AluminumGT40

I am looking to buy a tow truck to pull one car in an enclosed trailer. The trailer will probably be a ball hitch, not a 5th wheel. The truck will also be used as the local go get it truck too. The car being hauled will be under 2,300 lbs. Probably using a 24 ft box trailer. The trips will involve a lot of travel like Indiana to CA and to FL, SAAC conventions and vintage race events. SO far, I prefer not to have a diesel. What won't work if you know. I have been looking at the V6 Turbo Ecoboost F-150. Is there a difference between the 2012 and a 2013. OR, am I OK to use a 5.4 in an older F series? I am in the market to buy a trailer and tow vehicle now.

XtraLargeTall

EB and 5.4 are both good tow vehicles. Only differences to 2013 are interior dash changes including MFT, new grilles and optional HIDs on upper trims and supposedly a new intercooler on the EB. I would also recommend getting the Max Tow package with either engine as it gives you some upgrades as well as OEM tow mirrors which are really handy.

ggallant1

Second the recommendation on the EB with Max Tow. While the weight you are towing may not be much, it seems like you will be towing often and long distances so I would go with the best towing setup possible to avoid any problems and also have plenty pulling power.

Scrappy Doo

iTrader: (1)

The 6.2 in a new f150 would also be good. Good old big cube engine.

For your needs, any of the new f150 engines is going to work.

But I agree that the max tow package should be on the truck you buy

jjm1024

Do not forget that the max payload package will give you more overall benefits for towing then the max tow alone. Odds are you would have to order this setup thru your dealer as I doubt you will find truck on the lot with these options. At least that was the case for the dealers near me.

As for engines they will all work for you except the 3.7. Personally I would get the ecoboost or the 6.2. I haul a 10,000 lb + 5th wheel with my eco and still can't believe how well it does. You just have to try to forget you only have 3.5 liters under there, which isn't hard once you feel that torque pull! :-)

EasternAirlineKenny

...6.2 for longevity over eco-whoosh,that while impressive, has no long-term reliability track-record.

acadianbob

Not a factor . . . . .

If you get a 5.4 (and it IS a good towing motor), I'd try to get one with the 6 speed auto; much better than a 4 speed. It would need to be a 09 or a 10.

XtraLargeTall

Neither does the 6.2. All of the new engines have the same lack of a track record. If you're going purely by that then it would be the 5.4 that would be the engine of choice. No need to bring any engine bashing in here, only intelligent conversation and yours doesn't qualify...

Adobe2X

With the usage you have described, I agree with some of the others here......if you can afford it, get the EB with the Max Tow package and possibly the Max Payload package.
As far as wanting/needing the payload package, pay attention to your tongue weight and other things you are going be carrying (include EVERYTHING) to see how close you are going to be to the rated max with and without the payload package.....
You will literally not believe how well the EB tows. It IS hard to think that there is only 213 cubic inches under the hood when you are towing up a grade at 60 mph, in 4th gear at only 2,900 rpm, and staying in 6th gear the rest of the time!!

tarheelbob

You definitely want the new 5.0L V-8. Or the EB. Or the 6.2. Definitely.