I'm sure there will be no shortage of opinions, but some facts or data to support them would be great. I'd like to hear from someone with experience about the "bang for the buck" experience of getting an aftermarket device and/or new tune for towing. I think I'd need the device, so I could switch back and forth to and from the tow tune, but I'm just beginning to learn about all of this. If so, what's recommended, remote tune or putting it on a dyno? It's a 2016, FX4, with a 3.5L EB, equipped with Max Trailer Tow package, integrated brake controller and WDH. I'm good on payload, towing capacity, TT weight, GVCW rating and all of that, so please limit comments to "tuning" recommendations. Is the TOW/HAUL selector enough or could I improve MPGs and power, without hurting reliability, with a aftermarket tuning set up. Enough to make it worth the investment? If so, what's recommended?

 

Tow/haul is not going to do anything to power, all it does is adjust trans shift points and hold gear longer.

i run the 93 performance/tow tune from 5 star here in FL. Makes a big difference, big, big difference. That in addition to an upgraded intercooler to deal with the heat here in FL and replacing the stock POS. I haul a 7500-8000lb TT with my 2017.

 

I absolutely think a SCT device with a custom tune is worth the money, definitely night and day difference towing. I have my custom tunes done by MPT which is also in Florida and they are a good company to deal with. My opinion does differ in that I believe they do add HP and Torque and they have dyno charts to back up their claims, and yes they do adjust the shift points. I had them disable the torque converter from locking and unlocking below 45mph, and have not had any reliability issues.

 

Thanks guys. I got the answer I needed. Just watched a video where the same F-150 3.5EB was tested, while towing. One run was stock and the other was tuned by 5Star for the specific towing application, not just a generic towing tune. Off the line power increased some, but it didn't make the 8 mile pull any faster and fuel mileage actually decreased by 0.3mpg. To each his or her own, but for me, it's not worth the $3-700 investment.

 

I was curious what the trade off of a tune was. Any of the big 3 auto makers want bragging rights, but have to balance performance vs engine life, MPG.

 

it’s not a race towing a TT, but how comfortable you are getting there(might be using the wrong wording). Myself, chimmike, and many others will tell you it’s worth the investment.

 

I mean if you look at the 5 star dyno graphs for their 93 octane performance/tow tune for your engine and you don't think 80+ ft-lbs of torque over stock cross a wide swath of the power band is useful, that's fine. But note they also address shift points with the tune.

 

I'd love to have that much more torque but why didn't Ford tune it that way to start? Ford's marketing people would have a field day showing off that much more torque. What is the trade-off?

 

If my truck was struggling to pull my TT, then I might feel like I needed the extra hp. I was just looking for the best combination of peer and mpg. If the mpg is going to decrease, with no great benefit to the towing, not worth the money to me.

 

The trade off will be decreased reliability. You dont get more power for nothing. How long it lasts is entirely dependent on how often you push it hard.