Brand new user to the forum, so don't get bent out of shape. I'm currently in the market, to purchase a F150 for my mother. I have some questions on what exactly she should get. Basically, she wants a black crew cab with leather, sunroof, myfordtouch, and 4WD. This is where it gets tricky. For a 53 year old woman that drives back and forth to work about 40 miles everyday, and might pull a boat 10 times a year (no more than 50 miles roundtrip), should she look at the Ecoboost V6 or the 5.0 V8? That is my main concern. Second, between the King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, or a Lariat? What are the pro's and con's of some of the owners? I've read through some reviews, but they are all mixed. There are pissy GM or Dodge owners who tried out a Ford and couldn't wrap their head around a small issue and flipped out and said never again. We are Ford people through and through. So... please, let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

Would opt for the 5.0, just my opinion. Coupled with the right gear ratio it should tow anything fairly well. Specs on boat to make sure?

KR, Plat, Lariat...All interior optioned differently with a few minor exterior changes, her preference really.

 

13 EcoBoost SCrew FX4 no problems here. Doing more than 40 miles a day. Like said numerous times the boost is good for economy if you can drive conservatively. I can get 22mpg highway and 17 city if I try. But I like my turbos so I'm siting at 17 average mpg.

In regards to towing, I haul and tow medium to light loads, I've got a pretty heavy sea doo, but there's no downside to towing with an EcoBoost. Watch the videos and check the specs. Plus if it's only 10 times a year, no biggie.

 

I think it might come down to how much this boat she is going to be towing weighs. If it weighs 5,000 pounds, then I'd suggest the 5.0 with the 3.55 gear set, and the basic towing package.
If the boat weighs 6,500 pounds or more, I think your are right on the border between getting the 5.0 or EcoBoost --- but at this weight, I'd still suggest the MAX TOW option on the EB. If you hooked up serious weight to both the EB and the 5.0, you'd be surprised by how well the EB tows weight. It is an amazing little engine.
As far as the options she wants, I have the Lariat Plus and love the level of luxury it offers. I also don't care for the big band of stainless on the tailgate of the Platinum, so that made the choice easier for me.

 

Having owned both an Ecoboost V6 and a 5.0 V8, both 4x4's with 3.55 gearing I can give my thoughts but you really should drive each yourself to see how they feel to you. Have pulled a smaller travel trailer weighing about 4500# for over 10,000 miles and can say that the Ecoboost clearly has more low end pulling power than the V8 but the 5.0 will do the job just fine but will be shifting more to do it. I would not worry about the Max Towing package unless you will be pulling real heavy loads, the normal towing packages have worked fine for us. We have pulled the camper through the Rocky Mountains and to Alaska with the Ecoboost and no problems. If you live in a humid area I would search the forums to learn more about the water condensation issues in the Ecoboost Intercooler (but I believe the improved Intercooler on the 2013 lessens the problem).

 

Thanks for the insight! The boat is about 6500 lbs., and 10 times is probably the max amount of times the truck would pull it. She currently has a 2011 SS Camaro... so the turbos sound like something she might enjoy. She drives pretty carefully, so it actually sounds like something I might enjoy. Haha! I'll definitely want to drive both of them, and it sounds like thats something I might need to do.

 

You've already got some good suggestions, so I'll say welcome Ty. Sounds like a cool Mom you got there. Put her with both type engines, and she'll know wants good for her. If she drives an SS Camaro, she won't have any problems deciding. Like others have said the King Ranch, Lariat, and Platinum have the same powertrain with the trim being different. To me the engine was an easy choice, picking the trim level was the difficult part. Then you have to pick the color.....

 

40 miles a day is a lot... get the Ecoboost

 

I have the Lariat with the Lariat plus pkg and find it's a great daily driver truck. Mileage is not bad with the 5.0 and 3.55's. It can pull 5 to 6K pound's with ease.

 

Having owned both a 5.0 & EcoBoost, for commuter duty, steer her to the 5.0L with 3.55 gears or an EcoBoost with 3.31's. An EB with the Hwy gearing is still a stout puller and will out pull anything else on the market in that configuration.

Loved my '11, 5.0, Supercab with 3.55's,I got an honest 21-22 mpg's highway. 12-13's in town.

My EcoBoost, FX4 has 3.73's and is a hefty 157" wheelbase and struggles to get 16-17 hwy, but pretty much gets 13-14's in town not matter how I drive it or load it. I don't recommend Max Tow for anyone who commutes 90% of the time with one of these, or really is never going to get close to Maximum towing ratings on one of these trucks.

I use my '13, FX4, Max tow for work, which is often hauling 600-700 lbs in the box, driving up and down hilly & steep inclines, towing on the weekends, so 3.73's were exactly what I wanted, fuel is also a business expense so I don't think to much about that.

But if I did, I would have gone 3.31's & EcoBoost or a 3.55 geared 5.0 if a humid climate is of concern?