Yeah baby, towing MILEAGE!! Is this typical?
10-01-2013, 07:00 AM
#21
Senior Member
I checked, thought I was...
It wouldn't maintain 6th, so I limited it to 5th, but it did drop to 4th at any little rise in the road. I prefer cruise control, wouldn't own a truck without it.
Towing 10K lbs: Check
Oversize aggressive tires: Check
Probably hasn't re-calibrated speedo for said tires: Wrong!
Truck leveled: Check
No WDH: Wrong!
The POS WDH hardly did a thing, no matter how much tension I put on the bars. It's the s*** springs in the back of the 1/2 ton that can't handle the load. Not only does this truck need a WDH, it needs a set of air bags. And sway bars.
If I had my '03 or '07 Cummins, I would have done 80 no problem and felt safe doing it, all while getting better mileage than my Eco guzzler.
But this combo wouldn't ride over 70. The truck was all over the road and didn't feel safe. I'm not sure it would have maintained 80 anyway without being in 4th gear. I chose to relax, not have to look for the law and set my cruise at 60.
Bottom line is that F150's are little toy trucks, great for daily driving, getting groceries, taking the kids to school, towing a ski boat and hauling a dirt bike or two, maybe a utility trailer or ultra light camper/toy hauler.
Max tow package or not, I think a 10k trailer is a bit much for a 1/2-ton. I guess I just expected it to be more like a HD truck with the tow rating.
It wouldn't maintain 6th, so I limited it to 5th, but it did drop to 4th at any little rise in the road. I prefer cruise control, wouldn't own a truck without it.
Towing 10K lbs: Check
Oversize aggressive tires: Check
Probably hasn't re-calibrated speedo for said tires: Wrong!
Truck leveled: Check
No WDH: Wrong!
The POS WDH hardly did a thing, no matter how much tension I put on the bars. It's the s*** springs in the back of the 1/2 ton that can't handle the load. Not only does this truck need a WDH, it needs a set of air bags. And sway bars.
If I had my '03 or '07 Cummins, I would have done 80 no problem and felt safe doing it, all while getting better mileage than my Eco guzzler.
But this combo wouldn't ride over 70. The truck was all over the road and didn't feel safe. I'm not sure it would have maintained 80 anyway without being in 4th gear. I chose to relax, not have to look for the law and set my cruise at 60.
Bottom line is that F150's are little toy trucks, great for daily driving, getting groceries, taking the kids to school, towing a ski boat and hauling a dirt bike or two, maybe a utility trailer or ultra light camper/toy hauler.
Max tow package or not, I think a 10k trailer is a bit much for a 1/2-ton. I guess I just expected it to be more like a HD truck with the tow rating.
A simple helper spring on the rear leaves would do wonders but people want a comfortable ride.
If you will be doing significant towing move up to the 3/4 or 1 ton.
Last edited by OddBall; 10-01-2013 at 07:13 AM.
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boosted150 (10-01-2013)
10-01-2013, 07:16 AM
#22
V-8 Sounds Great
^^ What he said. You can't compare a 3/4 to a 1/2 ton. I absolutely love my 3.5 EB, great for a daily driver that you can ONCE IN A WHILE tow almost 10,000lbs with. It's not a contractor's truck, it's not meant to haul 12,000lbs every day of its life. A 3/4 or 1 ton truck IS meant to haul every day of its life, but will give you a ****ty ride quality and less than stellar MPG all the time. It's all about what you want to sacrifice. For the amount of towing I do, I prefer a 1/2 ton and would rather have a better ride all the time with good MPG.
10-01-2013, 08:18 AM
#23
^^ What he said. You can't compare a 3/4 to a 1/2 ton. I absolutely love my 3.5 EB, great for a daily driver that you can ONCE IN A WHILE tow almost 10,000lbs with. It's not a contractor's truck, it's not meant to haul 12,000lbs every day of its life. A 3/4 or 1 ton truck IS meant to haul every day of its life, but will give you a ****ty ride quality and less than stellar MPG all the time. It's all about what you want to sacrifice. For the amount of towing I do, I prefer a 1/2 ton and would rather have a better ride all the time with good MPG.
10-01-2013, 08:57 AM
#24
I Can't Think Of One
But all that is irrelevant, I could know NOTHING about aero and the results would be no different. I have tested the plywood trick over long trips to see its effects (use it vs. not use it). Every time the plywood is propped up on the tail gate the truck/trailer gets 2.5-3mpg better gas mileage at 75-80mph.
I saw the same results (actually a bit better) with my F-250/30ft enclosed combo.
Effectively you are arguing with math, and you will never beat math in an argument.
And you are calling bull because you have tested this? I doubt it.
Good day.
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SkiSmuggs (10-01-2013)
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VoiceOfReason (10-01-2013)
10-01-2013, 03:07 PM
#26
Senior Member
10.2-11.8mpg and sometimes there's a boat instead of an ATV. Tires and driving style is your problem.
Attachment 259474
Attachment 259474
I bet you avoid the Cracker Barrel parking lot like the plague when you're taking a trip with that convoy.
I salute you, sir! lol
10-01-2013, 03:15 PM
#27
On The Hunt For A Project
This is why I have a 6.4L to haul my trailers... Usually around 13-14 MPG running 75 MPH, and it never downshifts. My EcoBoost is just a fun and luxurious DD.
10-01-2013, 04:25 PM
#28
can u post a pix? how far does the plywood extend out over the tailgate?
at what angle is it?
at what angle is it?
Yeah, in fact I do. I’ve spent more time racing things at over 180mph than you have spent going over 80mph….in your whole life. I know for example what the difference is in aero to do 200mph opposed to doing 195mph at Daytona (it isn’t much).
But all that is irrelevant, I could know NOTHING about aero and the results would be no different. I have tested the plywood trick over long trips to see its effects (use it vs. not use it). Every time the plywood is propped up on the tail gate the truck/trailer gets 2.5-3mpg better gas mileage at 75-80mph.
I saw the same results (actually a bit better) with my F-250/30ft enclosed combo.
Effectively you are arguing with math, and you will never beat math in an argument.
And you are calling bull because you have tested this? I doubt it.
Good day.
But all that is irrelevant, I could know NOTHING about aero and the results would be no different. I have tested the plywood trick over long trips to see its effects (use it vs. not use it). Every time the plywood is propped up on the tail gate the truck/trailer gets 2.5-3mpg better gas mileage at 75-80mph.
I saw the same results (actually a bit better) with my F-250/30ft enclosed combo.
Effectively you are arguing with math, and you will never beat math in an argument.
And you are calling bull because you have tested this? I doubt it.
Good day.
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rdkev (10-02-2013)
10-01-2013, 08:43 PM
#29
Member
I only went up one size in tires.....285/55/20 from 275/55/20 but an extra 16lbs per tire.
Even just this has made a noticeable change in how the pulls,I lock out 6th now where before it would stay in 6th the majority of time.
I even feel it when running empty.
Add a level into the mix as well...
Personally I'm not pulling over 8k with a half ton.
I've pulled the same trailer with 3 different trucks I've owned and it gets about the same mpg as the V8s,only it pulls my 6000lb trailer so much better.
And why anyone compares a half ton to a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel I have no idea...
10-01-2013, 08:56 PM
#30
Kickin it
Its been said plenty but dont expect 3/4 ton towing capabilities out of a 1/2 ton.
But you can go ahead and compare the EB to any other truck in the 1/2 ton game and it will out perform.
But you can go ahead and compare the EB to any other truck in the 1/2 ton game and it will out perform.