F150... 2.7 or not

[tragusa3]

I'm towing about 62% of my max rating. I had a different truck and trailer combo and it was also about at this percentage. That's where my comfort level is.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by bpa098

think this price was crew cab 3.5eb XL

Only options I added was basic tow pack, extendable mirrors, running boards and one other thing I wanted. That is msrp with delivery charge. Knock that down some and if be good. Also I'll prob put down what I get for my truck... So more like 8k

I paid $41k for my 2016 F250 XLT... just to put things into perspective.

[Telstar]

Not for towing. Get the 3.5 eco boost.

[Dave in vegas]

A 2.7 EB is great for towing if you never plan on towing up a hill. I tried a 2.7 while pulling a 4700lb trailer. Baker grade and Cahone pass in California killed me. I ended up getting a 3.5 EB. I haven't regretted it one time. While nothing is going to take these hills with no struggle, my 3.5 does it even when I tow my new trailer that weighs 9600lbs. I have pulled some serious hills. With the 3.5 it's kinda fun passing the diesels and hearing their engines roaring while mine is purring.

[Zak1]

Originally Posted by Mustangsho

I work for Ford and I wouldn't own a 2.7. They are having a lot of cylinder head issues and other problems. They make plenty of power, they will pull just fine. With they cost difference it's a no brainer to me to own the 3.5 and remember you are going to get eco or boost you are not going to get both lol Thats just my opinion

I have 11,000 miles on mine. Not one issue (other than Sync3)?
I have read that there have been some head issues (btw, the 3.5 EB had many major issues for the first two years) but that was narrowed to production between 4/16-10/16....

[Joseph Carozzoni]

Originally Posted by bpa098

Thanks Joseph. I was doing the build site today which was helpful. Using that 2.7 with extra for the 3.73 gears versus the 3.5 with out upgrades is 1000 difference. Maybe 20 a month for 3k more pulling max and like 600 more payload.

I don't care about option packages and all the fancy crap. I want a truck to pull my camper two months a summer, get me around the farms during hunting season, and get me to my day job.

I'll see how it goes with the dealer my father knows, should be no negotiating but will keep an open mind. Maybe I'll go up to Nye and compare to tundra which is what id love but they seem pricy

If you can swing the 3.5L EB that would be better. For 2017 it is an all new 2nd Generation 3.5L EB. And standard on the 3.5L EB is the new 10-speed transmission. We don't feel the transmission shifting under normal conditions.

You may want to consider the Max Tow Package. The Trailer Tow Package has towing capability up to 11,100 lbs and includes:

• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist (not included on XL Base or Raptor)
• Tailgate LED (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Upgraded front stabilizer bar

For $400 more for the Max Tow Package (I think around $320 more using dealer cost) you get Towing capability up to 12,200 lbs and
• Upgraded rear bumper
• 36 Gallon Fuel tank
• 3.55 Electronic-locking rear-axle
• Trailer Brake Controller (TBC)

We also got the Power Telescoping/Power Glass/Power-Folding Trailer Tow Mirrors with High-Intensity LED Puddle Lamps, and Left/Right Side LED Spot Lights for $250 more ($231 at dealer cost).

Here's a nice instrumented test of a Crew Cab 3.5L EB with the 10-speed transmission. 0-60MPH in 5.7 seconds for a "work/tow truck" is interesting:
Ford F-150 | Reviews, Pricings and Specs | Car and Driver

Good luck.

[CaptnJohn]

I pulled a 28' 7000# (loaded) TT with an F150 2.6, 6 speed, tow pkg and it did OK on the flat. Pulled it across NC into TN with some strong hills and better than I thought. Equalizer 4 point with sway control was more effective than I thought possible. Gas mileage sucked more than I thought possible when towing as well. It worked, worked hard at times, but not enough truck for the load.

[ncebeemer]

Be sure you consider your miles driven on a lease. Could bite you at the end of the lease.

[Igave]

Another thing to think about while towing is whether you'll want to run the air conditioner or other heavy hp uses during those hot summer days while towing. Speaking from experience of my own a few years ago it can have a cumulative effect on how much your family may enjoy the travel part of the trip.

[rmac04401]

Out of the three pages of comments no one has addressed payload. Some of the trailers mentioned at the weights mentioned with having proper tongue weight percentage of 9-15% the payload of the 150 is maxed or over.

Multiple things reduce payload, 4x4 , Diesel engines , add ons/accessories (bed liners, caps, running boards, crew cab, bed size, and upgrades to interior) reduces available payload before even adding on the occupants, trailer tongue weight, WDH, and gear stuffed in the bed of the truck.

It may tow, but the longevity of the tow vehicle will be diminished if overweight on payload.

Just check all numbers not just towing.

[RevX]

Originally Posted by bpa098

I've looked at that, and 2.7 will do it but will I be happy... towing 6k with max of 7500

I have a 2.7. Trailer 5200 lbs dry. It pulls ok, but could be better. Just ordered a 3.5. I don't know if this helps, but that's my story. It wasn't that it couldn't pull it, just that it was more work than I wanted. Plus the new truck will have a 400 lbs more payload and max tow.

[SidecarFlip]

Good Gieif, a 2.7 liter engine in a pick me up? You have to be kidding. Pretty soon they will be putting a Briggs and Stratton under the hood.

[drittal]

https://www.edmunds.com/ford/f-150/2...-liter-v8.html

[ChillinOut]

I've heard some say a Lease is a Fleece. Just saying.....

[Telstar]

The 3.5 has a twin turbo so you don't have the lag you get with the 2.7. My son-in-law has one and it tows great even up hills.

[dbledan]

I have the 3.5 eb with 355 gears and max tow. I tow a 7300lb trailer. I am VERY close on payload. I have no issues pulling. Payload is almost always where you run out first.

I have not tried the 2.7 but a buddy has one and is happy with his with very minimal towing. I agree you get either the eco or the boost.

Save the cash and skip the trailer backup assist. It is a great feature when it works but half the time cannot find the sticker and I just do manually.

When buying new I would build the truck on the Ford site and then find trucks like it on the Ford site within 50 miles. I would visit dealer sites to get info and go test drive. The one problem is they don't post payload numbers so you have to go look. This ends up being the limiting factor almost every time.

Lease or buy depends on time you keep it and mileage you drive.

Keep in mind if you under buy it's much more expensive than if you buy it up front. I wish I got the 3/4ton after I towed the first time for better stability .

Best of luck!

[Stovebolt]

You will find far more 5.0 V8's than you will find 2.7's. The 2.7 is a fine engine but the 3.5 is a tow monster. I'm on my second truck with the 3.5 and this engine is the only reason I haven't stepped up to the more expensive 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with diesel power. Personally I would look for the 3.5, the 2017 F150's have an all new and much improved 3.5 engine.

[Semperfi24]

Most of the main points have been discussed, but a suggestion that I would give you, is to find a truck with the 36 gallon fuel tank. I am conscious of fuel economy when driving around town, so I can get 700 miles on a tank of gas, but the real benefit is towing. I grew up in MA and now live in MD, which is 450 miles. We take the trailer up there every summer, and at 9 mpg towing (approx.), I can get there on one fuel stop (usually stop more than that to stretch, use the restroom, take a break, eat, etc), but with the 25 gallon tank, you are going to have to get gas every 150 miles, and that annoys me to no end... Whenever I am shopping for a truck, the first thing I look for on the window sticker is which fuel tank it has. If it isn't 36 gallons, its off the list

[D. J. Schuler]

Wouldn't do it, be ready for your next TT/5r upgrade. Go for max payload 2,000 - 3,000.

[bpa098]

Originally Posted by Semperfi24

Most of the main points have been discussed, but a suggestion that I would give you, is to find a truck with the 36 gallon fuel tank. I am conscious of fuel economy when driving around town, so I can get 700 miles on a tank of gas, but the real benefit is towing. I grew up in MA and now live in MD, which is 450 miles. We take the trailer up there every summer, and at 9 mpg towing (approx.), I can get there on one fuel stop (usually stop more than that to stretch, use the restroom, take a break, eat, etc), but with the 25 gallon tank, you are going to have to get gas every 150 miles, and that annoys me to no end... Whenever I am shopping for a truck, the first thing I look for on the window sticker is which fuel tank it has. If it isn't 36 gallons, its off the list

I'll keep that in mind. I don't travel far with the camper. So might not be an issue for me