Im looking at the base XL model and see that the regular 3.5 v6 is the standard option. If anyone has any insight regarding reliability, I'd love to hear your thoughts/suggestions. This would be a personal use/daily driver and for towing a 20 ft camper.

 

It should be very reliable. Any reason not to move up to a 2.7 Ecoboost or the 5.0? 2.7 isn't a very expensive upgrade would be do better at towing your camper, though the N/A V6 should be able to do it. I would assume you are worried about reliability of the Ecoboost or 5.0? All three options should be solid, though the 5.0 is the most expensive.

 

There are a few threads dedicated to the 3.5NA, if you search.

All the attention goes to the Egoboost vs 5-slo crowd, but the 3.5NA is a solid engine, no doubt! If it meets your needs, I would not hesitate to own that truck, save some money, and some gas!

 

I'm a bit of a skeptic regarding the ecoboost and turbo chargers in general. I prefer the more conventional 3.5 v6 or the 5.0 ...Basically, I'm aiming for simple, inexpensive and durable.

 

Thanks..I see you have the 2.7 . How do you like it so far? It's hard to wrap my head around the idea that my focus engine is almost as big..lol

 

I have an XL with the base 3.5. Mine is a regular cab so it's totally adequate and not slow. You wouldn't even know it's a V6 and not a V8 unless you were told.

I've driven a crew cab with this engine and it's a bit slow. I think if you tried to tow a camper with a crew cab and a 3.5 it might be sluggish, but probably get it done eventually.

 

Do yourself a favor and at least test drive an ecoboost.

 

Remember...That N/A 3.5 has more power than the top V8's of not that long ago. I'll bet that lil truck with the 3.5 would impress

 

282 hp @ 6250 rpm
253 lbs tq @ 4250 rpm doesn't seem like it would impress imo

 

I was the same way, no one would've convinced me that a 2.7L V6 has any business in a full size 4x4 P/U. It was almost laughable to think about.

Then I test drove one, just to convince myself it would be horrible.



I was absolutely blown away by the performance. I don't think my jaw closed up for at least 30 minutes. (I had the good fortune of a 500-mile weekend "test drive") And when driving "normal", I was seeing 23-25 mpg on the open road. Again, I was just dumbfounded by it all.

So, that's why I have a 2.7! Going on 1 year, ~18K miles, still amazed!