Ok....I am new to this so take it easy on me. I am wandering what info I can get to help me decide between the 3.5L echo boost or the 6.2L. I currently have a 04 F150 Fx4 with the 5.4L. With 145000 mls. And love it and have had no issues. It is a commuter for me and a daily driver. The biggest reason I am looking is I got a 30ft camper. I have towed it with the current truck for 2 years with no real issues. (Other then lack of power) I just get worried with the higher miles....and it's a good work out for her when she has to tow it. I am not breaking any land speed records..lol. I am comparing torque and my 04 is a bit less then the echo boost and 6.2L. So I know to be totally worry free from not having enough power and going long distance I should just go with a diesel... but I have a hard time pulling the trigger on that when I only tow 6-8 times a year. Mainly cause the price tag of a diesel with comparable options to an F150. And I not buying new...15 or 16. Mileage is not a huge concern for me...as long as it's not worse than my 5.4. Which is prob around 12 city. So let me know what input you all have. Thanks.

 

The 3.5EB is in an F150, the 6.2 is in the Super Duty. I think the deciding factor should probably be based on your trailer size and weight...not the motor.

If fuel mileage truly isn't a concern, then I'd tend to err towards the larger truck if your trailer is on the higher side of what an F150 can handle.

Good luck, I'm sure guys more versed in towing can help you more than me.

 

I have experience with both, a 2012 F150 FX4 with the 3.5 EB and 3.73 gears and a 2013 F250 4x4 with the 6.2 and 4.30 gears.

The 3.5 blows the 6.2 away in MPGs when unloaded- local driving averages around 16 with the EB and 12-13 with the 6.2. I've been as low as 11 with the 6.2 but that was in the winter with a lot of idling.
When towing the 6.2 gets a pretty consistent 9-10mpg when I was pulling a 16ft enclosed trailer weighing around 7000lbs. I've only towed a couple of times with the EB but mileage drops off fast when you get into the turbos.

Durability wise we haven't had any trouble with either engine but I personally think the 6.2 will be the better engine long term wise because it's simpler and it's built with heavy use in mind. If you go down to the 6.2 sub forum there is very little activity in in because the engine is so reliable.

I assume you're looking at getting a SD with the 6.2 since the 6.2 hasn't been available in an F150 since I think 2014. I'd want the SD platform anyway for towing a 30ft camper.

I will admit an F150 with the 3.5 is a rocket ship compared to the Super Duty with the 6.2. The big thing you have to remember with the 6.2 is it likes to be revved, if you're not running it at least 3000 rpm it's going to be a dog when towing.

 

The 6.2 has not been availible since 2014 in F150s. Only 2011-14 in 150s. However it's still in superdyry. I've not driven a 3.5 ecoboost truck. But Ive talked to people that have. I own a 2013 F150 with the 6.2. And I love it. Only thing about the 6.2 is fuel economy. But my truck is not a DD. A 6.2 F150 is rare. I've seen a few others and they were all 2011s. The one guy has a 2011 6.2 F150...he really likes his too

 

I also have a '13 F150/6.2 and it's great. The highway mileage isn't bad if I keep my foot out of it, but.......well I CAN'T keep my foot out of it.

 

I think the OP needs to come back and let us know if he's considering a used F-150 or if he's looking to compare the engines from two completely different trucks.

Reading his title I immediately assumed he was looking at the 2011-2014 trucks and I almost moved the thread to the lower section.

To the OP, don't discount the 5.0L, it's a hoss.

 

I have an 3.5 EB and tow a 34'9" over all trailer that 7100 lb dry 9600 gross. No issues, never seems like it's down on power, I haven't had an issue with sway that some report but this things got a good bit of tongue weight. It stops fine, even with the crap brakes on the camper.

 

Great options both motors. Assumption is the vehicle won’t be new. Given that I also want to throw out one more option. As you are already driving a V8 the 5.0L is a great option too. The ecoboost makes great torque at low rpms and will likely totally satisfy you. The 6.2 means you are going to a larger truck platform which may be a part of your thoughts too. I just traded in my 2011 F150 with the 5.0. We towed a 30 foot travel trailer. Also had an 02 F150 prior. Worlds different vehicles between the motors and the 6 speed transmission. While I now own a 3.5L and yes it’s a tow beast I went this direction because I just retired and warranty being gone on my truck I wanted something newer- and I wanted the beast everyone is so excited about. My 5.0 pulled my 7000 pound trailer great with no real hiccups. Power off the line and all the way to 70 mph if I so chose. Not quite as fast to 65 towing a trailer as the ecoboost but probably no more than a few seconds. Once at speed towing it would maintain 6th gear on most tows in tow haul and 5th gear on most all but bigger hills. Typically driving at speeds of 65 with the trailer behind rpms we’re right at 1900- no strain on the truck 3.55 limited slip gears.
Daily driver saw around 15 mpg with 33 inch oversized tires. The eco’s do seem to be a bit more efficient when not towing.
That’s my thoughts.

 

30' trailer = F250, 6.2L, CCSB. Nothing you mentioned "screams" diesel to me. Go gas.

I do not enjoy towing that much with a 1/2ton. Tow half of your tow rating, is always nicer than towing all of your tow rating.

 

Have you pulled through any mountains? My 14" EB really struggled in the Alberta and BC Rocky Mountains, and we won't even talk about the gas mileage. However, on the more open flat roads, that engine was king... until I moved to a 6.7 but that really does not count in this discussion.

 

3:51 getting 17-19 in the city and 18-21 on the highway. When pulling my TT that weighs 3400 pounds, I get 8-10mpg.

 

I've seen a few gas Super Duty's. They are usually ordered that way, or were ordered on error by the dealer. They cost significantly less, but don't have 925 lb-ft of torque that the 6.7L diesel has. Most people don't like the gas engine in the Super Duty. A friend of mine works at a dealer and told me about a gas Super Duty that they had on the lot and how it took forever to move it.
The 3.5L on the Raptor is the way to go for people pulling small boats or trailers. 450 HP is super nice. Plenty of toque and power for towing. Many have the trailer backup assist and 360° backup camera which is really cool. Try to get something with SYNC3 Connect. That is so awesome to have. You can be far away from your car and use your phone to remote start the truck. When it's under 10° outside, it's a nice feature to have to let the truck warm up or cool down before you get to it, depending on your climate.

You need to figure out your towing capacity and go after the correct vehicle designed for what you're trying to haul.
Ford Towing Capacity

 

I see tons of 11+ gasser super duties here, they're used by a lot of well service companies and the like. My FIL has one as one of his shop trucks. Some people don't want to pay the premium for the diesel.

 

I wonder what they use them for? Could they not accomplish the same tasks using an F-150 instead of a Super Duty? Many people buy more truck than they actually need. Some people can make their own diesel fuel by going to restaurants and re-cycle the used cooking grease by filtering it out. Then diesel fuel is no longer expensive.

Biodiesel rocks!

 

How does one get Biodiesel when on a long roadtrip?