2011 5.0 Towing Review
03-14-2011, 06:03 PM
#1
2011 5.0 Towing Review
Just finished my first trip towing with my 2011 F150 FX4 and thought I would give a review.
The truck is the FX4, 5.0L, 157” wheelbase with the stock 20” rims, Nav, moonroof, and trailer brake controller. When I left I had about 1300 miles on it.
The trailer is a Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604. 26’ weighing around 5000 to 6000 loaded with gear. Have a Blue Ox weight distribution hitch.
Filled the tank and headed out on Saturday morning heading from Albuquerque to Tucson. Mostly flat terrain, a few hills but nothing severe. Tow-haul engaged. I choose to use cruise on the flats, set to 65 MPH. Set the trailer brake controller to a gain of 6.5.
First thing I noticed was how absolutely solid the towing unit felt with the integrated brake controller. It really felt like it was all one unit when stopping. Before this I had a 3rd party brake controller in a 2010 F-150 4.6 v3.
Used the navigation quite a bit. I must say I was very happy with how fast it would recalculate from a missed turn. Had used a Mio GPS before and it’s favorite words were, “please make a U-Turn as soon as possible”. This one was 100% accurate and would recalculate very quickly.
Mileage was the biggy for me, I was hoping to get more than the 2010 did. In the 2010 with the same trailer I was getting 7.5 – 8mpg. This trip I was averaging 10.2. Also very happy with the power. The old 4.6 would really take a lot to get up a hill, and the 5.0 hardly every got above 4K RPMs. It just never tired.
Overall I am extremely happy with my new purchase. It was a toss up between then 5.0 and the EB engine, I’m glad I went with the 5.0.
The truck is the FX4, 5.0L, 157” wheelbase with the stock 20” rims, Nav, moonroof, and trailer brake controller. When I left I had about 1300 miles on it.
The trailer is a Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604. 26’ weighing around 5000 to 6000 loaded with gear. Have a Blue Ox weight distribution hitch.
Filled the tank and headed out on Saturday morning heading from Albuquerque to Tucson. Mostly flat terrain, a few hills but nothing severe. Tow-haul engaged. I choose to use cruise on the flats, set to 65 MPH. Set the trailer brake controller to a gain of 6.5.
First thing I noticed was how absolutely solid the towing unit felt with the integrated brake controller. It really felt like it was all one unit when stopping. Before this I had a 3rd party brake controller in a 2010 F-150 4.6 v3.
Used the navigation quite a bit. I must say I was very happy with how fast it would recalculate from a missed turn. Had used a Mio GPS before and it’s favorite words were, “please make a U-Turn as soon as possible”. This one was 100% accurate and would recalculate very quickly.
Mileage was the biggy for me, I was hoping to get more than the 2010 did. In the 2010 with the same trailer I was getting 7.5 – 8mpg. This trip I was averaging 10.2. Also very happy with the power. The old 4.6 would really take a lot to get up a hill, and the 5.0 hardly every got above 4K RPMs. It just never tired.
Overall I am extremely happy with my new purchase. It was a toss up between then 5.0 and the EB engine, I’m glad I went with the 5.0.
03-14-2011, 06:06 PM
#2
Nice review. I think a lot of people are writing off the 5.0 as a lesser of the two between the EB. Not saying there is anything wrong with the EB, but 5.0 can hold its own.
03-15-2011, 09:03 AM
#6
Better OUT then IN
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale area)
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I can certainly add to that...
5.0L, FX2 all stock except for the added Magnaflow Catback Dual exhaust.
Took a trip from Ft Lauderdale to Okeechobee Fl (just NW of the Lake) - about a 2 1/2 hour tow. Took US 27 - mixed driving - anywhere from 55 - 65 mph - some stop and go through the small towns.
Trailer is a 2011 Cherokee WolfPack 19 Toy Hauler. Loaded with two ATVs and lots of gear - I guest-a-mate around 7,200 pounds total - got 10.2 mpg as well.
I have to adjust my weight distribution system to this new truck/trailer. Just got the entire setup (Truck and trailer) in the last few months and the ball height was set up for my 4.6L, V8 Sport Trac and a toy hauler pop-up camper. That setup would net me about 15 mpg but the trailer loaded was around 4200 pounds.
Never re-aligned the weight distribution system to the new rig yet - will be doing that later this week.
All-in-all, I'm also very happy with the truck.
Like spawnman said, VERY stable and plenty of power when needed. Wouldn't change a thing.
To add more - going camping this weekend without the ATVs but adding two 12' kayaks so the weight should be about 1,100 pounds less. This will be a 4 hour tow mostly highway (Florida Turnpike). I don't have a heavy foot and will probably average in the 60 mph range. Seen folks lose control too many times towing big camping rigs too fast. I'll report the results back next week.
5.0L, FX2 all stock except for the added Magnaflow Catback Dual exhaust.
Took a trip from Ft Lauderdale to Okeechobee Fl (just NW of the Lake) - about a 2 1/2 hour tow. Took US 27 - mixed driving - anywhere from 55 - 65 mph - some stop and go through the small towns.
Trailer is a 2011 Cherokee WolfPack 19 Toy Hauler. Loaded with two ATVs and lots of gear - I guest-a-mate around 7,200 pounds total - got 10.2 mpg as well.
I have to adjust my weight distribution system to this new truck/trailer. Just got the entire setup (Truck and trailer) in the last few months and the ball height was set up for my 4.6L, V8 Sport Trac and a toy hauler pop-up camper. That setup would net me about 15 mpg but the trailer loaded was around 4200 pounds.
Never re-aligned the weight distribution system to the new rig yet - will be doing that later this week.
All-in-all, I'm also very happy with the truck.
Like spawnman said, VERY stable and plenty of power when needed. Wouldn't change a thing.
To add more - going camping this weekend without the ATVs but adding two 12' kayaks so the weight should be about 1,100 pounds less. This will be a 4 hour tow mostly highway (Florida Turnpike). I don't have a heavy foot and will probably average in the 60 mph range. Seen folks lose control too many times towing big camping rigs too fast. I'll report the results back next week.
Last edited by justjimmy; 03-15-2011 at 09:07 AM.
