Ford F-150 Eco Boost

[Triathletedave]

OK, I wanted to start a new thread because the other ones were becoming quite lengthy. I am also keenly interested in the new Eco-Beast, and I even went to a dealer to see if I could find one to test drive.

After speaking with the dealer rep, he informed me that the F-150 Eco Boost model (Crew Cab 4X4 with 6'5" box) with the max tow package would NOT be suitable for towing my trailer. I have a Surveyor SV-294, and the actual loaded weight comes in at ~6,500 lbs (excluding water - I try to avoid the extra weight). The trailer is 29'4" long, and is 33'0" bumper to hitch point. I was told that the towing capacity was sufficient, but that the trailer was TOO LONG to tow with this F-150. He also mentioned something about the trailer frontal surface area being too large for the truck. He insists that I need an F-250 to handle this trailer.

Needless to say, I was very surprised as I am currently towing the same trailer with a GMC 1500 Z71 4X4 Crew cab with a 5'6" box and the trailering package. The current truck is OK, but I travel the BC mountain passes at least 6 times a year with this rig, and I want to be comfortable with handling and safety.

Should I believe this dealer, or the specs on the Ford website? I want to avoid a diesel TV, so I was really hoping that this would work for me!

[acadianbob]

He is trying to "up sell" you. That is pure crapola. What you have described for the Ecoboost will handle the 294 just fine. Buy from somebody else.

[teamgl]

Originally Posted by Triathletedave

Should I believe this dealer, or the specs on the Ford website? I want to avoid a diesel TV, so I was really hoping that this would work for me!

This is the first time that I've heard of a dealer saying "That's too much trailer for the TV."

Here's a link to the 2011 towing guide for the F150 -- Can't find the 2012, but imagine that it is the same or similar.

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g..._F150nov18.pdf

Unfortunately, the guide says nothing about the length of the trailer - BUT does mention a 60s.f. frontal area -- anything larger will not produce optimal performance.

Will this truck work for your trailer? I would say yes.

[aujmr1970]

My uncle pulls your same trailer with a 06 Ford F150 crewcab 4x2 small v8 with no problems

[teamgl]

Originally Posted by aujmr1970

My uncle pulls your same trailer with a 06 Ford F150 crewcab 4x2 small v8 with no problems

Hi Mike --

Looking at your signature, I'm glad to see that you tow this same camper with your '10 Titan (great truck BTW).

Davd - You should have NP pulling this camper with an ecoboost.

If the dealer referenced above has an EB in stock (that meets your needs) - snap it up. - but thou shalt talk him down wilst low balling-ist the towing capabilities.

[Triathletedave]

Thanks for the feedback folks! I really appreciate getting direct owner feedback and real life examples!

I was wondering if the sales rep was pulling a fast one, but he did have some credibility as he used to be a TT salesman before going to a Ford shop. BTW, the same rep also told me that Ford is NOT putting the eco-boost into anything larger than the 150. The redesign is supposed to bring it down to 3.3 litre from 3.5, and there are no versions larger than 3.5 litre on the books. Not sure if that rings true or not.

I will certainly look into the truck at another dealer, but I have a couple of requirements that may force me to special order: I need 6 passenger capacity along with the Max tow package, and I would also like a few of the upscale features like the back-up camera, integrated brake controller, and other creature comforts.

Guess I better get back out there!

[bean]

Dave,
One thing to watch for on the F250 is the ride is not nearly as nice as the F150. That is why I got a 2012 F150 Lariat Supercrew 5.5' bed EcoBoost with the max tow package. It is rated for 11,300 lb towing capacity.

The max tow package will automatically come with the brake controller and tow mirrors. The Back-up camera will require the "Lariat Plus package" (I think).

If you get the bench seat, it will haul 6 people comfortably.

Mine is a really nice truck. I paid around 42K with pretty much everything except the sun roof and nav system.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them for ya.

Bean

[kjoh75]

Ok I'm confused on this subject. I have read in other posts that state you just can't look at the towing capacity of a vehicle. They mention something about having the right size wheel base for a more safe and stable ride.

I own a 2005 Cherokee 27l. I pull it with a 5.4 Expedition Eddie Bauer. The wheel base in that SUV I believe is 119 inches. My camper is over 30 feet long bumper to tongue. More then one person has told me that I should be pulling the camper with a 3/4 ton vehicle. There was a post that came out a while back that calculated the correct wheel base per foot of camper. I wish I could remember how many inches (of wheel base) per foot (of camper) that was. People have suggested the suburban as a replacement.

[mtnguy]

Originally Posted by kjoh75

Ok I'm confused on this subject. I have read in other posts that state you just can't look at the towing capacity of a vehicle. They mention something about having the right size wheel base for a more safe and stable ride.

I own a 2005 Cherokee 27l. I pull it with a 5.4 Expedition Eddie Bauer. The wheel base in that SUV I believe is 119 inches. My camper is over 30 feet long bumper to tongue. More then one person has told me that I should be pulling the camper with a 3/4 ton vehicle. There was a post that came out a while back that calculated the correct wheel base per foot of camper. I wish I could remember how many inches (of wheel base) per foot (of camper) that was. People have suggested the suburban as a replacement.

Uh oh, here we go again.

This is a hot topic. There are no set rules. Most people agree that a longer wheelbased vehicle is better towing long campers.

Once upon a time, several years ago, there was a guy that ran a website (that had to be shut down because of copyright problems) who came up with this chart:


110" 20' ******* 150" 30'
114" 21' ******* 154" 31'
118" 22' ******* 158" 32'
122" 23' ******* 162" 33'
126" 24' ******* 166" 34'
130" 25' ******* 170" 35'
134" 26' ******* 174" 36'
138" 27' ******* 178" 37'
142" 28' ******* 182" 38'
146" 29' ******* 186" 39'

The 1st number being the wheelbase of the tow vehicle in inches, and the 2nd number being the "recommended" maximum total trailer length for a conventional, bumper pull trailer.

An equation that follows closely with the chart is to take the vehicle wheelbase in inches, divide by 5, and that is maximum total trailer length in feet that should be towed.

Disclaimer so that this doesn't turn into a "who says that is the rule" debate: The chart was 1 man's idea on what the tow lengths should be. I don't know of any scientific evidence to say that chart is the bible of tow lengths.

That being said, personally I think it is good to stay close to the chart. With the Crew Cab, 6.5' bed of the truck in question, that is 157" of wheelbase....pretty darn close. The only pickup that might be better would be a Crew Cab with an 8' bed.....not available with the F150s.

[The_Stuff]

local dodge dealer sells TT's to. wont sell the trailer to you unless your truck falls within spec of the trailers requirements. dunno why.