Ford F-150 2.7 ecoboost or Tundra 5.7

[Captain D]

Looking to replace my old 2006 Tundra. Love Toyotas and the reliability is outstanding. However the Tundra is dated compared to the Ford. The Ford would get better non towing gas mileage but it seems all gas trucks get about 8-9 mpg towing. Opinions please.

[dartwest]

Depends on what you are towing. I have a Jayflight 23RB, One of the 1/2 ton towables advertised by Jayco. Dry weight is under 5000lb and hitch weight is 750-800lb. Well within the published specs of my 2015 Tundra with a 4.6 v8. I researched it thoroughly before purchasing the TT. I was unhappy with the Tundra's performance. It had difficulty pulling up even Texas inclines and a headwind kept me at 55 mph with the engine racing above 4K. People with the larger V8 report better performance. I looked at the the F150 with 2.7 ecoboost and was impressed by the performance and the specs. The cargo capacity stopped me from purchasing. It would handle my current trailer but not the next size up. I ended up ordering a 2017 F250 4x4 with diesel. Overkill, but I am just wrapping up a 5 week 7k mile trip that crossed the rockies several times and driving the F250 was a pleasure. The engine braking allowed me to descend the steep hills in the rockies using minimal braking. I felt very in control and the heavier truck and powerful engine made it a much more relaxing experience. No doubt an F150 2.7 would have done the job but I am retired and bought the TT to enjoy. The peace of mind is worth the extra cost to me.

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by Captain D

Looking to replace my old 2006 Tundra. Love Toyotas and the reliability is outstanding. However the Tundra is dated compared to the Ford. The Ford would get better non towing gas mileage but it seems all gas trucks get about 8-9 mpg towing. Opinions please.

I've been driving my 2.7 EB F-150 since 9-2-15. Not towing, fuel mileage range is 21-26 mpg, depends on wind mostly. Towing sub 5k tt at 65 mph regularly get 12-13 mpg. I had a 3000 lb travel trailer when I acquired the F-150 and it might break 14mpg, but only had that combination out 4 times. It is not the weight, it is the air that will keep you from getting 'good' mileage. Last April, towed 300+ miles into a 30-40mph head wind and only managed 8 mpg. In June, same road, 20 mph tailwind, got 15 mpg @ 65mph towing a slightly heavier trailer (first trip with the 23RL Jay Feather). Coming home (reverse route) with a 10-15mph headwind still managed 12mpg @ 65mph. Two points to consider: Ford factory rear shocks suck. The faster you drive, the lower your fuel mileage. My Super Crew is about 4200has lbs, with tow package easily tows a sub 6k trailer. Tow cap of my truck is 7400 lbs. With tongue weight of around 600lbs, I still have room for another 800lbs cargo/passengers without overloading tires/suspension on the truck. I can overload the trailer way before the truck.

[jbrnigan]

My Tundra w/ 5.7L towed my 5K Coachman with ease. After I upgraded to my Jayco 29RKS (cat scale @ 8K, loaded, tongue wt 1250), the weight was within the Tundra tow limits, but, the truck struggled. For a short time I used my 3/4 ton Avalanche 8.1L, and had plenty of power, but, gas mileage was terrible. So, I replaced both with a Super Duty diesel (like dartwest above)- yep overkill, but, the truck is a pleasure to tow with and gets better mileage than either the Tundra or the Avalanche. I have stated before, few truck owners ever regret having "too" much truck.

[wags999]

We travel all over the west, especially in Colorado. Never had an issue maintaining speed with our Tundra. It pulls great, getting 9.5 to 10.5 towing, depending on terrain. Last two tanks without towing we got from 19.5 to 21 MPG. Very comfortable vehicle. In 55,000 miles not a single issue, just routine maintenance. I would purchase another tundra. Ive owned many trucks before, and my Tundra is by far the best vehicle I have owned. I wish they made a 3/4 ton vehicle, but we don't plan on purchasing any RV larger than we have.


Good Luck

[Elroy71]

Just got back from the mountains of North/Central PA pulling my 6000lb+ Jay Flight with my 2011 3.5 F150 Ecoboost. I have Toyo AT2 tires and air bags on to keep things level and smooth. Had no problems at all. I use the tow/haul mode and that really helps. I'm not an expert on GVW numbers but I feel very in control and comfortable driving.

[CampNow]

The Tundra's 5.7 V8 and AB60 tranny is a proven, refined, reliable drivetrain. Failures and problems are rare. It's been in production, unchanged, since 2007. Its major con is fuel economy. The EPA and fuelly.com fuel economy ratings are at the bottom vs. other light duty trucks. Along with reliability, the other big thing going for the Tundra is resale value. Ford can't hold a candle to the Tundra in this area. Quick note, do NOT consider purchasing the Tundra with the 4.6 V8. Dramatic difference in performance vs. the 5.7---especially while towing, with very little difference in fuel economy.

As for the Ford 2.7 Ecoboost, can't argue it's fun to drive. That turbo, with all that torque right out of the gate, can be addictive. There's also the fuel economy issue. Unloaded, it's going to be significantly higher than the Tundra's 5.7.

IMO, it boils down to the Tundra's reliability and resale vs. the F150 2.7's turbo and fuel economy. For some folks it can be a tough choice.

[RubyHauler]

I pull a 23MRB weighting in at 6300 lb range with a 2013 F150 3.5 EB with tow package. I have been very satisfied with the performance, quality, reliability and mileage while towing. The newer versions have more torque and a few more horsepower. Our trip last year included another couple pulling slightly more weight (6800 lbs) with their Tundra. We went east to west over the Rockies. What we found was the 3.5 EB turbo power over the mountains really helps as I rarely got to 3800 RPM up the steepest grades while the Tundra was looking at 4500 to 4800 RPM. The F150 was able to maintain 50 MPH while the Tundra struggled to keep up. Not saying the Tundra isn't a good vehicle, just relying the the differences we experienced. As far as reliability, there is no difference. I've driven over 1.4 million miles in Fords and besides normal maintenance only a $1200 heater core issue hit me in the pocket on a 2008 F150 after 105K miles. Main thing is to enjoy your camping.

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by RubyHauler

. . . Tundra struggled to keep up . . .

What year? Engine?

[Captain D]

Thanks for all the responses. I am currently using a 2006 Tundra with 4.0 V6 to tow my Jayco 23 RD with dry weight of 4267 lbs. The Tundra is only rated on paper to tow 5000 lbs. although the previous year the V8 had similar hp and torque ratings and was rated 7200 lbs. towing. Doing the math I figure mine should be rated for 5700 lbs. In any case so far towing in Georgia including foothills of the north the Tundra does well. Maintains 65 on interstate turning 2700 rpms dropping to 3900 rpms occasionally on steeper hills. I average about 11.5 mpg towing.

[doghauler]

I have 2017 Tundra with a 5.7 V8 and pull an Octane SL273 toyhauler with ease. It has a dry weight of about 6500 lbs and just returned from a trip with a full load of water, a generator, a Kawasaki Mule UTV and all our personal gear. The only upgrade I made was a set of Timbrens on the rear. It feels very secure at 65 mph on the interstates and I have not encountered any sway. Hills are not an issue aside from slowing down a bit on the largest ones. This is my first Tundra and they are built much stronger than other 1/2 ton trucks. I also plow snow in the winter with a 7 1/2 ' standard duty Boss V Plow and it handles it better that my previous Ford F250 did.

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by Captain D

Thanks for all the responses. I am currently using a 2006 Tundra with 4.0 V6 to tow my Jayco 23 RD with dry weight of 4267 lbs. The Tundra is only rated on paper to tow 5000 lbs. although the previous year the V8 had similar hp and torque ratings and was rated 7200 lbs. towing. Doing the math I figure mine should be rated for 5700 lbs. In any case so far towing in Georgia including foothills of the north the Tundra does well. Maintains 65 on interstate turning 2700 rpms dropping to 3900 rpms occasionally on steeper hills. I average about 11.5 mpg towing.

If you're ok with the towing performance of your 2006 Tundra V6, you'd be blown away with the Tundra 5.7's towing performance. The 5.7 has 381 hp (401 lb. ft. torque)---145 more hp than your 2006 Tundra V6 (with 236 hp). The F150 2.7 Ecoboost has 325 hp, but is certainly no slouch with 375 lb. ft. of torque down low in the RPM band compliments of the turbo.

If you go with a Tundra 5.7, make sure it has the OEM factory tow package with the 4.30 rear end. Without the OEM factory tow package (and the 4.10 rear end) tow capacity drops down to 7-8k . . . vs. approx. 10k with the 4.30 rear end.

[Packerbacker_TX]

Check the FORD factory towing guidelines here. ( https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/ )

You'll want to make sure the F150 you're interested in is able to do the job.

[vcbice]

If you tow out here where altitude is a bit higher then the turbo will make a huge difference.

We towed a 7000lb fifth wheel with our 2006 Tundra (4.7L V8). Towing mileage was in the 8-10mpg range (this is the frontal area of a fifth wheel). On level roads it could maintain 70mph. On inclines it downshifted but 65mph was easy. 6% grade it would maintain 60mph in 4th gear. Closer to sea level it did better. I had to add air bags to it because I was towing a fiver instead of a TT. And, yes, I was within the vehicle GVWR and GCWR.

And, yes, if Toyota made a 3/4T I'd probably have one.

[Captain D]

Another advantage the Tundra has over the Ford is weight. The Tundra weighs about 800 to 1000 lbs. more. The 3/4 ton fans are always stating that one of the many attributes of their trucks is the sheer curb weight not being pushed around by the camper. Thus the Tundra should be more stable from a sheer weight standpoint.

[TWP723]

Ford. But I'm biased.

[Captain D]

I like Ford's also. I have had 6 of them. I would rate them very good-very few problems. I have owned/own 4 Toyotas and would rate them excellent. Zero failures. Also even though the Ford and more modern than the Tundra Consumer Reports rates them average reliability versus way above average for the Tundra. That is what makes my decision more difficult.

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by Captain D

Another advantage the Tundra has over the Ford is weight. The Tundra weighs about 800 to 1000 lbs. more. The 3/4 ton fans are always stating that one of the many attributes of their trucks is the sheer curb weight not being pushed around by the camper. Thus the Tundra should be more stable from a sheer weight standpoint.

Excellent point! I wouldn't say this alone is a good reason to purchase one vehicle over another, but it does drive home an excellent point: HP, payload and tow capacity ratings give one a general idea of the mechanical ability of a tow vehicle to tow a trailer. However, is does not specify "how" (from a stability and handling perspctive) a tow vehicle will tow a given trailer. That's why skidpad tests are so revealing for cars. All the HP and torque (or tow capacity) in the world is worthless if the car (or tow vehicle) is unable to handle properly.

When towing, sheer mass does make a difference in terms of stability and handling. Most late model 3/4-ton gas/diesel trucks weigh approx. 2,000/3,000 lbs. more than an aluminum F150.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by CampNow

When towing, sheer mass does make a difference in terms of stability and handling. Most late model 3/4-ton gas/diesel trucks weigh approx. 2,000/3,000 lbs. more than an aluminum F150.

I have both a Ram 2500 Cummins and a new Aluminum F150. 2 completely different trucks. With that said, there is absolutely nothing unstable about the Ford. In fact, I find it quite comfortable. Now I'm only pulling 5500# and I know how to set up a hitch, but there is not a world of difference in the towing experience between my trucks with the same trailer as many would like you to believe.

[bdreinv]

Our son is buying first truck and camper! Any must have options for the Tundra?