EcoboostKev

Maybe Ford should hire you to do there 5.0 sales pitching for them. You are correct about there being more to these trucks than a V6 with a turbo. But not when it comes to towing! Why can't you just except the fact that the 5.0 can't tow as well as the Ecoboost? Especially at higher elevations! ! And you say that you rarely go over 3000 rpms while towing your trailer. It's probably because it only weighs 5500-6000lbs. Strap closer to 8000lbs to the bumper then let me know what rpm your turning. I sorry to say but if anyone is boosting there ego here it's you...

Tystevens

As with every decision, it depends what you're doing and how you want to do it. On flat ground, sure, you would never need to exceed 3k rpms towing. A a 7% 6 mile long grade at 65 mph is a different story. I haven't driven or towed w/ a 5.0, so I can't say for sure, but I'd expect to be in 2nd or 3rd gear and near redline to keep the pace up such a hill. Again, nothing wrong with that, just depends what you like.

I do know from experience that the EB can tow my 6k lb trailer up such a grade at 2500 rpms in 4th gear, and for smaller grades, it doesn't need to shift out of 6th gear. I'm not saying which is 'better,' but I sure prefer how the EB does it.

Wannafbody

My EB tows at 2000-2500 rpm less than my 5.3 on a steep grade. I've also heard that the EB is pretty impressive at truck pulls for being nearly stock.

jdm1904

I have had my ECO for 20k miles and not an issue. My father has 40k on his 12' Eco and same thing. I pull a large boat 2-3 weekends a month and the truck has never stuttered or had an issue. I have the 3.15 fuel saving gears and it still pulls just fine. I just pull in a (1) lower gear than my father with his 3.73 max tow. Go ECO and have no regrets. Don't know of many other trucks that get their fuel economy on the freeway either

SkiSmuggs

My Max Tow 2011 EB does just fine with my 9500 lb fifth wheel. In 11,000 miles of towing, I have never wished I had a bigger truck or different engine. I get 9-10 mpg at 60-62 mph.
Edit: Adding my sig within the post in case you are reading mobile.

2011 Ford F-150 XLT Candy Red Metallic 3.5L EcoBoost, SuperCrew 4x4, Max Tow, 5'7" Box, BedRug, Truxedo Lo Pro QT, SuperSprings, Bilstein HD shocks, Southern Speed Inc tuned, Full-Race Resonated Exhaust, Wagner Tuning IC, Reese 16K fiver hitch, Mohr Mfg SpareBumper
Cougar High Country 299RKS with Reese Sidewinder pin box

jdm1904

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RedOne

I will second exactly what SkiSmuggs said. I also have been towing for over 10,000 miles, have never had an issue and my drive train is completely stock. It has done everything I have asked of it and more.

good hands

Just bought the ecoboost with max tow, heavy payload package. The ecoboost is amazing for a 6 cylinder motor. Pulls my 9000lb race trailer like a freight train . The Ecoboost engine is not the limiting factor on a F150. I would just make sure you get the heavy payload, Max tow package. I am coming from a 6.0 F250 diesel and can honestly say the ecoboost is almost as strong.

smokeywren

The Cougar XLite 29RES has a GVWR of 9,990 pounds and a wet and loaded hitch weight of almost 1600 pounds.


What is the GVWR of your F-150 Max Tow? 7,550?


Have you weighed your rig when on the road? When wet and loaded for the road, did you exceed the GVWR of your F-150? Did you exceed the rear GAWR of your F-150?

RedOne

Loaded our 29RES is at 8500-9000# at the most and the dry hitch pin weight of 1190# with less than 1400# loaded (1385# calculated). We don't travel with loaded tanks and even if we did the fresh water tank it is in the back of the camper helping balance the hitch weight even more. My GVWR is I believe 7750# and have just over 1800# payload. Last time I had a chance on weighing the truck empty with the hitch in, full tank of gas, travel packed and me driving I still had 1400# for the rear axle and 200# for the front axle. My hitch is 2" forward of center axle so it puts a little weight (about 100#) on the front too.

We are close or even at the limit but there is a safety margin built in to these trucks and I have a 5th Airborne Sidewinder hitch (air ride-no chucking), 10 ply truck tires, airbags and hi-performance truck brakes/rotors. The truck itself has anti-sway built in, independent wheel anti-lock braking, factory trailer brake controller and was set up from the factory for Max Tow. A 5th wheel travels so much better than a TT unless you drive one you can not realise the difference. It travels very nice and I have over 10,000 hitched miles including up to 8000 foot passes.
If I ever get down your way I will PM you and let you drive it cause once you do you will not believe it (only cause you been on our *** about pulling a 5er with a 1/2 ton for years now). I let my brother drive mine, he has a 3500 cummins with a triple axle Raptor and could not believe how good ours drove(up, down hills, city and highway driving). Thanks Smoky you have always been the pessimist we all need and your right you are the "grumpy old man"