Pulling with a F150 V6 3.5 ECO

[Charliec]

If anyone is pulling with a Ford F150 V6 3.5 EcoBoost I would be interested in your MPG. I have a 2504s and am getting 9.5 to 10 MPG on flat roads in East Texas. I ordered a K&N intake system that I hope will help but any other tips you may have would be interesting. Thanks in advance for your time to read and or reply.

[Rrickim63]

That's about average for any 1500 gas engine towing.

[compuman]

I have a 2012 Ford Ecoboost towing Flagstaff Vlite 30WKFSS. MPG avg is around 9 -10 at approx. 65 MPH on relatively flat ground. At 55 MPH and below MPG will increase to around 11 to 12. In mountains (Smokies) mpg will drop to around 8 to 9.

[B and B]

Thats what I get in rolling hills in Ontario. Pulling 9500 lbs behind plus us and a small dog in the truck.

[acadianbob]

It's all about elevation changes, wind speed and direction, and especially your towing speed. The only one you can affect is towing speed.

We've done two 3,000 mile plus towing trips pulling a 25ft 5,500lb RV trailer. We averaged 11 mpg on both trips. Towing speed is 60 mph. Towing at speeds faster than 60 mph will dramatically reduce your mileage.

I don't believe that the K&N or other mods will do much, if anything, for your mileage. And the cost for the mod vs the payout will be disappointing to you unless you are doing the mods for other reasons.

[Mark S]

We did 10,500 miles from Florida to Oregon and back pulling a 27 ft, 7,500 pound toyhauler driving highway speed of 60-63 mph through every condition you could imagine. Overall trip average was about 10.5 mpg. The Ecoboost pulled great but gas milage was just ok. Our friend went with us and pulled similar set up with his F150 with 5.4. Gas milage was similar but on many pulls he was at 3,500 rpm while I was between 2,000 and 2,400 rpm.

[Steeljag]

I avg between 9.5 and 10.5 mpg with the Truck and TT listed in my signature. All flat lands of Florida and South Ga.

[Blaster 84]

I pull a 9500 lb 5th wheel through a combination of flat land and mountains on a 6000 mile and a 3000 mile trip. I drive mostly at 55 mph. I average 11 to 12 MPG.

[Charliec]

Thanks to all of you for sharing.

[another_newfie]

About the same as everyone else when hauling the 5'r. Save your money on the K & N if your intent is to impact fuel mileage when hauling a house on wheels. Spring for premium fuel and that will help but it won't make up the difference in terms of cost.

[Charliec]

I just canceled the K&N. Thanks

[OldCoot]

I have been running K&N's for many years on all my cars & truck just for the convenience of never having to replace them. Just wash them, re-oil and re-install. Cheaper than having to buy paper replacements every 10-15,000 miles or whatever mileage you choose.

Always ran them on our race cars also.

[meck51]

K&N used to be the front runner in air intakes, I think there are much better options on the market now a days. If you do your research as to which brand offers what for your specific vehicle it will pay off, in the long, long , long run. You may only notice a half or full mpg increase but depending upon what you put out, annual miles traveled and the cost of fuel it will eventually pay off if you keep the vehicle long enough. I drive a completely different vehicle than an ecoboost, an F350 diesel. I paid around $350 for an AFE intake, the in dash liar reads around 1.5mpg better in town and just about the same in tow. I only made one towing trip with it after install so I don't want to say that is definitely true as I put it on the day before the trip and wanted to play a little to see how the performance was. It should pay for itself in roughly a little over a year based upon my driving style. As far as power goes, I have never felt a mod outside of a tuner make this big of a difference, as stated completely different vehicles and huge displacement disparity. But for my truck I don't think there is a better intake out there. Point is, do your research and keep the vehicle for a while and an intake very well could pay off.
Also, I prefer the dry filter (oil less) as I've heard too many rumors about oiled filters clogging mass air flow sensors. I really think that is more of a end user error of over oiling, but with the option available I went on the safe side.


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[Fivealive]

Pulling an 8280ws with a standard screwcab 2012 ecoboost at 62 mph I'm getting between 10 and 12 on mostly flat roads. I agree the k&n is not a good idea. But remember when we flipped the air cleaner covers over to get that cool whooshing sound? Didn't do much for performance either.

[Rrickim63]

Fivealive, you're showing your age.. even my old dodge dart sounded great using that trick...

[RubyDually]

Originally Posted by meck51

Also, I prefer the dry filter (oil less) as I've heard too many rumors about oiled filters clogging mass air flow sensors. I really think that is more of a end user error of over oiling, but with the option available I went on the safe side.

X2

Many MAF sensors have been dirtied because of over oiling is the reason I won't use them on a fuel injected engine...

I do however, have a K&N in the carbureted 1968 SS427 Impala convertible in my avatar though.

[Fivealive]

Originally Posted by Rrickim63

Fivealive, you're showing your age.. even my old dodge dart sounded great using that trick...

Old but not too old to remember. Don't forget the Thrush mufflers not doing much more than damaging your hearing!

[Rrickim63]

I had them! Not on the dart though 😄

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Fivealive

Pulling an 8280ws with a standard screwcab 2012 ecoboost at 62 mph I'm getting between 10 and 12 on mostly flat roads. I agree the k&n is not a good idea. But remember when we flipped the air cleaner covers over to get that cool whooshing sound? Didn't do much for performance either.

I did that on my 351 in my Econolpne. The van sounded like a race car!

[Fivealive]

There's got be a few more lid flippin" confessions out there! Twas just the thing to do if you couldn't afford tri-power or a blower.