NASSTY

LOL

Mike Up

I had a 2010 with the 5.4L and had a lot of problems with the new Transmission, frame and such. It was a lemon and I just got rid of it. I usually won't buy first year models but with ford it seems it takes them 2 new model years to get the problems worked out.

I was already to buy an Ecoboost but had concerns with a turbo charged engine pulling heavy trailers and it was for good reason. While Ford has done wonders with the Ecoboost, it's not perfected yet. New for 2013 'later' models is a newly redesigned intercooler because of troubles with the previous design in the 2011 and 2012 models.

Well I bought a 5.0L and it has a lot of power. It power band resembles the power band of the 6.2L just less power at the rpms.

With the 5.0L, once your in the higher rpms, the engine gets up and goes. To do this, and work the engine less, you need a shorter gear in the differential. You can get the same tow rating with a 5.0L 3.73 axle as you can with a 5.4L 3.55 gear. The 5.0L is shy 300 lbs. 5.4L is 9600 lbs and 5.0L is 9300 lbs.

The 3.73 helps the engine put out more torque at certain speeds by taking the rpms up in the engine, with the 5.0L. The newer 2012 shift strategy downshifts soon and upshifts later to keep rpms up for the 5.0L loftier power.

The addition of 50 more horsepower really helps while the addition of only 15 lbs of torque is not a big deal.

While it a lot fast out of the hole than a 5.4L, the 5.0L with the 3.55 and older 2011 shift strategy (same as 5.4L and Ecoboost) left it slower accelerating from a 45 - 55 mph. Now that the 5.0L downshifts sooner and holds gears longer, it really is quicker in these situations as well.

segen77

You're all missing the most important thing. Let's see the pics of this GT40 you're pulling all over the country.

XtraLargeTall

@MikeUp: My 09 has no troubles at all. Your theory that all first year models are bad is not true. You had a lemon but it does not mean that every one will be. Every brand, no matter how good will always have some problems.

That said, a 5.0 is like the Chevy 5.3. It is good unloaded but once loaded, it struggles more as opposed to the 5.4. The eco is even better when it comes to towing. The 6.2 is about between the 5.0 and 5.4 in terms of how it's power comes on but has much higher numbers. Peak numbers are exactly that, peak. Where those peaks are is equally as important.

All this being said, I think the 2 best fitting engines for the OP would be between the 5.4 and the EB, depending on his budget. You can't really go wrong either way.

SteelCity USW

Lol well that's solved everything. Lol.

Hunttman01

Eco with max tow and max payload. If not get a 5.4 with 3.73 gears

Watt-maker

I have an eco and really like the way it pulls but wish I could've at least driven one with the 6.2. I recommend the HD payload pkg and max tow pkg with what ever engine you get. If money is no object, get the '13. There have been a few refinements to the eco and the rest of the truck.

With that much towing in mind, why do you not want a diesel? Just curious.

dodgehemi0

Ecoboost All the way. Or you get a Tundra with the 5.7 L it's a beast to.

fryguy

I was just hauling some cars today - took the 56 Tbird to Jersey and brought back the '35 5-Windows. Trailer is a ball hitch trailer, flat and about 20' long. My '13 F150 with the 5.0 did fine - no problems at all. Not sure if you know 78 in Jersey, but was doing 65+ up Jugtown mountain.

The EB is supposed to be better at towing, and I thought about getting one of those at first. Yet, I just liked the sound of the V8 Either option you choose I think you will be fine.

Mike Up

I never said all first year models were bad, but it's a gamble for sure. My first year 2000 Nissan Xterra was excellent but my first year Nissan 2004 Titan was horrid. My first year 2005 Nissan Pathfinder was good except for paint defects Nissan refused to warranty. My first second year 2008 4.6L 3V Ford Sport Trac was GREAT, but my second year 2010 Ford F150 was bad.

Seems the later you get in the model life, the better.

I think the tow ratings reflect how well the trucks tow. Up until getting my 2012, I've always tested F150s with the 3.55 axle. All 5.4L, 5.0L and Ecoboost trucks all had 3.55. For the Ecoboost and 5.4L that was fine but for the 5.0L you need the 3.73 axle since it is a higher rpm engine.

That 3.73 from a 3.55 axle represents a 5% increase in the torque multiplier. It does make up for the 5.0L lower torque in some of the lower rpms but still shy of about 10 lbs in other rpms. Of course this is comparing a 5.0L w/3.73 to a 5.4L w/3.55 . The 5.0L w/3.73 has a 9300 lbs tow rating while the 5.4L w/3.55 has a 9600 lbs.

I'm just very impressed with the 2012 5.0L trucks I test drove with mine having the 3.73 the most impressive. My 2012 getting about 1.5 mpg better than my previous 5.4L, even during the break in period following the recommendation of varying the speed over the first 1000 miles.

Even if it couldn't pull the trailer as fast, it's still very capable.