mhamershock

I've towed over 15000 miles with my 2011, usually with a 7500-8000lb bumper pull on the back. It works ok with this load but not great. You gotta watch your payload rating if you are not buying the HD version. W/o the HD they are pretty soft for anything over 6000 lbs. Sure, the motor rocks, but the suspension and tires are soft and it handles like mush once you get that extra 800-1000 lbs on the bumper. I'm bagged, with Rancho 9000s and E rated tires and that all helped a lot with comfort and stability.

I've had problems with overheating on big hills and high ambient air temps. Bad fans, warped exhaust manifolds, pegged the temp gauge a few times and put it into limp mode. I'm not gonna go into it all here - you can search for my threads.

It's a pretty good daily driver and a fair tow vehicle for me.

Mike

1RobW

I'm having trouble believing the question isn't a joke: The F-150 has had the highest tow rating for awhile, based on all I've read. The 3.5L TT has the highest rating in that truck, so it stands to reason, it's capable.

W/ 420 lb-ft torque and a massive, largely flat torque curve, you'll be hard-pressed to find any half ton w/ a higher rating.

Most importantly though, you MUST know which package it is because not all 3.5L TT 1/2 tons will have the 12,200 lb rating. Most are in the 7,000 range. In my mind, towing more than 8k w/ a 1/2 ton just doesn't make much sense. Once in awhile is 1 thing, but if you're towing regularly and you know the need is 8k or more, I would only recommend a heavier truck. My 150 has the tow package, brake controller, etc., but it won't be used to haul the tractor... that gets to slam the dually.

Come to think of it, I don't even know the tow rating on my own 1/2 ton. I just know I can use it w/ either of my smaller trailers and (at best) tow the big trailer as long as it's mostly empty.

mcfarmall

I've had problems with my EcoBoost when towing. I have to be very careful when accelerating from a stop when towing my 5,000 lb travel trailer as I have smoked the tires on a couple of occassions. This is not a joke. My 2011 truck has the max towing package and 11,200lb tow capacity rating.

1RobW

Noice! That's hilarious even though I'd bet you can spin 'em. My 5L spins the rears way too easily. That said, I'd look into stickier tires if it spun w/ a 500 lb tongue weight attached.

mcfarmall

I've learned "easy on the pedal" when towing. Once the load is moving I can get on it but taking off needs a gradual increase.

vozaday

I always hear the "turbos aren't meant for towing" comments. What do they think powers a diesel. lol.

The Eco has a higher tow rating for a reason.

The 5.0l will pull fine also, but the extra power down low of an Eco is nice.

Heck trucks were towing 10k loads with 200hp only a couple decades ago.

Cord

The midrange of the EB is it's gem. I regularly pull 10k+ and just love the engine. Pretty comparable to a mild stock diesel for midrange power. The '11s have the problems with the timing chains and water ingestion so just make sure the truck is current on it's TSB's and there are no codes. Don't know how much you want to tow, but the trucks with the highest rating have the donkey style mirrors.

marauder11

I find it funny that they can find the Ford forum to ask the question on but, can't find the answer in a Google search.