Ford Tow Vehicle: Twin Turbo Ecoboost 6 or the 8 Cylinder

[agriffinjd]

In my opinion you would be pushing the capabilities of the suspension and braking system with a fully loaded 27' inline behind an explorer. The engine might be up for it but under extreme braking or maneuvers you might feel your shorts getting full.

I second that. Do not try towing that much weight behind the new explorers. I have a 2007 Explorer with the V8 engine and it's rated to tow over 7000 pounds. Towing a 26' travel trailer that weighed 5000 pounds was not fun, mainly due to the shorter wheelbase. Picture white-knuckles when it got windy... I now have a 2012 Ford F150 crewcab Ecoboost, max trailer package, rated at like 11,300 lbs for towing. I hardly know the camper is behind me now.

My 2007 Explorer is a (small) truck based frame. The new explorers are not; they are car-based (blanking on the term right now) and cannot pull much. Also, the wheel-base is way too short for a 27' trailer. Not sure if the engine is the same one that's in my F150, but engine torque and horsepower is only one portion of the equation for what's safe to tow.

 

[scott_b]

The Ecoboost in the Explorer is detuned (as with the Taurus) still the same HP but torque is 350 lbs vs 420 for the F-150. I believe that is done to save the trans on the (primarily) front wheel drive unibody vehicles. From what I have read Ford actually has a torque limiting system on both F-150 to save the trans...

 

[indy_500]

The Ecoboost in the Explorer is detuned (as with the Taurus) still the same HP but torque is 350 lbs vs 420 for the F-150. I believe that is done to save the trans on the (primarily) front wheel drive unibody vehicles. From what I have read Ford actually has a torque limiting system on both F-150 to save the trans...

Yup and yup. called torque management. stock they allow about 40% torque at take off to save the trans. Get a custom computer tune from a company like nelson or black bear and remove most of it. My buddy went to 60% on his 03 chevy it went from taking a rolling turn hitting the throttle and having it downshift to hardly ever downshifting driving around town. I'm going with 80% before i start heading to the yoop so i won't be screaming at my trans the whole ride up there.

 

[snoluver1]

In my opinion you would be pushing the capabilities of the suspension and braking system with a fully loaded 27' inline behind an explorer. The engine might be up for it but under extreme braking or maneuvers you might feel your shorts getting full.

This is a very valid point that I think a lot of people don't properly take into cosideration! There is a VERY big difference in being "able" to tow a trailer, and towing it safely.

I would go so far as to say you would be pushing the limits towing a 27' trailer behind any half ton truck!

 

[snoseekr2]

yep and a 10 yr old diesel with 200k still gets well over 10k resale when the same z71 is lucky to get 3 grand.
and 20 mpg yanking a 26ft at 80 with power left to pass up hill and the ability to black cloud a Prius at the same time priceless

I think 95% of guys with big diesels have them for a reason work and they work the piss out of them.

. the 2 guys I know that don't need a f350 have enough money that the king ranch is just a toy for winter and pulling German race cars to road America in the summer.

Well said ezra.......... espesecially the prius repellant part lol

 

[willey]

This is a very valid point that I think a lot of people don't properly take into cosideration! There is a VERY big difference in being "able" to tow a trailer, and towing it safely.

I would go so far as to say you would be pushing the limits towing a 27' trailer behind any half ton truck!

I've pulled a 27' in line with my 05' f150 loaded with sleds and 4 guys to IP two years ago. Truck pulled it great but when wind and ice came into factor it was outmatched. The main problem was having p rated tires. It would be tough for me to do it again unless I had e-rated tread and maybe bags in the back. We had several puckering experiences on that drive.

 

[saber]

I have had the pleasure of owning a F150 with the 5.0 V8 and now with the Ecoboost. I will not go back to the V8. I have yet to tow the sled trailer yet but towing my 5000lb boat on the xway with the Ecoboost causes me to grin and smirk at the torque power it makes. Fuel economy towing is too close to call between the 2 but the torque is the biggest difference.

The Ecoboost is so quiet that you dont hear it running. Just a slight whine of the turbos. Its so quiet and sneaky fast the wife does not like to drive it because she speeds in it.

I work at a Ford dealer, just throwing that out there amd being up front, EVERYBODY here has traded out of thier V8 or diesel trucks and and have the Ecoboost.

I went with the 3.55 rear axle for mileage, have a 9200lb tow rating and am getting almost 22 on the xway at 70 with a tonneau cover and the cruise on.

I likes my old Hemi over the 5.0 but this Ecoboost is the best truck I have ever had. Period.

Scott

 

[1200renegadeskidoo]

Saber excellent info thank you. I am also in the market for ford f150 definitely ecoboost since im used to driving my diesel as a toy hauler and would be pulling a 7x23 inline snowmobile trailer with two or three sleds during winter. Just beginning my search how is your truck specd out. Im looking to go lariat or fx4 or platinum for the right price most likely used. would 3.31 or 3.55 be better all around for the best mileage. Used on sled trailer during winter and a town truck other seasons. have a ford diesel for the heavy hauling. Thanks!

 

[indy_500]

Saber excellent info thank you. I am also in the market for ford f150 definitely ecoboost since im used to driving my diesel as a toy hauler and would be pulling a 7x23 inline snowmobile trailer with two or three sleds during winter. Just beginning my search how is your truck specd out. Im looking to go lariat or fx4 or platinum for the right price most likely used. would 3.31 or 3.55 be better all around for the best mileage. Used on sled trailer during winter and a town truck other seasons. have a ford diesel for the heavy hauling. Thanks!

Coming off a diesel you'd be happier with the 3.55s. I like the fx4s

 

[Deleted member 10829]

I'm looking at getting a new F150 also. The price of used ones are crazy high, it makes more sense to go new IMO. I may have to do something by the end of the year or throw some money at my current truck.

The lower the rear end ratio the less rpm the engine will turn, so the 3.31 should do a bit better on mileage, but not sure it would be much. I'm no expert, but for towing I think you will want to look at a 3.55 or 3.73, and like saber said above, he went with the 3.55 for a bit better mileage.

 

[scoobydoo]

Just bought an fx4 with the ecoboost, its got the max tow package and 4 10 gears. I really hope it pulls my 4 place decent, my old 5.4 was just ok. I kinda wanted the 6.2but was afraid of the mpgs around town. I looked really hard at the diesels but the extra ten grand and extra maintenance and fuel costs stopped me. I hope I like this thing it seems like a pretty nice truck so far.

 

[Jonger1150]

Just bought an fx4 with the ecoboost, its got the max tow package and 4 10 gears. I really hope it pulls my 4 place decent, my old 5.4 was just ok. I kinda wanted the 6.2but was afraid of the mpgs around town. I looked really hard at the diesels but the extra ten grand and extra maintenance and fuel costs stopped me. I hope I like this thing it seems like a pretty nice truck so far.

$3500 extra for the Ram 1500 diesel and oil changes are done every 10K miles.

Ram has held up the release date because the demand is so high they are afraid of advertising with NO STOCK, its already won truck of the year in Texas (Biggest truck market).

 

[indy_500]

$3500 extra for the Ram 1500 diesel and oil changes are done every 10K miles.

Ram has held up the release date because the demand is so high they are afraid of advertising with NO STOCK, its already won truck of the year in Texas (Biggest truck market).

Do they change the tranny every 10k for ya too?

 

[xc500mod]

My 2003 silverado with the 5.3 had just too many problems recently so I got rid of it and picked up a 2011 F-150 Ecoboost, Lariat with the off road package (3.73 rear end and electronic locking differential). It had 42k miles on it when I bought it.

I just got back from roughly 900 miles of holiday driving at many different speeds.

MPG around town ~16.5 (tried not to be a lead foot)
MPG at 55 mph 22-23
MPG interstate (75mph average with a lot of no cruise due to holiday traffic) ~18.5

a few things to keep in mind: I didn't have a tonneau cover (that's coming this week), this is winter driving conditions (cold weather, fuel blend), and this truck is broken in. Also, when the computer calculates your MPG, it takes into account all the time you aren't moving and just letting your truck warm up - which obviously really ruins your mileage.

It is an awesome truck. I didn't know trucks could be so nice, seriously it's the nicest car I've been in. It does have the Lariat plus package which gives Navigation and a 700 watt sony stereo. It has so much power, i was truly surprised at what was available to pass someone at 75 mph. I really can't say enough about the power in this engine. The mileage I was getting is more than adequate, especially given the torque.

My dad just got a 2012 FX4 with Ecoboost this past week as well, he was coming off a 2010 with the 5.4L. He couldn't believe the increase in power.

I know a guy that regulary pulls roughly 10,000 lbs (dump trailer and skid steer) with his 2011 ecoboost with the 3.55 rear end. He says it handles that load very well, he has no need for a diesel. He'll also pull a 23 foot inline with 3 snowmobiles 200 miles one way, again the truck does very well.

hope this helps.

xc500mod

 

[Jonger1150]

Do they change the tranny every 10k for ya too?

It has an 8 speed transmission, that should be able to handle the torque.

- - - Updated - - -

My 2003 silverado with the 5.3 had just too many problems recently so I got rid of it and picked up a 2011 F-150 Ecoboost, Lariat with the off road package (3.73 rear end and electronic locking differential). It had 42k miles on it when I bought it.

I just got back from roughly 900 miles of holiday driving at many different speeds.

MPG around town ~16.5 (tried not to be a lead foot)
MPG at 55 mph 22-23
MPG interstate (75mph average with a lot of no cruise due to holiday traffic) ~18.5

a few things to keep in mind: I didn't have a tonneau cover (that's coming this week), this is winter driving conditions (cold weather, fuel blend), and this truck is broken in. Also, when the computer calculates your MPG, it takes into account all the time you aren't moving and just letting your truck warm up - which obviously really ruins your mileage.

It is an awesome truck. I didn't know trucks could be so nice, seriously it's the nicest car I've been in. It does have the Lariat plus package which gives Navigation and a 700 watt sony stereo. It has so much power, i was truly surprised at what was available to pass someone at 75 mph. I really can't say enough about the power in this engine. The mileage I was getting is more than adequate, especially given the torque.

My dad just got a 2012 FX4 with Ecoboost this past week as well, he was coming off a 2010 with the 5.4L. He couldn't believe the increase in power.

I know a guy that regulary pulls roughly 10,000 lbs (dump trailer and skid steer) with his 2011 ecoboost with the 3.55 rear end. He says it handles that load very well, he has no need for a diesel. He'll also pull a 23 foot inline with 3 snowmobiles 200 miles one way, again the truck does very well.

hope this helps.

xc500mod

Naturally aspirated gasoline vehicles are quickly vanishing, all makers are reducing engine displacement with turbo charging making up the slack. Also, port injection is being replaced with direct injection only.

Rumor has it, V8's are not going to survive the next 10 years either.