mikenannie

Last week we picked up our new 2012 Eco XLT, 4X4, Max Tow, Candy Red F150.
This afternoon, I finally got it connected to our trailer. The trailer is a Sunset Trail 20CK, weighs in at about 4800 lbs fully loaded. (CAT Scaled weight). I know from getting it weighed with our previous truck, the tongue weight is about 650lbs.
On my test run tonight, I hit the highway doing about 60-65. The truck seemed to really like 5th gear and would typically only drop into 6th occasionally, or when I let up on the pedal a bit.

I've read that others who have been towing with the Eco engine stated that it runs in 6th gear more often than not, and rarely downshifts. I did notice that once in 6th, it did seem to stay there.

For those of you who have been towing with your Eco, what has been your experience with 6th gear? Do you have to let up to get your truck to shift to 6th?

Keep in mind this was just a short 15 mile run for me. Tomorrow we head out for the weekend.

thanks Mike

brulaz

Mine's only 4000# loaded but we have another 1000# in/on the truck.

In Tow/Haul mode the tranny will stay in 5th a bit longer, but it generally stays in 6th on the Interstates (400's up here).

See you have MaxTow, so you have 3.73 rear end just like me.

Go for your longer trip to get a better feel for it.

EDIT: Oh ya, I don't go over ~62 mph (100 km/h) when towing.

humblerb

I tow a 7200# TT with mine (3.55 gears). Mine will go to 6th fairly easily. But at times, when you go up a slight grade, if you give it enough gas, it will downshift to 5th.
Believe it or not, the truck tries to determine how you are driving. If you keep you foot in the gas, even a little, the truck seems to think you are trying to gain speed and will stay in 5. On the other hand, when you let completely off the gas, it will think you want to slow down (brake) and will stay in 5 to slow you down. You just have to drive it a while and get the feel for it.
There is nothing wrong with your truck. Just give it a chance to learn you and give yourself a chance to learn it.

mbopp

FYI, Ford says not to tow for the first 1,000 miles.......

My EB has the 3.55 gears and I tow a 4800# (ish) trailer. It needs to be going about 60MPH to get into 6th with Tow-Haul engaged.
If it's running in 5th and I want to force to 6th I disengage the tow-haul, let it shift to 6th, then re-engage the tow-haul and it'll stay in 6th.
BTW - I love the 36 gallon tank, it doubles my range from the Envoy I had. And I've got plenty of power. 600 miles of towing got me 11.7 MPG.

mikenannie

Yep, we drove a lot the first week to get our 1000 miles out of the way - now at 1200 or so.

I love the 36 gallon tank too - awesome. Less stops, less hassle trying to find a gas station that's easy in and easy out. Great!

Our Honda Ridgeline use to get about 10 mpg towing this trailer, so I'm hoping to do slightly better with the new F150. But, we have the 3.73 gears that come with Max Tow.

We got the Max Tow just in case we decided in a year or two to get a newer larger trailer - didn't want to then have to get a newer bigger truck

flixden

Our trailer is very similar to yours: 5,000 lbs loaded with a ~ 650 lbs tongue.
Even when close to the GVWR of 8,200 lbs, the truck is in 6th gear most of the time towing.

shanel

When i'm towing on level ground it uses 6th mostly.But most of my towing is up or over a hill.I use tow haul only when towing.And yeah my little jayco 22fb weighs 4562 dry

BCMIF150

Mine usually stays in 6th as well, but only after the truck has warmed up.

jcain

6th here

superccs

Going 80+ mph tends to keep it in 6th.