I bought my 2018 scab about 6 weeks ago. 2.7 liter, 10 speed, 355 rear end, I plan on towing a relatively light aluminum hull bass boat quite a lot. (2500\2700 lbs loaded and fueled). I'm retiring and towing between Phoenix and Lake Powell 2 or 3 times a month. It's a hilly route. 1700 feet in Phoenix up to 10,000 feet southeast of Flagstaff, down to 3600 feet at Lake Powell. Beautiful drive but my old truck struggled in the hills. (2003 f150 with a 5.4). My current truck with the 2.7 tows it effortlessly.
Is premium fuel (91\93 octane) needed when towing light?

 

I settled in the middle. Higher premium will get better performance, at a cost to higher prices. It will not be offset by enough higher mpg. So I threw the hat in, I buy mid grade, top tier fuel only year round. I suggest if concerned, tow boat first time with what you typically buy and see how it does. It becomes much more of an issue with much more weight than you are doing. That said, hilly country, I also understand that higher octane makes truck run cooler, so in the summer heat?

 

Owners manual simply says:

Designed to operate on regular unleaded with a min pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87

then it says:

For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended.

then it says:

We recommend Top Tier detergent gasolines.

There are a lot of opinions on the matter. Some ignore the recommendations. Some think Ford is a secret agent for the oil companies. Some dont mind the minimum. Some want the best vehicle/eng performance. Some just drive their truck to the grocery store and back. Some folks buy 1 ply toilet paper.

Up to you. Is it needed, NO, is it beneficial, up to you and your wallet.

 

I tow horses frequently and have never used anything but 87 octane, never had an issue!

 

Both my boat and sled trailers are in the same weight range. Since day 1, the truck has used reg 87 for everything. Runs great, gets good fuel mileage and pulls the trailers no problem. The odd time I've tried premium and can't tell any diff in performance. In certain conditions, big hills, bucking a strong headwind, I lock out 9-10 gears.

 

For me premium/93 makes more boost which in turn reduces RPM when towing my 7000lbs TT with my 2.7. At interstate speed in light hills I lock out 10th and 9th, cruise in 8th at ~2200rpm, and this gets me over the humps and gives me ability to accelerate on plane without dropping gear. With 87 octane I can definitely notice 8th gear isn't cutting it anymore. Hills or acceleration will now require dropping to 7th. Other than that I don't notice it. Mileage wise I haven't done enough towing with 87 to compare. Tow comfort wise I like premium because my cabin is quieter from reduced RPM and it makes 8th gear a really good sweet spot. With 87 I don't like locking it in 7th because the RPM jump is too high for constant cruising and 8th still works for the most part but it's now a little outside of the sweet spot.

In your circumstance a boat+trailer weighing 3500lbs and with far less aerodynamic drag than my 7000lbs TT is going to be a completely different experience and one much easier on your truck. I wouldn't hesitate going with 87 exclusively.

 

I've towed 5k pounds on 87 several times with my 3.5 eco without any issues. Only towed a few hours each time but it included some pretty long, steep hills. If I was going to tow long distances and in the mountains I would probably elect to use 91 octane for peace of mind.

 

I run 91 non ethanol always. When towing and traveling I get 93 whatever is the top octane.

 

Non ethanol is near impossible around hear unless you go to a boat dock. I'd run it in my motorcycle for sure.

 

New Mobil station across from my house has it at every pump. Has a separate red nozzle for the non ethanol 91. Still has 87, 89 and 93. Non ethanol 91 and 93 are the same price.

My Truck is parked in the garage mostly all winter now so I’d rather have non ethanol sitting in there