Decision time

[talk2cpu]

I have been towing our Passport 250bh with a Suzuki RMZ4 for the past 2 years. Most of the areas we traveled are ND and MN so pretty much flat. Next year we plan to retire and don't think the Suzuki will cut it in western mountains. Thought about a 2015 F250 for likely trouble free towing, but the ride is too stiff and the entry height is too high, even with running boards. We think our next best choice would be a 2014 F150 Ecoboost with Max tow package. Are we on the right track? Will that vehicle struggle with the 6200 lb max of the trailer? We are only running about 5500 lbs loaded now.

Tom

[Festus2]

Tom -
At first glance and without knowing any of the "towing weights/numbers" on the Ecoboost and your TT since you didn't include them in the post, it would appear that you would be "on the right track" but having those figures would make it easier for us to give you a more informed opinion.

[talk2cpu]

3.5 Ecoboost with max tow package is rated for 11,000 plus lbs. Payload 3,000 plus. Trailer max weight with payload is 6200 lbs and I will be about 500 under that when loaded. Hitch weight is about 750 lbs and will be using WD hitch with sway bars. Be the two of us the dogs with a generator and a couple of gallons of fuel and I suppose some misc. camera gear and snacks for about 600 lbs in the truck.

[sherri330]

We had a 2011 Ecoboost (max tow pkg) and towed a tt with a max weight of 8500. Made a wrong turn in PA and ended up going over the Allegheny Mtn. instead of through the tunnel. The truck did great and we never doubted the engine's ability again. It will guzzle some gas when towing though. Only reason we upgraded to a F250 was because we upgraded to a heavier tt.


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[BulletOwner1]

Tom,

I don't think you will have any problems with your TT and the F150. My TT weighs 5300 empty so anywhere from 6 to 7K loaded. My F150 EB with tow package (not max tow) handles it very well. We live in OR and have traveled to WA, ID, and CA. Hills are not an issue with this little motor. If you haven't driven one yet do it. And as an everyday drive you will be very comfortable. Send me a private message if you have any specific questions. Be happy to give you any info you might need.

Richard

[sourdough]

If you are going to upgrade you might want to look at the Ram Ecodiesel. More power and much better mpg from everything I've read.

[GaryWT]

If you have doing ok with what you have, an Ecoboost should be great.

[austinp]

We towed our 6400 lb dry 33' from bumper to ball TT from OC California through Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming to Hill City, SD a couple months ago with our 12 F150 Ecoboost without max tow without a problem. I weighed the hitch prior to leaving with full propane and batteries and it came in at 785. We use a WD and 2 friction sway bars. Uphill no problem. The only issue is the wind due to the length. I may upgrade the TV later; however, this is my daily driver and I tow about 4 times a year. Great engine, but payload is a bit light at 1460. Luckily we have two 7 pound dogs and the wife is only 130. She likes to pack light with barely anything in the bed of the TV. With your setup I'd say go for it. Round trip from SD was 2400 miles and average 10.5 MPG. Used mainly regular fuel at 85-87 octane.

[Desert185]

Having a turbo in the mountains is almost essential...and by mountains, I'm talking in excess of 6,000'. The Ford Ecoboost has one, but like Sourdough advises, the Dodge 1/2 ton diesel is worth a comparison.

[Hansel]

Originally Posted by sourdough

If you are going to upgrade you might want to look at the Ram Ecodiesel. More power and much better mpg from everything I've read.

BINGO!!!

That is what I was going too mention, go with the Dodge 1500 with the diesel. It's too bad Ford is dragging their feet on a F-150 diesel

[BulletOwner1]

Originally Posted by Desert185

Having a turbo in the mountains is almost essential...and by mountains, I'm talking in excess of 6,000'. The Ford Ecoboost has one, but like Sourdough advises, the Dodge 1/2 ton diesel is worth a comparison.

Don't mean to nit pick but the Ford actually has two, one on each bank.

[Desert185]

for the info.

Turbos, one or two, make a considerable difference when asking for sea level power in the mountains. I've had vehicles with turbos since 1980 and have never had an issue related to turbocharging other than a loose hose cured with a few turns of a hose clamp.

My bro-in-law's gas 1500 is an underpowered vehicle here at 5,000'+, and he doesn't carry more than an occasional load of firewood in his short bed. Can't imagine him towing more than 3-5,000# up here.

[talk2cpu]

Thanks for all the great posts. I looked at the eco diesel and decided since I have never had experience with a diesel, now is not the time to learn. Also from what I have gleaned it will give me little to no financial gain over the ecoboost when towing. Since that will be 80% of what the truck will be doing, the advantage running empty won't make a significant difference financially for me.
Tom

[sourdough]

If you go with the EcoBoost and MaxTow be sure and look at the towing charts and get the truck you need. Towing capacities are greatly affected by the type of truck (reg. cab/super cab/crew cab - bed length and axle ratio). I think the axle ratio will probably be the biggest towing consideration (unless it's already specified for the MaxTow at the factory). Your payload is also affected by the above.

[fred1609]

The eco boost engine was originally going to be a diesel and ford went down the path that produced the eco boost, which given the price of diesel versus gas makes sense. An eco boost will easily pull your rig. You don't need a diesel pulling your trailer. Your maintenance will be less expensive then a diesel as well.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by fred1609

The eco boost engine was originally going to be a diesel and ford went down the path that produced the eco boost, which given the price of diesel versus gas makes sense. An eco boost will easily pull your rig. You don't need a diesel pulling your trailer. Your maintenance will be less expensive then a diesel as well.

How will maintenance be less with a gasser?

[2011 keystone]

Originally Posted by Desert185

How will maintenance be less with a gasser?

I have always wondered the same thing. Before i bought a diesel every one said wow maintenance is going to be high. 3 years later and I just don't see it. Sure a diesel holds allot more oil BUT you only have to change it 1/2 as often as you would in a gasser. Now i am not trying to say that every TT needs a diesel to pull it. Just trying to figure out this so called high maintenance that all the gasser guys talk about with a diesel thats all.


Have you ever just looked at someone and new the wheel was turning but the hamster was dead.

[sourdough]

I'm not sure it's all the gasser guys that are talking about the expense of a diesel. I've never owned a diesel personally and the ones I drove my company owned and my fleet dept. took care of them so I don't have any experience with the mtce aspect. When I went to buy my new pickup this past summer I was open to a diesel; its primary drawback was the high initial cost, and I don't keep a vehicle long enough for the longevity of the diesel to mean anything to me. What made my mind up was talking to diesel owners, which to a man, told me that the maintenance costs for a diesel was far more than for a gas engine - they told me about double. I just couldn't see the initial cost and then doubled mtce. costs when I only tow several times a year and a gasser is what I walked away with. So the high mtce. costs relayed to me came from diesel owners..not gassers. If those costs are indeed the same I will reconsider a diesel when I buy my next truck in 2-3 years.

[notanlines]

We have our oil changed at Ford (mostly) every 5K.....cost every time is $109.00. Can't tell you what a gasser costs but that will give you something to judge it by.

[Javi]

For warranty reasons I have my dealer service my truck and if he replaces both fuel filters, air filter, does all the tests on the coolant, changes the oil and oil filter, and rotates the tires it costs me $179.00. I have this done every 15K.

If he only changes the oil and oil filter, runs the tests on the coolant, rotates the tires, drains the water separator and does his other inspection thingys.. it cost me $79.95 I have this done every 7500 miles (give or take)