Buck50HD

If you want the best towing capability/characteristics out there, ecoboost is my vote. Truly unbelievable. First time I towed our previous 7500lb tt, I had a grin on my face the entire 250 miles. Tows our new 8k+ 5th even easier. The eco is smooth, quiet and relaxed while towing.

If you are afraid of technology, accident prone or seem to have issues with every vehicle you've owned, go with the 6.2 or 5.0. This may also be the best route if the first thing you do to a new truck is make it sound like a Nascar.

smokeywren

The EcoBoost is better than the 5.0L in almost every respect except complexity.

The 5.0L is an old fashioned 302 CC v8 with fancy computer control. Only the tuning (computer control) gets complex. Ford has worlds of experience in making that engine efficient and bullet proof.

The 3.5L V6 EcoBoost is a complex marvel, with twin turbos. But Ford has years of experience with turbo-diesel engines, so the turbo - even the twin turbo - technology is not new to the Ford engineers.

The EcoBoost has higher unloaded EPA mileage rating than the 5.0L, and most of my driving in the pickup is unloaded, so I gambled and went with the EcoBoost. So far (14,665 miles over one year) the EcoBoost is wonderful. One 4,200 mile towing trip to Tennessee and Michigan with a 5,000 pound trailer, and one 700-mile towing trip thru through the Texas Hill country, the only complain is MPG. It gets about 10 MPG towing at 65 MPH, and I expected better. It averages about 17 MPG unloaded at mostly 79 MPH, and I expected better. But my MPG is certainly as good as anyone with a 5.0L that has the same conditions. Granted, if I poke along at the double nickel, it gets around 20 MPG. But in west Texas if you cruise at less than 75 MPH you'll get run over.

EcoboostKev

I have had my Eco for over a year now and it has 15,000mi. 4000+ of those miles were towing my 32' 7500lb Trailer and not a single problem with the engine! The only issue i have is the shudder from a stop to about 10mph only while towing. I'm hoping the Roadmaster Active suspension kit will fix that for next summer. I know there have been a few issues with the Ecoboost but there also have been a few with the 5.0 as well. And considering there are hundreds of thousands of these Eco's on the road the % of them with problems is low. If you are purchasing the new truck specifically for towing than the Ecoboost is the most logical choice! The 5.0 is a great engine in it's own right but when it comes to towing 7000lbs+ the low end torque from the Ecoboost is unmatched! To me there is nothing better than climbing a steep hill towing 7500lbs while the engine purrs along at 2600rpm's maintaining 65mph!! If you are buying new i recommend getting the max tow and HD pkg's for the extra payload. I feel the same way today as i did 16 months ago about this truck. It is by far the best truck i have ever owned !!

MickFodder

I have a 5.0 and have no problem hauling, the EB is a little bit better at towing that the 5.0, but I think more importantly you should look at the gearing. Go with some 3.73 gears with either engine and I'll bet you'll be happy either way.