F150 Ecoboost owners...

[KenHwy61]

Anyone towing a 9000lb TT with their Ecoboost? I was looking at the specs and it appears the payload with the Max Tow package is 1840lbs with a curb weight of about 5800. The Supercrew F150 weighs surprisingly only a few hundred pounds less than my 2012 crew cab Chevy HD which makes me wonder if it is more stable towing than most would believe a 1/2 ton to be. The reason I am considering this is the Chevy 6.0 is terrible on gas even when not towing and is not as powerful especially in low-end torque. I will probably go diesel once I retire and can travel as much as I want. But in the mean time I'm am looking at the Ecoboost as something in between. Everyone raves about the towing power and they seem reliable. I was wondering about towing stability and braking. I know I would be very close to max payload. Also, can an F150 have a Max Towing package and NOT have the big towing mirrors? In searching Autotrader and judging by the mirrors, Max Tow packages seem quite rare.
Thanks for your input!

[HIDE OUT]

You are correct maxtow trucks are hard to find . I had to order my truck.As for the mirrors they are part of the maxtow package and you will love them.as for towing I am currently only towing just under 7000lbs no problem whatsoever plenty of power you won't be disappointed in that department the truck is a beast. That being said you still have to worry about payload .one more thing as a daily driver I get about 18 to 20 mpg. 9 to 10 when towing. Over all I love the truck. I am actually in the process of getting a bigger. TT about 1200lbs heavier with no concerns. Hope this helps.

[KenHwy61]

Thanks for the input! I do like the big towing mirrors but was wondering if a truck does not have them does it mean it doesn't have the Max Tow package. Also does the integrated brake control come only on the Max Tow?

[HIDE OUT]

Yes if the truck doesn't have the mirrors it doesn't have Maxtow.As for the break controller it is part of the package but is commonly added to the trailer tow package as an option.Also with the maxtow package you have 3.73 gears

[B and B]

There are many here towing 9500 lbs Fifth Wheel with Ecoboost, I am and no stability problems. Need LT Tires as a minimum. There was a thread here recently with all specs outlined. My truck is 7650 lb package. Max Tow

[KenHwy61]

That's what I thought. I noticed dealers say in their ads that a truck has Max Tow but I see no tow mirrors so I was confused. Apparently they are confused as well. How does your truck handle crosswinds and passing semi trucks?

[SpaCityBulldog]

Originally Posted by jdefeo1

You are correct maxtow trucks are hard to find . I had to order my truck.As for the mirrors they are part of the maxtow package and you will love them.as for towing I am currently only towing just under 7000lbs no problem whatsoever plenty of power you won't be disappointed in that department the truck is a beast. That being said you still have to worry about payload .one more thing as a daily driver I get about 18 to 20 mpg. 9 to 10 when towing. Over all I love the truck. I am actually in the process of getting a bigger. TT about 1200lbs heavier with no concerns. Hope this helps.

I agree the Max-Tow is hard to find. I also wanted a 6.5' box XLT Crew-Cab, 36g gas tank. Ford finally found two meeting my requirements. One in Indiana and the other in Kentucky.

I like the tow mirrors but I do not like the larger passenger side mirror being concave. It wasn't concave on my F250. I'd like to replace that larger mirror with the same type as the drivers side.

I made my first trip pulling with the truck this past week driving up to Bull Shoals SP and through the Ozarks. The truck had no problem handling my TT weighing around 7,300 lbs..

[B and B]

My local Ford Dealer orders many Max Tow packages. A lot of tradesman haul a 24 ft covered trailer for all stock and tools. The law changed in Ontario and the Cube Trucks are classified full trucks now with circle checks, log book etc.

My combination with the 2829 WS Rockwood, F150 Ranch Max Tow and LT Tires is stable. I run a lot of 2 lane blacktop in Ontario being passed by 18 wheelers etc with no issues and no white knuckle moments.

[HIDE OUT]

With a properly installed WDH hitch you should no problems with cross winds or semis .at least I don't. There's one thing that I am going to do if I do. Get a heavier TT is get some LT tires.I can't believe that Ford doesn't include them with maxtow package.

[B and B]

I agree jdfeo1, the ride is rougher with LT tires dry. When loaded it is softer and less rough.

[KenHwy61]

I have manage to find a few around in the color that matches my camper. Do you guys get much sag when hooked up? My trailer is a bit tongue heavy. It seems Max Tow should come with LT tires but I suppose they are easy to add if necessary. I'm glad to hear the truck is stable in windy conditions. I don't want to be one of those guys trading back to a 3/4 ton although it seems today's 1/2 tons are where 3/4 tons were at not long ago.

[B and B]

I do not have air bags or timbrens. I have 2 inches of rear displacement from unloaded to loaded. The truck measurements are exactly the same on the front wheel and rear wheel openings. Level wise measured with a 6 ft level flat in the bed it is level.

I have calculated Pin Weight 1800 to 1900 lbs. Depends on whether I have water or not on board. I also have a Thule rack on top of the cab with a pair of mountain bikes, they just add weight, the aerodynamics are not affected at all.

[KenHwy61]

Has anyone had any serious mechanical issues or overheating? My old school way of thinking tells me a 1/2 ton can't tow that much weight reliably but it appears times are changing. There is a Fast Lane Truck video on Youtube showing an overloaded Ecoboost actually accelerating up the Ike Gauntlet highway much like a turbodiesel.

[HIDE OUT]

Here's my door stickers I have 7700 gvwr and 1958lbs payload. I get just over 1 inch drop when loaded to camp But wdh takes care of that . I must tell you that I was having a little sway problem with my old Reese duel cam hitch . thought it was the p tires so I went to my dealer and asked him about it and he told me that I would get better results with a new equalizer hitch so I put one on and what a difference no sway at all. Glad I listen. I am putting LT tires on when they wear a little more or if I go bigger witch ever comes first'

[B and B]

My transmission temp today at -20 C is 89 C when towing up a 10 percent grade when it is 30 C is 94 C. I do not see the temp going up that mush at all. When towing up that hill in the passing lane at 60 mph it blows black smoke but just goes staying in 4th all the way.

1/2 ton are not what they were especially the 2015 with 12,200 tow capacity.

[HIDE OUT]

Never had any problems with over heating . I am telling you this truck has so much power and torque you wont believe it . Its a pleasure to drive. I had the 5.4 in my 2010 and getting on the highway was a struggle not this truck just hit the pedal and bam you doing 60 before you know it.

[KenHwy61]

That is what I keep hearing about the power. I looked hard at the diesels, but right now most of my trips are short runs of just a few miles at a time. Not the best use of a diesel. I am really looking hard at f150 because of the Ecoboost, the towing performance and the non-towing fuel economy. I was at first skeptical that a twin turbo six cylinder would prove to be reliable but time seems to have proved it to be true. I am not convince yet it will last 200,000 miles but I only average 12K a year so it is a mute point for me.

[stealthWA2313]

I like the tow mirrors but I do not like the larger passenger side mirror being concave. It wasn't concave on my F250. I'd like to replace that larger mirror with the same type as the drivers side.

This has been my biggest adjustment also. I am coming from an F350 and I hate the concave effect on the passenger side. I am relatively new to the Ecoboost; I have had mine since October. I have been very impressed with its ability to tow my toy hauler. My trailer when fully loaded for camping weighs in at about #7300, with about #900 on the tongue. I am right at my GVWR (7700), but about #200 over on my rear axle. I would be okay on the rear axle, but have 2 Great Danes and a fiberglass canopy that add about #450. I have the Tow-max, but not the Max-Cargo package. I have LT tires, and have added Timbrens...don't really know if I needed them but I added them when I bought the truck.

I haven't had any long distance tows, just a few local so I am not really sure about the mileage. My trips have ranged from the 9-14 mpg, and transmission temp has never exceeded 204. One thing that I have added that I never used with the F350 was a friction sway control. I got the bow-wave of larger sized vehicles passing me that I never had with the F350.

I have to say: the Ecoboost pulls the weight of my trailer better than my 6.0 powerstroke did. I don't know what the Ecoboost would feel like towing at its max (#11,200), but it has been very solid for me.

[KenHwy61]

it is still to believe such a small engine can make so much power. My Aviator weighs about 9000 loaded so I am well under the 11,200 allowed. A tongue weight of 980lbs leaves me with just under 1000lbs for a passengers, bicycles and firewood. Might just work out.

[fx2]

Originally Posted by KenHwy61

Has anyone had any serious mechanical issues or overheating? My old school way of thinking tells me a 1/2 ton can't tow that much weight reliably but it appears times are changing. There is a Fast Lane Truck video on Youtube showing an overloaded Ecoboost actually accelerating up the Ike Gauntlet highway much like a turbodiesel.

I had overheating issues with my Eco Boost Max Tow. Ford played a lot of games and rather than fight them I traded it in on a Ram 2500. EcoBoost towed my 8300 lb trailer fine, had about 2 inches if sag, my tongue weight was a tad under 1k lbs. The experience with Ford on the overheating issues solidified that I'd never buy another Ford. My experience does seem to be a rarity as many have great experiences with the EB. I would prefer the Ford mirrors over the Ram folding mirrors


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