Towing in 2016: 3.5 Ecoboost vs 5.0 V-8
05-27-2016, 10:15 PM
#71
I'm partial to stick and tin and why I went with the Jay Flight. I just feel that build type is more reliable. The Jay Fight version of your floorplan. Here's a slightly smaller, but similar floorplan.
Also Jayco campers come with their own electronic sway control as seen here.
Can't say how the White Hawk is, I know the Eagle is about as premium as premium gets, and you'll pay for that.
I know with the Jay Flights, I compared many brands, stick and tin build and laminated build, and always felt I had the best. I really like Jayco's campers, just not a huge fan of their pop up designs.
Also Jayco campers come with their own electronic sway control as seen here.
Can't say how the White Hawk is, I know the Eagle is about as premium as premium gets, and you'll pay for that.
I know with the Jay Flights, I compared many brands, stick and tin build and laminated build, and always felt I had the best. I really like Jayco's campers, just not a huge fan of their pop up designs.
05-28-2016, 07:37 AM
#72
Senior Member
ECO should have a real advantage in the mountains. The turbos on the gasser do the same thing as the turbos on diesels. Packs more air in, so the power loss isn't nearly as great as with a normally aspirated gas engine.
So, from what I am reading, the 3.5L ecoboost provides no real advantage over the 5.0, since no one seems to recommend pulling more than 8,000 lbs with any 1/2 ton truck, no matter the "towing capacity". While it may be a fine engine, if gas mileage is relatively the same and it provides no useful advantage in pulling power, why get it over the tried and true V8?
05-28-2016, 07:44 AM
#73
Senior Member
And exactly who has said the 3.5L Eco would pull better than a 5.0 Cummins? No one, that's who.
The comparison has been between the 3.5 twin turbo and the naturally aspirated 5.0 Ford gasser.
The comparison has been between the 3.5 twin turbo and the naturally aspirated 5.0 Ford gasser.
Turn around, go back to Nissan and pick up a Titan with the 5.0 Cummins diesel. The specs and options on these trucks are phenomenal and you will get max dollar for your trade in. DO NOT let anyone bull**** you into thinking that the 3.5 ecoboost will pull like a 5.0 Cummins.
05-28-2016, 08:00 AM
#74
Senior Member
Biggest drawback I see, when towing, is that small gasoline tank. Your tow range is going to be pretty short.
And if you happen to tow out west, it's even worse. I towed my current trailer to California and back in 2014. My truck was a 2005 F150 with 5.4 Triton, but had the small tank like yours. Out west, I always filled up at 1/2 tank because I never knew how far the next filling station would be.
Otherwise, it's a great looking truck and should serve you well.
And if you happen to tow out west, it's even worse. I towed my current trailer to California and back in 2014. My truck was a 2005 F150 with 5.4 Triton, but had the small tank like yours. Out west, I always filled up at 1/2 tank because I never knew how far the next filling station would be.
Otherwise, it's a great looking truck and should serve you well.
2016 Magnetic Metallic XLT SuperCrew 5.0L 4x4, 302A plus moonroof. 5.5 ft bed, 23 gal tank, payload 1892 lbs. I tried to elominate weight and add to payload in all areas not too important to me: tank size and xlt over Lariat/Platinum were main concessions. Truck is still far fancier than my old one and drives great.
05-28-2016, 08:09 AM
#75
Senior Member
For me it was the exact opposite. A small tank would have been one of the deal breakers for me.
After my experience towing in the western US where gas stations are much fewer in number, I knew any new truck I got would have the large gas tank, or I would pass.
Of course, I also wanted a truck with the HD package, so I would have passed on any new truck that didn't have the HDP also.
Engine wise, I could have gone either way, but my new one did come with the ecoboost. I am quite pleased with it so far. Time will tell of course.
After my experience towing in the western US where gas stations are much fewer in number, I knew any new truck I got would have the large gas tank, or I would pass.
Of course, I also wanted a truck with the HD package, so I would have passed on any new truck that didn't have the HDP also.
Engine wise, I could have gone either way, but my new one did come with the ecoboost. I am quite pleased with it so far. Time will tell of course.
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Big Blu (07-15-2016)
05-28-2016, 12:39 PM
#76
The jay flight 28bhbe is a nice unit also but want something with the fiberglass front cap, This is why I'm leaning towards the white hawks and eagle. Having said that, I did look at the jay flight 29qbs model online, and really like the floor plan, similar to the 28bhbe/eagle 284bhbe with the addition of a full outside kitchen. If I were to go with a jay flight, I would definitely go with the fiberglass skin witch also includes the frameless windows which I really like. Waiting for these models to come in at a local dealership in the next week or so.
Aluminum does have issues so it may not be a negative. Aluminum transfer the cold from the outside wall to the inside wall, where condensation can be had on the inside wall. Many comments of this happening on rv.net .
Also aluminum studs needs a wood core. Not sure if Jayco does this or not. Without a core, cabinets and the such can become loose after years as the aluminum just doesn't provide enough 'biting' for the screws.
Also aluminum structure is welded. Welds don't hold very well on aluminum as why Ford uses a lot of rivets on our trucks.
While wood is more prone to rot if caulking isn't kept up, aluminum has it's fair share of issues. Just make sure to get your camper caulked every year and leak tested and you shouldn't have a problem with wood.
Also, I'd keep your loaded weigh at or below 8500 lbs. That's the most weight our F150 none max tow hitches can hold using the average tongue weight of 13%. Usually most people with trailers that big and fresh water tanks that large, load up ~2000 lbs. Just don't go over the trailers GVWR.
Good luck on finding your camper.
Last edited by Mike Up; 05-28-2016 at 04:03 PM.
05-28-2016, 01:09 PM
#77
I'm in the market for a new truck and, after trst driving, want a 4wd F-150 Crew cab. I've driven a 2009 Nissan Titan for 7 yrs and love it. It's just time for a new truck nd I want more than my 9,500 lbs towing capacity, because I'm about to buy a 32-34' bunkhouse travel trailer, too...gross weight will be around 9,000 lbs. Looking at 2016's and tow capacities, everything points me to the V-6 3.5l Ecoboost for towing. Can that engine really handle a full 30+ ft travel trailer that weighs 9,000 lbs? I may just be a skeptic, but it doesn't seem possible for a v-6 with turbochargers to pull better over mountains and long distances than a V-8 with lower geared rear end. I know what the ratings say, but I want opinions from people who have actually towed with the trucks to help me decide which to get. I will use as a regular work commuter and will pull 9,000 lb trailer 1-2x per month for weekend trips with wife and kids. Also, what is real workd gas mileage and performance difference between the two? Any help you can provide is appreciated. Thanks.
I had a 2004 Titan Crew Cab Off Road truck (hated it) and driven a newer, believe it was a 2013 as a rental for a few days. It was no where near as powerful as my previous 2012 F150 5.0. New 5.0L is much more powerful. Here's my tow review with the previous '12 5.0L truck. Here's another tow review.
The new '16s are lighter so careful attention to hitch setup is very important. A lighter truck isn't as forgiving to a poor hitch setup.
**Forgot who I was responding to. You already bought your truck with the 5.0L. Hope it works out good for you.**
Last edited by Mike Up; 05-29-2016 at 08:49 AM.
05-28-2016, 08:53 PM
#78
AND . . . if someone wants to talk Nissan Cummins vs Ecoboost; let's include payload capacity in the discussion.
05-31-2016, 10:58 AM
#80
They don't change the braking power according to need. You MUST adjust them on the go, as needed for highway driving, town driving, and stop and go driving. Otherwise, they'll put full brake power on the trailer(after the delay) as you're coasting to a stop for a light or stop sign, and then you'll have to drag the trailer, overheating the brakes.
I glazed my brakes from these worthless controllers and lost braking efficiency. At the time I was using a Draw-Tite Activator Time Delay Controller. What a piece of garbage.
Went to a Podigy Proportional Controller and never had issues again. Our OEM integrated brake controllers are Proportional and have the benefit of working with the traction and sway controls of our trucks.
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kevcarr59 (06-02-2016)