screw2012

I have a 2012 f150 screw 4x4 with 3.55 with tow package and Ford brake controller.

I tow a TT weighting 5500 lbs. wet and truck loaded with family is 7325 lbs. Truck rated for 7350 lbs and CGW is rated 13500 lbs

I have towed about 5 times this year and loved the power of the 5.0 l. This last weekend I found the truck struggling to do the speed limit of 100 km/hr (63 mph) with a slight incline and a little bit of wind.

For about 2 Kim's the truck was sitting at 5200 rpms not shifting (I had the truck pinned to maintain 100 Kim's on a 2 or 3 degree incline). I had the tow haul mode engaged and was unsure why it didn't shift.

First time I have been disappointed in the 5.0 l Starting to think I should have got the Ecoboost engine with the max towing package.

Anyone else have any good or bad towing experience with the 5.0 l?

11screw50

My TT is a little heavier than yours but I have had no issues like you had (and hopefully I never will). Even up 5-6 degree grades, no issues. Wouldn't think the 3.73's would make that much difference but maybe?

Have you tried backing off the throttle for a second to see if it will shift?

Joecav

My boat and trailer weigh right around 5000 pounds as well and I've never had an issue pulling it up any hill. I don't use tow haul though, I use the select shift feature. I have the 3.73 gearing as well. Heck, my old Dakota pulled 5000 pounds pretty easily. Hopefully you figure something out!

Norotso

This last weekend we took our 08 TT out for the first time with the EB. In 08 when we bought the TT(4650# dry weight, 6000# loaded) I had a 03 F150 SCrew with max tow to pull with. That lasted 2yrs then made a switch to a 07 classic Dmax because of all the long distance and fighting wind. Sold that last fall for the EB. This weekend out depending on wind, the truck would pull in 6th then downshift into 5th some times. Coming home, less then 2hr drive, we had a mod-strong cross wind and the truck would not shift out of 4th doing 60-65 mph @ 3200rpm until we changed direction and then only 5th gear @2200rpm. I can honestly say that the EB doesn't pull as nice in the wind as my Dmax did. In 2 weeks we head south to CO which is going to be a 1900km trip one way.

wallacemf

My truck is similar to yours, but my trailer is 7500# loaded. It will wind out in 4th going up some steeper hills, but I would expect that. Doesn't concern me too much, I just watch the trans temps, never gets above 205 degrees...

Twisty

3.55 gears in virtually the same truck.
However, 6200 lb TT and less weight in the truck.
About 12,500 GCW.
I also use the select shift on hills when towing. I've run a few miles in 2nd or 3rd at 50 to 65 mph.
The 5.0 is a spinner and needs to run in it's happy place.
Here are graphs (that some might not agree with and I do not say that these are the only real correct ones either) that show the 5.0 max torque is at about 4300 RPM and the max HP is well over 5500 RPM with 3.73 gears.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/04...8-engines.html
3.55 or 3.73? Yeah, there will be a difference on the road but not much...

"Throughout the tests, the 5.0 demonstrated a healthy torque curve that looks broader and less peaky than the EcoBoost, though at a lower level of power. It also shows off the engine’s ability to steadily wind up power all the way up to redline.

We continue to be big fans of the 5.0 as an excellent all-around engine."

rmp213

The reason your truck wouldn't shift is because you had it in tow/haul mode. They won't kick down into overdrive when you have it in tow/haul so you're going to be taching a little higher rpm. Also, 3.55 gears...meh...great for highway..not so great for bigger tires and towing..not knocking them, my last 2 trucks had 3.55's..just wouldn't be my first choice..but its all in how you use your truck

acadianbob

This isn't exactly right. Tow/Haul will cause the transmission to hold lower gears longer. But, it will not prevent shifting to 5th or 6th provided the load is not too great.

acadianbob

You can't compare a 3.5 liter engine to a 6 liter engine. The 3.5 Eco performs just like a diesel of that size; comparable torque. If you scaled an Eco to 7 liters, it would be putting out 840 lbs of torque. Very comparable to any current brand of light truck diesel.

screw2012

Thanks for the info. I am going on a two week vacation all over Ontario and will try towing without the tow haul mode to see how that works. Maybe i will even get better fuel economy.