Want to buy Ford 150 ECOBOOST V6. Any comments. .

[Martsing]

I have a 2011 F150 EB. Tow Package with 7200lb GVW package as well. I bought it new as a daily driver and have been pulling our RW 2703WS for over a year (Since I retired). It has turned over 165,000. It is still a solid performer. I have added TPMS, Tekonsha controller, Airlift 5000's, and BFG K02's. It has served it's purpose for us and still does. It is just my DW and I now with an occasional dog or two.

Marty

[Skyliner]

I've owned two ecoboosts and felt they were underpowered in Colorado mountains when towing-when not towing they were great. My last tow with my last EB where I couldn't even stay at 55mph on a grade convinced me to get a Ford diesel. I'm much happier now and I never run out of go pedal on a hill...shucks, I rarely depress it past the 1/2 point now.

EB Fuel economy was worse then my F350 longbed unloaded or loaded. My last EB was a Platinum with 6.5 bed. 14-15mpg was normal with it at highway speeds of 80mph. Towing with my EB got me about 8 to 9 mpg.

If you do get an EB, please use 5w40 oil in it and change oil every 5k miles. Fuel dilution and timing chain stretch can be mitigated by using a HDEO oil.

The EB is a good 1/2 ton tow vehicle. Problem many made, including myself, is thinking that it is a 3/4 ton truck.

If you get one, buy new. Newest EB now have a combination of direct injection and port fuel injection. This should eliminate the issue of intake valve buildup which is a problem with all makes of direct injection engines.

[keith_h]

A lot depends upon what you plan to tow. I won't be towing over 5K-5.5K lbs and went with the 2.7L Ecoboost. It gets great mileage when I'm not towing and has plenty of power for the mountains. If I had to tow more I would have no problem going with the 3.5L engine. As has been stated payload is usually the limiting factor. It is rare to find an F-150 with the max tow pkg and heavy duty payload pkg on dealer lots so you would have to order one. It will also limit the trim levels as the higher the trim the lower the payload capacity. One other thing to consider is for 2018 Ford is offering a diesel in the F-150. Have no idea on the specs but is worth keeping in mind.

To sum it up the F-150 could very well be a good tow vehicle for you but really need to know more about what you tow. It might not be enough truck nor would any other 1/2 ton be.

[goduc]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

I've owned two ecoboosts and felt they were underpowered in Colorado mountains when towing-when not towing they were great. My last tow with my last EB where I couldn't even stay at 55mph on a grade convinced me to get a Ford diesel. I'm much happier now and I never run out of go pedal on a hill...shucks, I rarely depress it past the 1/2 point now.

EB Fuel economy was worse then my F350 longbed unloaded or loaded. My last EB was a Platinum with 6.5 bed. 14-15mpg was normal with it at highway speeds of 80mph. Towing with my EB got me about 8 to 9 mpg.

If you do get an EB, please use 5w40 oil in it and change oil every 5k miles. Fuel dilution and timing chain stretch can be mitigated by using a HDEO oil.

The EB is a good 1/2 ton tow vehicle. Problem many made, including myself, is thinking that it is a 3/4 ton truck.

If you get one, buy new. Newest EB now have a combination of direct injection and port fuel injection. This should eliminate the issue of intake valve buildup which is a problem with all makes of direct injection engines.

What rear gears did you have? And how heavy is your trailer?

[madmaxmutt]

nm, he is comparing an F150 to an F350. More like apples to watermelons . . .

[RussPastuch]

No problem with the 150 and a 26 foot trailer. Looked at the RAM and went with price. Don't regret it at all.

[OLDNAVY]

Originally Posted by Michael Tangora

I have a Toyota V6 4 runner and don't have the power for passing or going up hills at reasonable speeds. Any reason the Ford should not be purchased?

Just bought mine with the 10 speed tranny. Love it. Look at the stats...has more torque than the V8 and better or equal to the Cummins diesel. To me its a great truck. Can't beat the twin turbos!

[Palinduff]

I bought a 2011 ecoboost to pull my 5000lb Sportsmen because my Ram 4.7 couldn't pull it over a curb, and it towed like a dream. Up 6% grades like it wasn't there. I have just replaced it with a 2017 Ecoboost because I required more payload in order to legally haul my 5th wheel (8500lbs / 1200 lbs ± pin loaded & another 1000lbs with my quad behind it). The new one has 50ft/lbs more torque which is quite noticeable and also with the max payload package, my payload increased from 1840 to 2440 lbs. It tows very well, even up steep grades. When I tow the 5th alone I usually drive about 60mph, with the occasional quad behind it's more like 50-55 mph. I could go faster, but I don't want to be that guy, and the ST tires are only rated to 65 mph.

I bought the F150 instead of a 250 because I got ample payload (max payload at 2440) and towing (Max tow with 11,700 lbs) and when I'm not towing I get excellent gas mileage (I average 11-12 litres / 100 km on the highway at 116 km/hr and about 23 litres / 100 km towing). I get way better fuel economy in the city than I did with the Ram on the highway.

That being said, I had no real problems with my first ecoboost, changed the plugs at 100,000 km (probably should have done it earlier) when it started misfiring, and that then it was like new again. The torque is quite noticeable, it pulls similar to a diesel, not as much, but not as much money either.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Palinduff

I bought a 2011 ecoboost to pull my 5000lb Sportsmen because my Ram 4.7 couldn't pull it over a curb, and it towed like a dream. Up 6% grades like it wasn't there. I have just replaced it with a 2017 Ecoboost because I required more payload in order to legally haul my 5th wheel (8500lbs / 1200 lbs ± pin loaded & another 1000lbs with my quad behind it). The new one has 50ft/lbs more torque which is quite noticeable and also with the max payload package, my payload increased from 1840 to 2440 lbs. It tows very well, even up steep grades. When I tow the 5th alone I usually drive about 60mph, with the occasional quad behind it's more like 50-55 mph. I could go faster, but I don't want to be that guy, and the ST tires are only rated to 65 mph.

I bought the F150 instead of a 250 because I got ample payload (max payload at 2440) and towing (Max tow with 11,700 lbs) and when I'm not towing I get excellent gas mileage (I average 11-12 litres / 100 km on the highway at 116 km/hr and about 23 litres / 100 km towing). I get way better fuel economy in the city than I did with the Ram on the highway.

That being said, I had no real problems with my first ecoboost, changed the plugs at 100,000 km (probably should have done it earlier) when it started misfiring, and that then it was like new again. The torque is quite noticeable, it pulls similar to a diesel, not as much, but not as much money either.

2440 payload is as great or greater than most 3/4 ton diesel trucks.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by OLDNAVY

Just bought mine with the 10 speed tranny. Love it. Look at the stats...has more torque than the V8 and better or equal to the Cummins diesel. To me its a great truck. Can't beat the twin turbos!

I'm a big fan of the ecoboost, but lets clarify that to be the baby diesel in the 1/2 ton-eco-diesel, not their heavy duty diesel.

[Rvdixie]

If you equip the F150 properly when buying it, it really opens up your possibilities. I just returned from a 6600 mile 10 State trip stopping in 26 campgrounds. We tow a 2016 Coachmen Chaparral lite 5th wheel model 29MKS which weighs about 11,500 lbs the way we load it. The truck is a 6' bed Crew Cab with a payload capacity of 2200 lbs. We special ordered the truck with every available towing and cargo option available. As to the ECO Boost engine I can tell you that I've never owned anything that performed better. I can enter highways at the speed limit with no problem whatsoever. In tow mode the transmission does an excellent job of slowing me down when braking or when going down steep hills. Oh and BTW I averaged about 11.3 MPG for the entire trip while towing. Disregard the remarks that you need an F250 to tow a 5th wheel. Some people just get so set in their ways they can't open up their eyes to advancements in engineering. The added benefit is we have a nice driver when we are not camping and enjoy mileage of about 17 in the city and 22 on the highway.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Rvdixie

If you equip the F150 properly when buying it, it really opens up your possibilities. I just returned from a 6600 mile 10 State trip stopping in 26 campgrounds. We tow a 2016 Coachmen Chaparral lite 5th wheel model 29MKS which weighs about 11,500 lbs the way we load it. The truck is a 6' bed Crew Cab with a payload capacity of 2200 lbs. We special ordered the truck with every available towing and cargo option available. As to the ECO Boost engine I can tell you that I've never owned anything that performed better. I can enter highways at the speed limit with no problem whatsoever. In tow mode the transmission does an excellent job of slowing me down when braking or when going down steep hills. Oh and BTW I averaged about 11.3 MPG for the entire trip while towing. Disregard the remarks that you need an F250 to tow a 5th wheel. Some people just get so set in their ways they can't open up their eyes to advancements in engineering. The added benefit is we have a nice driver when we are not camping and enjoy mileage of about 17 in the city and 22 on the highway.

Agree on the 3/4 ton for light 5ers like yours. My 43' one is nearly the weight of yours loaded dry from the factory.

[Palinduff]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

2440 payload is as great or greater than most 3/4 ton diesel trucks.

And I have seen them at 2580 to 2800 lbs, depending on configuration.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by dbledan

X2.

I have a 2016 F150 shortbed. It is my daily driver and I love it but payload is a problem even with 1600lbs. I didnt look at 250s because they would not fit in the garage. It was dumb. I should have just upgraded and parked it in the driveway and used remote start.

I have to manage weight with my trailer or I am over payload quickly. I only have 3 in the family which helps. I will upgrade likely to an F350 SRW so I can tow my current trailer better and upgrade to a 5er later. I am jumping past the 250 because adding the diesel creates a similar payload problem from the searching I have done. The other issue you run into with daily drivers is more bling means less payload as well.

If you are sticking with your current trailer or are willing to stay at about 6000lbs loaded trailer then the F150 EB is a great truck. If you think you may eventually want more, a bigger truck up front costs you less than upgrading later when You upgrade trailers. You are already buying the truck so you clearly plan to camp.

Good luck and make the best choice for your situation.

Well said Sir

[snakebitten]

I'm an ole geezer with several trucks and a few different things to tow.
(7.3 & 6.0 Ford diesels. 2003 Cummins. Can't kill that dang Dodge)

It's all about matching the truck to the load.

But when I'm towing light?





I'll race you WHILE I'm towing. Lol
These modern drive trains are simply amazing! Both current EB's (2.7 & 3.5) are marvels of international combustion engineering.

[bthaler]

We went from Tacoma to 2012 SC 2 WD with towing package. Love the power of 3.5 EB. Just returned from 2 night trip to Texas Hill country. Averaged 10 mpg driving 60 mph. Definitely would buy again.

[snakebitten]

Originally Posted by Palinduff

And I have seen them at 2580 to 2800 lbs, depending on configuration.

Hardly ever find one configured as well as yours for towing.
Dealers just don't inventory such.

Can I ask? Did you have to order it?
And can you summarize your build?

Cab, bed, trim level?

I need another truck, motorcycle, RV like a hole in the head.
But I'd love to have a max tow F150.
They are such incredible daily drivers when not working them.

[glsimms]

Originally Posted by Palinduff

And I have seen them at 2580 to 2800 lbs, depending on configuration.

I'm "kicking the tires" (no pun intended) But what kind of configuration would be needed for that? Thanks.....

[Jeff from Burlington Ont]

I had an ecoboost for 6 years and pulled a 35' 5ver over 35k km All over US and Canada, It was great no problems

We upgraded trailer to 11k, so we recently bought a Ford F-350 Duely

[Palinduff]

Originally Posted by glsimms

I'm "kicking the tires" (no pun intended) But what kind of configuration would be needed for that? Thanks.....

Usually with the 5 litre and less options (less weight). The 2580 one was a 5 litre, super cab / 8' box, no max tow. The 2800 lb unit was a 5 litre, regular cab long box. Both 4X4s. If all you need is a 2WD, you will probably get a few hundred more lbs of pay load.

Mine is a 4X4 super cab / 8' box, back up camera, trailer back up (no good for 5th wheel), tail gate step, 10 speed transmission and the 301.B? option group. I need the 8' box for work and my only passenger is my wife so the super cab works fine. They are hard to find as the dealers don't order them in, if you find one on a lot it is probably a cancelled fleet model. You can order them though. Mine had to brought in from St. Paul (2 hours away), and I had to see the payload on the yellow sticker before I would sign.

The Max payload can come with 2 different RAWR, 4500 or 4800, mine has the 4800lbs. You also get an extra leaf spring, bigger gear set, bigger tranny cooler, LT tires.

Hope that helps.