lomcd

Currently tow a 29 ft 7500 GVW trailer with a 2002 f150 sc 5.4; looking to buy another one; unsure to go with the 3.5 or the 5.0

Would like some real life situations regarding the pros and cons of both engines.

eduardobibm

Google

site:f150forum.com ecoboost vs 5.0
or
site:f150forum.com 3.5 vs 5.0

humblerb

My travel trailer scales at 7200# loaded. I have a 12 SCREW EB.
I love it. This engine will pull my load with very little extra effort.
And it is a blast to drive empty.
I've never driven a sports car or hot rod, but this is the most fun vehicle I have ever driven.
Personally, I would buy the EB again and again.
Some people will swear by the V8 and wouldn't even think about the EB.
Test drive one. You will be amazed at their power.

13SBY

I just traded from a 2006 5.4 V8 to the 3.5 V6 EB in a 2012 F150, haul a 3200 lbs covered car hauler with a 3600 lbs 2013 Mustang Boss 302 in it.......no comparison! EB hauls with no effort and with just over 20% less fuel.....23 litres per 100 km vs 31 litres per 100 km in the Expy. Added to that is better fuel economy when not towing vs V8....engine still new delivering non-towing 11 litres per 100 km highway!

Hope my experience helps!

arcabuddy

I just came back from a 4500 KM trip with my 6500lb travel trailer, TW of 1000 lbs, and about 400 more lbs in the pan. The Ecoboost pulled up hills that were 8% to 10% with very little effort, some of these hills were a few KM's long as well. I would recommend this truck for your set-up and I myself have no regrets whatsoever and tell people all the time about the power in this truck!

SkiSmuggs

My 2011 SCREW EB tows 8.5-9K lbs of 5th wheel way better than my 2003 Tundra 4.7L pulled a 5500lb TT without all the downshifting and redlining and gets 2 more MPG doing it. If you are going to tow, EcoBoost is the answer.

mbopp

Another vote for the EB.
My previous tow vehicle (I6 Envoy) had 275 lb-ft of torque on a good day and it was a dog towing my 5000# trailer. I wanted something with at least 350 lb-ft of torque and Chevy came up short. The EB tows way better than I had hoped, and gets better mileage doing it.

brulaz

For towing you want low-end torque. And the Ecoboost has way more than the 5L, even more than the 6.2L (below ~4000 rpm anyway).

According to Ford's comparisons, the 3.5L Ecoboost has more low-end torque than any other stock V8 gasser in a "half-ton" truck out there.

Of course the diesels will give you more and with better mileage too, but they're not available in a "half-ton" and way too expensive anyway.

shanel

Towing that's what the eco beast is made for.

ECO BOOST PRO'S-Pulls very good with minimal effort.Very quiet.
ECO BOOST CONS-Seems people expect to get better gas mileage while towing since it's a v6 and thats not the case.(is that really a con?)

I own one and i tow my tt and boat with mine.And my advice to you is,if your going to be towing,get the ecoboost,you will thank me later.

I'm sure there is absolutely nothing wrong with the other engines and i would be proud to have either.. BUT TOWING IS WHERE THE BOOST EXCELS.

Mike Up

I originally didn't want a 5.0L after driving a 2011 with a 3.55 axle. It had the same slower shift strategy as the 5.4L and the Eco. That meaning that the shift strategy was designed for a higher torque output at lower rpms. It didn't downshift immediately after giving light to medium throttle, only heavier throttle. It also upshifted sooner under heavier throttle.

The 2012 strategy changed to downshifting under lighter throttle and even downshifting 2 or 3 gears to get the rpms up where the 5.0L has more torque output. It also didn't upshift as soon, holding gears longer to stay in the rpm range where the 5.0L makes more torque.

That above makes a world of difference when passing or accelerating from a stabilized speed opposed to accelerating from a stop.

I also bought my 2012 5.0L with the towing 3.73 locking rear axle. It gets the rpms up where the motor makes more of it's power.

I haven't towed with it yet but I can see it will be no worse than the 5.4L towing thanks to the 3.73 gear and the shift strategy, and most likely much better with the higher horsepower.

The Ecoboost has the best gas engine torque output of any truck engine, 1/2, 3/4, or one ton due to it's low rpm torque. It's horsepower is the same so it won't pull much better at speeds but will help to get to speeds easier.

I didn't buy the Ecoboost because of troubles. While many haven't had troubles, many have had them. It wasn't worth the gamble IMO. Sometimes the KISS factor is the best and that Ecoboost is no simple engine.

I passed on it because of 3 things.

I've read of owners stating in the right situations that the 2011 Ecoboost can overheat easily and go into limp mode. High heat, Full Sun, towing up hill/mountain.

Others have commented on braking not being as good as a V8 due to the small 3.5L displacement not offering as much compression braking when shifting to 3rd or 2nd. Braking to me, is more important that how fast I can accelerate.

The other issue is the famous intercooler condensation issue that causes misfiring and limp mode.

As I said, many haven't had these issues but they exist none the less. I don't want to be wondering when or IF they will happen and deal with the headaches they cause.

For 2013 you can buy a 6.2L starting with the XLT. I would stay with the V8s until there's no more reported issues with the Ecoboost. After that, I would strongly consider the Ecoboost even with it's smaller compression displacement.

BTW, I've pulled my 29' Jayco (6,500 lbs loaded) with no effort when I had my 2010 F150 with 5.4L.