F-150 EcoBoost vs 5.0

SPPD · 02-27-2013, 08:54 PM

Hello All,

We are looking for a new TV and will probably go with a Ford. We will only be towing about 1000 miles per year over flat midwest roads. We have a 2013 SolAire 317BHSK that comes in about 6800lbs. When we are not towing, this vehicle will be my Daily Driver for my work commute about 8 miles per day city. I put only around 4000 miles per year on my vehicles and currently have a 2008 with 19000 miles.

We are purchasing with X Plan, and can get 7000 in rebates right now if we go with the 5.0, and the difference in economy is only 1 mpg not towing. I believe that the 5.0 is rated somewhere in the 8000+lbs towing range as we will get it equipt.

Anyone have an opinion that will convince me that the EcoBoost is a better option with a price tag around 7000 more?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

SPPD

Bearcat55 · 02-27-2013, 10:08 PM

The only convincing I will do is try to convince you to go with the 5.0. I have the 2010 with the 5.0 max tow package and a 7000lb camper. I have no complaints what so ever. It pulls hills at 65mph with no issues and averages around 10mpg while doing it. I understand the giddiness with the Ecoboost. Its something new that people have to have, but the 5.0 is a proven motor with plenty of power to pull your TT.

dwaynerz · 02-27-2013, 10:26 PM

i believe this new version of the 5.0 is quite a bit different than the old 5.0

Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

pony express · 02-27-2013, 10:36 PM

I don't know that I can convince you but the gas mileage not towing is much better than the 5.0 .I had a 04 f150 5.4 and upgraded to the 11 f150 eco boost screw . Love the truck and I have no problem towing a 2012 233s don't even know it's back there. I have the max tow pkg. The truck needs to be what you want there are several conversations on this site about this truck if you search it.. Good luck

SPPD · 02-27-2013, 10:50 PM

I am a big turbo fan, so that is one reason I lean toward the eco. I have read a lot of the eco threads in this forum, but I did not find a com0arison of the two. I had the 5.0 in a 93 Mustang GT and I believe that it is a great motor. I just want to be absolutely sure that I wont run into power issues if we ever decide to do a cross country. I am leaning toward the 5.0, but need to mull it over a little more.

bakken · 02-27-2013, 10:58 PM

You are probably close to maxing out with the 5.0, but considering your circumstances, it might be the best choice.
My best friend has a new Ecoboost, max tow and the whole bit. It pulls like a bear, but does like the gas. Around town, and anything above 70 mph on the highway, it seems to dip into the turbos, and the gas mileage drops. At 50 mph, it will do 25+, but otherwise around 15 in town and about 19 or so on the highway.
The Ecobeast would be worth it if you were pulling a 9500 GVWR fifth wheel, but maybe not for yours.
JMO

viperjpm2 · 02-27-2013, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPPD

I am a big turbo fan, so that is one reason I lean toward the eco. I have read a lot of the eco threads in this forum, but I did not find a com0arison of the two. I had the 5.0 in a 93 Mustang GT and I believe that it is a great motor. I just want to be absolutely sure that I wont run into power issues if we ever decide to do a cross country. I am leaning toward the 5.0, but need to mull it over a little more.

the 5.0 in the old fox body mustang is nothing like the current "coyote" 5.0 that's in the new F-150 and Mustang... but I will agree, the old 5.0 was bulletproof though not very efficient!

Twisty · 02-27-2013, 11:02 PM

You need to be sure that the payload rating for the truck will be adequate for your use. Some combinations are tricky to order.
Eco or 5.0? Since your towing will be virtually non-existent, there is no need to get a torky, load hauling Eco. We towed about 2000 miles last year and it was just a tease for us. I can see us traveling 6k to 20k miles a year.
Our TT is about 6000 lbs and we are about 1000 lbs under GCWR and about 200 lbs below payload on the truck. That is fully loaded, ready to live on the road.
The Eco does get slightly better mpg's than the 5.0. But, when you get on the throttle, it goes away fast.
I warm up my truck for 10 minutes every morning = 0 mpg. I have a 3 mile commute (each way) 4 days a week and do some running around on the weekends. Maybe a little hwy and quite a lot of around town. Current readout = 14 mpg. I get 18 to 22 on the highway solo.
The 5.0 is a spinner and has very good numbers for output when you run it like the engineers intended you to. It pulls nicely up to 7 grand.

Edit;
Ok, someone else mentioned the "new" 5.0...
Dual overhead cams
hollow camshafts
finger followers
Indy racing engine heritage
etc...
Ford has taken this very seriously. This is the new Mustang (New Legendary) engine. This is not the kind of project that Ford can afford to miss on. The F150 5.0 is virtually identical to the Mustang engine.

timarti · 02-27-2013, 11:12 PM

We got a 2012 F150 5.0 V8 because that was what the dealer had on special last summer. We needed to tow our new 2304s trailer and we have been very happy with the truck. With the axle as supplied it is rated for 7800 Lbs. However, The supposed mpg gallon ratings as supplied by Ford (or any mfg) are not very realistic. Looking at websites where people post their actual mileage, it seems that the Eco-boost and the 5.0 are actually quite similar in what people are getting in real life, which made me feel better about not getting the eco- boost. The sticker info says 18 mpg city and 27 mpg hwy. We are actually getting 18 mpg hwy and 15 mpg towing, which is in line with what I see in other people's postings. We are running regular gas and haven't done anything else to the truck. Maybe someone else is doing better, if so let me in on the secret, LOL!

I should add that the trailer gvrw is 6594, so well within our tow limit and I hardly know it is back there. I also really like the integrated trailer brakes which are also ABS and the tow haul mode which automaticaaly downshifts going down hills. Not sure how much the Tow haul mode impacts gas mileage, though. I turn it off when cruising on flat roads (of which there are not many where we are, mostly 2 lane winding!)

ddemme · 02-28-2013, 12:32 AM

I have the Eco and my buddy has the 5.0. Both tow very well, the biggest difference is torque. The Eco has more and it comes on quickly, which is what you want when you're trying to merge on to the freeway with a 3 ton brick hanging off the bumper. Either choice will be a capable tow vehicle.

acadianbob · 02-28-2013, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPPD

We will only be towing about 1000 miles per year over flat midwest roads.I put only around 4000 miles per year on my vehicles and currently have a 2008 with 19000 miles.

Anyone have an opinion that will convince me that the EcoBoost is a better option with a price tag around 7000 more?

I am a huge fan of forced induction engines; I have an Ecoboost and love it. But given your statements above, it makes sense for you to pick the 5.0.

dwaynerz · 02-28-2013, 05:43 PM

Around town, and anything above 70 mph on the highway, it seems to dip into the turbos, and the gas mileage drops. At 50 mph, it will do 25+, but otherwise around 15 in town and about 19 or so on the highway.

looks like its sweet spot is in an area few if any travel at (50mph). with all the carb/epa/mpg rulings and any other alphabet soup letters you care to throw in there, look for smaller motors to be headed our way. maybe a diesel half ton isnt that far fetched anymore.

HIDE OUT · 02-28-2013, 07:06 PM

I just bought a new 2013 F 150 with the 3.5 ecoboost with max tow package Just in case the DW lets me buy a new fifth wheel

I went with that over the 5.0 just so if i wanted to upgrade I would have the option to. By the way just wondering how does every one like or dislike there ecoboost hope I didn't make a mistake. heard of some issues with earlier models but I guess ford fixed them in 2013 mines on order Ill keep you posted on how I make out when it comes in and get a chance to tow with it

acadianbob · 02-28-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdefeo1

By the way just wondering how does every one like or dislike there ecoboost hope I didn't make a mistake. heard of some issues with earlier models but I guess ford fixed them in 2013 mines on order Ill keep you posted on how I make out when it comes in and get a chance to tow with it

20M trouble-free miles. Zero defects. Averaged 20.5mpg empty for the entire summer; averaging 18.3 for the last 7M miles; including some really cold winter here in MN. Tows like a beast. Holds 6th gear nicely on some grades you wouldn't think possible. 11mpg towing average on a 3M trip @ 60 mph; 5,500 lb Surveyor. Best mileage is, of course, by staying out of the turbo's.

There have been a few having some issues; usually in high humidity/rain. Ford has a retrofit CAC for those that have had issues. It appears to be solving the issue for those folks.

You'll like your truck.

HIDE OUT · 02-28-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

20M trouble-free miles. Zero defects. Averaged 20.5mpg empty for the entire summer; averaging 18.3 for the last 7M miles; including some really cold winter here in MN. Tows like a beast. Holds 6th gear nicely on some grades you wouldn't think possible. 11mpg towing average on a 3M trip @ 60 mph; 5,500 lb Surveyor. Best mileage is, of course, by staying out of the turbo's.

There have been a few having some issues; usually in high humidity/rain. Ford has a retrofit CAC for those that have had issues. It appears to be solving the issue for those folks.

You'll like your truck.

Glad to here that. cant wait

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