2talltechie

The F150 2015 towing specs show the following options/packages for Lariat 3.5L ecoboost short bed:

Reglar Tow
3.15 Axle
10,700 lbs max tow weight

Max Tow
3.55 axle w e-locker
11,900 lbs max tow weight

(I know Max Tow includes other items, but focusing just on these specs for now.)

The cost is virtually the same for either choice if also add the brake controller to the standard tow package. Wondering if anyone has/will select the regular tow package, perhaps for better commuter usage, over the max tow package?

My usage might be for occasional towing of a medium size TT, but mostly commuter duty. Seems like many are not getting great mpg figures, so 3.15 might be worth holding on to.

Also wondering if traction control will suffice for summer camping over the need for the e-locker in the Max Tow package?

Thanks

acadianbob

I think the answer lies in your intended usage. How much, how often, how far do you tow? How important is unloaded fuel mileage to you?

With a 3.15 ratio, you are going to be down approximately 1 gear compared to a 3.55/3.73 to get the same "net" gear ratio.

Ratio 3.73 3.55 3.31 3.15 4.10
1st 4.17 15.55 14.80 13.80 13.14 17.10
2nd 2.34 8.73 8.31 7.75 7.37 9.59
3rd 1.52 5.67 5.40 5.03 4.79 6.23
4th 1.14 4.25 4.05 3.77 3.59 4.67
5th 0.86 3.21 3.05 2.85 2.71 3.53
6th 0.69 2.57 2.45 2.28 2.17 2.83

Sorry the columns don't quite line up . . .

You shouldn't need the e-locker. Question is, do you intend to get 4x4? Wet grass will stop a 2 wheel drive.

brulaz

Not sure what your trailer weight or frontal area is. but 3.15 is pretty low even with the 3.5EcoB for towing.

I get 20 mpgUS when not towing the trailer below, and I have 3.73 rear end. But a lot depends upon how you drive ...

2talltechie

Prior to this version of the F150 I don't think Ford claimed that it could tow 10,700 with the 3.15 gear, but it does now.

3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.15 15800 - - - - 10,700 lbs. - - - - -

So if you believe the F150 can tow 11,900 with the 3.55, I guess one should also believe the 3.15 figure. I do not have a TT or truck yet, so my options are still open. TT would only need to be large enough for 3 of us. I don't plan to take it off road except for summer camp sites.

Thanks for replying.

2talltechie

I wonder what you would get with the 3.15 gear. 20 is great. Surprising.

Thanks.

2talltechie

Wouldn't "traction control" help in such situations?

How about 4x2 with e-locker? Cheaper option, doesn't affect milage.

4x4 is not yet on my radar. Everyone seems to have it around here in S. Calif, but wonder if they just like the decal.

brulaz

I plan to get 4x4 with the next truck.
Didn't need it with the old 4000# trailer but do with this new one as I keep getting stuck in wet grass and mud.

brulaz

Well, I'm not a "lead-foot". With the EcoB it's either "Eco" or "Boost".
And for a lot of people, if the power is available they will use it, even if they don't really need it, and lower their mileage.

With the 3.15, I imagine the truck would be spending most of its time in 5th gear when towing my trailer. Probably locking out 6th would make sense.
Not a problem really.

But not an issue for me as the next truck will be a 4x4 and I'll need Maxtow+HD Payload and so 3.73 is required. We really carry a lot of stuff in the truck and have a very high tongue weight.

smokeywren

That would be an ignorant move. The max tow pkg also has 500 pounds additional payload capacity. You cannot get close to the tow rating without exceeding the GVWR of the F-150 unless you have that 500 pounds extra payload capacity.
It also has a heavier-duty rear bumper and receiver hitch with more trailer weight capacity, which is not available except as part of the max tow pkg.


And it includes the integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC) which is an option with the regular tow pkg.


Bad decision if you plan to tow even occasionally. And from what others have posted, unless you drive like an elderly lady, the 3.15 won't get you any better MPG than the shorter ratios. Granted, I don't drive like an elderly lady. The ticket limit around here is 79 MPH, and I'm usually right on the ticket limit. With my 3.15 and EcoBoost engine and without a trailer, I get about 15 to 16 MPG average over a 400-mile tank of regular. That's with about 80% highway and 20% town or small-city driving.

I've had 4x2 pickups with open axle, Positraction/limited slip, and my current E-Locker. The E-Locker is certainly worth the money, especially in a 4x2. I won't buy another pickup without it.

scannrman

Are u sure about the 3.15 gears not having max tow package? I have 2014 ecoboost F150 xlt trim that has the max tow package and 3.15 gears. I believe its suppose to be able to tow up to 9200lbs. I tow a car hauler with my jeeps on it. I figure its about a 6000-6500lbs without a problem. This truck tows it better than my 2008 F150 with the 5,4l with 3.55 gears.