If I were buying an EcoBoost, I'd definitely go 2017 or newer if for no other reason than the changes would give me a little more peace of mind about the long term reliability (and the extra power is nice too). Plus you'd get the 10 speed.

 

2017 you get *** 2016 you don't.
2017 you get a new design 10 speed tranny 2016 you you get a proven 6 speed tranny
2017 you get a new engine design 2016 you get a proven engine design

List the pluses and negatives and you should be able to narrow it down pretty easy.

 

Thanks, I've done that. Looking for some real world experience with towing in the mountains and the difference between the trucks (If there is any noticeable difference at all) as I can't recreate it. I have not had an f-150 and my current vehicle is a 2005 Xterra. I'm just trying to see if there is anything I've missed in reading opinions here.

 

Not every 2017 has the 10 speed. My buddy has a 17 and it's a 6.

 

I can't help with comparisons on towing between the 2, but I currently own an 18 and have put a lot of miles on a family 16 (3.5 TT, 6 speed). The 2nd Gen 3.5 and 10 speed is head and shoulders above the 1st gen 3.5 and 6 speed. It's definitely worth the extra money.

The 2nd Gen 3.5 also addressed many of the issues from the 1st Gen.

 

I traded a 2013 F-150 on a 2017 F-150 with the 10 spd tranny. In 2017, only the 3.5 eco had the 10 spd. In 2018, all of the engines except the normally aspirated 6 have the 10spd. There is a notable power increase with better fuel mileage. I tow an 8,000 lb travel trailer and the 10spd simply because of more gears is quicker to get up to speed. The extra torque of the new 3.5 is very noticeable also. I imagine the 2016 is pretty close, but I really like the new transmissions. I have had to have it reflashed twice because of shifting issues but once ironed out, is very smooth.

 

I have a 2017 3.5 EB, 10 speed and do a decent amount of towing a 25' 6000# travel trailer in the Sierra mountains. One of the not-so-mentioned things I like about this model is the down hill trans braking in tow/haul mode. Once I set my downhill speed I rarely have to touch the brake pedal and the down shifts are pretty smooth. I don't dread going DOWN some of those mountains. I don't have much tow experience with the older 6 speed, but I just thought this was a quality worth mentioning. Good luck!

 

The 6 spd had the engine braking in the tow/haul mode also.

 

I vote '17 also. The Gen2 3.5 and 10 speed is well worth the money. I went from a '16 to my current '18. My '16 was equipped identically to my '18. More power and torque, transmission is butter smooth and shifts great at full tilt. Plus the long term aspect of direct and port injection makes it worth it to me alone (reduces carbon buildup). The only thing I cannot completely comment on right now is towing. Just got my '18 the beginning of December, so I haven't towed with it yet. I tow a 36' 8600 lb travel trailer, which my '16 truck towed great with, so I would imagine the '18 will do even better with more power/torque.