Will mpg improve with further break-in?
 

I have a 2017 XLT supercrew 4wd short bed with 3.5 ecoboost and heavy payload package, and just towed my old 24 ft. Terry travel trailer last couple days, and got between 9 and 10 mpg for a 450 mile round trip. Was expecting a couple more mpg since my old 2002 F150 same model/trim with 5.4 V-8 would do about 10 mpg towing same trailer on same route. Just 2 old guys and some flyfishing gear, food, water, no camper shell yet on new rig, so was not carrying a heavy load. Am hearing that break-in and computer "learning" (or something like that) should lead to a bit better mpg going forward. Does anyone know about that and what to expect? Thanks.

I doubt mpg will improve.

My 5.0 2016 has not changed from day one.

Other things do affect mpg in a big way though.......like the obvious heavy trailer, summer fuel better than winter, fierce headwind, and of course the chronic heavy foot with higher speeds.

Lifts and big rubber will cost u dearly too on mpg.

While mileage may improve on normal driving, the 9-10 is what towing that kind of load will get you. One thing to try, if you haven't already. Drive 55 for a stint and record mileage. Then try 60, then 65. See what differs.

Towing with the EB? Nope. You get what you get. For daily driving though it does improve over time, how much time depends on the drive and driver.

My 06 @WD with 5.4 and trailer tow package (3.73LS diff) would vary depending on the following: outside temp, A/c usage, wind (direction and speed), and of course my right foot. I found out the following on my rig: highest gas mileage was 50-60 degree temps, no wind, and keeping the speed @ 60 mph or 55. I bought a ScanGauge II (best price on Amazon) which allowed me to see how hard the engine was working, and by educating my right foot, I was able to get some increased mileage. I pull a 5000 lb travel trailer, best MPG was 11-13; worse was 8-9 in summer (A/C on) with strong headwinds. I also use full synthetic oil instead of syn-blend and only use Top-Tier gas, You're at higher altitude in CO, so that will also have an effect. Keeping your foot light is the best method, along with speeding up before you hit a long incline.


Good Luck!

The best way to improve mileage is to re flash the BCM [the one between your ears that is wired directly to your right foot].
Speed and start stop kill MPG especially when towing. yes the EB sucks fuel when it's working but is great the 90+% of the time your not towing.

As stated above, once you get into larger loads fuel economy becomes a function of load and speed. The powertrain has little to do with it. I have a 6.7 that pulls the same trailer I had with an '06-6 liter and the mileage is dead on at 10 mpg for both trucks.

I experienced similar MPG, and it's not attributed to weight. It's all aerodynamics.
You may see an increase in mpg when you add the camper shell to the truck....but right now the air comes off the cab, dives down toward the bed (and the low pressure area created therein) and skates off the tailgate then dives down again, then WHAM! right into the front of the trailer.

In some cases aerodynamics is a bigger factor than load.

Topper doesn't make much difference. Even my 6x12 V nose enclosed sucks up the gas and it is only a little higher than the truck. It isn't the weight so much as frontal area, its like sticking a parachute on the back.