windman

What is SD?

charles_slc

Super Duty , F-250 or F-350

acdii

You will need to look for an XLT 300a or 301a, no sunroof, 36 gallon tank, and max tow package. This combination should give you the most payload of at least 2000 pounds.

Why 3.5 over 5.0? If you plan to tow up grades, and at high altitudes, you will appreciate the extra low end grunt of the 3.5 EB, however, the 5.0 is also a good engine for towing, it has the HP and TQ, it just wont do as well up a grade without you thinking it is going to blow apart due to having to run at high RPM's to do it, and wont do as well as the EB at high altitudes.

Either engine will be an excellent choice, just look for the truck with max tow, and highest payload regardless of engine installed(though I think MT is only with the EB).

windman

Thanks

Deerchaser

I have a 15 scab 4x4 5.0 xlt with a payload of 2100. I tow a TT at about 6000 pounds and I wouldnt want to go much bigger. Plenty of power, just don't like how the truck handles. Yes WDH is correctly set up.

massspike

The 5L will tow just as well but since its torque kicks in at higher revs (3500?) you need to get used to"flooring it" when you want to get up to speed.

The downside is gas mileage since you have an 8 vs. 6 cylinder and you are running proportionally higher revs when towing.

Deerchaser

Most reports say the v8 gets better mileage when towing. I lock out 6th gear, keep it at 65 and I get 12 to 13 mpg with our TT.

BlackBoost

Mileage is a wash when towing either way. I get 12 mpg towing my 5000 lb travel trailer with my 2.7 Ecoboost. Sometimes you have to consider how OFTEN are you going to tow. If you only tow for leisure like I do, then you have to take into considering what kind of mileage you're going to get the 99% of the time you're NOT towing. So have a look at unloaded mileage numbers. In this case (for leisure) you'd get better mileage overall with the 3.5, and be able to tow up grades better. On the other hand, if you plan on towing several times a week for work or something, then you might want to look at the 5.0.


I picked the 2.7 because I only tow for camping and I'm well within my towing limits with 3100 lbs to spare. And, when not towing, I get 26+ MPG on the highway.

massspike

I get around 12 mpg towing a 7000lb TT with my 2016 5L (vs my normal 16 mpg). My friends get 15-16 mpg towing with their EBs.

At 65mph it won't go into 6th while towing (at least not in T/H mode) so locking it out would have no effect.

mass-hole

The 2.7 trucks will have a lower payload unless you get the 2.7 Payload package. A supercrew 5.5 2.7 only has a GVWR of 6500 lbs without the payload package while a 5.0 would have a 7000 lb by default. This means a 5.0 truck will have 500 lbs more payload then your average 2.7 truck.

The 2.7 truck with the payload package has a 6900 lb GVWR so its much close but the problem with the Payload package is that it limits a lot of options from being available. The 36 gallon fuel tank is not available for example which is a deal breaker for me.

3.5EB and 5.0 will have roughly the same payload.

For towing, especially a 9000 lb trailer, I would go Ecoboost every time. The thing just makes so much torque down low that it will make the towing much easier.