EcoBoost: Towing torture test of my own!

LakesideStyle · #1 (**permalink**) 05-30-2011, 09:58 PM

The Rig:

2011 F-150 4x4 Lariat Super Crew, 145", EcoBoost, 3.55, 20" Wheels on Pirelli Scorpions

The Trailer:

2005 Fleetwood Mallard 310FS Toyhauler
GVWR: 13,000, Dry: 7,240, Dry Hitch, 1056
Loaded inside: Basic gear for two, a Polaris Rzr, sportsman, and predator. 120 gal water, 30 gal fuel, etc.

So for Memorial Day weekend I decided to give the new rig a good towing test. I am for sure impressed, even after towing this trailer for several years with a 6.0 powerstroke. I would say the powerstroke had a slight bit more of get up and go but really, other than that initial acceleration had no benefit. Averaged 8.5 mpg on the hwy cruising between 60 and 70 over flat and mountain terrain.

Last week I had Les Schwab add a set of Firestone airbags w/ compressor and remote. WELL worth it. Of course used a weight distributing hitch.

Things I want to feel a little more comfortable: 10 ply tires & either the hensley or propride sway eliminating hitch. The tires are just a DUH, the scorpions aren't rated for all that much. The motion of trailer sway always makes me sick so I'm happy to throw down some bucks to get rid of it. Have the same problem with the superduty / powerstroke setup as well. Wasn't a ton of it, but when the wind kicks up you sure feel it.

Crossed over the 12k mi mark on the last leg of the trip. Go Ford!

LakesideStyle · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-2011, 10:02 PM

msgtord · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2011, 10:30 PM

Nice rig, but please make picture smaller.

juneau76 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-31-2011, 06:17 AM

That's cool. I find it funny that my wife's cousin has a trailer that weighs 8,000lbs dry and they "can't" pull it with their 2 year old Siverado. They actually went out and found someone to tow it for them. Anyhow, keep enjoying it.

truckerdude · #5 (**permalink**) 05-31-2011, 08:32 AM

so what was total weight?

what mpg did you get towing?

if you have 12k on the truck did you see it magically increase in mpg at 3000 miles or has it stayed the same.

LakesideStyle · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckerdude

so what was total weight?

what mpg did you get towing?

if you have 12k on the truck did you see it magically increase in mpg at 3000 miles or has it stayed the same.

I figure the weight was somewhere around 11-12,000 pounds.

Averaged 8.5 mpg towing, slightly better than with the 6.0 PowerStroke.

No MPG change after break in, I think that's all BS. The ticket to real fuel economy with this rig is keeping your speed down. If you can handle setting the cruise at 60 all day you'll see huge gains (mid 20's) but kick it up to 75-80 and I'm back in the lower to mid teens.

truckerdude · #7 (**permalink**) 05-31-2011, 01:56 PM

Thanks

A guy over on pickuptrucks.com traded in his powerstroke for an ecoboost two and he has been towing and he posted the same thing that you did. Kinda neat that a gas burner can do as well as a diesel on towing fuel mpg

D8chumley · #8 (**permalink**) 05-31-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juneau76

That's cool. I find it funny that my wife's cousin has a trailer that weighs 8,000lbs dry and they "can't" pull it with their 2 year old Siverado. They actually went out and found someone to tow it for them. Anyhow, keep enjoying it.

Whaaaaaaatttttt? You are kidding right? And also Brad, another former 6.0 owner happy with his F150

juneau76 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-31-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D8chumley

Whaaaaaaatttttt? You are kidding right? And also Brad, another former 6.0 owner happy with his F150

Tim, I couldn't make this stuff up. They posted up on Facebook asking for help and I started spouting off to my wife when she read it to me. If we lived closer, I would've just showed up and pulled it to show them they are morons to think a 1/2 ton truck wouldn't cut it.