5.0 vs 3.5 Eco towing
07-26-2016, 11:14 PM
#21
Senior Member
Non towing, as configured (level kit and larger tires) I got:
5.0 V8 - 14.2 MPG Average
3.5 V6 - 15.8 MPG Average
Towing (From Michigan to Florida and back, pulling the same boat on the same trailer)
5.0 - TERRIBLE!
3.5 V6 - So bad I got out of my truck somewhere in Tennessee on the way down and literally (I swear to god I actually did this) crawled under my truck and looked for a hole in the gas tank or a cracked line.
5.0 V8 - 14.2 MPG Average
3.5 V6 - 15.8 MPG Average
Towing (From Michigan to Florida and back, pulling the same boat on the same trailer)
5.0 - TERRIBLE!
3.5 V6 - So bad I got out of my truck somewhere in Tennessee on the way down and literally (I swear to god I actually did this) crawled under my truck and looked for a hole in the gas tank or a cracked line.
07-27-2016, 01:33 AM
#22
Senior Member
Non towing, as configured (level kit and larger tires) I got:
5.0 V8 - 14.2 MPG Average
3.5 V6 - 15.8 MPG Average
Towing (From Michigan to Florida and back, pulling the same boat on the same trailer)
5.0 - TERRIBLE!
3.5 V6 - So bad I got out of my truck somewhere in Tennessee on the way down and literally (I swear to god I actually did this) crawled under my truck and looked for a hole in the gas tank or a cracked line.
5.0 V8 - 14.2 MPG Average
3.5 V6 - 15.8 MPG Average
Towing (From Michigan to Florida and back, pulling the same boat on the same trailer)
5.0 - TERRIBLE!
3.5 V6 - So bad I got out of my truck somewhere in Tennessee on the way down and literally (I swear to god I actually did this) crawled under my truck and looked for a hole in the gas tank or a cracked line.
That's usually what I find out though. This is a good thread cause I'm curious as well for towing. I only tow a small tent trailer and decoy hauler a couple times a year. I know in a truck mpg is never great though
275 tire size is about 31" right? I wanna go 33" when I get a truck but not so sure now lol
07-27-2016, 07:41 AM
#23
I think if I remember correctly the 275/65/18s are 32 inches from when I was buying new tires. My 5.0 with stock tires pulling my 3H GN trailer with over 8k total trailer weight has pulled all over KY with only one or two times dropping to 3rd and only when I had to regain speed when someone slowed me down on a big long 6%grade. The big tires will kill you. My truck is also a 3.55 gear set.
The following users liked this post:
Kyle Lopez (07-27-2016)
07-27-2016, 10:06 AM
#24
I just returned from a 1500 mile round trip with my 2013 SCab 5.0 Lariat pulling 4 motorcycles on a 20ft open car trailer weighing about 5500lbs gross. We left Illinois and it pulled like a dream. Once we got into Kentucky and Tennessee, it wasn't as pleasant. The "Tow/Haul" mode is very nice in the hills, but the transmission would have to downshift, sometimes to 3rd gear @4500rpm, to maintain highway speed. I was hoping for 10mpg, but it beat my expectations,12mpg for the round trip. It was actually averaging better than that, but the leg from Indianapolis to home had a very stiff headwind and brought it down to twelve even.
07-27-2016, 11:56 AM
#25
Senior Member
Ya I'm so torn between a 5.0 and Eco. I think they're both great motors and either will do what I need to do. I just want to get the most MPG for my buck.
I'm at the point though, whichever motor I find first in the price range I'll buy lol
I'm at the point though, whichever motor I find first in the price range I'll buy lol
07-27-2016, 01:21 PM
#26
Senior Member
I've owned both, a 2011 FX4 5.0 with 3.73's and a 2014 FX4 EB, also with 3.73's. Hands down, the EcoBoost would outperform the 5.0 every time. There is simply no contest. I've pulled my boat from Michigan to Florida and back with both trucks several times. Both trucks have/had a 2.5" level kit in the front, and a 1" block in the back, and 275/65/20 Duratracs, which are taller than stock and affect pulling ability. In the hills of Kentucky and TN my 5.0 would downshift into 3rd at 65-70MPH and be screaming up the side of a mountain. My Ecoboost configured the exact same way pulling the exact same boat? I think it dropped down to 4th once or twice, but most of the time it just cruised along in 5th or 6th.
If you are pulling and don't want a 3/4 ton truck, you need an EcoBoost.
Also, they look just as good as their 5.0 brethren...
If you are pulling and don't want a 3/4 ton truck, you need an EcoBoost.
Also, they look just as good as their 5.0 brethren...
Sounds like the OP doesn't enjoy his engine screaming to get power and move a load. Some folks don't care and some may even enjoy it. The power difference is also substantial and gives more confidence and less annoyance going up a hill in case one needs (or decides) to pass.
So to the OP, yes the Eco towing in mountains will be as close to a diesel as any current gas engine and be leaps and bounds more powerful than your current rig. Or just put your foot closer to the floor and rev that stang engine up! It wont blow up...
The following 2 users liked this post by zx12-iowa:
Kyle Lopez (07-27-2016),
shortdustoff (07-28-2016)
07-27-2016, 04:47 PM
#27
Senior Member
The Eco is hands down the best towing experience i have ever had (never driven a diesel). This trailer weighed 7,000 - 7,500 lbs and i barely felt it. I do have a perf/tow tune from 5 star and 34" tires. I was still able to manage 11.5-12 mpg on semi flat roads.
07-27-2016, 09:23 PM
#28
Senior Member
Hahaha that's not good
That's usually what I find out though. This is a good thread cause I'm curious as well for towing. I only tow a small tent trailer and decoy hauler a couple times a year. I know in a truck mpg is never great though
275 tire size is about 31" right? I wanna go 33" when I get a truck but not so sure now lol
That's usually what I find out though. This is a good thread cause I'm curious as well for towing. I only tow a small tent trailer and decoy hauler a couple times a year. I know in a truck mpg is never great though
275 tire size is about 31" right? I wanna go 33" when I get a truck but not so sure now lol
07-28-2016, 08:38 AM
#30
Senior Member
Let us know how it performs in comparison. I think you will be happy with the effortless power moving a load.