3 axle and LOVE it. We tow a 2020 FR Surveyor that has a dry weight of 5900 lbs. We have towed it through the Blue Ridge with absolutely no issues at all. It is our daily driver and what we really love about it is that we get 21/22 city and 24/25 highway. And of course love those turbo's.

[Tvd]

One thing to concider is the two turbos on that ecoboost. If the bearings start to go out you are looking at a hugh repair bill. I know think because a friend of mine whet through it on his 2016 f150. I'd get the 5.0. My boss has a 2012 with 190,000 miles and has had only miner issues with it.

[Stovebolt]

Originally Posted by Tvd

One thing to concider is the two turbos on that ecoboost. If the bearings start to go out you are looking at a hugh repair bill. I know think because a friend of mine whet through it on his 2016 f150. I'd get the 5.0. My boss has a 2012 with 190,000 miles and has had only miner issues with it.

Tvd, you can't get the max tow with the V8, it only comes with the 3.5 and includes extra cooling. I've had 6 Ford vehicles with turbo's and have never had a problem. I've seen people with V8's have expensive repairs too. If I get a tow package I want the max tow no matter what I tow. Ford uses the 3.5 with the max tow package for a reason, it's the best towing engine of all the ones they put in a half-ton.

[Superdutymike]

Heres another opinion i had the 2018 f150 with the 5.0 v8 2wheel drive great power 23 avg mpg not towing was perfect for previous tt but the wife decided we had outgrew that one and went and bought a 36 ft 3 slide 9800 lb wildwood i used the 150 to pull it one trip power wise it had no problem but the trailer was just to big for the lighter weight 150 so i traded it on a 2019 f250 gasser no problems towing at all power or otherwise mileage as a daily driver avg is 15 mpg pulling tt i average 12 mountain towing 13 flatland towing which brings me to this my wife is a hospice nurse in the neighboring county which is a mountian county she needed 4x4 to get to some clients in bad weather so i traded the 2012 tahoe on her a 2019 ford f150 with the 2.7 baby boost and so far she has not put enough miles on it to get a good understanding of the specifics of how its gonna be

[RStock]

I was faced with the same dilemma when choosing an F150 this year. My concern wasn't so much about the gas mileage as it always sucks when towing, but more on the reliability on long hauls. I purchased a 2019 F150 Crew Cab v8 5L with the 3.55 rear end. I was worried about some horror stories I've heard on the EB engines. A friend of mine with the 2.7EB had to have his whole engine replaced as the turbos got so hot that they welded themselves to the motor. The V8 is a proven, reliable power house and that's what I wanted - reliability.

I may also be jaded as my previous vehicle had a turbo gas engine and it blew up just outside of the warranty period. Therefore I researched the F150's power houses carefully.

Scotty's opinion on Turbo's is an interesting video.

And Ford mechanics say.

Good luck shopping.

[acadianbob]

The Ecoboost 3.5 is THE BEST 1/2 ton towing motor on the market. It is a torque beast. I drove one for 110K miles; about 1/3 of those miles towing a small (9K) fifth wheel. Zero issues. It is still going strong for the second owner. Get one. You'll never be sorry.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by RStock

I purchased a 2019 F150 Crew Cab v8 5L with the 3.55 rear end. I was worried about some horror stories I've heard on the EB engines. A friend of mine with the 2.7EB had to have his whole engine replaced as the turbos got so hot that they welded themselves to the motor. The V8 is a proven, reliable power house and that's what I wanted - reliability.

I may also be jaded as my previous vehicle had a turbo gas engine and it blew up just outside of the warranty period. Therefore I researched the F150's power houses carefully.

Check TSB 19-2338 for oil consumption

[TonyR]

Originally Posted by DAHVGER

go with the 3.5 ecoboost!

X2+

[RDA1953]

I bought a 2019 F150 eco boost for a 2020 Flagstaff Classic TT 9000 lbs dry. My truck with 20” tires and the tow package will tow 12,700lbs. 9000 or 9500 lbs is enough for me to. The truck handles it just fine. The RPMs can range from 2000 to 3500. Tractor Trailers were fine when they passed me. If your towing a lighter TT you will be fine with the Ecoboost. I have no complaints. I get 18 mpg around town and 22 highway. That’s why I bought it for the mileage. I get 8.5 towing so far. I love this truck and motor.

[Stovebolt]

I laugh when I see all the anti-turbo blabber on these sites, turbo's have been around for a very long time. They've been used in aircraft and in automotive since before most of us were born. GM and Ford have been using turbos on cars going back to the 1962 Corvair and the 1962 Olds F85 with an aluminum 215 cu in V8. Ford has had turbo's on Mustangs and Thunderbirds in the 1980s and most diesel engines have used turbo's going way back. Most of the scuttlebutt on turbos are those that are anti-anything but what they personally like. Turbos have been proven over and over again for millions of miles. Don't let the naysayers stop you from getting what you want. If you like V8 power only, that's great. If you want a quiet and tough motor that will pull like no tomorrow, get either the 2.7 or 3.5 EcoBoost because they can pull weight so well it's a wonder the industry doesn't do this on all engines.

[clifhngr]

Originally Posted by mjbenedict

My 2015 3.5 ecoboost tows great but it doesn’t get any better mileage than my last truck which was a 2010 Ram with Hemi and low gear ratio. I miss the Ram, don’t buy the 6 cylinder if you’re looking for better mileage.

We bought a 2109s mini lite last fall as a present for my wife's retirement. So far we are happy with it. I tow with a ram 4.7L and am very disappointed with how it tows. I was shocked when I checked the engine specs and saw the HP and torque. I like the truck in all other aspects. I plan to upgrade the TV this spring and am considering another Ram with the hemi. I have read good things about the Ford 3.5 ecoboost and saw your post which says you miss the Ram. What is it you like about the Ram and would you buy another one before a Ford. I've done tons of research and reading but
I value people's experiences. thanks in advance for any advice.

[6CatDaddy]

Have a 2016 F150 SCAB. 2.7, 6speed 3.31 axle...

Tow a 2109S Minilite with NO problems.

This truck is the closest thing to a street racing vehicle I have ever had.

That 2.7 is a smaller displacement than the engines I have had in the past in GM S10 pickups and outperforms them 10 fold...

Our F150 has never strained the terrains here in Pennsylvania, hills, mountains, turnpikes.

Gets up to turnpike speed towing with no strain and low rpm's compared to how a V-8 would need to be wound out...

Folks who shy away from turbos thinking the turbos are going to be the first thing to go, must not know about turbo'd engines.

Use the proper oil, change it often, air filters too, drive it right, run it hard to bend that intake air, but know what you are doing not to cook the turbos shutting it down smoking hot and you will not have any turbo or engine trouble with the Ecoboost engine.

Stock is plenty of power, but a tuned 2.7 and you better hope your drivetrain can handle the power this engine is capable of producing...

If I had to replace my truck I would not hesitate to get the Ecoboost again, maybe go up to the 3.5EB, but if the 2.7 is available with the 10 speed auto, I think that would be hard to beat seeing as how well it does with the 6 speed auto...

[RStock]

Just putting this out there.

The F150 truck is the only truck that Ford offers gas turbo engine choices. Ford doesn't offer them in the F250 or F350. Why?

[DavidBo]

One of the biggest problems with earlier turbos was due to oil coking in the bearings if shut down while hot. The rule was to spend a few minutes at idle to let everything cool off a bit before turning the engine off, they even made timers that would let the engine run after you left for a set time then switch it off.
Although it's still a good idea, modern synthetic oils are much better at tolerating the high heat that made the old stuff return to its original solid carbon beginnings. I'll still give it a few moments of quiet time after towing or heavy highway use, but I'll be especially aware of using the right grade of good oil and going by the extreme use change interval. Turbos love it when you do that.