Ecoboost

[Goldwing06]

Just wondering who is pulling a tt with an F150 w/ecoboost and how do they like the power of the little engine that could. Currently pulling a 28rls with mine and so far so good around 9.5 to 10 MPG @ 65 MPH. only hills around here are to overpasses so mostly flat ground.

[fla-gypsy]

I have heard nothing but good things about this motor. I am very interested in how long they will go before a major rebuild is required but looks like we will have to wait a few more years for that. If I were in the 1/2 ton market this would be an option for me.

[JRTJH]

That's the same with all the information I've heard. Early model Ford testing indicated very little (they advertise "zero" ) wear on the internal components of the engine with significant miles of towing use. Whether their ads are correct: who knows ????

But the engine seems to be holding up very well in public use and people who have them are very satisfied.

As for mileage, the small size will give great "solo" mileage, much better than a comparable V-8 and with the Ecoboost turbos, when towing produces essentially the same HP as the V-8 with even better low RPM torque. The only downside (if it is one) is that the fuel required to produce that torque is the same whether it's in a small 6 or a large 8. That means towing mileage is about the same whether using an Ecoboost or a large V-8. The savings come from solo driving, probably the majority of use for most RV'ers.

I haven't heard of anyone who is not satisfied with the performance, but there have been some issues with the truck's other components.

[Ron]

We are picking up a new ecoboost tomorrow, boy do they have a lot of power, the twin turbo think kinda bothers me, now 2 turbos to worry about, oh well thought we would give it a try anyway...

[LABSRUS]

We bought our 2013 F-150 Ecoboost in May and have only towed a 16 ft. Crestliner boat with it. But you wouldn't even know that it's back there!
We don't plan on towing our new TT, it will be parked at a campground year round. But we have no doubt that this truck will be able to tow it to a new campsite if the need arises.

[Bob Landry]

I don't own one, nor have I driven one so I don't have a dog in the hunt. I've read of some high altitude issues, but didn't delve into it very much since my F250 is only 10 months old. I'm curious how the engine is going to hold up to long distance heavy towing. In spite of the numbers, it's still a 6 cylinder and it's going to have to deal with a lot of torque, stress, and heat, so maybe we are a couple of years out from getting any real world numbers. Everyone seems to like them OK. My concern with it is that of any 1/2 ton truck, payload.

[Bluewater]

You might want to look into the GMS/Chevy 1500's with the small 5.3 V8. Less money and better mileage are just a couple nice features. Just my opinion not to get into a feud over what is better.

[x96mnn]

In 2010 it was just too new for me to go with it. Although the engine was around for a while it was the first time in the truck. If I knew then what I do today I most likely be driving one. Had them out then for test drives and most recently with a freind who was shopping and they are nice.

From a gas stand point I do not think you will get better by much with any of the brands. I travel with two dodges a ford and two chevs and we are about the same with a load...even the 06 hemi. Now not hauling I don't know who gets better as we always have the campers in tow. When I'm not towing I am driving the car...and it has a hemi too lol.

[BulletOwner1]

We just returned to our home on the Oregon coast from a 3 month stay near Reno. Our 2012 F150 ECOBoost. On both the trip down and back we crossed several passes of 3, 4, and I think 5,000 feet. The power of this little V6 is awesome. What is unique about it is the torque range. 90 percent of the power is available from about 1700 rpm to 5000 rpm. I was able to easily climb all these passes at the speed limit. No lugging down, no hoping I can keep the rpm's in the power band, it just goes up the hill. I tow a Bullet 284RLS that is about 6 to 7k lbs. I tow locking out 6th and in "Tow/Haul" mode. 13K miles with about 3300 towing. To truly understand you have to drive the truck preferably towing something. A little over 10 mpg. Not towing varies in proportion to how much foot I use, 16 to 20. Needless to say I am satisfied customer. Still early in the time line but so far I've had zero problems.

[fla-gypsy]

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

I don't own one, nor have I driven one so I don't have a dog in the hunt. I've read of some high altitude issues, but didn't delve into it very much since my F250 is only 10 months old. I'm curious how the engine is going to hold up to long distance heavy towing. In spite of the numbers, it's still a 6 cylinder and it's going to have to deal with a lot of torque, stress, and heat, so maybe we are a couple of years out from getting any real world numbers. Everyone seems to like them OK. My concern with it is that of any 1/2 ton truck, payload.

I have heard stories of problems but never actually heard an owner of one with a problem. Any anecdotal reports are suspect at this point.

[fla-gypsy]

Originally Posted by Bluewater

You might want to look into the GMS/Chevy 1500's with the small 5.3 V8. Less money and better mileage are just a couple nice features. Just my opinion not to get into a feud over what is better.

But the 5.3 is bigger and can't hold a candle power wise. Just not an apples to apples comparison.

[Ken / Claudia]

I hope that the e boost engines work out great. I have found that no matter what truck when there is something new like, engine, transmission etc that have not been around before, we customers get to be the test subjects as to how really good the new stuff is. And it takes acouple years of history to show how good or how bad it can be. Like I said I hope they are great, I might trade in my ranger for one.

[richf28]

I have the 2011 Hornet 28rls and pull it with a 2011 Ecoboost screw. 5.5 box and 3:73 gearing. I have gone from Pennsylvania to central Florida the last two years and will be leaving next week again for the winter. average from 6 mpg in the mountains to 9 mpg on the flats. I cant complain on power and torque. Wish I had a bigger fuel tank though.

[dschamp]

Absolutely love my 2011 SCrew FX4 EcoBoost! This is the fourth F-150 SCrew for me since 2000. All have been excellent trucks, but the EcoBoost is a huge improvement in the pulling and economy department.

When I went to my local dealership considering a replacement to my 2007 F-150 with the 5.4 V-8 the salesman, who I have dealt with several time before, pointed me toward the EcoBoost. My response, "It will be a very cold day in hell when I buy a full-sized pick-up with a V-6." It took a few months, but I continued to research and the more I learned about the EcoBoost the more I had to drive one. Went back and took a test drive. I smiled the entire time I was driving the truck. Two days later one was sitting in my driveway and I continue to smile.

I have a 4500 pound aluminum fishing boat and with the EcoBoost pulling back and forth over the coast range (between the Willamette Valley where I live and the Oregon coast where the salmon live) is a breeze. I can do 60 - 70 up the hills just nudging the gas.

The EcoBoost also handles our 6500 pound 28RBS with no problems. Again, traveling over the coast range is a breeze at 55 - 60 mph. Because of the trailer other drivers will try to pin you in the slow lane on the big uphill grades. Boy do their eyes bulge when you can stick right on their back bumper all the way up the hill doing 60+. And, no, that's not with the gas pedal pinned to the floor. The power curve on the EcoBoost is perfect for towing and it only takes a little spurring.

Last summer I did blow the front transmission seal out and it made one heck of a mess of my boat. Truck had about 20,000 miles on it at that point. Dealership checked serial numbers and there was a recall on that tranny. They had the parts in one-day, repaired the next and no problems since. Bad thing is you don't know if you have a recalled tranny until you have a problem.

Overall, I love the EcoBoost. I can get 23 - 25 mpg unloaded on the freeway. Around town I get about 16 mpg and pulling it can range from 10 - 14 mpg. I agree with Rich 28 that the 25 gallon fuel tank could be bigger, but that's my only gripe. Just under 30k, nice truck and the EcoBoost power makes it fun to drive.

[Bean]

My 2012 has a 36 gallon tank. I think that was new for the 2012 model year.
I am very pleased with my ecoboost. I tow a Springdale 294bhssr and it has no problems. I have the max tow package.

I agree with the MPG given here about 22 on the highway, 16 in town and about 9-10 when towing.

Bean

[jje1960]

I have a friend that pulls a 36' TT with his 12' F150, they love it. They have stayed on the East Coast, however have made multiple trips and have had no problems.

[theasphaltrv'er]

We are towing a 31' 8600# TT mostly around the Southern Rockies from 6700 ft to as high as 10,000 ft . That lowly 1/2 ton F-150, (called by some) with that little V6 Ecoboost just zips that TT up & around that small chain of hills @ 60 mph and averages 9.8-10.6 while it's at it.. What a fantastic machine so far.

[RDB]

I have a 2012 S/Crew Ecoboost 6.5 ft bed with hd payload package and hd towing package. No issues towing our 2012 301BQ, 5 bikes and other items.

Engine light came on this spring and Ford replaced the intercooler and left catalytic converter. Did not notice any problems before or after it was fixed. No regrets at all and would purchase again.

The hd payload and hd towing package is worth the extra money...probably will need to order vs finding on the dealers lot.

[f6bits]

There are tons of stories at f150forum.com. However, the issue seems reproducible under specific conditions. In other words, with conscious effort, you can avoid the stalling issue.

What I take away from the situation is condensation can accumulate in the intercooler in certain weather conditions, and if you floor it at the wrong time, it can stall. Again, in the grand scheme of things, it's a *very* small percentage of Ecoboost F150s that experience this problem.

I envy the Ecoboost F150, but I'm happy enough with mine to not have the wandering eye. Maybe next time.

[skagitstan]

I have a 2013 Ecoboost 4x4 screw with a 3.55. It tows a 21RBSWE. Absolutely no problems hauling, either going over the North Cascades, traveling on the freeway, or on logging roads.

It's quiet, handles well, and gets reasonably good mileage towing (~10mpg overall on a trip over the crest), and very good mileage on the flats when not towing (~20+mpg). Since I don't live on the flats, I average about 16.5 mpg overall. The 36g gas tank is also really a good thing. Almost 600 mile range when not towing.

It also is probably the best truck I've had when not towing. One heck of a lot more power, better mileage than the 2008 Silverado 5.3L it replaces.