Ford F150/Wildcat Maxx follow-up

todtc318 · 01-25-2016, 07:39 PM

Picked up the trailer on Sunday after a walk-thru and LDH/Sway Bar tutorial. If you recall, I was worried that my F150 2.7 ecoboost wasn't enough truck for the trailer. The Ford ecoboost forum wasn't much help as the truck is so new there just isn't a lot of experience with it.

After hooking everything up and setting the proper gain for the braking system, we took off for the 2 hour ride home, mostly freeway with a fair amount of traffic. Slow speed and freeway speed (60 MPH) I really couldn't tell I had a load. Acceleration and hill climbs aren't record breaking but overall the truck and trailer handled beautifully. There was a full load (36 gallons) of fresh water in the tanks (thanks dealer) as well as two full 7 gallon propane tanks and a battery on the trailer tongue.

Mileage averaged 9.8 MPG for the trip and transmission temp never exceeded 200 degrees. Of course it was only in the 60's and the roads were relatively flat.

In any case, we're going to try this set-up for the season and see if it presents any issues. Thanks again for all the advice.

Skyliner · 01-26-2016, 01:12 AM

Glad to hear it works for you. I'm curious, why did you go with the 2.7L EB instead of the 3.5 ecoboost?

todtc318 · 01-26-2016, 07:40 AM

I wasn't even considering trailering when I bought the truck. I have a duck club a considerable distance away and wanted/needed a truck with 4wd and good mileage. 2.7 fit the bill.

acadianbob · 01-26-2016, 07:44 AM

I think many people underestimate the 2.7. You'll be fine. Have a great time.

mike.t · 01-26-2016, 01:07 PM

Happy camping.

Cardinal5er · 01-26-2016, 03:21 PM

Guess I wasn't thinking 9.8 mpg was good for that truck. I pull my 36' Cardinal 5th wheel w/a 98 Silverado 3500 4x4 Dually Crew cab and average 11 mpg at 65-70 mph.

mike.t · 01-26-2016, 04:07 PM

5er. Gas versus Diesel. Getting 11/12/13 pulling a heavy load is nothing for a Diesel.

Cardinal5er · 01-26-2016, 04:37 PM

Guess I forgot to mention it is gas, 454. Sorry about that.

mike.t · 01-26-2016, 04:47 PM

Well your gasser is doing fine

Nelsflying · 01-26-2016, 04:59 PM

I have a 2014 Ford 3.5 Ecoboost Supercrew Heavy Tow with the 2015 Wildcat Maxx 24RG, about 8 thousand pounds loaded. Also using an E2 hitch. Pulled it through three Rocky Mtn passes last summer, one pass was a 6 percent grade. Dropped into third gear only once on a steep climb. On the level didn't know the trailer was back there. Transmission stayed cool the entire trip. Averaged 11.3 MPG. Loved the truck and trailer combo

rmac04401 · 01-26-2016, 04:59 PM

My old 2002 f150 5.4 liter V8 only averages 6.8 mpg on this last trip to FL. Around 5 mpg on trip from Ohio with mountains. I'd be happy and excited to get close to 10 mpg. Plus I have to stop about every 2 hours to feed the animal.

mike.t · 01-26-2016, 05:10 PM

thebrakeman · 01-26-2016, 05:15 PM

Guys. If 5-10% of his miles are with the trailer at 10mpg, but 90-95% of his miles are at 2Xmpg, he's going to average 20-something mpg over the life of the vehicle.

Conversely, those with the HD trucks who tow more often might be 25% with the trailer at 12mpg, and maybe 75% at 16mpg (cause "ya can't tell it's back there", right?). I'm guessing at the numbers, but you get my point. Over the life of the vehicle, probably get around 15mpg combined.

So, this guy has a truck that seems handle the trailer splendidly. And on average (towing and not), he will get great combine gas mileage. Why do people always poke fun at a truck like this only getting 10mpg when towing. If it's only a small percentage of total miles, who cares?

thestrangebrew · 01-26-2016, 06:23 PM

My 14 in sig below gets about the same as OP in mpg when pulling. When not pulling, I'm only getting 14-17mpg.

Cardinal5er · 01-26-2016, 06:46 PM

Guess I really don't know much about the newer trucks, but thought I read they were suppose to be getting in the high 20's mpg. Either they are not or pulling a trailer brings the mpg down that much?

acadianbob · 01-26-2016, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal5er

Guess I really don't know much about the newer trucks, but thought I read they were suppose to be getting in the high 20's mpg. Either they are not or pulling a trailer brings the mpg down that much?

These mileage discussions never end. It's all about driving style, driving conditions, mix of city/highway, weather, wind, driving speed, topography . . . yadda, yadda.

acadianbob · 01-26-2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestrangebrew

My 14 in sig below gets about the same as OP in mpg when pulling. When not pulling, I'm only getting 14-17mpg.

Mine does 11 mpg towing, 17 mpg city, 20 mpg highway . . . .

RSchleder · 01-26-2016, 07:29 PM

todtc318--which model MAXX do you own. We currently have 28RKX and owned a 24RG prior to buying the RKX last Spring. You are going to become a big fan of the MAXX trailers very quickly. We have had great luck with both of ours and I think they are a great "bang for the buck"! Good luck and enjoy your MAXX.

PS- we pull ours with our Ram 1500 and it also handles the trailer like a dream.

todtc318 · 01-26-2016, 10:43 PM

Hi there. We bought a 2016 24RG. It's an early 2016 without the cap enclosed propane tanks. Dealer wanted it off the lot and did an Internet special on it. Took $14k right off the top and we negotiated from there. We got it so cheaply that our 12 yr loan will be paid off in less than 5 with minimal extra payments. Looking forward to our first trip in 2 weeks.

The Big Toe · 01-28-2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal5er

Guess I wasn't thinking 9.8 mpg was good for that truck. I pull my 36' Cardinal 5th wheel w/a 98 Silverado 3500 4x4 Dually Crew cab and average 11 mpg at 65-70 mph.

Good for you.

I haven't seen many people getting that kind of fuel economy with one of those things -- UNloaded

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