Ok...so after having the FX4 Screw with the 5.0 since May, I finally had the opportunity to hook up the 21 ft flatbed, load up the Mustang and make the round trip to Motorsports Park Hastings this past weekend.

I made the same trip last year, with my 11 FX4 that had the Ecoboost, so I knew what kind of mileage it got and the ease that it pulled the car and trailer. First 70 miles are a 2 lane state hiway...very hilly...I had the cruise control set on 60. 180 miles of Interstate with the cruise control set on 65.

500 miles round trip out and back. I should mention that my 5.0 has the Roush CAI and a tune from JDM. The Mustang weighs roughly 3600 lbs +/- and it's on a 21 ft. dual axle dove tail flatbed trailer.

Last year my average ( hand figured ) out and back was 14 MPG. Driving the exact same route this year, the 5.0 did 13.6 MPG ( hand figured again). The 5.0 did downshift a bit more than the Ecoboost on some of the steeper hills than I remember the Ecoboost doing. Oh yes....both times the car and trailer were pulled in Tow/Haul mode. I REALLY like the engine braking on the 2013 when in Tow/Haul mode. It was especially helpful when braking for stop lights, that turn red "just" as your approaching them. It worked flawlessly and I was impressed with how smoothly it operated and very appreciative of the added feature.

So...I'm really happy with the way the 5.0 performed...I knew it might be just short of the Ecoboost when towing, but when I'm only going to tow 3-4 times a year, I can get along with the 5.0 just fine.....actually it exceeded my expectations and I'm thoroughly satisfied!!

 

Thanks for the info, I have a 2013 5.0 but I haven't done any towing with it.

 

I've had my 2011, 5.0, 3.55 for two years and 30k miles. I have not towed anything heavier than an 8X12 landscaping trailer.

But come spring we plan to pick up a TT 25'- 30' up to 6,500 lbs empty. So we will see. Truthfully I don't get wrapped up in mpg figures when towing, since I don't do it every day. That and I'm satisfied with how good the milage is when empty I could care less what it gets towing.

 

Glad to hear you had a good towing experience with your truck. I can't wait to try towing my buddies Striper that weighs about 8500 lbs. His 6.7 PSD tows it excellent...but I want to see how the little Egoboost tows it.

 

Good to hear that you are pleased with your trucks performance!

 

Nice report SabreFX4. Pretty good gas mileage too.

 

I love the 5.0 towing better than the ego booster! the 3.5 seems to easy to get away from me wen I tow. but the 5.0 lets me know when I am pushing to hard! I tow a 7700 LBS trailer full of fuel all the time! sounds like you got good mileage doing it!

 

Towed 8000 with my 5.0 about 4k miles one way last summer. Spent a good bit of time going up mountains/hills doing 4-5k rpm but it did great! I think some old school people get all worried that you have to rev a motor to make power but that is how the 5.0 is designed. Not talking about everyday driving, you can lug around all day. But if you are pulling a really heavy load the motor WANTS to be revved. Smaller motors will always have to be spinning to make good power without turbos or superchargers. Nothing wrong with that though if you take care of it. There are 5.0's running 8,000+ rpm if that tells you anything.

 

Why did you get shed (means to trade, etc.) of ye '11 Ecoboost?

 

I had my 7000# 28' camper on my 2013 5.0L SCrew 3.55 last weekend. Trip up was into an 8-10 mph quartering headwind. It knew it was back there!....occasionally wanting 4th gear on mild grades (overpasses, etc.) Way back was not windy and it handled it with ease in 5th.

Compared to my 2009 5.4L 3.55, it definately likes it's RPM's, and hits 4th much sooner. 5.4L had more torque under 3000 rpm for less shifting. I will have to get used to the 5.0L shifting more and using the free breathing heads for power instead of long stroke torque. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't underpowered, but definately "different powered".

I also hadn't pulled the camper in the wind for a while, so my memory for 5.4L performance may have been distorted/forgotten.

That said, with 3000 miles on the 2013, I made a 440 mile road trip (no wind, 90% interstate, 70mph) on just over 22 gallons for 19.9 mpg!!! (calculated numbers from same pump, same station, both fills.....dash said 20.5 mpg) 5.4L never did that, ever!!!