milw156

Just returned from a 2600 mile trip from Seattle to San Diego and back towing our 28' 6700 lb travel trailer. The truck did great overall and I absolutely love the power it gave charging up the Siskiyous and Grapevine.

Even though I kept the combo at around 58-60 mph during the entire trip. I felt the truck struggled at times during the long downhill descents keeping the speed down, even in Tow/Haul mode.

So I was wondering if the engine braking with the 6.7 engine would be drastically different, enough to consider upgrading the truck to a 3/4 or 1 ton.

Almost all of the trips planned for the future will involve steep mountain grades.

astraelraen

We have a 24' ~5500lb trailer and I don't find that the ecoboost lacks engine braking ability. Sure, it's not up to the level of a dedicated diesel engine brake, but it works effectively with some occasional (hard) braking to avoid riding the brakes.

Emigrant Hill on I-84, the descent coming into Lewiston, Idaho and the white bird hill summit are all 6/7%+ grades. We have also taken similar grades traveling through the middle of Oregon on state highways and I would manually put it in 3rd gear and ride down the hills. This combination would generally hold it around 65mph going downhill... which is reasonable for a non-diesel engine. I would usually heavy brake before tight turns to keep from riding the brakes.

I think the key is to lock out the upper gears. There is no harm in the engine running at 3/4k RPM while descending.

130428

i find the EB has very little engine braking, even empty...
gotta lock it in 2nd on a moderate hill to hold it at 40mph without braking... my car (3.8 V6 NA, 3,800 lbs) does a lot better... i avoid riding my brakes when going downhill, thats what lower gears are for, right?...

03Scott

iTrader: (1)

I agree with ecopat the engine breaking in the ecoboost does nothing.

Melbeachmoose20

I do not have an 09+ but I believe when in tow/haul mode just quickly tap the brake pedal and the truck will down swift to help slow when going downhill. I also think the the truck has to be in drive( as in don't lock out any gears) for this to work.

Norotso

We just finished our vacation a week ago. We drove into CO this year with our two destinations of Durango and Colorado Springs. The biggest challenge was from Ouray to Silverton to Durango. Up to this point the truck worked as I had hoped it would, coming from my previous Dmax. As soon as we stared our accent on the Million Dollar hwy, my tranny temp spiked into the 235F area. I also completely lost power to the engine at this time but had no CEL appear. As we limped through the pass and approached the summit, I started locking out 6,5 and 4 gear. Lot of the turns only allow for a 25mph limit. I did have to use the brakes more then what I would consider normal for a 6k trailer. We had no further problems pulling from Silverton up the pass but again, after the summit and down into Durango the engine brake was completely useless. I had no choice but to ride the brakes at time even being in 2nd gear.

beakie

We only tow a 3000lbs+ tent trailer, and have the bed full of 2 adults, 2 infants, 2 dogs worth of stuff... but I'd agree that there is very little engine braking from the Ecoboost.

That said, I don't expect "a lot" from a gas engine, and such a rather small (displacement wise) gas engine at that.

If the OP tows regularly, aka if the trucks sole purpose is towing 7000lbs around, then perhaps a 3/4 diesel is better suited to that role. Up/down steep grades, 7000lbs trailer (maybe 1000lbs or more with occupants, stuff in bed, etc) and long hauls... why not have the piece of mind knowing the truck will move it, and stop it that much easier?
If it's a family wagon, with tow trips thrown in (what our truck is used for) than the lack of engine braking is something to learn to live and drive with.

wasinger3000

With TorqShift® transmission, select Tow/Haul Mode to automatically eliminate unwanted gear search when going uphill and help control vehicle speed when going downhill

beakie

Great tip, in theory.

But as said, doesn't always work.

Norotso

+1