Posting this for a buddy. Here is what I would like to know for your truck
Avg MPG
If you tow
How much your trailer weight is if you tow
What model you have
Any issues you have expiranced

I own a superduty and and my wife and I do like our truck but he isnt in the market for that. He and his wife wanted to hear from the folks behind the wheel of the 5.0 and Eco to make their decision from the populus. I offered to post this thread to get some info for him. Lets hear your thoughts.

 

My advice to your friend is go and ride/drive/tow each and they make the decision that fits there needs. This thread is not gonna provide any useful info because each 5.0/EB owner is gonna tell you there truck is better and why. Each engine has and does have there plus/minus and issues. JMHO!!

 

+2 on the test drive both and buy what you like.

There's nothing special about the Ecoboost mpg. My truck is a '13 FX4 Eco 5.5 bed, 3:55 gears, just turned 6k miles. I just came back from a snowmobile trip towing 5k lbs, the best I got was 12.2mpg, worst I got was 7.4mpg. I did go 75-80mph in some areas.

Now, I do love the fact that this thing is so quiet and smooth towing. That is the reason I went with an Ecoboost.

 

I hear ya guys. I know the test drive and make the comparison deal. I have advised him on that and he has done that. He is on the fence yet. Thats why he asked for the behind the wheel input. I see the my truck is awesome because…etc etc hahaha. I am going to copy and paste the link once we get the thread going so he can read some of the comments. Many thanks folks.

 

How often does he tow? How much # does he tow?

 

One thing you didn't post is: What will your friends intended use be? Grocery getter for mom? Off roader? Tow vehicle? Daily driver where an all wheel drive option is best suited?

I like to respond to one's intended needs rather than just saying " this is better because".

 

My apologies for not conveying more details on his use:
He has told me his intended use is as follows, towing a 25 foot travel trailer, weekend warrior, maybe less than 6000 miles annually. Specific use for towing but the occasional soccer dad rig as well. Has potential for replacing his wife's daily driver so we cannot rule out the potential for daily acquired miles upping his 6000 annual to near 20k annual milage .

 

I'd go for a truck with the Max Tow option which will inherently limit the engine choices to the 3.5L or the 6.2L. This will come with the 3.73 axles, telescoping mirrors and many other enhancements.

 

Both will do the job with out breaking a sweat. It's come down to whether or not your buddy would prefer the throaty roar of a V8 or the smooth quietness of the Ecoboost.. A 25' travel trailer is no big deal but if he thinks he might upgrade the trailer size in the future then i agree with tseekins and would recommend the Max Tow pkg..

 

What are the weights on the travel trailer?

Travel trailers tend to be heavy, with heavy tongue weights... and they usually get pulled when the cab/bed is full of stuff as well. This can quickly add up to being overweight on the rear axle.

Just to stay legal, he's likely going to want to go with a max tow or the HD payload package. He will also need a weight-distributing hitch.

 

My truck is a 2012 5.0 4X2 Supercrew with 17,000 miles with tow package.

Avg MPG - 17 city/21 highway/ 9 MPG with travel trailer in the flat lands. (real world mileage)
If you tow- Yes, fishing boat and travel trailer
How much your trailer weight is if you tow- travel trailer is 27 ft/7000 pounds
Any issues you have expiranced - None, only routine maintenance

I've been completely satisfied with my truck. My brother bought an F150 w/ecoboost and tows a 10,000 lb travel trailer with as much if not more ease than I do mine but I do love the sound of the 5.0!

 

For a truck that is towing quite often I'd go with the Eco boost, also Max Tow.
Myself personally my last truck (2001 F150) was a V6, but it can not be compared to the new Eco Boost. But it sure does feel nice to be back into a full size pick up with a V8.
2011 5.0 4x2 Super Crew 3:55 gears, just turned 22K on the odometer.
For the most part it's driven like a passenger car, but at times it's loaded with fire wood, boat etc.
City driving I can count on 16.5/17 mpg. Hiway with the cruise set at 75 I've seen 21.6.

Unk Bob