Need some input!!!
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Need some input!!!
Thinking about trading in my 2004 F350 CrewCab in on a 2012 F150. Looked at them yesterday and can't decide on either the EcoBoost or the 5.0V8!!! Both trucks identical, only difference is the motors. Which one would be better for towing????
Thanks for all input!!
Thanks for all input!!
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
After test driving the EcoBoost and the 5.0, I purchased a 2012 FX4 F150 EcoBoost several days ago. I pull a Tige 24V wakeboard boat which weighs about 5,300 lbs including trailer. The EcoBoost motor pulls this load easily.
I'm very impressed with the EcoBoost motor. The power band is very impressive from start to 90+ mph. Highway passing is effortless and around town driving is very smooth. Also, the towing capacity is more than adequate for my needs.
Thus far, I'm averaging between 16 to 19 mpg, which is a little less than the window sticker. I expect this will improve slightly once I exceed 5,000 or so miles.
Good luck with your decision
Paul
I'm very impressed with the EcoBoost motor. The power band is very impressive from start to 90+ mph. Highway passing is effortless and around town driving is very smooth. Also, the towing capacity is more than adequate for my needs.
Thus far, I'm averaging between 16 to 19 mpg, which is a little less than the window sticker. I expect this will improve slightly once I exceed 5,000 or so miles.
Good luck with your decision
Paul
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Window sticker MPG ratings are from the EPA. "Your mileage may vary" listed on sticker, but y'all have to look close to see it.
Automakers send specially prepared vehicles to the EPA to be tested, it's next to impossible for you, I and anyone else to achieve these same MPG figures.
Ford ads tout 23 MPG highway. How many 3.7L V6 (this isn't the Eco V6) owners are actually getting it?
2011 F150 oversized tub in sig pic ~ 6,500 miles, On board computer sez: 14.8 overall MPG / To be fair, I live on the top of a very steep hill, takes more gas to climb up it, than it takes to coast down it.
btw: This is the 8th Ford pickup I've bought new. The only one that got over 20 MPG highway consistently: 1965 F100 8' Styleside 352/Warner T-85 3 speed manual with overdrive.
Around town it was the same as the others and oversized tub: 8-12 MPG
Automakers send specially prepared vehicles to the EPA to be tested, it's next to impossible for you, I and anyone else to achieve these same MPG figures.
Ford ads tout 23 MPG highway. How many 3.7L V6 (this isn't the Eco V6) owners are actually getting it?
2011 F150 oversized tub in sig pic ~ 6,500 miles, On board computer sez: 14.8 overall MPG / To be fair, I live on the top of a very steep hill, takes more gas to climb up it, than it takes to coast down it.
btw: This is the 8th Ford pickup I've bought new. The only one that got over 20 MPG highway consistently: 1965 F100 8' Styleside 352/Warner T-85 3 speed manual with overdrive.
Around town it was the same as the others and oversized tub: 8-12 MPG
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett, TN
Weight, Length, Height?
I really like by Ego Boost. I get about 8mpg towing a 31'(box length) Travel Trailer that hit the scales at 8600# last trip. Weight is NO problem for this truck. The large front on the trailer sure does make it tough on any tow vehicle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Drive them both, forget about mpg. I have the Ecoboost and love it. Recently I was driving a 5.0 for a week and once I got over the 40lbft difference in torque, I actually enjoyed it as well. Turbo whistle sounds cool, but so does the 5.0 
I think where the power hits you is what would be the seller for me now. The Ecoboost comes on low (+2400rpm) and holds it through higher rpm. I found the 5.0 likes to rev and power starts to make you smile above 4k rpm...
Good luck, either way you go will be a great decision!!
I think where the power hits you is what would be the seller for me now. The Ecoboost comes on low (+2400rpm) and holds it through higher rpm. I found the 5.0 likes to rev and power starts to make you smile above 4k rpm...Good luck, either way you go will be a great decision!!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, TX
I drove all 3. Eco, 5.0 & 6.2. I went with the 5.0 and I absolutely love it. And so did my brother. The eco felt a little stronger down low but that could have been the model i drove. 2wd supercrew xlt. the 5.0 I drove was a platinum 4x4. Exhaust note sold me and the motor is capable of so much more with some bolt ons and tuning. look at the mustang guys. towing hasnt been a issue but I havent had anything over 5k behind it either. I towed around 9k with my 09 5.4 and it did well. This motor feels so much strong than the 5.4 that I dont think it would have any problems towing the same amount.
Best thing to do is go try them out yourself. Try a few different model and motors combinations and pick the one thats right for you
Best thing to do is go try them out yourself. Try a few different model and motors combinations and pick the one thats right for you
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: sunnyvale
just a note to the OP
at work we have a 2010 xl with 5.4, a 2011 xlt 5.0, and two 2012 3.5 tt xlt. all three motors are nice
the 5.4 pulls the loads we tow great, better than the 5.0.
the 5.o has way more speed over the 5.4. (not towing)
the 3.5 pulls best (most power) but it get the lowest MPG when towing
are 7100# trailer pulling it to Santa Cruz- the 5.4 will get 9.6 avg the 5.0 gets 9.2 avg and the 3.5 gets 8.7 avg. but buy far the fastest motor of the three
all have 3:55 in the rear end
now this is numbers i get driving all three so theres no driving habits to consider or that change. hope this helps you out!
at work we have a 2010 xl with 5.4, a 2011 xlt 5.0, and two 2012 3.5 tt xlt. all three motors are nice
the 5.4 pulls the loads we tow great, better than the 5.0.
the 5.o has way more speed over the 5.4. (not towing)
the 3.5 pulls best (most power) but it get the lowest MPG when towing
are 7100# trailer pulling it to Santa Cruz- the 5.4 will get 9.6 avg the 5.0 gets 9.2 avg and the 3.5 gets 8.7 avg. but buy far the fastest motor of the three
all have 3:55 in the rear end
now this is numbers i get driving all three so theres no driving habits to consider or that change. hope this helps you out!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,031
Likes: 1,521
From: Maine, Virginia
Window sticker MPG ratings are from the EPA. "Your mileage may vary" listed on sticker, but y'all have to look close to see it.
Automakers send specially prepared vehicles to the EPA to be tested, it's next to impossible for you, I and anyone else to achieve these same MPG figures.
Ford ads tout 23 MPG highway. How many 3.7L V6 (this isn't the Eco V6) owners are actually getting it?
2011 F150 oversized tub in sig pic ~ 6,500 miles, On board computer sez: 14.8 overall MPG / To be fair, I live on the top of a very steep hill, takes more gas to climb up it, than it takes to coast down it.
btw: This is the 8th Ford pickup I've bought new. The only one that got over 20 MPG highway consistently: 1965 F100 8' Styleside 352/Warner T-85 3 speed manual with overdrive.
Around town it was the same as the others and oversized tub: 8-12 MPG
Automakers send specially prepared vehicles to the EPA to be tested, it's next to impossible for you, I and anyone else to achieve these same MPG figures.
Ford ads tout 23 MPG highway. How many 3.7L V6 (this isn't the Eco V6) owners are actually getting it?
2011 F150 oversized tub in sig pic ~ 6,500 miles, On board computer sez: 14.8 overall MPG / To be fair, I live on the top of a very steep hill, takes more gas to climb up it, than it takes to coast down it.
btw: This is the 8th Ford pickup I've bought new. The only one that got over 20 MPG highway consistently: 1965 F100 8' Styleside 352/Warner T-85 3 speed manual with overdrive.
Around town it was the same as the others and oversized tub: 8-12 MPG
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 1
I am consistently getting better than advertised MPG's on the flats and in the hills. The MPG ratings on these trucks is based on a truck with the lowest numerical gear set, ie, 3.15, 3.31, etc. A truck equipped with a 3.73 gearset will likely not consistently achieve the advertised numbers, then again, it's built to work.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 7
From: Meriden,Ct
You also have to ask yourself what do you want to listen to. Do you like the throaty sound of a V8 or the pure silence of a V6 with a slight whistle from the turbos? I chose the ecoboost and will admit I do miss the sound of a throaty V8 from time to time. But I chose it for towing because of the awesome torque curve on these motors. It's at full torque at 2700 rpm's. Pulling our 7500lb travel trailer up the steepest hills here in the north east it will never see anything higher than 2600rpm's with the cruise set at 65 mph. On the flats it will cruise all day at 1600rpm's in 6th.Good luck with your choice, Kevin
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 1
just a note to the OP
at work we have a 2010 xl with 5.4, a 2011 xlt 5.0, and two 2012 3.5 tt xlt. all three motors are nice
the 5.4 pulls the loads we tow great, better than the 5.0.
the 5.o has way more speed over the 5.4.
the 3.5 pulls best (most power) but it get the lowest MPG when towing
are 7100# trailer pulling it to Santa Cruz- the 5.4 will get 9.6 avg the 5.0 gets 9.2 avg and the 3.5 gets 8.7 avg. but buy far the fastest motor of the three
all have 3:55 in the rear end
now this is numbers i get driving all three so theres no driving habits to consider or that change. hope this helps you out!
at work we have a 2010 xl with 5.4, a 2011 xlt 5.0, and two 2012 3.5 tt xlt. all three motors are nice
the 5.4 pulls the loads we tow great, better than the 5.0.
the 5.o has way more speed over the 5.4.
the 3.5 pulls best (most power) but it get the lowest MPG when towing
are 7100# trailer pulling it to Santa Cruz- the 5.4 will get 9.6 avg the 5.0 gets 9.2 avg and the 3.5 gets 8.7 avg. but buy far the fastest motor of the three
all have 3:55 in the rear end
now this is numbers i get driving all three so theres no driving habits to consider or that change. hope this helps you out!