I've been lurking here for quite a while just learning and checking out all of the awesome trucks you folks have purchased. I must say, I am envious. I hope to purchase in the near future although I have no clue as to how soon this may happen. I have been looking (and looking and looking) at trucks trying to decide what I want when I finally do purchase. A truck is not something I buy every couple years. I tend to hang onto them for a good long time and I do NOT want to make another mistake. Presently I have a 2007 XLT regular cab 8 foot bed with a 4.6 automatic. I like the truck well enough and it hauls like a beast but it can't tow a trailer up a hill worth a darn. I have 3.73s in the rear end. This will pretty much be the trucks life when I do get it.

I collect and display antique garden tractors and I have a 12 foot flat bed trailer to tow them around on. i generally take 2 at a time because 3 just bogs me down bad. I'll tow that on occasion and am looking at the possibility of either renting on occasion of buying a 7000 pound dump trailer. I would never do that with the truck I have now.

From what I gather, either of the eco boost engines or the 5.0 would do me fine. The 3.5 eco seems to be a bit overkill for me. What I don't know is which rear end would be best. I'm thinking the 3.55 would be the best all around choice for me. Truthfully, 85 to 90% of the time I just drive it to get from point A to point B.

Another thing I want to ask (and this is something I never gave thought to). A lot of the trucks I look at have a regular rear axle. I dismiss them right away because I figure the e-locker would be nice and I'm sure it is. I've always had the limited slip and I like it. Is there anything like a limited slip on the regular axle or is it just the straight axle. I just want to know if I should avoid the regular axle. I don't get into any really bad situations with my truck aside from some mud at shows or deep snow in the driveway. No boat so I don't have any issues there. I don't pull a camper or anything like that. Any advice for the new guy?

 

Tractors have become another dangerous hobby of mine! This year I picked up a Massey 135 and an IH 240 and 460, all gas models. All mine are for doing farm work, I think I'd like to get an older model to keep show worthy.

I'm personally in favor of the 3.5 EB. It would outperform your needs, but it's a superior motor for not much difference in cost. Other than initial purchase price it carries no downsides.

Any gear set would work fine for you so I'd be in favor of the fuel mileage and RPM gains of the lower numbered ones. You're correct to want the locker you'll want it. Probably more important than 4x4 for 90% of applications.

 

Thanks. I'm just getting tired of mapping out the flat routes to and from shows. There are no routes home in western PA that don't have at least one killer hill. I was thinking about the 2.7 thinking that none of my hauling is extreme. I like to DRIVE up these hills, not push. We have a 2016 Escape with the 2.0 eco and it's a blast to drive. Love that engine!

 

I used to live in Huntingdon Pa and my moms family is from Johnstown, so I know what you mean. Now I live in the easier but twisty rolling hills of York county. The 3.5 won't run out of guts for you. I was also considering suggesting the 2.7. It's got a good amount more than your 4.6. You'd be pushing it a bit with some of your towing loads though in the mountains.

 

Any thoughts on the 5.0? I'm looking at one right now with a 5.0 and 3.55 e-locker. It's an XL but it's about the nicest equipped XL I've seen. What I need to do is stop looking right now because it ain't happening this year but you never know.

 

The 5.0L is going to feel like a rocketship compared to your current 4.6L. It will have to rev more than the EcoBoost engines when pulling up a grade, but it will have no problem doing the job.

Honestly, any of the available engines would do the job you're asking them to do. Your comments about the 4.6L's performance suggests to me that you'd feel the same way about the 3.5L N/A engine, but all others are vastly superior to your current powerplant.

To paraphrase Briggs & Stratton, "Transmissions Matter". And the new 6R80 is also a serious improvement over the 4R75E in your current truck. Much shorter first gear ratio makes for much easier starting off, and the increase in available ratios mean the engine spends much more time in the RPM band it needs to be in to get the job done. I wouldn't worry much about rear end gearing, the transmission can more than make up for it.

 

IMHO...the 2.7L Eco, 5.0L and 3.5L Ecoboost will all do what you are asking. The 2.7L might do it just a tad better because of the higher MPG's. This is really a $$ money $$ cost $$ issue.

Spring for the e-locking differential. The regular non-locking is just that...an open diff.

The 3.55's will serve you well. I'd stay away from the 3.31...with the towing you'll be doing.

Sounds like a XL or XLT will make a fine truck for your needs.


biz

 

You'll like the EcoBoost towing in the mountains and hills. I'm thinking my next truck will be a 2.7L EB with the 373s. I hope Ford couples the 10 speed to the 2.7 for 2018.

 

Questions -
1) If you could tow three tractors on your flatbed, what would that weigh?
2) The dump trailer would be 7klbs loaded? Or is that the cargo capacity and the weight of the trailer is more?

IMO, the three engines under consideration are all good and within spitting distance on MPGs unloaded. But I always vote for overkill when towing. If you're facing hills and approaching the upper towing limits of the F-150, then I say go with the 3.5EB and max tow package. You'll never regret getting the maximum towing capacity and it gives you room to grow.

Since you're happy with a lower trim level, you'll probably be able to get a screaming deal early next year once the '17s with the new EB hit the dealer lots in force.

 

The trailer I have isn't much of an issue as it's limit is 3000 pounds (or 2990 as PA likes to limit it). It has a gate ramp which as many of you know tows harder than if the gate were not on there. With the three tractors I would guess I am close to the limit. If I haul my SCUT I am very close I would say.

I am happy with the lower trim levels because I use my truck as a truck. I wouldn't want to do that to a Platinum or King Ranch. I don't need all the bells and whistles so the XLT has always been the favorite. I had an 89 XLT, a 97 Lariat and now this 2007 XLT. All bought used. The 97 is the only one I had that I was relatively happy with the power as it had a 5.4. I was pulling a dump trailer with that with relative ease.

I agree, more is better and overkill is my friend but the budget is not. I've never been able to go in and order just what I want so I have to find something close that I can live with. MPGs are not a real big deal since I work from home. I've always been big on "in case" as in, I want to get more power and torque in case I need it. I routinely haul a ton in my truck now and it really handles it well with the 4.6. hook that trailer up though and it's a dog. Frustrating. Maybe I expect too much.

To answer your other question, 7000 pounds would be total trailer and cargo. Not sure it would ever be maxed out but "in case" it is, I want to be able to pull it with ease.

I may put too much thought into this. A friend of mine just got a new XLT and he loves it. He pulled into the show with three tractors on a heavy duty 18 foot equipment trailer. I was admiring his truck and asked him what engine it had. He didn't know, he just bought it. He said the thing hauls his excavator without even breathing heavy or breaking a sweat. Found out he has the 2.7. I was impressed to say the least. He doesn't even know what gears he has.

 

You're not putting too much thought into this; it's average for the forum. But by definition we're not average (we're better...ha). Sounds like you could use any engine and not have any issues. So I say test them all and go from there. When I was shopping last winter, 5.0's and 2.7's were plentiful and the OEM discounts reflected the oversupply. I'd say you're in a good place to buy if you can be flexible with the engine and options.

The XLTs are actually very nicely appointed now. I seriously thought about it, but "needed" the Sony stereo and wanted to try the cooled seats. But if I totaled my truck tomorrow, I'd seriously consider an XLT replacement.

 

Ill comment on the e-locker, i would not personally buy a pickup without a locking rear axle, either a limited slip or in this case, fords e-locker. This is just me, dont be hating or flaming me, im just "old school".

 

ACADguy, I have the 3.31 in my 2015 3.5 Eco and have pulled 8,500 lb trailer it is a non issue as for power. The man that owned it usually pulled it with a 6.0 Chevy (that was in the shop) he said my truck had more power! I drive frequently in the Texas hill country, very similar to what you have. Still not an issue. I just got back from a trip to Arizona mountains were a non issue with the turbos!! Pulling will cut your fuel mileage but it does on any engine. 3.5 Eco with 3.55s are what is recommended for the Max Tow package now.