I've got myself worked into a box. Replacing the wife's Expedition and my short term choices are the 2014 5.4 or the 2015 EB for towing a 5,000 lb boat in Colorado.

I'm a turbo fan - but you folks that transitioned from the 5.4 to EB in your F150s, what is your honest impression of towing capability? Is a trailer like a boat anchor on that V6 or does that EB step up to the plate?

It looks like I decide now and save a little coin on the 5.4 or lose it forever and not look back.

 

I had two 5.4 Lariat F-150's before my 3.5L Ecoboosts and will tell you it's a night and day difference. It will step up to the plate and haul your boat no problem.

 

You must be a new guy to the forum, so welcome.
This is historically one of the most discussed items here, so
go back in the pages and check out the topics. In short
the EB will pull better then you ever dreamed a gas burner would.


But here's something even better for you. You mentioned Colorado. All the V8s have lost at least 15% of their power at 5000 ft. 25% at 8000 ft.The EB hasn't.


The only towing I've done was a 4000 lb boat with my 95 Silverado, 350 ci , 4wd.
I live at 6000 ft. and it's performance at this altitude was pathetic; with or without the boat. However, driving
to a sea level city, that truck had noticeably more power. Altitude makes a HUGE
difference.


No so with the EB. It's a hot rod up here, and doesn't feel any different when I
drive to Arizona. I've got 3;31 gears and see no reason to have anything else;
21 mpg, 1500 rpm @65 mph, and power to take these mountains staying in 6th gear.


Best thing for you to do is start test driving............

 

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with TruckPilot...the EGOboost will really shine at altitude and will out tow the 5.4L in every way. I also tow a 4200 lb. boat and it has plenty of power. You will be passing others towing left and right at altitude. The EGOboost really tows like a small diesel it is something you have to drive to experience. The bad thing is ttest driving it doesn't really give you a great gauge of how great this motor really is. I suggest maybe renting one and take it for an extended drive and see how you really like it. Most rentals (if not all) will not have a towing package installed.

Drive the EGOboost and the 5.0L back to back and make your decision.

 

Thanks folks - I did try to rent an F150 and tow the boat, but when I went to pick it up it was only the V6, not the EB, so I left it there.




I did drive the new Expedition yesterday, and it did seem to have plenty of power, but I couldn't ask them to tow with it. I don't think it had 3.73s, as they are an option and I didn't see them on the sticker.


At this point it's a $10K difference between the 2014 and 2015, as Ford is not offering any incentives on the new Exp, but that could change later in the year I suppose.

 

You DEFINITELY want the '15 with the EB. The 5.4L is a boat anchor in comparison. Read HERE how my '13 EcoBoost F150 stacked up against diesel trucks pulling 15,000 lbs around. I was the fastest truck up the hill!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-hd-video.html

 

I agree with Tom...wait and get the 2015...they are lighter and have some other cool goodies added.

 

Another strenuous vote for the 2015 with the EB. It's an amazing engine. When I drive anything else, I feel like I'm sitting still compared to my EB.

 

The EcoBoost is a fantastic towing engine. Towed my car and car hauler all the way to Montana & back (twice), 80 MPH through the Dakota's 70 MPH through the mountains no problem. Towed a car back from Phoenix AZ, no problems there either. Towed my boat tow Florida back, 80 MPH all the way in the Kentucky Hills and Tennessee mountains. Never missed a beat. My boat dry weight is 4,200lbs, my car hauler & car weight about 7,000 lbs.

 

I traded in a 2005 5.4L powered pickup for a new 2014 EB powered pickup. There is night and day difference between the engines. Recently I put the EB engined PU through it's paces while pulling my 5k TT through West Virginia on US 50, a 2 lane road that would strain a snakes back due to the hair pins.

While it's not at the altitude of the western mountains, it had a number of 7 & 9 percent grades. While I was going somewhat slow due to the hair pins and darkness, when I needed power the ECO provided it and had more in reserve.

Another place where the power shines is Afton Mountain on I64 here in Virginia. Going up the east face it's around a 6 mile climb to the top and there is no truck lane. So what happens many times is an eighteen wheeler will be in the left lane passing another 18 wheeler. That slows everyone down to a crawl.

Once the 18 wheeler finishes passing and gets back in the proper lane, all I need to do give it a little accelerator and I'm back up to 70 in no time with plenty of power to spare. The same situation with the 5.4L and I had to use all the accelerator and that engine was screaming to get back up to speed.

If at all possible, I would get the EB engine. It's well worth it.

 

I swapped from a 5.4L to an ecoboost, and I'm very happy
- Fuel economy, While towing, is about the same for me. Maybe a hair better in the EB
- Fuel economy while empty is better in the city, and MUCH better on the highway.
- The EB is a true joy to tow with. It has more grunt down low, so you'll find you are towing around 2000-2500 RPM most of the time, while my 5.4L was 3500 and up pretty often.

I'm a true believer here.

 

I tow a 7000#+ travel trailer, I came out of a 2006 fx4 and ordered a 2012 fx4, old engine was 5.4 and new engine is 3.5 eco, night and day difference, as good as the 5.4 was, the 3.5 runs circles around it, if all you are hauling is a 5000# boat, the 5.4 is more than adequate, in the older trucks pre 6 speed, the 4r70w and 4r75w transmissions hobbled those trucks, the 5.4 could have been better in those applications, that said, I love my ecoboost truck!