Evening guys, preparing for my first fifth wheel tow with the HD 150. Obviously will be using tow/haul mode, question is, do any of you lock out 6th gear using select shift and just tow in the 5 available gears? I realize this may be my old school thinking to protect the overdrive but coming from a '95 150 makes me wish I'd done it more often! Also, any value in using higher octane fuel, 89 or higher while towing? Thanks for your input!

 

Im ready to take delivery of a new to me 2011 f150. I took it (a long bed) and a new 2012 short bed and pulled my camper 31' Hornet.

With both I left 6th gear available and used the T/H mode. If I recall correctly 5 and 6 are both overdrive gears.

My thinking is these trucks are smarter than we are anymore and will set them selves to do it best. Just my thoughts.

 

ya just hook it up put it in drive and hit T/H and enjoy let your truck think for it self when it needs to shift let it. and remember its not recommended to tow with Cruz control

 

PS. your mileage will be super low with a big trailer so get the cheep gas as you will be using more! good luck and have fun!

 

I agree with everyone.... but performance is supposed to be better with higher octane. I just run regular though. I don't see my truck in "performance mode" when pulling a 9000 lb trailer! Regular unleaded pulls that baby faster than I want to travel anyway. All good.

 

I do run higher octane, 89, instead of 87 in my 2004 5.4 Expedition. I know it's a far cry from your truck, but just as general consensus I feel a difference in power running the 89 instead of the 87 and I get a bit better mileage too (hand calculated). Can't say I felt any difference with 92.

 

I think ford recommends 91 octane when towing, at least with the ecoboost anyway. The way I look at it is, if you drive a $40k+ truck why run regular when towing? It's only $8 more to fill up if there's a 30 cent difference between regular and premium. Compare that $8 to your $500+ a month payment and it sounds crazy not to pay for the better fuel.

 

Good point about the cost.

AND your are correct per the Ford Owners manual about the Eco-Boost.
Quoted:

 

Thanks guys, I had completely forgotten that was in owners manual!

 

hey canoe hauler is that truck an eco-boost?

 

Yes sir! F150 HD/4x4/Lariot Screw/EcoBoost/3.73/max tow.
Really like driving this truck!

 

What is it that you are towing? Lets see some pics of her hooked up!! And make sure you let us know how the new truck does!!

 

Bought a Crusader 298 bunkhouse made by Primetime. Dry weight 8400, hitch 1380, told wife we got to weigh everything that goes in it! Should be delivered Friday and we leave Tuesday headed for Missouri Ozarks, can't wait! Will post pics ASAP. Spoke with dealer today, said on open road fairly flat terrain use all 6 gears in T/H, when in more hilly terrain if trans begins to hunt then lock out 6th gear and so on just to keep trans from shifting back and forth so frequently. Really appreciate all the input on FTE, thanks guys!

 

Very nice! I sure wish i new they were coming out with the HD pkg for 2012 models when i bought mine! I would have waited 1 more year! Oh well , still have absolutely no complaints about my truck! Best of luck with the new rig and enjoy your vacation! !!
Be safe, Kevin

 

Hope you have a safe trip...hope everything works out well and you have a great time! I can't wait to get my truck!!!!