k-stater88

Hey all,

I originally posted this in the towing section, but didn't get any bites.

So I hooked my '15 5.0 (3.31) up to a 16' bumper pull stock trailer which was empty and took off down a flat ks interstate. I set it on tow/haul and 5th gear to run 65-70, but the truck struggled with all it's might. I spent most of the 70 mile trip with my foot to the floor board. It would hover around 2100 RPM, and when i shifted down to 4th, it'd soar up to 2800-3000 rpm's just to keep her at 65 mph. the wind really wasn't much of a factor.

I'm concerned, because i used a 2014 5.0 to pull a flatbed and a '51 F3 doing the same speed and it chugged along in 5th with ease. Heck, even my gutless 2010 5.4 could tow leaps and bounds better.

No warning lights or anything showed up other than the mpg was way down at 10 or lower and our 140 miles to empty fell to 4 miles at the end of our 70 mile trip.... ideas?

NASSTY

The 3.31's are great for your highway MPGs when unloaded, but they are killing you when towing.
What gears did the 2014 5.0 have?

k-stater88

3.55's, but we're talking a less powerful 5.0 pulling more than double the weight. I know the 3.31 isn't built for towing, but at this point my '15 wouldn't be capable of pulling even 5,000 lbs. I tried everything, tow/haul, manual mode and nothing seemed to work as far as getting a different RPM band. I'm surprised that 5th wasn't hanging around 2500 Rpm's like it has on every other vehicle i've owned with a 6 speed. I know the 3.31 doesn't make a 400 rpm difference.

Rabbit

The 3.31 rear end might have something to do with it but not sure. What rears do you have in the other truck? Not really sure what else would cause that other than maybe low fuel pressure. I'm just guessing at both!

k-stater88

my 2010 had a 3.55, but considering my '15 has 70 more hp and 22 more ft-lbs. of torque at virtually the same rpm while being at least 500 lbs. lighter, i figured would have made up for a 3.31

tsigwing

brakes dragging on the trailer?

k-stater88

i got out along the way and checked at home. hubs were cool, tires spun freely, air pressure was good. My mom has an '01 with a 4.6 and a 4 speed that honestly towed better.

AbitaPro

Now you didn't mention the trailer weight, frontal air resistance, or as someone mentioned, trailer brakes issue? First impression sounds like truck is just maxed out pulling your load at those speeds! You have the engine horsepower, so the gearing would be most likely?

But just because you didn't get dash warnings, wouldn't mean you didn't have a problem. With the electronic issues forum members discuss, perhaps there's an issue? I would think you could tell though, if you had some malfunction and the truck wasn't running right.

Now others have been disappointed with their new 2015 F150's when it came to towing, but from their comments it didn't seem to be related to your issue. But they're resolution was to trade to a F250.

You could have your Ford dealer run an engine and drivetrain diagnostics, if that came back normal, and your trailer didn't have the brakes on; then it's a regear or new tow truck. If you have to pull that trailer, and carry some livestock, at those speeds.

Now it is somewhat confusing though, because one can check the Ford towing specifications, and I believe your truck is shown to have a capacity, "at first glance", of upto 9000lbs! But several factors will lower that rating, wind resistance, being one.

Towing comfortably, safely and feeling like YOU are in control, and not your load is priceless! Good luck!

Ricktwuhk

You posted last night on the Towing forum and only got 1 response so you gave up that quickly?

Since you seem to imply it's below 5,000 pounds, and rule out the trailer brakes grabbing, it's either wind resistance on the boxy trailer or your gearing.

SeatGuru

Did you have the electric sway control turned on the truck? I have found in the past that when towing a trailer empty that is fairly light and you have a crosswind the sway control is constantly firing the brakes to try and straighten out the truck and trailer combo.

Also 3.31s and you planned on towing?