Tow Vehicle comparison

SAMM Kinder · 09-26-2018, 03:35 PM

I own a 185RB and tow with a 2002 Ford F150 with a 4.2 v6 60,000 miles ... How much difference will I notice by upgrading to a newer 2.7 or 3.5 ?? Thanx in advance ... Love my combo but could use a little more poop in the mountains

GrumpyDad · 09-26-2018, 04:19 PM

Pretty big upgrade in power. That's for sure.

Marcm157 · 09-26-2018, 04:45 PM

The difference will be phenomenal. I had a 2016 F150 with the 3.5 before I upgraded to my current F250. The 3.5 out pulled this truck power wise hands down. The only reason I upgraded was for weight.

**Midnightmoon** · 09-26-2018, 04:49 PM

The 3.5L Ecoboost mated to the 10-speed auto in my 2018 is an absolutely amazing combination. More power than you would ever need.

JeremyFr · 09-26-2018, 04:54 PM

Let me tell you about my personal experience as I made nearly that exact change.

I started out with a 2002 F150 with the 4.2L and 3.55:1 rear end. I have a JayFlight 23FB fully loaded I'm around 6k give or take.

The 2002 pulled fine on the flats, and did ok on the hills if you didn't care about being in 2nd gear doing 35mph up the hill.

Last December upgraded to a 2016 F150 SCREW Long Bed with the 3.5 EcoBoost. The difference is honestly incomparable! I've done the same trip with both trucks that involves a quite steep grade, the old truck literally 2nd gear RPM's maxed 30MPH up the hill, the new truck same hill 4th gear 3k RPM, 60MPH and wanting to accelerate hard still if I'd give it more gas. There is no comparison in how much better the overall towing experience is from the 2002 to the 2016.

And lastly don't get me started on towing with the 3.5EB now that it's got a Livernois tune on it, best 600 bux ever!

Quantum · 09-26-2018, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMM Kinder

... How much difference will I notice by upgrading to a newer 2.7 or 3.5 ??

Cannot be explained...I tried to come up with an analogy, but I can't think of one. The 3.5L is extremely capable.

I tow 8200lbs and I haven't met a mountain yet that I can't tow up at 65MPH.

JeremyFr · 09-26-2018, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quantum

Cannot be explained...I tried to come up with an analogy, but I can't think of one. The 3.5L is extremely capable.

I tow 8200lbs and I haven't met a mountain yet that I can't tow up at 65MPH.

Exactly like do you say well it's like going from a Yugo to a Ferrari? or what? lol Honestly one just has to drive the 2 to really feel just how HUGE the difference is.

Kennessa · 09-28-2018, 12:08 PM

I had the eco-beast before going back to diesel because of 5th wheel and I will tell you that is the little engine that could. One bad boy.

SkyBound · 10-02-2018, 08:29 AM

I went from a 4.6L V8 with 3.55 gears and a 4spd to the 3.5EB with 3.73 gears and a 6spd. It's not even the same league. The EcoBoost pulls like an angry ox. Like said before, they also respond well to tuning. Also a very quiet truck to tow with, which is nice for long drives. This all being said, diesel will be next for me.

Either way you go, you will be very impressed. I would say if you plan on using it for towing anything significant, go with the 3.5 over the 2.7. Not to say the smaller guy can't do it, but the big brother 3.5 will give you that little extra at times when you need it.

Keep in mind that while the EcoBoost engines are designed to run on regular 87 octane safely, it is recommended to run premium when towing to achieve full rated power. I run premium all towing season and then step it down to 87 or 89 in the winter.

**Midnightmoon** · 10-02-2018, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Keep in mind that while the EcoBoost engines are designed to run on regular 87 octane safely, it is recommended to run premium when towing to achieve full rated power. I run premium all towing season and then step it down to 87 or 89 in the winter.

I did the same thing. I ran premium all summer while towing with mine and just recently went back to a lower octane (88 here at our local station).

I'm not sure how it is in your area, but premium runs $.15 or so higher than diesel.

Quantum · 10-02-2018, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

I did the same thing. I ran premium all summer while towing with mine and just recently went back to a lower octane (88 here at our local station).

I'm not sure how it is in your area, but premium runs $.15 or so higher than diesel.

I don't run premium. On my 10,000km of travel this year, I did try a few consecutive tanks of 93 octane to see if there was a noticeable difference, but I didn't see any, either in power or MPG.

I figure why spend the extra $$?

**Midnightmoon** · 10-02-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quantum

I don't run premium. On my 10,000km of travel this year, I did try a few consecutive tanks of 93 octane to see if there was a noticeable difference, but I didn't see any, either in power or MPG.

I figure why spend the extra $$?

Thanks. That's good to know.

Merrick · 10-02-2018, 11:48 AM

Gotta share my experience. Went from a 2010 F150, V8, 4.6L 2 Valve (with long bed - no tow package), to a 2012 V6, 3.5L Ecoboost (with tow package). Now I am only pulling about 4,000 lbs, but the difference is amazing.

Even with my low tow weight, I had to get a running start just to maintain speed up a small incline in the old truck. It was constantly searching for overdrive, and big hills - forget about it. Didn't want a bigger payment, but it was worth it now to pull the TT.

Just don't google timing chain stretch on 2011-2015 3.5L Ecoboost engines, as addressed in Ford Technical Service Bulletin 16-0027. My 2012 high mileage F150 I just bought had the problem. Luckily, the car dealer stepped up and did the right thing (cause they knew about it prior to sale), to the cost of 3K. Runs great now.

2edgesword · 10-02-2018, 11:53 AM

Here are the numbers:

2012 4.2L 202HP @ 4,800rpm, 252ft-lbs torque @ 3,400rpm

2018 2.7L 325HP @ 5,000rpm, 400ft-lbs torque @ 2,750rpm

2018 3.5L 375HP @ 5,000rpm, 470ft-lbs torque @ 3,500rpm

Based on the above, assuming similar gear ratio and improved transmission, you should see quite a bit of improvement in towing with either of the later model year trucks.

mass-hole · 10-23-2018, 01:59 PM

I have a 2014 3.5 Ecoboost with a 5Star towing tune. As others have said, its an animal. It tows my 5500 lb X213 near effortlessly and still impresses me every time I take it out. It will hold 6th gear on 2-3% grades it seems like.

That said, for any trailer below ~7000 lbs I would not think twice about getting the 2.7 Ecoboost. They seem to make more power than advertised and are close to the 3.5 stock vs stock. They also will net you much better MPG's when not towing than the 3.5.

The only downside to the 2.7 is that it comes along with a reduced GVWR and therefore lower payload capacity(option for option). The only way around this is to get it with the 2.7 Payload package but then you are limited in what options you can get. In particular, the 36 gallon fuel tank is no longer available which is a must have for towing.

Had I purchased a 2015 or newer F150 then I could very well be in the 2.7 right now, but I bought a leftover 2014 for a killer deal so I was forced to go with the 3.5.

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