You live in a flat part of the country. I live not too far from you but in a hilly area SW PA. That said if you comb through the forums you will find most 3.5 EB owners average right about what I am averaging and the 2.7 guys are on average up over 18 with a lot of them near 20.

 

The 3.5 TT is also, I love lots of power and it makes my truck funner to drive on the daily commute.

 

I had a loaner 2.7EB from my dealer for a week, It's just as fun as the 3.5EB.You stomp on the gas and it boogies.

 

It's definitely a strong little motor and more than enough for the majority. Before buying my truck I had gone to the dealer with 100% intentions of getting the 2.7, but after driving the new 2nd gen 3.5 back to back there is a big difference IMO. Add to that the towing ability with the Max Tow (one of the best values on the spec sheet) and I never gave the 2.7 another thought.

 

Yeah, I landed at the same place. It was towing capacity for me too. I currently own a large trailer that gets loaded to 10k lbs from time to time and the wife and I plan on purchasing a large travel trailer. I wanted to make certain I could climb the Rockies without issue.

 

Had a 16 Lariat 2.7EB, 3.55 elckr 18" wheels, trailer tow that was traded for a 18 lariat 3.5EB 3.55 elckr max tow with 20" wheels. Total different driving experience. The 18 just drives so much better while pulling the same trailer. It could be less flex in the tire sidewalls. Max tow is a smart up grade if one what's a 3.5EB. Winter mileage in central WI. for 3000 miles is 15.9MPG , that's all around miles, 2H, 4A, 4H, + 2H pulling 6000# trailer 1000 miles. The 16 was used the same way and averaged 18.2 MPG over the same distance only change was milder winter weather in the previous winters. Was this a needed change no but for only 2.3 lower MPG, better handling going to stay with a 3.5EB and max tow. PS one crazy thing is it seems that the safety chain hookup on the max tow is easier.
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18 Lariat 4wd, 502a, 3.5EB, 3.55 elckr, max tow, tailgate step.
Traded 16 Lariat 4wd, 501a, 2.7EB, 3.55 elckr, trailer tow, Tailgate step.

 

if we had something of size to tow - I'd have bought a 3.5 in a heartbeat. and the new gen 3.5 is a great motor. Which like hell I could get the raptor mill in a non - raptor truck. I would. (seriously ford mo co employees - make a slightly lowered F150 with some other weight reduction, 3.5HO, 10R80, 3.34 or 3.55 rear gear set - wider tires - call it a lightening - I'll take mine in blue or ruby red)

But without the need for max tow or max payload I wasn't going to buy it and haul around that extra weight and loss of MPG - AND PAY FOR IT - so I got and so far love the 2.7L in the sport trim.

 

Exactly, the 3.5 only makes sense if you are or are planning to tow heavy loads.

 

I wouldn't mind the 2.7, but have a feeling that it would struggle too much to pull my Coleman. It weighs 6400 pounds, which the 2.7 should have no issues with, but the frontal area would.

 

I've been looking for 3.31 gears to replace the 3.55 in mine, and all I can find are front reverse cuts, no rear ones.