Towing Ability of F150 5.0L vs. Ecoboost

[cplynn]

I'm going to post the same question here that I posted on classicbroncos.com since many of you are probably familiar with towing in the Colorado mountains.

I bought a 2014 5.0L F150 FX4 last year that I absolutely love...until I towed our 3740lb vintage camper up the steep grades of the Colorado mountains last weekend for our camper's maiden voyage (to Steamboat Lake State Park). Now I'm contemplating trading my truck in for an Ecoboost F150 (used) because I've heard Ecoboosts are better at towing than the 5.0L.

I bought my F150 a few months before we had the camper, but when we bought the camper I thought my truck would have no problem towing it. We spent the last year working on the camper (it's a 1968 Holiday Rambler) so taking it out last week was the maiden voyage, and I have to say, I was disappointed in the towing performance of my truck at elevation and with the 6%+ grades sprinkled in. We have two more camping trips planned in the mountains this summer--one to Redstone and one to Mueller State Park.

So, I've been mulling over the idea of trading my truck in for an Ecoboost, but I wanted to get the thoughts of the forum on the decision, because I want to make an informed decision, and I know there are variables that I have not considered. One of my thoughts is that my family will probably only be camping a few times a summer so would it really be worth the effort and potential loss of $$ on my current truck to get an Ecoboost? I still owe money on my truck, but if I keep it, expect to have it paid off by November.

My F150 can get the job done for sure, but going up a pass like Rabbit Ears pass to Steamboat, or going from Dillon to the West side of the Eisenhower tunnel, I had the pedal nearly to the floor and the RPMs revving to 5K at times to get back to or maintain speed limit. Wonder how an Ecoboost would do given the same situation. How reliable and what kind of maintenance can be expected witht he twin turbos of the Ecoboost? Appreciate any input, advice and thoughts on whether it would be worth trading in my 5.0L for an Ecoboost, or even an F250 for that matter.

[ZOSO]

I'll get booger to chime in about his 3.5L. I will just say its a work horse.

[cplynn]

Forgot to mention, I'm running stock tires and the axle ratio is 3.55.

[Jesus_man]

For the amount of times you tow, I would not think it would be worth the effort to trade for another F150. But if you believe you will be camping more, or towing more, then you might consider a diesel 250/350. Either go with the 99-2003 7.3L or the 2011-current 6.7L, but behind either of those, you'll have no problems towing 4k lbs.

I don't have any ecoboost experience either, but I hear they do quite well. I would also so that if you are able to maintain the speed limit or near it, then you are doing fine. Just make sure all your maintenance is current. Also youtube ecoboost towing and perhaps you can find some good insight there. The TFL channel could be awesome as their tow test is up Eisenhower.

Maybe make the V8 work this summer, pay it off, and then you have a little more bargaining power when it comes time to upgrade.

[Booger]

I built my '11 E'boost F150 just for that very thing. Ordered it with 4.11 gearing and Max Tow pkg. The thing runs like a scalded goat towing for sure. Mileage could have been better but towing my 4k+ trailer it gets probably 9 mpg in the mountains. I do like the torque in the mountains and that 6 speed with low first gear is great.

[Eck]

I’ll add that my Dad Hs a 2016 ECOBOOST and my buddy has a 2018. We’ve used both to tow my Bronco from Denver to Moab and I could put it on cruise control at 80 and it never labored. Extremely impressed with the power and ability of the motor to tow and you hardly know anything is there.


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[ScottBarnes]

My '16 Ecoboost was ordered with Max Tow package, and my experience was like Eck. Put the cruise on 80 towing my Bronco, and sit back and enjoy the drive. It's a beast.

[cplynn]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input!