I have a 4-horse gooseneck that I currently pull with a dually. If I downsize to an Ecoboost F-150 3.5 with a 5-1/2 ft bed and 3.73 rear-end will I have a problem towing with just 1 - 2 head in the trailer? Empty weight on the trailer is ~5500 lbs.

Would appreciate any help - I know that the "numbers" say should be no problem. I want to know what the "real world" is before I make the jump.

Thnx

 

Whatever an econoboost is, it sounds fancy. I wouldn't trust it.

 

Sorry - mis-stated the Ford term: Ecoboost, not econoboost. Does that help?

 

A few new and nice things on the F-150 this year are the fact that you get the 36 gallon fuel tank with the EcoBoost now, and you can get the Heavy Duty Payload package on the Supercrew with the 157" wheelbase. I would think that combination would suit your needs very well, combined with the Max Trailer Tow package.

And welcome to FTE!

 

John - thanks for your input. The specific truck I'm looking at has the 145" WB with the 7650# GVWR Package and the Max Trailer Tow package. I know the WB is shorter but is that an issue?

Thnx

 

No it shouldn't be, where the capacities are concerned. Have you looked at the order guide or any of the 2012 literature? If you opt for the 157" WB, you can get the HD payload package which includes:

• XLT/Lariat: High capacity 17" 7-lug Aluminum wheels
• Heavy-Duty shock absorbers
• Upgraded springs, radiator and auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• 9.75" gear set
• 3.73 limited-slip axle
• LT245/75R17E BSW All-Terrain Tires

Nice thing about it is it would help handle the load really well. Of course, the Max Tow would as well and it includes:

• Upgraded rear bumper
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• 7-pin wiring harness
• Upgraded radiator
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Trailer Brake Control
• Side Mirrors, Manual Telescoping Trailer Tow w/Power Glass
(includes heat, memory, turn signal & puddle lamps & Chrome
Skull Caps)

 

Thanks again. No, I haven't looked at 2012 literature, etc. I like this specific truck and it's sitting there and I told my sales guy that I've dealt with for many years I'd let him know tomorrow what I wanted to do.

Since this is a gooseneck the beefed up rear bumper, etc. don't mean much at this time. In looking at the pure "numbers" this short WB truck should be able to handle this trailer. But past the numbers the other thing that kinda gets my attention is towing a gooseneck with the short WB vs. the 8' bed. Does that screw up the dynamics of towing a 20+ foot trailer very badly?

Thnx

 

I don't think that's going to screw it up. Although, with a 5.5' bed, you'll need to be careful not to screw up the back of the cab. Not as bad as a fifth wheel but......

Since you're looking at a truck that's already on the lot, I'd look at where you'll be mounting the GN hitch in relation to the front of the bed / back of the cab by backing the truck up under the hitch while on a test drive. It's doable but with the short bed length, I'd be careful.

Of course, your other option would be to order a new truck set up exactly how you want it but I understand your situation. I ordered my '05 F-250 but this time around, I found my '11 F-350 at another dealer and had my dealer go get it.....didn't want to wait on an ordered truck and this one had absolutely everything I would have ordered anyway.

 

Thanks a lot for your help - I really appreciate it. You just put another slant on my concerns about the WB and the GN trailer and I'm wavering even a little more now than I was!

Thanks again ...

 

Glad to help.

However, I'm definitely not trying to talk you out of the 150. I think it would perform extremely well for you. Those would just be the concerns I would have moving from an 8' bed to a 5.5' bed. That said, try it out and take some measurements. Also consider ordering or telling your salesman what your concerns are. I would think he could steer you in the right direction and get you in a truck that will fit your needs just fine.

Even if you ordered a 157" Supercrew, you'd still be probably be getting a shorter truck than what you've got now. And, the HD Payload package gives you the spring upgrade in the rear that will help out with the tongue weight of the GN.

 

The HD payload package is only available on the regular cab and supercab models. The super crew models haven't evolved yet.

I personally would not want to tow a fifth wheel or a gooseneck with a 5.5' bed truck of any ilk. I think the extra 12" will make a difference in bed / cab clearance and how the trailer handles.

The 157" WB F-150 4x4 Ecoboost truck with max tow will handle 11,200 lbs of towing.

John made a good point about waiting for a 2012 or ordering a 2012 model. In addition to the 36 gallon tank coming with the ecoboost trucks, you can also get a heavier payload option on a supercrew, not to be confused with HD payload package. This does boost the payload, stiffens the frame and affects over MPG's.

Check out this article, it's very interesting. https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/..._and_More.html

 

Actually Tim, that HD Payload package is in fact available on the 2012 Supercrew models. It's restricted to the 157" wheelbase though.

 

Y'all have been extremely helpful. I did do some measurements - and on the 5-1/2' bed the nose of the trailer would be 1-1/2 feet behind the cab. That's too close.

Also - another point of nervousness is I haven't found too much regarding feedback from folks who have done much towing with the 3.5. What little I have seen hasn't been very favorable although they seemed to love the 3.5 as long as they weren't pulling anything.

So - if I'm going to downsize you guys have prevented a mistake on my part. If I'm going to downsize with the current trailer and current model year I'll go to the 5.0 V8 with the 6-1/2 ft bed. Or, do some due diligence regarding the 2012 model. Or, downsize the trailer to a smaller bumper pull - in which case I'd probably still go with a 5.0 V8, but either 5-1/2 or 6-1/2 bed.

Thanks again guys

 

Thanks for the correction John.

Where are you finding the less favorable towing information from? It's very unlikely that a 5.0L will tow as well as an ecoboost and it doesn't carry the 11K tow rating that a properly equipped ecoboost truck carries.

 

It was an article I read in one of the car / truck magazines while in the Dr's office last week. The author took an approx 8,000 lb trailer from LA to Denver and back again and averaged something like 8+ mpg, whereas w/o the trailer he'd been averaging 19+.

That's really all I've been able to find other than just a brief mention on a couple of other forums and reviews.