94-F150-10

Alright, fixing to be in the market for a slightly used 13-14 F-150. I can't decide on ecoboost or 5.0. I will be towing camper. I need some honest opinions on which motor to get. I'm not looking for a bunch of negative comments on either. My last F-150 was a 2010 with 5.4 with a lot of work done to it. I like the idea of a twin turbo V6 but will I be happy with it? 1,2,3, go

SpecialK8674

I like my ecoboost and have had zero issues with it, I haul 8-9k lb trailers a few times a month and it never struggles with it. Granted when I do haul that much weight I get 11 mpg but my old 2002 F150 5.4 got 13 on the highway unloaded so I am not complaining at all. It really depends on what you want out of your truck, if you like the v8 sound you will not be happy with the ecoboost. I personally love how quiet it is.

FerdinandF150

I have an 11 5.0 STX, and I'm a minimalist. If I'm not going to use it and if it could be trouble down the road I don't want it; like having 4x4. I also like to attempt doing some repairs myself and coming from a 1970 F100 without a computer, less is more likely I'll take a stab at it.

EcoBoostJake

I have owned both the 2011 Eco, and now a 2014 5.0. If you are looking to tow, I would lean towards the Eco. Otherwise I am very happy with my 5.0.

The only complaint I have about the Eco was the time delay it took for the turbos to spin up and give me power. This could have been solved with a tuner, or being more patience. But in the mountains that truck preformed better than anything I had ever driven. To be fair I did not tow any large trailers with it, but I did help friends move and towed a few broken down trucks on the flat land.

It does feel like the 5.0 takes more effort to accelerate with a load, but it still preforms flawlessly in all areas, and also does not hesitate when you hit the gas.

My vote, and I am sure others would agree, try both models before you buy. You really cannot go wrong with either one.

jdog0411

I've only owned Ecoboosts (two of them), so I can't speak to the 5.0. I do love V8's too, so I'm sure that engine is awesome too. I thought about getting a 5.0 for my next truck just to try something different, but I live in Denver at 6000 feet, so the turbo is really a necessity here.

I have towed a 7000 pound trailer from Denver to the east coast and back twice (pic of the trailer is in my avatar to the left), and the Ecoboost is awesome for towing. It really tows like a Diesel and never really struggles with the load. Like the poster above my mileage was awful at 9 mpg when towing, but that is partly because of being in boost and also the trailer is like a barn door going down the highway, so it's to be expected.

Based on my experience, if you are mostly concerned with towing power, you will love the Ecoboost. I'm sure the 5.0 is capable also, but I don't have any direct experience with it. I have heard from others that it hunts gears and stays at much higher RPM when towing then the Ecoboost does, but that's just what I've read.

Also, there is some turbo lag, but I think it's more pronounced at Altitude than it is closer to sea level. I've got 36,000 miles on my truck so far, and the engine has been very reliable with no issues.

94-F150-10

Yeah well I'm at sea level down here in south Louisiana so I'm not concerned about altitude but I've always had V8's. I like the numbers on the ecoboost and the power is in lower rpm's which would work perfect for towing. My wife has a 2015 explorer sport with the ecoboost v6 and I love driving it. Yes it weighs less but it is also detuned making way less hp than the truck engine but still fun. My last truck was a 2012 deleted f250 so I'm liking the idea of staying with a boosted truck. I just love the sound of a v8. I'm not buying one for a few more months so I'm just trying to do some research. I have listened to vids on YouTube of ecoboost with exhaust and they almost sound like a diesel.

jdog0411

Wish I was at sea level sometimes....anyway, I'd say drive both and go with the one that feels better to you. They are both great engines.

Weaver14

Depends what you need and where you live like others above have said. If you live in a hilly area or will be towing a bunch get the eco. I live in a flat area, rarely tow and wanted a grunty sound so I went with the 5.0, which I love. I'm leveled with 33s on 20x10s and I run the **** outta this thing in manual mode and I average 15mpg

JLTD

This. I drove both prior to deciding, and preferred the linear power delivery of the 5.0. The 3.5 comes on strong, but it's a big surge of power when the turbos spool up - not what I wanted living in MT with snow and ice for 6 1/2 months a year.