I have a 2004 F150 Super crew Lariet with a 5.4 in it. I began pulling a 27' lite 5th wheel with it and the truck pulls it ok. The problem is I'm getting 7.8 MPG when pulling it (mileage isn't good even when not pulling but this is tough!)
As I see it my options are to spend quite a bit of money upgrading the performance of my truck or buy a different one.
It currently has an AEM air intake on it and synthetic fluids in it, but that hasn't helped much.
As far as mods go I was thinking about a turner and tune from 5 star. An exhaust, maybe headers, and an electric fan conversion. probably looking at about $2000 in upgrades. truck has 48000 miles on it and is in great shape.
If I go new I have a couple of options here since my son is a mechanic at a Ford dealer and I get D plan pricing.
First would be a new F150 ecoboost just like mine but with Max trailer tow package.
Secound would be a leftover 2011 F250 6.7 crew cab Lariet they have.
Think the diesel is a little over kill but it's a really sweet truck!
My problem is I don't want to drop a load of money in mine and not get much of an increase, and like wise I don't wan't to spend all that money on something new and not see a nice increase either.
Any real world ideas or advice wouldd be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

I don't think the ecoboost can be set up with a fifth wheel, to short a box, I dontthihk you can get a crew long box ecoboost even if you order it. Max tow is 11,000 with the ecoboost but it's a lower number in a crew.

 

I would say you would probably get around 11 with the diesel if you are getting 7.8 that with the 5.4. I get 7.5 MPG with my 5.4 towing and around 10.5-11 with my 6.7. Mostly city driving for me.

All gas engines get crap mileage towing, don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

 

How wide and how tall is your trailer? Aerodynamic drag is more important than weight for fuel economy, unless you pull a lot of hills. How fast do you tow?

You won't see a big gain in towing mpg from those mods on the F-150.

The diesel will be a lot more efficient towing because it produces a lot of torque at low rpm and low throttle. I don't know how the EcoBoost would do towing, but the mileage will be a lot less than the sticker rating.

You also have to consider that the super duty is heavier, and has beefier suspension, steering, and brakes compared to the F-150. Towing a large trailer is much safer with a truck that has excess capacity, compared to one that's maxed out.

 

Our 6.7 will get about 13 mpg towing a 31 foot horse trailer at 70 mph up and down hills. The horse trailer is narrower, not as tall, and more streamlined than a typical 5'er though.

 

Don't hold your breath on getting out of single digts pulling that with a gasser-I'm thinking the eco boost won't either; it will help you out more when not pulling. My fifth wheel is 36' and I get about 12-13 with my 7.3 PS. The secret to better milage while towing is to slow down. I keep the cruise set at 63 or so.

 

Towing involves more than just horsepower. If you step up to the 250, you get better brakes and suspension too. I used to tow with a half ton, and I finally had enough after getting pushed through an intersection. I traded for a 3/4 ton then, and will never go back. I doubt you'd ever regret stepping up.

 

Get the SD. My dad has an ecoboost and it's great but you need a heavier chassis, like others say, it's not the motor, it's the chassis.

The bonus is the diesel. It's amazing and you will not regret it for your safety and comfort. But a gasser would do the job, just not improve your economy.

 

The OP does not mention what the GVWR of the 5'ver is? What is the pin weight? Also...what percentage are you towing the 5'ver?


biz

 

GVWR on the 5'r is 9100 lbs. tow it 5 or 6 times a year. Thanks!

 

I have a 5th wheel, gross 9300# and get 11.5 to 12.2 on my trips. Running about 65mph

Wind will make a difference....and she pulls like a dream. I got power to spare.

--
Gordon

 

If you can swing the coin, I would say go with the diesel for the towing capacity. In my opinion it is the safe route to go...larger brakes, heavier chassis, etc. 9,100 GVWR is a significant amount of weight to manage with a F150...5.4 or EcoBoost. Depending on the profile of your trailer I would say you will probably come close to doubling your fuel mpg. Bear in mind that diesel fuel currently sells at a premium over gas and maintenance costs on the diesel will be more (oil, filters, etc). Good luck.

 

I have a 30 ft high profile 5th and have pulled it with an 07 f150 w/5.4. I had no problems other than the ones the OP states....low mileage, and having to really push the truck all the time when pulling. I now have a 2011 250 SC 8ft and pulling I run between 12 & 13 @ 60mph (in cruise control never shifting). Like others state "don't even know its there". Love the truck

 

Go with the SD. I have been in your boat until now. Have had several trailers over the years and my truck has always been a little small for the trailer until the new 2011 SD. I switched to a 32' hight profile fiver this last year and my combined loaded weight is close to 23,000 lbs.. The truck is super. Have a 350 single wheel and this last fall pulled the triler close to 3000 miles and got 10 mpg. I pull at 65.

 

First let me say thanks to everyone who replyed to my post .
I gathered much good information here.
Sorry for posting this in a few different forums here but I'm
new to this and I didn't know if there was a better place to post
this to get the F150,superduty, ecoboost and diesel guys to respond
as I needed everyones input to make an educated decision.
Things I've learned here:
1. Diesel Guys Love Diesels!
2. SuperDuty guys love SuperDuties!
3. Ecoboost Guys love EcoBoosts!
4. We all love our Ford Trucks!
All kidding aside, I have gotten my answers that I need.
A SuperDuty Diesel would be the best platform to tow with.
For my situation an F150 with MAXTOW package and an ecoboost
(or probably even a 5.0) would work just fine but probably not
live as long or be as safe as the SuperDuty.
My current truck will also pull it as it has been doing.
No matter what upgrades I make to my truck I probably won't recoup the
cost in fuel savings.If I bought a new truck I probably won't recoup the
cost in fuel savings.
Even the guys who replied kinda crossly that I should just suck it up and
pay the bill have given me the knowledge that I can continue on doing just what
I have been doing and it will be OK.
I really love my truck but it's kinda rough on gas even when not towing and I was
thinking about upgrading for that reason.
all that being said I will sit down and do a budget and see if I can afford to move
up.( anyone want to buy a really nice 04 F150 SuperCrew?)
If not I will still be out on the highways and byways of America
this summer pulling my 5th wheel to where I want to go!
Thanks again for all the input and advice! (except for the guys on here compalining about
diesel problems and ecoboost problems and telling everyone to buy a Chevy. Isn't there a
Chevy forum out there for that?)