Towing with Ford F150 with 3.5 Eco Boost

[acadianbob]

Maybe some people have actual experience? We pulled a 9K 5er up through Eisenhower Tunnel. Going up was fine. Plenty of power. Going down was white knuckle. The 5er wanted to push the F150 all over the place. Despite being geared down, my brakes were hot when we got to the bottom. (Yes, I know how to use my brakes properly.) You could smell the brakes. The F150 was 400 over payload but within combined vehicle weight limit.

We just towed that same route with a 5er that weighs 11K. This time with an F250. No drama. No brake issues. 600 under payload and 4,000 under combined limit.

The tow vehicle makes a difference and that is a fact.

[moose074]

I towed with a 2014 platinum 150 with 3.5 eco boost. I owned it for 6 months. I loved it as a vehicle but hated as truck was too nice wouldn’t use it as a truck except for towing. I towed 2012 north trail caliber edition I think the number was 31qbs. It’s stated weight was 6700 # . I weighed it once with a previous truck ( 2012 Ram 2500 crew cab with diesel) total combined weight was almost 20k. The Eco pulled and stopped no problems. Yes I didn’t plug in my harness correctly/ fully and yes it pushed my truck coming off the interstate but so would my Wildcat on my dually if same thing happened. I got rid of my 150 because my TT was delamnating and the wife wanted bigger trailer. While I towed my TT to Oregon and back with my Tundra. I only drove to east Texas and back once and from San Angelo to Kermit when I bought the 150. Again if within specs easy driving enjoy

[Pop Pop]

Thanks to all for your input. I ended up going with the 2019 Ford F150 with the 3.5 Eco Boost, 10spd trans, max towing package , max payload package and 20 inch wheels. Every professional source I checked with ( Ford, Forest River, and Equal-i-zer ) all confirmed that I am well within specs (less than 80% ) of all ratings and baring driver error or mechanical failure, I am good to go. I will let you know how things go. thanks again and happy and safe trailering to all.

[Hap Lee Retired]

I started with a 2015 F150 3.5 Ecoboost rated at 12,200lbs. My camper dealer said "no problem". He even said he sold the very same camper to a fellow with the very same truck. I even called and verified this and later met him and saw said truck and trailer.
Here's what I experienced. The camper is a Coachman Freedom Express 321 Liberty Edition. 7900lbs dry and stated tongue weight of 1071lbs. Towing it home empty the camper was all over the lane. I got it home and adjusted the weight distribution. Loaded it up and took it on the maiden voyage and still it was wagging the dog. I moved things around and got more weight on the hitch. This was better but still uncomfortable. I went and got E rated tires and installed airbags. My bid anticipated trip to the beach 500 mi came up and as soon as I hit the wide open interstate with trucks passing my camper pulled me over into the neighboring lane. I thank God no one was there. I limped to the camper dealer and dropped the trailer. We looked at and adjusted everything to no avail.
I went and borrowed a 250 and pulled my camper home without weight distribution and no problems.
The F150 is an outstanding truck! It doesnt have enough mass to control the sway. Breaking and acceleration are night and day difference.
If you do this go slow, keep your family and other drivers in mind.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Falconof73]

Pop Pop everyone has an opinion on what is best for you. Just ensure you are within spec on your truck and what you are towing and you will be fine. Many 1/2 ton setups now will easily tow and stop your trailer safely. Certainly there are things you can add to your truck or the trailer to make the towing experience better and safer (like a better hitch or better brakes, sway bar, bags, etc.) but you don't NEED a 3/4 ton. If you know you are close to your max towing capacity, consider going up to a different 1/2 ton package that will handle the load. With the right package you can safely tow over 12k.

[jboone]

We have a 2013 F150 3.5 and it hauls our Apex with no problem, probably 5000 lbs. It has the tow/haul package and is rated about 11,250 tow. Sadly the throttle body fails every 10,000 miles repeatedly leaving us stranded.

[Aztcwrior25]

I have a 2007 dodge megacab with a Cummins motor. Can’t even tell I’m towing anything... have you looked into a diesel yet? I personally got better gas mileage with or without pulling my 29 ft trailer with my diesel truck...

[DanN.]

I have a 2013 f150 3.5 echo boot, 3.55 gear ratio., 4x4 super crew cab. And pull a 2018 forest river vibe 308bhs. Have no concerns or problems. Plenty of power, smooth ride, doesn’t even flinch up steep hills either. I had my ford dealer dig into the load calculation and this truck and trailer are a good fit, maxed 92% of the trucks capabilities.

[ronphill]

Been towing with my 2012 F150 for seven years. We have traveled from Alabama through Texas and to the Grand Canyon. Came back through Colorado and Back to Alabama. Went to Maine with no problems. We did have a little sway but have since installed Firestone airbags and Hensley Hitch. Towed a Rockwood Windjammer 9100lbs. No problems. 3.5 ecoboost.

[bradw661]

I purchased that same trailer last year and towed it with my 2012 f150 Ecoboost 3.55 diff. The truck pulled it fine even did ok going from TX to Red River NM. But... The truck is too lightweight to properly handle that much trailer. The trailer wagged the truck a bit too much for comfort. I now have a Silverado 2500hd gas and difference is night and day. I would not recommend towing that trailer with any 1/2 ton.

[firedawg93]

Make sure you get max tow, max payload, trailer package, and the 3.73 tows max.

[Pop Pop]

Thanks all. I did go with the F150 with the 3.5 eco boost, max trailering package and 7050# payload package. That is the max package you can get in the XLT Super Crew. Here's my stats - Truck max towing is 12,800 my camper loaded is 8500 so I have plenty to spare there, My campers tongue weight when loaded is about 950 and the payload is 1850 on the truck. plenty there. the total GVWR for the truck is 18000. truck weight plus camper is going to be about 13500. Again plenty room to spare there, I sure beleive I will be fine and safe plus I have about 40 years of towing experiance all the way up to 80000 pound tractor trailers. Sounds good right ?

[Oltimer13]

I have a 2015 F150 supercrew with 3.5. Pulled my TT to Alaska and back with no problem. Trailer had 6300+# weight with lots of stuff.

[reevesfamily]

Way too much trailer and length for a 150 of any design in my opinion. Tail will wag the dog and I wouldn't want to be anywhere near you when you have to stop quickly, hit rogue winds, or make an emergency maneuver to avoid something. I've pulled a 35' 9000lb TT with our 2010 150 KR and finally decided my family's safety and mine was more important than stretching the limits of the 150 chassis. Got a 250 diesel and finally enjoy the trip. There's no valor in bravado. Just my opinions, to each his or her own.

[Playhouse]

Yes because the truck dealership and the RV place wants to sell you something they did it to me. I ended up with an F250 6.2 gasser. Towing is a breeze no stress cruz control up mountains. Good luck and have fun😊

[Playhouse]

Report back and let us know how it goes

[DnAWisconsin]

I have 3.5 Ecoboost, Crew Cab, Max Tow, 3.55 gears , 5.5 box towing 35’ Rockwood Windjammer 3029W. No qualms about towing this trailer. I am right st the 1826 payload but all else is good. Equalizer 4 point keeps everything level. I have had two hard stops with this trailer and I must say truck and trailer both impressed me. My max towing speed is 65 therefore no stress. It’s all about your approach to traffic and being proactive. Going to a 5 next year so the 1 ton comes this summer. I would tell you though if you have any questions about the setup, just go to the 250. Best of luck and have fun.

[DnAWisconsin]

I am able to lease any pickup I want. Check some of your local Credt Unions. My new 3500 Denali will be leased this summer.

[Pop Pop]

Originally Posted by Playhouse

Report back and let us know how it goes

I will I am sure it's gonna be fine. Only once a year I tow to Canada and that trip is 300 miles each way. 99% of my trips are a hundred miles or less.

[msfogal]

I own 2018 F-150 with 3.5 and 10 speed and tow a trailer about 6,500 lbs. I would never tow that kind of weight with my truck, pushing boundaries. You’ll be lucky to get 7 mpg