Currently own an ‘08 F-250 with 6.4 diesel. Since i ownly pull a 4500# TT and on occasion a 20‘ pontoon, i am looking at downgrading to a half ton. Even though i love the diesel capabilities, the horrible fuel mileage and mainenance cost me on average $100 more per month. With that said, i have read numerous forums on the towing capabilities of the 5.0 and ecoboost. What i have not read is the difference when towing and using air conditioning. With the diesel, i can set the cruise and run a/c at 70 MPH with no loss in power or elevated temps. What can i expect with the 5.0 or ecoboost?

 

Here in AZ, the A/C is never off, so I don't know what it's like to tow without it running.
I have an EB, and it tows fine in 110* heat. Pulling 7000 lbs thru mountains, my tranny temp stayed right at 200*, too.

 

Thank you PHX 150....i am sure if the truck performs well in AZ, it would be fine here in WI....lol. I forgot to ask, do the turbos on the EB need a cooling down period after heavy driving like the diesels?

 

I use the ac most of the time while towing on the highway. I have never noticed a difference in power or even engine temp for that matter.

Ford says you do not have to let the turbos cool down because they are not only oil cooled but also water cooled that continues cooling once the truck is shutoff. For the record, after a long heavy tow I let it idle for awhile before shutting it off. It just seems like the right thing to do.

 

No, they don't. Ford has a patented method for cooling after the truck is shut off. Coolant is siphoned through the turbos to continue the cooling process at shutdown. The turbos will not coke up. This is a consumer truck for the average Joe. Ford couldn't expect them to perform a cool-down.

The turbos are produced by Garrett. Here is a link explaining how it works. It is long but informative.

http://gcg.com.au/index.php?option=c...tuff&Itemid=99

 

I'm pretty sure the F-150 turbos are Borg Warner. Ford uses Garrett on other vehicles.

 

Thank you for the information on the turbos. This whole turbo thing still worries me, i must admit. Right now i could probably only afford a used 2011, but been reading about the lack of power suddenly and turbo problems on the ‘11 and again, that worries me. I see a couple of you have ‘11's.....any problems thus far?? I did not realize all the different variations of payloads, towing capacity, max tow option, etc. Would love one with Max Tow but not easy to find used. Wish Ford would make it easier on the consumer

 

I live in VT, but have towed 9500 lbs thru Texas and New Mexico at 100+ and no issues at all. I've had the "limp mode" issue 4 times in 43000 miles, all in wet humid conditions. See the thread in 2011 + Engines about drilling a pin hole at the low point of the IC.

 

I would certainly buy a used 2011 Eco, especially if it had HD Payload.

Never had "limp mode" here in 45000km (25K miles?). But then I don't drive the truck very hard. Probably only stomped on it once or twice.

Probably not a good idea to stomp on the throttle in the pouring rain anyway ...

Had limp mode with my previous turbo car, but that was for different reasons.

 

Once again, that "limp mode" thing scares me. Seems to happen to many people in all years. As of right now, does not appear to be a positive fix for the ‘11‘s. I so want to believe in this ecoboost but not sure if i am willing to fork out $36k for a truck that "may" have problems when my diesel runs/looks great (except for the horrible mpg‘s). Going to take wife and drive the EB again tomorrow and crunch some numbers. Maybe they will give me an offer i cannot refuse