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Old 04-08-2016, 01:58 PM   #1
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towing with V6 vs. V8 F150

Looking at buying a 2013 F150 3.5l V6 with ecoboost, rated to tow 10,200 lbs., plenty for the new camper we'll buy (small-midsized). But we were advised that for traveling up & down mountains-like the Rockies- we'll probably want a V8. Our son lives at 7,000'. Do you have experience with V6's and mountains?
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Old 04-08-2016, 02:12 PM   #2
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I think you might have that backwards in couple ways. First, I assume you are looking at a 3.5 L ecoboost, because a 5.3L eco would be way fun! Second, the turbo charged V6 will do much better at higher altitudes than the normally aspirated V8. I recently switched to a 2015 3.5 EB and the best part for towing is the 3.5's low end torque. I don't nearly wind it up like I had to on my old V8 to get up grades. For maximum towing power the 3.5 EB is your best pick, but the V8 might have the edge in longevity.
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Old 04-08-2016, 02:20 PM   #3
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Are you sure on the weighted trailer weight, I would expect to see around 6,500. What weight trailer are you towing? A pop up no problem with the V6, even in the mountains.
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Old 04-08-2016, 02:28 PM   #4
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I have a 2013 F150 crew cab 4x4 with a 5.0 and 3.55 rearend.


Max Towing Capacity = 7,700


if I had bought the 3.5 Ecoboost it would jump to around 9500#


seems to me that Ford is knocking the charts on the 5.0 in the marketing department a little bit just to push the Ecoboost engines.
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Old 04-08-2016, 02:31 PM   #5
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Thanks. We currently pull a very light Jayco SLX 195 with a Ridgeline, but are looking to upgrade both the truck and camper. We're thinking of an approximate 23' box, maybe bigger.
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Old 04-08-2016, 05:48 PM   #6
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This dyno is from the 2011 model year, but not much changed to 2013. It shows the significant torque difference between those two engines which impacts the towing ratings a bit. However, for a 23 foot camper I'm sure the 5.0 would work fine.
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Old 04-08-2016, 06:41 PM   #7
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All I can say is that I love my 2013 F-150 Ecoboost.
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Old 04-08-2016, 09:23 PM   #8
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I haul my 24rbs 6000 pounds with my ecoboost, this little engine have power like you wont beleive, I absolutely dont regret my choice and I wouldn't want a 5.0, not that its a bad engine but the 3.5 is superior :-)
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Old 04-08-2016, 09:34 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtBiker View Post
I think you might have that backwards in couple ways. First, I assume you are looking at a 3.5 L ecoboost, because a 5.3L eco would be way fun! Second, the turbo charged V6 will do much better at higher altitudes than the normally aspirated V8. I recently switched to a 2015 3.5 EB and the best part for towing is the 3.5's low end torque. I don't nearly wind it up like I had to on my old V8 to get up grades. For maximum towing power the 3.5 EB is your best pick, but the V8 might have the edge in longevity.
You know, my first reaction was that for towing, the V8 would almost always be the best choice, but I think this is a good explanation. The turbo will make a world of difference at altitude, regardless of cylinder count or displacement. My only concern would be the ability to cool itself. My only additional wish would be a turbo on the V8, LOL! ALthough, mileage might suffer a bit.
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Old 04-08-2016, 09:46 PM   #10
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You know, my first reaction was that for towing, the V8 would almost always be the best choice, but I think this is a good explanation. The turbo will make a world of difference at altitude, regardless of cylinder count or displacement. My only concern would be the ability to cool itself. My only additional wish would be a turbo on the V8, LOL! ALthough, mileage might suffer a bit.
POOF! Your wish is granted... Buy a V8 turbo diesel.
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Old 04-08-2016, 10:32 PM   #11
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POOF! Your wish is granted... Buy a V8 turbo diesel.
I currently own two of them, LOL! One is on the auction block, and hopefully will be gone tomorrow. I am a believer.
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Old 04-08-2016, 11:09 PM   #12
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Ecoboost for sure. It's towing ability (along with HD tow package and 3.73 gears) is the main reason we bought ours
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Old 04-09-2016, 07:51 AM   #13
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ecoboost

That too is why we bought an Ecoboost, for the towing. It's the next best thing to Diesel
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Old 04-09-2016, 04:49 PM   #14
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Old 04-10-2016, 06:01 AM   #15
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I pull 8500 lbs with the Eco boost the power is amazing. My friend has the same camper he had the f 150 v8 he went to the Tetons came back and traded it off for the Eco boost.


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Old 04-10-2016, 06:43 AM   #16
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the V6 ecoboost is a beast for towing in the 1/2 ton market. The old 6 cylinder F150 compared to the 3.5 ecoboost are not comparable. Don't let the 6 cylinder fool ya!
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Old 04-11-2016, 08:01 AM   #17
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If you are towing a lot at altitude, the advantages of the turbo Ecoboost will outweigh the benefits of the V8. There are posts on the internet which show the % drop in power at altitude on naturally aspirated engines vs forced induction (turbo) engines. The 5.0 litre has a beautiful rumble to it and there are quite a few complaints about the gas mileage of the Eco, but complaints about the Eco's low end torque, particularly in the mountains, are extremely rare.


As stated in other threads, the 10,200 tow capacity that you refer to is really artificial as you will run out of payload, with a proper tongue weight, long before you get any where close to the stated towing capacity. On the F150's the payload capacities vary greatly depending on packages and options.
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Old 04-11-2016, 08:13 AM   #18
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[QUOTE=Ottawasteve;396422]If you are towing a lot at altitude, the advantages of the turbo Ecoboost will outweigh the benefits of the V8.

There are no benefits to the 5.0 V8 for towing. None. If there was Ford would have rated it better for towing. Prior to my upgrade to a FW I had a 2012 with ecoboost engine and towed my 9800# 36 ft Outback TT.

It was amazing how well that truck did! Fuel savings from a 6 banger wasn't there but the power certainly was.
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Old 04-11-2016, 02:04 PM   #19
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[QUOTE=Knauby;396425]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ottawasteve View Post
If you are towing a lot at altitude, the advantages of the turbo Ecoboost will outweigh the benefits of the V8.

There are no benefits to the 5.0 V8 for towing. None. If there was Ford would have rated it better for towing. Prior to my upgrade to a FW I had a 2012 with ecoboost engine and towed my 9800# 36 ft Outback TT.
Close friend of mine gets 1 to 1.5 mpg less with his 2014 Eco than he did with his 2012 5.0 pulling the same trailer to the same campgrounds which I would consider a benefit. Lost almost one mpg unloaded as well. Ford rates the Eco minimally higher (2% approx.) for towing and rates the Eco 2% lower for payload when both are equipped with the Max Tow and HD Payload packages. The presence or absence of benefits while towing will depend on your application.
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Old 04-11-2016, 03:09 PM   #20
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[QUOTE=Knauby;396425]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ottawasteve View Post
If you are towing a lot at altitude, the advantages of the turbo Ecoboost will outweigh the benefits of the V8.

There are no benefits to the 5.0 V8 for towing. None. If there was Ford would have rated it better for towing. Prior to my upgrade to a FW I had a 2012 with ecoboost engine and towed my 9800# 36 ft Outback TT.

It was amazing how well that truck did! Fuel savings from a 6 banger wasn't there but the power certainly was.
You also get a little more engine breaking with the 5.0 v8 than the Ecoboost. And it sounds better. Plus with the added fuel mileage mentioned above that is 3 benefits of the 5.0L V8......

I used to have a 2013 5.0 F150 and pulled a 7000lbs trailer in our sig and it did well powerwise. I would say equivalent to our 6.2l in our current F250.

With that said the Ecoboost 3.5 is the better engine for towing and has been proven reliable now. It has been around for 5 years now I think. There were some early issues with the intercooler but I think those are sorted for the 2013 model year.
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