Which motor
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
My 2012 F150 with the 3.5L Eco is still running strong & that truck was used hard. I also have an 2017 Explorer with the 3.5 Eco & my current F150 is a Lariat with the 2.7 Eco. I've towed my boat and car many places with the 2.7 it's an impressive engine.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 2
how well does does it tow your car and boat. My dealer told me it would be in the red zone rpms towing something. 7000 lb rating I think
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 2
Aren’t they about the same torque but come in at different rpms? I agree they’re all good. Guess it depends on what I/you need in a truck. Mostly a daily driver for me. I’m selling my 6500 lb boat so I’ll most likely down size to something in the 19-21 footer. Anything can pull that. I haven’t test driven the 2.7 yet. They look fun watching all the YouTube videos. Thanks for replies so far. Keep them coming.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
I was going to get the 5L, in fact it's difficult to find the EB motors here in rural Ontario. The V8 is king. After taking many test drives I found I didn't like how the 5 L drove. Loads of power and a great sound but you really had to get the revs up to make it move. It drove like a sports car motor. (which I guess it is). The 3.5 was more sedate until you floored it then with little drama you were going 70. If I were not towing I would have got the 5L but I think it would be screaming up steep hills with my TT behind it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 2
Ok but I thought the 5.0 was good for towing 10,000 lbs plus. Plus these motors can handle the revs. Not trying to doubt anyone that’s why I started this thread. I guess every motor has its advantages and disadvantages
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
The 5.0L is a strong motor, but the comparison to the 2.7L EcoBoost is deceiving. The 5.0L doesn't get to 400 ft-lbs until around 4200 RPM. The 2.7L starts producing real torque at around 1800 RPM, and reaches peak torque almost 1,000 RPM lower than the V8. The result is that the 2.7L will be producing more power at lower RPM than the V8 most of the time. This is a rational explanation for the differences.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
No one tells you the facts. The tow rating is an empty truck with only a 150# driver, and a full tank of fuel. No girlfriend or wife, no kids, no dog, no hamburger or coke in the cup holder. Nothing in the bed. No aftermarket floor mats. No tonneau. No NOTHING. That nets your max towing capacity. Period. While it seems trivial, I've never seen a trailer empty when hauling a truck. We use them. To me,it's an asinine rating. Post it AFTER the payload is consumed.
yes, the 5.0L will haul what the 3.5L EcoBoost will, but what is your comfort level when towing? Do you need to be first to the next light? Do you need to whip on the interstate from a merge ramp? Any then, what about stopping? Not at a light, but in an emergency. Will you be overloaded? Should you really consider a 3/4 ton?
I have towed a variety of trailers and weights up to 10,000#, and I'd NEVER consider a 1/2 ton for 10k plus in towed weight. Thsts a recipie for disaster. 6k to 8k is no problem properly loaded and distributed. The 5.0L and 3.5L will both pull that, but what are the expectations? Can you handle a 4th gear scream up a long grade, or a 5th or 6th pull with pedal to spare. And, what's the frequency? Twelve weekends out of 52, but daily driving the other ~250 days?
yes, the 5.0L will haul what the 3.5L EcoBoost will, but what is your comfort level when towing? Do you need to be first to the next light? Do you need to whip on the interstate from a merge ramp? Any then, what about stopping? Not at a light, but in an emergency. Will you be overloaded? Should you really consider a 3/4 ton?
I have towed a variety of trailers and weights up to 10,000#, and I'd NEVER consider a 1/2 ton for 10k plus in towed weight. Thsts a recipie for disaster. 6k to 8k is no problem properly loaded and distributed. The 5.0L and 3.5L will both pull that, but what are the expectations? Can you handle a 4th gear scream up a long grade, or a 5th or 6th pull with pedal to spare. And, what's the frequency? Twelve weekends out of 52, but daily driving the other ~250 days?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
No one tells you the facts. The tow rating is an empty truck with only a 150# driver, and a full tank of fuel. No girlfriend or wife, no kids, no dog, no hamburger or coke in the cup holder. Nothing in the bed. No aftermarket floor mats. No tonneau. No NOTHING. That nets your max towing capacity. Period. While it seems trivial, I've never seen a trailer empty when hauling a truck. We use them. To me,it's an asinine rating. Post it AFTER the payload is consumed.
yes, the 5.0L will haul what the 3.5L EcoBoost will, but what is your comfort level when towing? Do you need to be first to the next light? Do you need to whip on the interstate from a merge ramp? Any then, what about stopping? Not at a light, but in an emergency. Will you be overloaded? Should you really consider a 3/4 ton?
I have towed a variety of trailers and weights up to 10,000#, and I'd NEVER consider a 1/2 ton for 10k plus in towed weight. Thsts a recipie for disaster. 6k to 8k is no problem properly loaded and distributed. The 5.0L and 3.5L will both pull that, but what are the expectations? Can you handle a 4th gear scream up a long grade, or a 5th or 6th pull with pedal to spare. And, what's the frequency? Twelve weekends out of 52, but daily driving the other ~250 days?
yes, the 5.0L will haul what the 3.5L EcoBoost will, but what is your comfort level when towing? Do you need to be first to the next light? Do you need to whip on the interstate from a merge ramp? Any then, what about stopping? Not at a light, but in an emergency. Will you be overloaded? Should you really consider a 3/4 ton?
I have towed a variety of trailers and weights up to 10,000#, and I'd NEVER consider a 1/2 ton for 10k plus in towed weight. Thsts a recipie for disaster. 6k to 8k is no problem properly loaded and distributed. The 5.0L and 3.5L will both pull that, but what are the expectations? Can you handle a 4th gear scream up a long grade, or a 5th or 6th pull with pedal to spare. And, what's the frequency? Twelve weekends out of 52, but daily driving the other ~250 days?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 28
From: Louisville, KY
[QUOTE=America78;18072698]Not sure that you can make a wrong decision here (aside from the underpowered 3.3, if it's even available in the truck you want).
/QUOTE]
Who told you that the 3.3 is underpowered? With 290 hp it has loads of power. I've towed with it and hauled heavy loads and had no problems whatsoever. I had a 2012 and the turbos went out at 166k so I'm done with them...
/QUOTE]
Who told you that the 3.3 is underpowered? With 290 hp it has loads of power. I've towed with it and hauled heavy loads and had no problems whatsoever. I had a 2012 and the turbos went out at 166k so I'm done with them...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 2
My company truck is a 2wd 3.5 na. 2017. So not as much as the newer 3.3. In all honesty it really does the job. I haven’t towed anything with it yet but it’ll probably be fine up to 4000-5000 lbs. I don’t know what rear end it has but 373 would really wake it up.
