2talltechie

I don't plan to get 4x4, so wouldn't the e-locker be a help in moderate slippery situations? Would like to know more about why you said I wouldn't need it.

If I didn't need the e-locker, I am contemplating getting the regular tow package and keeping the default 3.15 axle for better milage. If payload runs out first, then another reason I don't need the towing weight bump from max tow.

Truck is being purchased before a trailer purchase. Not sure what is in my future for TT. Just trying to plan ahead.

smokeywren

You need the E-locker on a 4x2. Don't leave home without it. But the e-locker is available with the 3.15 ratio. That's what I have. So if you are willing to give up trailer weight to get the 3.15 ratio, it's available.


You missed something somewhere. The max tow gives you 500 pounds more payload. 500 pounds payload with the average 0f 13% tongue weight is an additional 3,846 pounds of total trailer weight without exceeding the GVW of the F-150. If I had max tow, I'd have enough payload capacity to raise my total trailer weight from 4,770 to over 8,600 without being overloaded. An 8,000-pound TT is a heck of a lot more trailer than my 5,000-pound 19' Joey.


But I thought the 3.73 ratio that comes with the 2012 max tow was too much. I thought 3.10 would result in better MPG. I was wrong. The EcoBoost engine will give good MPG ONLY when the turbos are not being used. Turn on one or both of those turbos, and MPG goes to the pits. But with the long legs of the 3.15 ratio, the turbos go to work at any unloaded speed over about 55 MPH, or at even lower speed with a trailer tied on. So my unloaded MPG is around 16, and my towing MPG is around 9 = same as the guys with 3.73 ratio.

2talltechie

Have not seen any documentation for 2015 model year that there is a bump in payload with Max tow. Have heard others concur. Perhaps this ended in 2014.

Traction control documentation and demonstrations on YouTube are pretty impressive. I believe it has taken the place of limited slip on the F150. Seen it work on ice, grass, dirt, etc. Also read from experienced members that one wheel drive is actually a myth, I assume given traction control.

Partial List
2011 demo

Thanks for all the comments.

2talltechie

Another video, from 2008.

2talltechie

As of 2015, according to Ford's towing guide the 3.15 is rated to tow up to 10,700 with the 3.5L turbo. It should tow nearly what the 3.73 did just a few years ago. The 3.55 gives you marginally more towing capacity (11,900) over the 3.15.

I would be interested to hearing from those with the 3.15 axle. From what I've read, the ones with it, like it.

And it is not sluggish:

No bump either in payload for max tow, which is often the rebuttal argument. However, if you want the e-locker with the 3.15 gear, then that adds $420 to msrp. That would buy quite a bit of gas, and since the e-locker is included in the max tow (along with upgraded rear bumper), that makes the max tow package pretty attractive even for light towing.

Just my observation from a prospective buyer.

2talltechie

F150, 4x2, Supercrew, Shortbed, Ecoboost 3.5L

2014
3.15 axle 8800 Tow Limit
3.55 axle 9800 Tow Limit

2015
3.15 axle 10,700 Tow Limit
3.55 axle 11,900 Tow Limit

Notice that the 3.15 gear in 2015 is rated to tow more than the 3.55 last year. How much more capable does the 3.15 gear have to be to get some respect?

No bump in payload for max tow either. That ended last year.

byoungblood

I think I am going to do the same. Fortunately in every case someone has been around to give me the gentle pull to get me going, but it is very annoying for nothing more than some damp ground to keep you from moving.

Also, the factory tires don't help things either. They're great in rain, but don't have any kind of bite into soft ground.

So far as gearing as concerned, I wouldn't want to tow anything substantial in hilly terrain with a 3.15 gear. Gearing is about keeping the engine in its power band, and you're going to be doing a lot of downshifting to keep a truck with 3.15 gears in its power band.

DieselDawg

I don't know...think of the F150 as a TRUCK! Novel idea, Huh? A little more gear, a little more traction, a little more hitch, ETC. adds up to a lot more TRUCK. The old adage of you won't miss it until you need it comes to mind.


Drive it easy unloaded and you will get MPG within the Advertised Range...Tow with less than optimal equipment and you put yourself and others in jeopardy IMO.


As for the extra cost vs savings (if you add stuff yourself)...make a better deal on the truck that YOU NEED!

2talltechie

So, for the last 2 posters, I have a deal for you. How about a new super-duper hybrid vehicle that has the mileage of a 3.15 axle, and the pulling power of a 2014 4x2 with 3.55 gears. You would get all that towing power and save some money at the pump. Would you be happy with that?

Well, the J2807 tow standards say that this year's 3.15 4x2 with the 3.5L EB has more towing capacity than last year's 3.55 axle equipped vehicle, and every one that came before it. So my hybrid deal above would actually be less capable than the 2015 3.15 axle model just as it is.

SAE J2807 test protocols include:

Cooling capability on a long highway upgrade
Launch and acceleration on a level road
Launch and acceleration on a 12-percent grade
Handling performance in terms of understeer and trailer sway
Braking performance in terms of stopping distance and parking brake hold on a grade
Structural performance for the vehicle, the hitch, and hitch receiver

2014
3.15 axle 8800 Tow Limit
3.55 axle 9800 Tow Limit

2015
3.15 axle 10,700 Tow Limit
3.55 axle 11,900 Tow Limit

If I didn't tell you the axle number and just put a sign on the truck that showed towing capability, and you saw the new 2015 (3.15 axle) out performing the 2014 (3.55 axle) in SAE J2807 testing, would you really pick the vehicle with the less capable performance? Maybe that would be embarrassing when discussing axles at the campground but I don't think you should be. Towing capability seems to be outpacing payload capability, which allows one to pick a better mileage gear without surrendering much towing capability. A win win.

Now granted, the 3.55 can do even more in 2015, if you need something to tow between 10,700 and 11,900 (short bed 4x2 stats), but as everyone knows, you are likely to run out of payload before you can actually tow such weight without some additional help, such as the HD payload option.

Wheelman2015

I am an OTR trucker for 20 years and I own my trucking company and my trucks. I just bought a 2015 4X2 145" wheelbase supercab 3.5L ecoboost with 12,200 towing capacity, but it has a heavy duty standard towing hitch rated at 11,000 lbs. when used with a weight distribution hitch. I want to tow 12,200 lbs.

I can't believe how difficult it has been to nail down the specs on this pickup while trying to determine the difference between the heavy duty towing package and the max towing package.

Being a semi operator, I can say that my semi trailer has a vin plate on it along with every other component on my rig. Everything is clear and easy to understand. My rig has 2 20,000 pound drive axles and the combined weight im legally allowed to put on those axles is 34,000 lbs. because its just SAFE.

I call FORD and the dealer is telling me that Ford put an 11,000 lb. hitch on a pickup that can tow 12,200 because once I load the truck down with drunken sailors and beer kegs I'll be at my max GCWR of 17,100.

They are telling me that I cannot buy a hitch from Ford that is rated at 12,200 lbs. It doesn't add up. The truck is rated to pull 12,200 with a GCWR of 17,100 and it's curb weight is about 4500 lbs. If my hitch is rated at 11,000 lbs. and you add a curb weight of 4500 that comes to 15,500 lbs. which is 1600 lbs. below the GCWR. So if I had a hitch rated at 12,200 and added a curb weight of 4500 that would be 16,700 which would still allow me to have 3 or 4 bikini models in the back seat (in this dream I'm having) , maybe even 5.

Anybody know a good dealer somewhere that can solve this?
I just want a Fomoco hitch installed and covered under warranty that is rated at 12,200 because this truck is rated for it. Thanks.