3.5L not needed in fords lineup (for towing purposes anyway)
02-08-2016, 02:44 PM
#11
Senior Member
Unless I'm doing my math wrong, one doesn't need a 3.5L in the f150 - assuming we are usually limited by payload, which you'll see is the case. I have a 2.7L 2wd '16 F150 w/payload pckg( 3.73, 9.75" ring, etc...). My payload on sticker is 1714#.
I'd assume that without the max tow pckg on a 3.5 the payload would be the same or probably lower from what I've seen posted on this forum. Let's run the calcs to determine my max tow rating as limited by my payload, before even bringing up fords rated tow weight for my 2.7. Let's assume 13% of trailer weight becomes tongue weight.
1718 -50 me
-350 kids & wife
-50 Steps
-30 bed cover
-100WDH =1138
-200 firewood =938
938/.13 = 7,214 Trailer
Or with nothing in the bed:
1038/.13= 7,984
My tow rating is 8,200#, so I don't see the purpose of a 3.5 other than it may feel more powerful but most reports say the 2.7 is fine at these weights.
I'd assume that without the max tow pckg on a 3.5 the payload would be the same or probably lower from what I've seen posted on this forum. Let's run the calcs to determine my max tow rating as limited by my payload, before even bringing up fords rated tow weight for my 2.7. Let's assume 13% of trailer weight becomes tongue weight.
1718 -50 me
-350 kids & wife
-50 Steps
-30 bed cover
-100WDH =1138
-200 firewood =938
938/.13 = 7,214 Trailer
Or with nothing in the bed:
1038/.13= 7,984
My tow rating is 8,200#, so I don't see the purpose of a 3.5 other than it may feel more powerful but most reports say the 2.7 is fine at these weights.
Do you tow a 35 Hp tractor or 80 HP with a Bucket on a trailer ?
Or do you live in the City.
02-08-2016, 06:36 PM
#12
Senior Member
The "2.7 EcoBoost payload package" only brings up the payload on a 2.72 near what a 3.5 or 5.0 would be as a standard vehicle.
02-08-2016, 10:03 PM
#13
Senior Member
Wrong. That payload Heavy Duty Payload Package rating is ONLY available with a 3.5 EcoBoost or 5.0. That is why the 2.7 cannot fulfill the role of a hauler and tow vehicle at the same time. Any 2.7, even with the "2.7 EcoBoost payload package" will run out of payload capacity as it hits it's towing limit. Extra passengers, cargo in the bed, mods, tonneau, bed liner, all reduce towing capacity by reducing available payload.
The "2.7 EcoBoost payload package" only brings up the payload on a 2.72 near what a 3.5 or 5.0 would be as a standard vehicle.
The "2.7 EcoBoost payload package" only brings up the payload on a 2.72 near what a 3.5 or 5.0 would be as a standard vehicle.
Yeah, I know that the 2.7 with payload has the same GVWR as the 5.0 and 3.5EB, you would have known that had you bothered reading the post that he responded to that caused me to respond to his post because that is exactly what I said.
What I was saying is that while the OP thinks the 2.7 is all you need because you run out of payload at about what the 2.7 is rated to tow, the OP thought there was no need for any more engine. Of course if you add 500# (which is what I was guessing at but I guess it's more) to payload, that increases what you can tow beyond the tow limits of the 2.7.
02-08-2016, 11:21 PM
#14
I have a 3.5 super crew max toe is 11900 pounds I have 3.55 gears, also my payload is right at 1900 pounds big improvement over the 2.7 even with payload package, I looked at 2 trucks identical except motor and 8.8 with 3.73 gears vs 3.55 9.75 I drove the 2.7 strong truck but the 3.5 would just kill it hands down drove them back to back, can only imagine the difference while towing
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acadianbob (03-06-2016)
02-09-2016, 02:32 PM
#16
Exactly the 3.5 has lower rpm torque than the 2.7, nighthawk your math is off, with my 15 3.5 I could have a 10,000 pound trailor behind me and still come out under the gvwr of the truck and I have standerd payload, which is right at 1900 pounds u have the payload package and are still less than my truck
03-06-2016, 12:43 AM
#17
Senior Member
I think what may be missing besides the tow rating is if you are towing in the mountains. When I hook up my travel trailer and climb up through the winding mountain roads we have here in Southern Oregon that extra power is really nice. Can you tow without it, absolutely, but when someone is going slow then pulls into a slow vehicle lane it is nice to be able to accelerate past them before that lane ends.
Mike
Mike
03-06-2016, 03:04 PM
#18
Unless I'm doing my math wrong, one doesn't need a 3.5L in the f150 - assuming we are usually limited by payload, which you'll see is the case. I have a 2.7L 2wd '16 F150 w/payload pckg( 3.73, 9.75" ring, etc...). My payload on sticker is 1714#.
I'd assume that without the max tow pckg on a 3.5 the payload would be the same or probably lower from what I've seen posted on this forum. Let's run the calcs to determine my max tow rating as limited by my payload, before even bringing up fords rated tow weight for my 2.7. Let's assume 13% of trailer weight becomes tongue weight.
1718 -50 me
-350 kids & wife
-50 Steps
-30 bed cover
-100WDH =1138
-200 firewood =938
938/.13 = 7,214 Trailer
Or with nothing in the bed:
1038/.13= 7,984
My tow rating is 8,200#, so I don't see the purpose of a 3.5 other than it may feel more powerful but most reports say the 2.7 is fine at these weights.
I'd assume that without the max tow pckg on a 3.5 the payload would be the same or probably lower from what I've seen posted on this forum. Let's run the calcs to determine my max tow rating as limited by my payload, before even bringing up fords rated tow weight for my 2.7. Let's assume 13% of trailer weight becomes tongue weight.
1718 -50 me
-350 kids & wife
-50 Steps
-30 bed cover
-100WDH =1138
-200 firewood =938
938/.13 = 7,214 Trailer
Or with nothing in the bed:
1038/.13= 7,984
My tow rating is 8,200#, so I don't see the purpose of a 3.5 other than it may feel more powerful but most reports say the 2.7 is fine at these weights.
I could have bought a 2.7L EB ($795) plus 2.7L payload package ($750) = $1545 or just buy the 3.5L EB ($1995), so net $450 (less with discount). [Well, actually 750 minus discount considering the $300 2.7L EB incentive]. My truck would still have had a lower tow rating (8200# vs 10500#).
My decision was based on two factors: 1) It was difficult to find a 2015 leftover w/2.7L EB WITH the payload package and the other options I wanted (4X4, 302A, 6.5 bed) and 2) I'm not saving much $ by going 2.7L EB + payload vs. 3.5L EB).
03-08-2016, 07:02 PM
#20
Senior Member
I see what the OP is saying, the engines' ratings are pretty close together.
I've towed a 6000 lb travel trailer with an '11 supercrew 3.5 EB for the last couple of years. I know that I was very happy with how the 3.5 towed. Just bought a '15 2.7, everything else basically the same. Looking forward to seeing how the 2.7 does with the same trailer. I suspect it will be quite close to the 3.5 based on the seat-of-the-pants feel of driving the two unloaded. We'll see in a couple months, though.
I do know that the 2.7 is getting about 2.5 mpg better for my commute and 'usual' driving so far. So if the 2.7 does 90% as good as the 3.5 with my trailer behind it, I'll be happy with the change.
I've towed a 6000 lb travel trailer with an '11 supercrew 3.5 EB for the last couple of years. I know that I was very happy with how the 3.5 towed. Just bought a '15 2.7, everything else basically the same. Looking forward to seeing how the 2.7 does with the same trailer. I suspect it will be quite close to the 3.5 based on the seat-of-the-pants feel of driving the two unloaded. We'll see in a couple months, though.
I do know that the 2.7 is getting about 2.5 mpg better for my commute and 'usual' driving so far. So if the 2.7 does 90% as good as the 3.5 with my trailer behind it, I'll be happy with the change.