Is the complexity of powerboost worth it ?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 51
From: SW Florida
I currently have a MY22 PB with 20K+ miles on it. To date, knock on wood, I've had no problems with it. Of course I bought it strictly because of the 7.2Kw generator. I tow and boondock a lot. I got tired of carrying around the 2 Honda generators and the gas to run them. My PB has done a superb job powering my travel trailer.
That said, If I didn't tow and boondock, I probably would have opted for the 2.7 EB, or possibly the 5.0L
That said, If I didn't tow and boondock, I probably would have opted for the 2.7 EB, or possibly the 5.0L
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,676
From: Somewhere on the south side of Heaven.
I wouldn't buy one, there has been too many issues with them brought up here.
But then there are plenty of people that have no issues. I think that can be said for even the worst vehicle ever produced, someone has a good story about it.
Overall I think Ford has the wrong idea with the Powerboost. Ram is coming out with their plug in hybrid Ramcharger. Basically its an EV truck with an onboard generator.
Hybrid tech is actually not a new concept. The idea for that is about 100 years old and comes from diesel electric submarines, then that idea was implemented into trains making them diesel electric. In both those cases, the propulsion was driven solely by electric motors, and the engines only drove generators.
As a disclaimer, I know the older diesel electric subs were direct drive. I am not talking about those.
To me, it looks promising though I definitely will not touch a first year release. But maybe a 26 or 27.
But then there are plenty of people that have no issues. I think that can be said for even the worst vehicle ever produced, someone has a good story about it.
Overall I think Ford has the wrong idea with the Powerboost. Ram is coming out with their plug in hybrid Ramcharger. Basically its an EV truck with an onboard generator.
Hybrid tech is actually not a new concept. The idea for that is about 100 years old and comes from diesel electric submarines, then that idea was implemented into trains making them diesel electric. In both those cases, the propulsion was driven solely by electric motors, and the engines only drove generators.
As a disclaimer, I know the older diesel electric subs were direct drive. I am not talking about those.
To me, it looks promising though I definitely will not touch a first year release. But maybe a 26 or 27.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 331
Likes: 232
I wouldn't buy one, there has been too many issues with them brought up here.
But then there are plenty of people that have no issues. I think that can be said for even the worst vehicle ever produced, someone has a good story about it.
Overall I think Ford has the wrong idea with the Powerboost. Ram is coming out with their plug in hybrid Ramcharger. Basically its an EV truck with an onboard generator.
Hybrid tech is actually not a new concept. The idea for that is about 100 years old and comes from diesel electric submarines, then that idea was implemented into trains making them diesel electric. In both those cases, the propulsion was driven solely by electric motors, and the engines only drove generators.
As a disclaimer, I know the older diesel electric subs were direct drive. I am not talking about those.
To me, it looks promising though I definitely will not touch a first year release. But maybe a 26 or 27.
But then there are plenty of people that have no issues. I think that can be said for even the worst vehicle ever produced, someone has a good story about it.
Overall I think Ford has the wrong idea with the Powerboost. Ram is coming out with their plug in hybrid Ramcharger. Basically its an EV truck with an onboard generator.
Hybrid tech is actually not a new concept. The idea for that is about 100 years old and comes from diesel electric submarines, then that idea was implemented into trains making them diesel electric. In both those cases, the propulsion was driven solely by electric motors, and the engines only drove generators.
As a disclaimer, I know the older diesel electric subs were direct drive. I am not talking about those.
To me, it looks promising though I definitely will not touch a first year release. But maybe a 26 or 27.
I just think that Toyota/Ford Hybrid design is better/stout for truck use. But i am no expert.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,676
From: Somewhere on the south side of Heaven.
I am inclined to believe it will be designed to operate at full power till you have to pull over and let it charge again. The estimated range is 690 miles. That tells me that when the battery charge reaches a certain low, it will start to charge.
Like everything else, the harder you push it the less range you will have.
And for what its worth, the Pentastar is pushing a lot more than 174 hp, and even if it were only that, that would still be strong enough. No ones engine sustains high HP output.
Like everything else, the harder you push it the less range you will have.
And for what its worth, the Pentastar is pushing a lot more than 174 hp, and even if it were only that, that would still be strong enough. No ones engine sustains high HP output.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 2,586
From: Livonia, MI
An engine of that power will be more than sufficient to keep power going into the battery pack. You will still have the option to use traditional DCFC stations as well.
I have mixed feelings on this as an implementation. The benefit of a BEV is less maintenance and less overall complexity. Their proposed set up seems like it would be more complex than even a hybrid and still have the negatives on maintenance. It is a good move for someone that tows a long distance, but I think the overlap of people that tow often enough and far enough to benefit from this but aren't better served by a Super Duty/2500 series truck is pretty small.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 2,586
From: Livonia, MI
As for the OP question, I have had two PowerBoost trucks now. My '21 and my '23.
Both trucks have had issues that required service, but none of the issues were related to the PowerBoost itself. I love the engine combo and think it's well worth it. I have used the onboard inverter for when we lost power for three days, I get better consistent fuel mileage than I ever did with my previous 2.7L EB trucks. It's has great power and smooth power delivery.
One of the biggest benefits is the ability to run the AC compressor even when the engine is off, something no other F-150 (except the Lightning obviously) can do. The AC compressor in the F-150 PB is electric and not belt driven so even when the engine is off you get normal climate control. A common complaint for those that don't like start/stop in the other engine configs where if the engine turns off at a stoplight on a 90 degree day, the cabin starts heating up fairly quickly.
Overall, I love the PB and would continue getting them if I don't go full BEV for a future truck. The battery/motor portion have extended warranties from factory as well, which limits my concern even if I do have an issue, and the underlying engine config is still the 3.5L Ecoboost, which has been solid for a while now.
Really the only thing you will hear for the current state of the PB is from people that don't own them that fret over complexity, as if every engine in the F-150 lineup isn't extremely complex anyway for their own reasons. Turbos, cylinder deactivation, the miles of wiring, at some point people just like to worry.
Both trucks have had issues that required service, but none of the issues were related to the PowerBoost itself. I love the engine combo and think it's well worth it. I have used the onboard inverter for when we lost power for three days, I get better consistent fuel mileage than I ever did with my previous 2.7L EB trucks. It's has great power and smooth power delivery.
One of the biggest benefits is the ability to run the AC compressor even when the engine is off, something no other F-150 (except the Lightning obviously) can do. The AC compressor in the F-150 PB is electric and not belt driven so even when the engine is off you get normal climate control. A common complaint for those that don't like start/stop in the other engine configs where if the engine turns off at a stoplight on a 90 degree day, the cabin starts heating up fairly quickly.
Overall, I love the PB and would continue getting them if I don't go full BEV for a future truck. The battery/motor portion have extended warranties from factory as well, which limits my concern even if I do have an issue, and the underlying engine config is still the 3.5L Ecoboost, which has been solid for a while now.
Really the only thing you will hear for the current state of the PB is from people that don't own them that fret over complexity, as if every engine in the F-150 lineup isn't extremely complex anyway for their own reasons. Turbos, cylinder deactivation, the miles of wiring, at some point people just like to worry.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 331
Likes: 232
I am inclined to believe it will be designed to operate at full power till you have to pull over and let it charge again. The estimated range is 690 miles. That tells me that when the battery charge reaches a certain low, it will start to charge.
Like everything else, the harder you push it the less range you will have.
And for what its worth, the Pentastar is pushing a lot more than 174 hp, and even if it were only that, that would still be strong enough. No ones engine sustains high HP output.
Like everything else, the harder you push it the less range you will have.
And for what its worth, the Pentastar is pushing a lot more than 174 hp, and even if it were only that, that would still be strong enough. No ones engine sustains high HP output.
That is not how it would work, the engine has ZERO physical connection to the driveline. The only purpose of the engine is to charge the battery.
An engine of that power will be more than sufficient to keep power going into the battery pack. You will still have the option to use traditional DCFC stations as well.
I have mixed feelings on this as an implementation. The benefit of a BEV is less maintenance and less overall complexity. Their proposed set up seems like it would be more complex than even a hybrid and still have the negatives on maintenance. It is a good move for someone that tows a long distance, but I think the overlap of people that tow often enough and far enough to benefit from this but aren't better served by a Super Duty/2500 series truck is pretty small.
An engine of that power will be more than sufficient to keep power going into the battery pack. You will still have the option to use traditional DCFC stations as well.
I have mixed feelings on this as an implementation. The benefit of a BEV is less maintenance and less overall complexity. Their proposed set up seems like it would be more complex than even a hybrid and still have the negatives on maintenance. It is a good move for someone that tows a long distance, but I think the overlap of people that tow often enough and far enough to benefit from this but aren't better served by a Super Duty/2500 series truck is pretty small.