MXD

First post here so let me start by saying hello. I'm about to pull the trigger on a new F-150 but I'm undecided as to which motor to choose. Let me give you guys some info about me and maybe you can offer some suggestions.

My first new truck was a 2001 F150 (5.4). I loved it but I leased it so I only kept it 2 years. After that I bought a new 03 loaded Sierra 1500 which I still drive today (135k miles). That truck has been great but my eyes keep wandering to the Ford. I had great luck with my original F150 as well.

I drive my own vehicle for work which is usually very local but once or twice a month it will take me on a 200+ mile round trip. 90% of my driving is pretty typical. I'm real easy on my trucks. I average 14.2 city on my current 5.3 and I easily get 18 with the cruise on and I've seen as high as 20.1 over 250 miles of highway with no cruise and consciously trying to conserve fuel.

As far as recreation, I race motocross and I'm an avid snowmobiler. For MX, I tow a 7x14 enclosed trailer. Loaded down its probably just over 3k pounds. The snowmobile trailer is about 2k. I've wanted to upgrade the MX set up to a weekend warrior type travel trailer which would probably weigh close to 6k loaded down but my 4sp 5.3 sometimes struggles with the 7x14 now, so I have held off.

As far as fuel mileage, I care for everyday driving but I'm not so concerned when it comes to towing since the furthest I go is a couple hundred miles and that's only a few times a year. Most of the tracks are 50-80 miles away.

Thanks for any feedback.

76736

If your going for mileage without towing the ecoboost would be your best bet.

TJPlatinumEB

Everyone is going to have an opinion that will be based on what was best for THEM and not YOU. The only way to truly answer your question is to go drive all the varieties that you can and make a decision based on that for YOUR needs and specific situation.

My dealer let me have a demo FX4 EB for a week and then a demo Platinum 5.0 the following week to make my decision. I'd ask a dealer to use the vehicle for awhile and see what you think.

mrpositraction

What level of truck you looking at? Sounds like the 5.0L or the 3.5L Ecoboost would work for you. 3.7L maybe too small and the 6.2 too big (gas mileage loss isn't necessary in your situation).

MXD

I keep my vehicles for a long (relatively) time so I usually buy them pretty loaded up. I'm looking at the Lariat Plus 4x4 SCREW.

I also forgot to mention that the decision is between the 5.0 and the EB.

I had a deal on a new Sierra 1500 with the 6.2 but I backed out at the last minute. I realized I was only buying the 6.2 because I'm trying to upgrade from my 5.3 and it was my only option.

mrpositraction

Both will server your needs. If you are pulling in elevation the turbo's would be nice to have, if not, both will make you happy. Also keep in mind, the sound of the two are different. The 5.0L sounds good (like a V8, imagine that), the 3.5L is quiet and very diesel like in its behavior.

parkgt

I came out of a 2003 Quadrasteer with the 5.3. The new GM trucks just seemed too much like my 8 year old truck. Many things to like on the new Fords; with several things I preferred on the old GMs.

I test drove both engines and kept a 5.0 long enough to but about 150 miles on it. The 5.0 and 6 speed are way ahead of the good old GM 5.3, 4 speed.

Either engine will do what you need. Buy what your most comfortable with; for me that was the 5.0 V8.

The cost of the gas mileage difference is a small percentage of your overall cost of ownership and should not be the only reason to choose one or the other. The totals of price/payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, new tires, and mods over time will make the cost difference on gas mileage seem less meaningful.

Drive both, after that what does you gut say, which one strikes your fancy?

justjimmy

Get a Chevy or a Dodge.

No one here can give you a non-bias answer.

jdubb

I have a 2006 Weekend Warrior FS2300 TT. Dry it is 4600 lbs. Loaded it is 7400 lbs. If my family is just going camping without the wheelers, I usually pull it with my wifes 2007 Z71 Tahoe 5.3. Although it has the rear end weight, it doesn't have the ***** to pull the empty trailer. Not to my liking atleast. Pulling the same trailer with nothing in it, my Eco doesn't even blink an eye. Now remind you, this is before I lifted the Eco. I have yet to pull it with the lift on. So, if you are like me, I couldn't decide between the 5.0 and Eco. I was worried about towing what I needed to tow. I have always been a V8 guy so I was scared of the Eco. After driving both and taking a test run with my TT ( Wtihout the dealer knowing ) I made my decision to go with the Eco.

Scrappy Doo

iTrader: (1)

THIS. LMAO.

OP: Go drive them both. Then decide for yourself. You cannot go wrong with either.

*Now sits back and prepares to watch the fireworks!*