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Old 08-18-2018, 12:39 PM   #1
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Towing with a Ford 5.0 and then a 3.5 EcoBoost

Has any one towed their TT with a Ford 5.0 and then switched to a Ford 3.5 EB motor? Was there a noticeable difference in power from the 5.0? Any difference in suspensions (I think not)?
On another note, has anyone gone from an F-150 to an F-250 pulling the same TT? I assume there was a noticeable difference in power but was the ride better than with the F-150?
I am pulling a 22RR and would like some more power when the Gold Wing in on board.......and the truck does porpoise somewhat and I would also like to reduce that.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
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Old 08-18-2018, 01:02 PM   #2
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according to the dry weight specs of your rig you should be well under your max tow for either 1/2 ton truck even with the bike. Do you have a good wdh and is it set up correctly? I would stay away from a 3/4 ton truck if its your daily driver unless you are going bigger with the camper some day.

I wont comment on the eco boost because im not a ford guy. ive heard they are the best things sense sliced bread and ive heard they couldn't tow a pop up down a hill so take everything with a grain of salt.
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Old 08-18-2018, 01:19 PM   #3
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I can compare towing my 5,000lb boat between my EcoBoost and my f350.
I had a 2500 vortec 7.4l suburban before the EcoBoost and that 3.5l out pulled the big block Chevy easily. Absolutely more than enough power for that much weight. Now I have a 6.7 F350 and it's the nicest tow rig I've ever owned. That said we are considering another EcoBoost for the wife who is currently pulling the boat with a 15 yukon when I have the 5er hooked to the 350. But I'm also looking at 250's lol.

I had my f150 bagged with an add a leaf and towed a 8k car hauler with it regularly and didn't have any proposing problems.
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Old 08-18-2018, 09:38 PM   #4
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I had my f150 bagged with an add a leaf and towed a 8k car hauler with it regularly and didn't have any proposing problems.
Sure wouldn't want to have to make a panic stop with that set up. Trailer be pushing you and small brakes on truck. Later RJD
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Old 08-18-2018, 10:16 PM   #5
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Here's a link to a set of drag races between the 5.0 and the EB. My take, with a bit of throttle control, the 3.5 would win every time.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...3-5l-ecoboost/
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Old 08-18-2018, 10:21 PM   #6
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I tow my 22 foot trailer with a Chevy Express cargo van (full size van) with a 5.0L and automatic. It's enough to take the steepest grades so far that I've encountered with a running start. From a dead stop that's another story.


Towing my 16 foot cuddy cabin boat is like there's nothing there in the back.
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Old 08-18-2018, 10:35 PM   #7
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Sure wouldn't want to have to make a panic stop with that set up. Trailer be pushing you and small brakes on truck. Later RJD
Lol! Small 13.8" front and rear discs? It did everything better than my older 3/4 ton including stopping. 8k is considerably under max the capacity of a F150 EcoBoost.
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Old 08-19-2018, 06:40 AM   #8
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A buddy of mine had the 3.5/6 speed/3.73 rear end. I had the same truck with a 5.0.

Neither of us complained about lack of power when towing. I got better mpg's towing (with a heavier trailer) and he got better empty. Both trucks were problematic. Mine was lemon lawed, he traded for a 3/4 ton and said no way he would go back to a half ton.

I've had many half tons and all of them towed/hauled stuff. If you're going to stick with a 1/2 ton get the best working gears offered. I know your trailer is within half ton specs but I would want a 3/4 ton if it was me. A half ton will handle it...a 3/4 ton will man handle it.

We looked at your trailer and we both liked it but we went another direction. Anyway about the porpoising issue, -Loading the garage on this unit puts more weight aft of the rear axils, which can make up and down oscillations more pronounced...your 900+lb Hondapotamus is a large load.. I'd be willing to bet it tows differently when empty. Careful loading of your trailer (putting weight nearer the hitch end) may improve your ride.
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Old 08-19-2018, 07:14 AM   #9
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Here's my take. I went from a 3.5 EB F150 to a 6.2 gasser F250 with 4.30's. We pulled a 5er with the EB that was 9K wet and are now pulling a 5er weighing 10.5K wet with the F250.

* The F250 is HUGELY more stable and capable as a tow vehicle. You will appreciate the stability pulling in heavy winds and in the mountains.
* If I could put the EB in the F250, I'd do it in a heartbeat. The ultimate power of the EB and 6.2 are about the same (high RPM) but the EB has a bigger fatter torque curve. The EB shifted less often; held its gears better.
* In daily driving (rural area), I got 19 MPG with the EB and am getting 16 MPG with the 6.2
* If you get an F250 6.2, you definitely want to order one with 4.30 gearset. I see no downside to the 4.30's.
* Both vehicles made it up and through the Eisenhower Tunnel just fine. But, coming down was hair raising in the F150 and just fine with the F250. The EB has weak engine compression braking and the F150 was at the limit of its load capacity making for a nervous descent.

I would think that an F150 would be adequate for your current trailer. The EB in a Heavy Duty Payload package F150 would be an awesome combination for you IMO.

I love the F250 towing platform but miss my EB; and I don't want a diesel.
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Old 08-19-2018, 02:24 PM   #10
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I tow my 22 foot trailer with a Chevy Express cargo van (full size van) with a 5.0L and automatic. It's enough to take the steepest grades so far that I've encountered with a running start. From a dead stop that's another story.


Towing my 16 foot cuddy cabin boat is like there's nothing there in the back.
The OP is asking about a Ford 5.0 engine.
As far as I know, Chaevy has a 5.3, not a 5.0 v-8.
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Old 08-19-2018, 03:18 PM   #11
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Loved the "Hondapotamus" moniker.....but it is a very fast "Hondapotamus".....as far as loading of the bike I have the engine over the twin axles.
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Old 08-19-2018, 03:34 PM   #12
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I have not towed with an f150 EB so I cant compare but it sure beats the 5.4 that I had. We tow 7700 lb Gross weight trailer and a 5000 lb boat including trailer and 85 gals of fuel in the boat. A little tough in the mountains but love it as it was a daily driver. The next truck will be a 250 or 350 since I am now retired and we have the wife's car as a grocery getter. We have towed this combo at least 15k miles in the last 3 years and a 23 foot trailer before that. I love the growl and tone of the 5.0 coyote especially when towing.
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Old 08-19-2018, 04:03 PM   #13
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Loved the "Hondapotamus" moniker.....but it is a very fast "Hondapotamus"..... .
She can dance for a big girl...
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Old 08-19-2018, 04:30 PM   #14
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Well of course a turbocharged 3.5-liter engine is going to have more power than a normally aspirated engine, especially at elevation where the air is thin. We towed all over the place with a 5.0L engine in the wagon and it wasn’t a “Coyote.” I suppose if maintaining 75 mph up a 7-percent grade is important, get the most powerful engine they install in the lightest weight vehicle it comes in. A pickup suspension is based on the weight it is designed to carry. Most pickup ride quality improves when loaded as compared to unloaded. If the increased weight carrying capacity is not needed, a heavier pickup may not improve ride comfort.
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Old 08-19-2018, 06:53 PM   #15
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My experience is with a 2007 5.4/3.55 gears and a 2012 3.5 ecoboost/3.55 gears. Same 26RR, loaded same way. Made trip from Pittsburgh to St. Augustine, Florida three years in a row. Honestly, there’s no comparison. The ecoboost pulls very hard on those long uphill grades and was quite surprised by the engine braking on long downhill. Good 10 ply tires and a properly set up weight distribution hitch go a long way. In which both trucks had. Both trucks had the same Firestone air bags which really helped with porpoise effect. 2012 is wife’s daily driver and fits both rolls for us. It comes down to how often the truck is used as a daily driver vs a tow vehicle and your expectations of said vehicle.
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Old 08-19-2018, 06:58 PM   #16
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Well of course a turbocharged 3.5-liter engine is going to have more power than a normally aspirated engine, especially at elevation where the air is thin. We towed all over the place with a 5.0L engine in the wagon and it wasn’t a “Coyote.” I suppose if maintaining 75 mph up a 7-percent grade is important, get the most powerful engine they install in the lightest weight vehicle it comes in. A pickup suspension is based on the weight it is designed to carry. Most pickup ride quality improves when loaded as compared to unloaded. If the increased weight carrying capacity is not needed, a heavier pickup may not improve ride comfort.
There is no comparison to the wagon. Yes that's the Ford 302 and I had one and I towed with it in 1984. Ford redid the old 302 in 2011. My old 302 1984 crown Vic wagon was a dog no comparison to today. I blew the tranny on the ole crown Vic towing as well even though I had the biggest aftermarket tranny cooler one could find.

For further reading se link.
Ford 5.0L Modular V-8 Specs and Information (5.0L Coyote)

And I am not trying to talk anyone I to the coyote over the EB and as stated in a previous post I have not towed with with one. But you cant compare the coyote to the 5.4 it is a step above as I have towed with one.
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Old 08-19-2018, 07:17 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by stustoner View Post
Has any one towed their TT with a Ford 5.0 and then switched to a Ford 3.5 EB motor? Was there a noticeable difference in power from the 5.0? Any difference in suspensions (I think not)?
On another note, has anyone gone from an F-150 to an F-250 pulling the same TT? I assume there was a noticeable difference in power but was the ride better than with the F-150?
I am pulling a 22RR and would like some more power when the Gold Wing in on board.......and the truck does porpoise somewhat and I would also like to reduce that.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
I had both. The 3.5 eco did better. Both had tow pkg 2.73 gears. 3.5 has plenty of power
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Old 08-19-2018, 07:54 PM   #18
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I had both. The 3.5 eco did better. Both had tow pkg 2.73 gears. 3.5 has plenty of power
I assume you mean 3.73 not 2.73 gears.
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Old 08-19-2018, 09:56 PM   #19
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Completely agree with compression braking with the eco.
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Old 08-19-2018, 10:02 PM   #20
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The OP is asking about a Ford 5.0 engine.
As far as I know, Chaevy has a 5.3, not a 5.0 v-8.

That's what just about everyone says except the dealership. It is indeed a 5.0 which is kind of rare from what I've seen.


I had a Ford 5.0 in a 67 Mustang. It was pretty much a wild child and had loads of power and torque. With 3.25 limited slip gears and a top loader 4 speed, it would spin the tires and not make a sound or burn rubber.



Sorry for the detour and back to the original subject.
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