jeffinthebag

Your right, my 5.0 only averages 17 mpg mixed driving as a daily driver. All I said is there are numerous problems with the ecoboost and I know 3 people myself that have that "bogging " down problem. Every new vehicle has problems. But I would rather "invest" in a proven engine. If it is so good, why is Ford discounting your engine only after a few years and are coming just with the New Updated Ecoboost?
From my understanding, That engine was up to snuff on durability and over all real world power for the new full size transit vans. Argue all you folks want, they needed a new ecoboost engine that could handle 4,000 lbs cargo for vans. Commerical van drivers now really don't even want it, thank god Ford is at least putting the baby diesel in the new transit. But for some reason, you figure it out. Your ecooboost is not good enough for it.

sdmartin65

I've got a headache........what was the question again?

packplantpath

I don't think that the need for wd starts quite that low.

dougbattaglia

We have the 2013 ecoboost with 3.31 axle and trailer tow package, 9200 lbs max trailer, 7200 truck max and 1450 cargo( actual by scale)
New trailer is 6600 lbs max gvw and 800 tonque. Leaves six hundred for passenger and extras.
Our 2013 is now rated by Ford at 15100 gcwr for the 145 wheel base 4x4
Your boat should fit fine behind this.
If you can get max tow and / or hd payload that would be even better.

grey2112

Thank you all very much for the opinions so far. I recall towing my 8000+ 31 foot travel trailer before with and without an Equalizer anti-sway/WD hitch - there was quite some major difference in performance, especially when being passed by 85 mph tractor trailers

This gives me a lot to think about - from a safety standpoint I'm beginning to believe that maybe a F250 is more in line with what I might want, and definitely a WD hitch as well - yeah, more of a PITA and expense, but having some peace-of-mind regarding towing, even short tows at under 55 mph, is priceless.

brulaz

Like the grumpy guy says, you will do fine with an F150 with MaxTow. But check the payload rating. Too many options can drop it fast. My payload with MaxTow is 2050#, more than enough.

Dunno about your area, but in Ontario the dealer will go on the computer and find what you want anywhere in the surrounding area. Or you can go online yourself and check dealer's inventory for what you want. That's how I found my current truck at a dealer two towns away. And you're right about pricing. Mid-Late summer just before the 2014's start rolling in is probably when the prices will be lowest. Got our 2011 Eco F150 for about $11K off in August, 2011.

And ignore that troll's malarky about the Ecoboost. It's a great towing engine; Ford's been selling scads of them. Lot's of folks on this forum use them without any issue. Our 2011 has run perfect. The V8's are fine too.

my67falcon

As you have discovered, it is wiser to buy more truck than you need vs. having to buy a new truck for your new needs. The 5.0l with the tow package will tow it but if you tow a lot look at the Eco. I tow hay a few tines a year and do just fine with my 7100#gvw 5.0l but if I were towing often and long distance I would have opted for the EcoBoosted XLT the wife wanted. That being said how is it you guys get such crappy mileage? I get 16.5 on corn.

grey2112

So, what about 4x4 ? I think I've decided to go with an F250 for various reasons - should I go ahead and go all out and get a 4WD for those occasions I might really need it, or will a 2WD F250 do the job on a 7000 pound boat/trailer combo at normal, well-maintained ramps?
Reason I ask is I'm looking at these two trucks and didn't know if it made sense to pay less for a 4x4 F250 with 48k miles on it vs. the under 8k mileage F250 with 2WD?
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Index=13&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Index=15&Log=0

proexpert

I got the 2WD F-150 so my payload rating would be higher. Every pound of option added to the truck, including 4WD, removes a pound from the available payload. For safe towing, the "payload" is the number to be aware of, not so much the "towing capacity".

Another thing, everyone talks about the motor, but without good brakes, the big motor just gets you into more trouble. Stopping safely is way more important than going fast up the big hills.

smokeywren

I'm not a fan of 4x4s. I've never owned a 4x4 in my over-50 years of owing vehicles. I even lived in Colorado for over 20 years, and took the kids skiing nearly every weekend. For several of those years my "car" was a Ford E-150 custom 4x2 van. Yeah, 4x4 would have been nice a couple of times, but not really necessary if you know how to drive.

Good drivers rarely need 4x4. But dragging a 7,000 pound boat trailer up a steep, slick boat ramp is a special requirement that almost demands a 4x4. Put that puppy in 4x4 low and idle to the top of the ramp with nary any struggle.

The alternative is to mount snow chains on the tires, then drag the boat up the ramp. That might look silly, but with a 4x2 that's about the only way to get that boat trailer up the steep slick ramp without begging a tow from a nearby buddy with a 4x4.

I don't do boat ramps, but I've observed disasters at my daughter's house on a TVA lake in Tennessee. If I had to drag a boat out of the water very often, and didn't want to have to mount snow chains or holler for help, then I'd probably pay the $4000 extra to get 4x4-low capability in my tow vehicle.