Currently only have one vehicle to pull my 5er...looking at replacing my F-150 in the near future and adding a back-up tow rig, namely one of the 3.5 EcoBoost F-150s.

Was reading through the tow guide for F-150 (SuperDuty has the same disclaimer) and saw the high altitude towing paragraph:

Question: Is this really a factor with twin turbo 3.5 EcoBoost?

Thanks,

 

I think that is just for naturally aspirated engines (gas or diesel).

 

You have no worries with the Ecoboost at altitude. It's pushing its own air through the motor and compensates. We pulled a 8,500 pound 5er with our Ecoboost; pulled it over Vail Pass and through the Eisenhower Tunnel. No sweat.

BUT, be careful going down. The downfall of the Ecoboost is very meager compression braking. Get yourself gear WAY down on the downhill. 2nd gear may very well be too fast. You might need to use 1st gear. Seriously.

 

Agreed, N/A follows the 4% rule.

OP, depending on how heavy your 5th wheel is you might want to look at a heavier truck. There's another rule for towing, it's the 80% rule. You don't want your trailer's GVWR to exceed 80% of the truck's trailering capacity. It isn't a strict rule, it's more along the lines of do you want a safe, comfortable towing experience without killing the truck, or do you want to have a white knuckle ride every time?

And you certainly don't want to be THIS guy: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-do-this.html

 

I pulled my 10K fiver with my 2011 Ecoboost at over 8500' with no problem. With a new one, ORDER it and get the HDPP (heavy duty payload package). You will not find those on the lot.

 

The "80% rule" is a thing of the past. Newer trucks are designed to operate safely up to their rated capacities. Where most people get in trouble is paying too much attention to "max towing capacity" and not enough to the payload and rear axle/tire capacities. Another myth: not enough brakes on the truck to stop the trailer... that's what properly operating brakes on the trailer are for. OP - stay within all the limits and you're OK.

Rob

 

The F150 now has a diesel. But if you tow a fifth wheel, go with a F350.

 

The 2018 F150 3L diesel has less power and towing capacity than the 3.5L Ecoboost rocket ship. My 2011 Ecoboost was solid with my 1700 lb pin weight. I went to the F350 just so I could carry more as the F150 was at its limit. I got the F150 because of a 76 mile daily commute and to tow a lighter fifth wheel. The selections of HT fivers (cough) is much greater now. The HD Payload Package gives the F150 2000 lb and up of payload so it is almost an F250 in capacity. Now that I don't commute, the F350 serves me well.