F-150 engine choice
5 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 1,721
From: Georgia
Either of those 3 engines will pull the weight. But choosing the right axle ratio will make a huge difference in how well it pulls. More than 1/2 of the trucks on the road aren't really intended to ever tow anything. And due to trying to meet CAFE standards all truck manufacturers build as many as possible with high (low numerically) gear ratios in order to show 1-2 mpg improvement on paper. That helps the CAFE numbers look better.
In the real world you won't see much difference in fuel mileage between a truck with 3.55 or 3.73 gears and one with 3.31 or 3.15 gears. But the one with 3.55 or 3.73 gears will pull the loads MUCH better. Being aware of that is probably more important than which engine you choose. People who buy a truck set up to really tow tend to keep more of them. The ones less capable tend to be the ones you see mostly on used car lots.
Finding a used 2.7 with the 36 gallon tank is going to be a challenge. They use that engine mostly in the more basic trucks with fewer options. If buying new you can order one with it but it won't be common on used trucks.
Payload can be a factor, but with a load this light probably won't be in this case. The payload ratings on these trucks can vary between as low as 1100 lbs with some over 2000 lbs. Most will be in the 1600-1800 lb range. There is an axle code on a sticker on the drivers door frame as well as the payload rating. You can google the axle code to figure out what it has. When shopping for any truck, new or used, you intend to tow with checking those 2 things are very important.
The boat and trailer you're planning to buy won't weigh much and a lot of trucks will handle it. But who knows what you may want to pull at some point in the future. I'd be inclined to buy something that will pull more than you really need now. Would be cheaper to do so now than have to upgrade to a more capable truck in a couple of years if you decide to also buy a heavier boat or a travel trailer.
In the real world you won't see much difference in fuel mileage between a truck with 3.55 or 3.73 gears and one with 3.31 or 3.15 gears. But the one with 3.55 or 3.73 gears will pull the loads MUCH better. Being aware of that is probably more important than which engine you choose. People who buy a truck set up to really tow tend to keep more of them. The ones less capable tend to be the ones you see mostly on used car lots.
Finding a used 2.7 with the 36 gallon tank is going to be a challenge. They use that engine mostly in the more basic trucks with fewer options. If buying new you can order one with it but it won't be common on used trucks.
Payload can be a factor, but with a load this light probably won't be in this case. The payload ratings on these trucks can vary between as low as 1100 lbs with some over 2000 lbs. Most will be in the 1600-1800 lb range. There is an axle code on a sticker on the drivers door frame as well as the payload rating. You can google the axle code to figure out what it has. When shopping for any truck, new or used, you intend to tow with checking those 2 things are very important.
The boat and trailer you're planning to buy won't weigh much and a lot of trucks will handle it. But who knows what you may want to pull at some point in the future. I'd be inclined to buy something that will pull more than you really need now. Would be cheaper to do so now than have to upgrade to a more capable truck in a couple of years if you decide to also buy a heavier boat or a travel trailer.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,677
From: Somewhere on the south side of Heaven.
What really gets me is that F150's with a tow rating from 5001-7700 lbs(off memory) are only rated to tow trailers with a frontal area of 55 square feet or less......
That would eliminate almost every travel trailer I have ever seen. I know all my rentals exceed that.
Last edited by JaseBosto; Mar 31, 2021 at 09:54 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 707
Even the least capable F150 is rated to tow 5,000 lbs. However I believe your statement meant more like 1/2 of the trucks on the road arent really intended to tow very heavy trailers. Correct me if I am wrong.
What really gets me is that F150's with a tow rating from 5001-7700 lbs(off memory) are only rated to tow trailers with a frontal area of 55 square feet or less......
That would eliminate almost every travel trailer I have ever seen. I know all my rentals exceed that.
What really gets me is that F150's with a tow rating from 5001-7700 lbs(off memory) are only rated to tow trailers with a frontal area of 55 square feet or less......
That would eliminate almost every travel trailer I have ever seen. I know all my rentals exceed that.
Why don't they just name it the "Bass Boat Package" and be done with it.
Last edited by Gene K; Mar 31, 2021 at 02:18 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 707
Either of those 3 engines will pull the weight. But choosing the right axle ratio will make a huge difference in how well it pulls. More than 1/2 of the trucks on the road aren't really intended to ever tow anything. And due to trying to meet CAFE standards all truck manufacturers build as many as possible with high (low numerically) gear ratios in order to show 1-2 mpg improvement on paper. That helps the CAFE numbers look better.
In the real world you won't see much difference in fuel mileage between a truck with 3.55 or 3.73 gears and one with 3.31 or 3.15 gears. But the one with 3.55 or 3.73 gears will pull the loads MUCH better. Being aware of that is probably more important than which engine you choose. People who buy a truck set up to really tow tend to keep more of them. The ones less capable tend to be the ones you see mostly on used car lots.
Finding a used 2.7 with the 36 gallon tank is going to be a challenge. They use that engine mostly in the more basic trucks with fewer options. If buying new you can order one with it but it won't be common on used trucks.
Payload can be a factor, but with a load this light probably won't be in this case. The payload ratings on these trucks can vary between as low as 1100 lbs with some over 2000 lbs. Most will be in the 1600-1800 lb range. There is an axle code on a sticker on the drivers door frame as well as the payload rating. You can google the axle code to figure out what it has. When shopping for any truck, new or used, you intend to tow with checking those 2 things are very important.
The boat and trailer you're planning to buy won't weigh much and a lot of trucks will handle it. But who knows what you may want to pull at some point in the future. I'd be inclined to buy something that will pull more than you really need now. Would be cheaper to do so now than have to upgrade to a more capable truck in a couple of years if you decide to also buy a heavier boat or a travel trailer.
In the real world you won't see much difference in fuel mileage between a truck with 3.55 or 3.73 gears and one with 3.31 or 3.15 gears. But the one with 3.55 or 3.73 gears will pull the loads MUCH better. Being aware of that is probably more important than which engine you choose. People who buy a truck set up to really tow tend to keep more of them. The ones less capable tend to be the ones you see mostly on used car lots.
Finding a used 2.7 with the 36 gallon tank is going to be a challenge. They use that engine mostly in the more basic trucks with fewer options. If buying new you can order one with it but it won't be common on used trucks.
Payload can be a factor, but with a load this light probably won't be in this case. The payload ratings on these trucks can vary between as low as 1100 lbs with some over 2000 lbs. Most will be in the 1600-1800 lb range. There is an axle code on a sticker on the drivers door frame as well as the payload rating. You can google the axle code to figure out what it has. When shopping for any truck, new or used, you intend to tow with checking those 2 things are very important.
The boat and trailer you're planning to buy won't weigh much and a lot of trucks will handle it. But who knows what you may want to pull at some point in the future. I'd be inclined to buy something that will pull more than you really need now. Would be cheaper to do so now than have to upgrade to a more capable truck in a couple of years if you decide to also buy a heavier boat or a travel trailer.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 9,099
Likes: 3,211
From: Kentucky
Even the least capable F150 is rated to tow 5,000 lbs. However I believe your statement meant more like 1/2 of the trucks on the road arent really intended to tow very heavy trailers. Correct me if I am wrong.
What really gets me is that F150's with a tow rating from 5001-7700 lbs(off memory) are only rated to tow trailers with a frontal area of 55 square feet or less......
That would eliminate almost every travel trailer I have ever seen. I know all my rentals exceed that.
What really gets me is that F150's with a tow rating from 5001-7700 lbs(off memory) are only rated to tow trailers with a frontal area of 55 square feet or less......
That would eliminate almost every travel trailer I have ever seen. I know all my rentals exceed that.