Ford F-150 3.5 Ecoboost: are they less reliable than V-8?

[wspracklin]

I had 3 3.5 EcoBoost F150 loved them all pulling 8000lb but if your getting into 8500lb U would be better with a F250 Diesal or gas it's a lot more comfortable

[tpstauffer]

I would advise get a bigger truck. I had a 2016 3.5 eco boost long bed with 11,600 “towing capacity”. It had 1910 cargo capacity. However, gross vehicle weight rating was 17,100. I scaled the truck and without me and food it scaled 16,400. It towed great BUT after a dead stop to go up a steep hill the transmission struggled. I went with an F350 6.7 powerstroke and it can handle a lot more towing. Go bigger. I wish I did from the beginning. Also, used trucks are surprisingly expensive now! I never wanted a diesel but it tows so damn good!

[lincoln5]

We love ours we pull a 30’ 5th wheel with a gvw of 8900#. We can put pull a duramax up a hill with the exact same 5th wheel. Don’t pass it up I’ll buy another one in a hart beat.

[justin00stang]

I used to tow with a supercharged 16 F150 5.0L with the 6spd auto, it also ran 11s in the 1/4 mile.

I had a 3.5 EB in an expedition.

I think the power will be fine...I would be more concerned about the handling. A 20ft enclosed ATC trailer with a 4000lb mustang inside (7500lb total) was only comfortable with WD hitch setup and still required quite a bit of anticipatory correction at 70-80mph. The superduty is a much better platform if you are going to haul any miles. We used the F150 for product development/daily driver/trips to events/races/etc so it was fun to do everything with it...but its best as a daily driver not a tow rig.

If you insist on an F150 in 18 they got a 10spd auto which should help quite a bit with the downshifting that one person complained about. I have a supercharged one of those for product development too, but I haven't towed with it yet.

Reliability wise all the engine ford makes at this point are very good, the 2.7, 3.5, 5.0, 6.2, etc. The turbos are not an issue. My wife's expedition has 135k on it. The 10spd trucks and the 2.7 are very good on gas when light towing, full load they are going to be 7-9mpg...to get any better you need a diesel. I would not do the small diesel, I would go superduty.

Next issue...the superduty is big $$ with a diesel and the 6.2 is a terrible engine for a truck that size. The new 7.3 and 10spd auto seems to be the right combo.

Just the opinion of a ford guy that tunes, supercharges, and drives the hell out of everything .

[Frankiejay]

As a retired Ford Dealership heavy line Tech of 55 yrs, here is my humble opinion....For safety and ease of driving, do yourself and your family a favor and consider at least an F250 or F350. (Diesel a plus!) In 55 years, I've only had to replace one turbo unit. The F250/F350 has a heavier suspension, heavier cooling systems, heavier transmissions, heavier rear axles, heavier frames, but most of all, much larger capacity brake systems. (You want more braking power in case of trailer brake failure.) Most diesel engines are capable of 300/400K miles. Reports I get from customers say they get much better mileage and better pulling power than a gas engine. Also resale value is better. Good luck in your quest. Safe and happy travels. See ya down the road. Check out Escapees RV Club web site for more info.

[jsh58]

The EcoBoost is very reliable IF you follow the service schedule religiously. They are high tech, high compression, and highly capable. Using OEM maintenance schedules, OEM parts, and OEM recommended lubes,oils, and fluids will keep it going for many enjoyable years and miles.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by cdinatl

...More torque and you won’t be sorry......

With all the statements like the above, does anyone ever look at the drivetrain as a complete unit?

What tire diameter are we talking about?

Ring and pinion ratio?

What gear is your transmission in for climbing a long grade?

Is a naturally aspirated engine at a higher RPM working harder than an Ecoboost at a lower RPM to do the same job? Or, if they produce max torque at similar RPM's, is the bigger engine under less stress than the smaller powerplant?

Just to muddy the waters, the Toyota Tundra 5.7l produces 381hp and 401 ft lbs of torque @3600RPM but comes standard with a 4.30 gearing and 32" diameter tires. Way less torque than the Ecoboost but are the trucks equal? Absolutely not!

A F150 comes with a 3.5l produces 375 HP and 470 ft. lbs of torque @3500 RPM and 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 & 4.10 gearing. That being said, the trucks equipped with 4.10 have a tow capacity of only 6k & 8k pounds. That leaves you with 3.73 gearing. Information Source Pg 3

Given the same tire size, which combo will be better:

Tundra @3600 RPM with 401 ft lbs, 4.30 diff, in 3rd gear (1.35 ratio)

or,

F150 @3500 RPM with 470 ft lbs, 3.73 diff, in 5th gear (1.52)?

My point, giving only one variable (torque) is pointless unless you actually apply the math to break down the overall conclusion.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by jsh58

The EcoBoost is very reliable IF you follow the service schedule religiously. They are high tech, high compression, and highly capable. Using OEM maintenance schedules, OEM parts, and OEM recommended lubes,oils, and fluids will keep it going for many enjoyable years and miles.

I did...mine broke...

[Sergiop]

Originally Posted by redjet

We had a 2012 F150 Platinum with 3.5 eco-boost & max towing package. Towed a 8500 lb. Forest River Rockwood and had no problems. Fuel economy was awful - about 7 mpg towing & 13 otherwise. Moved up to a fifth wheel and traded for a diesel (never again - up keep too expensive). Decided to leave fifth wheel in a full time spot on beach in Port Aransas. Sold diesel and bought a 2020 F150 Lariat with 3.5 Eco-boost & max towing. I was leary from past experience with the 3.5 but bought it over the 5.0 V-8. Have 5500 miles on it and it is quiet, lots of power, and general city driving gets about 18 mpg. Big improvement over my 2012. Do not tow with it although the capacity ratings get higher each year. The one thing I don't like about it - is at a stop light the engine shuts off. I can over-ride it but have to do it every time I start up. Just annoying. Oh yeah - the 2020 F150 has a 10 speed transmission - hardly know it shifting gears.

Good luck!

Get a 7 pin trailer connector and plug it in. The computer thinks you have a trailer and won’t shut off. Like $4 on Amazon

[GmaB]

I own a 2015 F150 eco boost and I pull a 30 ft flat bed trailer with 2 side by sides and a wheeler. No problem. I also pull a 30 ft Rockwood 5er. Also no problem. Plenty of power. No mechanical issues.

[nrkmann]

Originally Posted by upflying

My experience with turbo charged engines involves flying aircraft. The shutdown checklist on a Piper Turbo Arrow requires idling the engine for five minutes before shutting off the engine. It was my understanding the hot turbo charger continues to spin after shutting off the engine. The sudden loss of oil pressure and oil cooling shortens the life of the turbo.
This is why I let my Cummins idle for a bit before shutting it off.
Is the Ecoboost affected by this?

It depends on the turbo oil flow design. I had a Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe that the turbo bearings sat in an oil pool and it had an up flow oil return so the bearings had lubrication when shutting down the engine. Put over 300K on it without any oil related problems. Some engines have a down flow oil return and the oil drains out of the turbo's bearings while the turbo is still spinning.

[Dwjackson59]

These forums are full of eco boost owners unhappy with that weight. You have to get a truck you might as well do it right the first time and get a gas or diesel 3/4 ton. Never too much truck, especially when no 4x4 gets good gas mileage so be safe. Get a truck that's not over it near max payload.

[AG NoBo19.7]

I had a 2008 F150 5.4L V8 and recently stepped up to a 2015 3.5L EB Lariat with 3.73 gear ratio. I have pulled a NoBo 19.7 (about 4,800 lbs loaded) about 2,000 miles over this last summer and love it. The torque is amazing. I think it blows the V8 away. Haven’t had it long enough to comment on long term reliability but it has been great so far. I do feel strongly about having a lot of cushion in your towing specs, which is the case here at 4,800 lbs loaded. Huge cushion on torque, stability and stopping power feels great. So, if I were towing 8,000 lbs I would get an F250. The 150 3.5 can certainly tow that, but not enough cushion for me. If I did tow 8,000 lbs with the 150 I would upgrade the brakes to Power Stop Z36, get air bags and Husky Centerline sway kit.

[Half Ton Heavy]

If you can wait order an HDPP 150. Worth the wait, so you can handle the weight.

[Girtski]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

I am gearing up to shop for a 2017/2018 Ford Platinum with 3.5 Eco boost and Max tow package in the spring. I want better towing for my 8,500 lb. travel trailer AND the driver assist options in the 701A package. My long term mechanic, who admits he has never worked on turbo boost engines, tells me they require more maintenance than a "simple V-8". He says the turbo is rough on the plugs and seals for example. I really like the towing ratings for the truck I want. The v-8 ratings are nice, but not as great. I am not a mechanic, nor a DIY truck mod guy. Could I hear from F-150 3.5 Eco boost owners on this issue? I sure would appreciate it.

I did not read the 5 pages of replies but take it from a 2018 F150 "MAX TRAILER TOW" owner. DO NOT BUY THIS TRUCK! Get at least a 250 and for my money and the difference, a 350.

[Pockets]

Not having any issues with my 2014 3.5 ecoboost. I've towed from Ontario to Florida twice, Florida to California and return and Ontario to Arizona last winter. When in tow/haul, the engine pulls the trailer (8000 loaded) through the Santa Ana mountains and the engine brakes work well going downhill. Hauls extremely well on flat surfaces. However head winds will knock me down to 5mph. The 35 gallon tank is big enough.

[FingerMade]

I have a 2017 Ecoboost Screw and pull a trailer loaded that will weigh in at 8,000. Engine is powerful enough for sure but the suspension is a bit mushy for that load even with the 12,200 tow package. About 900 lbs of tongue weight. I am trading or selling it because I have a fifth wheel on order. Specs say I can but heart says "no way." I was considering going to a 3/4 even if I had kept the trailer.
The f150 3.5 turbo is a great truck and probably VERY good for a tower in a lower weight trailer. I have enjoyed the truck a great deal.

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

I am gearing up to shop for a 2017/2018 Ford Platinum with 3.5 Eco boost and Max tow package in the spring. I want better towing for my 8,500 lb. travel trailer AND the driver assist options in the 701A package. My long term mechanic, who admits he has never worked on turbo boost engines, tells me they require more maintenance than a "simple V-8". He says the turbo is rough on the plugs and seals for example. I really like the towing ratings for the truck I want. The v-8 ratings are nice, but not as great. I am not a mechanic, nor a DIY truck mod guy. Could I hear from F-150 3.5 Eco boost owners on this issue? I sure would appreciate it.

Considering there are at least 2 million 3.5 EB on the road, the reliability is pretty good, owned 7 myself over the years, never had a single problem.

With that said, you will not find a 701a that can tow an 8500 pound trailer. Majority of Platinums have less than 1600 pounds payload. You might get lucky with a Lariat having 1800 pounds, but that still puts the truck at the limit.

As far as the turbos, well, your mechanic is old school and probably is thinking of those engines back in the day where they slapped on a turbo and sent it on its way. The Ecoboost engines, which there are a LOT of in various flavors, are designed AROUND the turbo, not as the turbo as an after thought. Turbos are water cooled, and continue to cool after the engine stops, the water jacket design flows coolant through the turbo even without the waterpump. The Gen 2 now uses MPFI in addition to GDI, so even if the patented valve design did tend to get some oil on them, they will remain clean. The one thing they did(jury still out if is fixed) have are timing chain issues with the phasers causing a ticking on cold start. The 3.5 is probably one of the best 1/2 ton engines in the world today, small but powerful, and well maintained ones are exceeding 400K miles.

I have had 4 F150 trucks starting with a 2012, and currently have a 2018 Platinum, all were EB equipped, none had engine or transmission issues, only one of them was a POS though, a 2016, so avoid 2016. Steering rack was goofy and Ford refused to replace it, and it had vibrations that couldn't be resolved, I sued, I won, I got the 18 and I love it.

I just did the math, 8500 max @13% is 1105+~100 for the hitch puts it at 1205, that would leave 365 pounds if you find a 701a with Max Tow, the payload is ~1570 on the ones I saw. If you know the tongue weight of your wet and loaded trailer and it is under 1,000 pounds, and you travel light in the truck, then you can squeak by with the Platinum, just make sure you have those numbers.

Make sure it is a Max Tow equipped one, you will need it.

[gary koenig]

I'll just say this, I have a 2018 f150 3.5l eco boost with twin turbos and all the towing extras with about 33000 miles. I had a 2012 f150 5l v8. The 3.5 tows so much better than the v8 but doesn't get much better fuel mileage. The v8 struggled to maintain 65 to 70 mph where with the 3.5 I have to hold it back. Plus if you are not towing the 3.5 turbo is a monster that can get 20 mpg.

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by GmaB

I own a 2015 F150 eco boost and I pull a 30 ft flat bed trailer with 2 side by sides and a wheeler. No problem. I also pull a 30 ft Rockwood 5er. Also no problem. Plenty of power. No mechanical issues.

Not only do I have a travel trailer, but my hobby is "rock crawling". I have a very highly modified 1997 Jeep Wrangler on F350 axles, 42" tires on steel bead lock wheels, etc. The weight of my Jeep and flatbed steel deck trailer is about 1000 lbs heavier than my TT. I've been towing that Jeep and trailer since 2000 with various different trucks, and never had any issues at all, and no weight distributing hitch at all. I towed this rig many years with 3/4 ton trucks, all diesels, but several years ago I wanted to try one of the new half ton diesels. I got one with every single towing option available, so it was set up for success. It towed my Jeep/trailer combination amazingly well - no sagging, no swaying, no struggle going up hills, nothing. Loved it. Picked up our trailer and drove down the SAME EXACT highway to bring it home that I towed the Jeep/trailer up and down all those years, and disaster. The poor truck struggled to hold 4th gear, much less a higher gear, and sway was uncomfortable. Remember what I said, this trailer is almost 1000 lbs lighter than my Jeep/trailer combo.

So what am I getting at here? The comparison of a flatbed with a vehicle (or vehicles) is not apples and oranges. The center of gravity is different, as is the frontal area the trailer is trying to push through the air. The trip home from the RV dealership was about 4 hours, but within 2 hours I had already decided I was going to go back to 3/4 ton, as I did. Problem solved.

I do see that you also tow a large trailer, so I realize you know the difference, but others may not. I just wanted to clarify.