3.0L Powerstroke Option - Why would you choose it?
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 445
Likes: 1
From: Forest Grove, BC
I have had my baby PSD now for 8 months and just over 10,000 km. I LOVE IT. Paired with the 10 speed trany it is the bomb. I don't drag race my trucks, but I do enjoy strong, smooth acceleration, any time I want it and at any speed I want it without seeing the tach going over 2700 rpm. My trip counter 1 is at 6000km and its at 10.4 L/100 km, that's over 27 mpg. That's combined city, hwy and 1000km of towing. This little diesel will still be running long after any ecoboost...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
I have a 2018 F-150 Power Stroke Platinum. I bought it to tow my 7000 pound travel trailer. It pulls like the trailer is not there. It is very quite an the fuel mileage is better than the gas version. When you buy an expensive overpriced vehicle the difference in the price isn't that much.Oh I bought it used with 2300 miles on it so the previous owner paid the premium.
My 2012 EB tows my 7000# trailer no problems either, but I take a huge hit in fuel economy. I think the highest I ever saw out of the meter on the dash was maybe 11.5, typically it is closer to about 9-10. Sans trailer I can get about 19-20 on the highway.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
Out of curiosity, what is your mileage towing?
My 2012 EB tows my 7000# trailer no problems either, but I take a huge hit in fuel economy. I think the highest I ever saw out of the meter on the dash was maybe 11.5, typically it is closer to about 9-10. Sans trailer I can get about 19-20 on the highway.
My 2012 EB tows my 7000# trailer no problems either, but I take a huge hit in fuel economy. I think the highest I ever saw out of the meter on the dash was maybe 11.5, typically it is closer to about 9-10. Sans trailer I can get about 19-20 on the highway.
New User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Out of curiosity, what is your mileage towing?
My 2012 EB tows my 7000# trailer no problems either, but I take a huge hit in fuel economy. I think the highest I ever saw out of the meter on the dash was maybe 11.5, typically it is closer to about 9-10. Sans trailer I can get about 19-20 on the highway.
My 2012 EB tows my 7000# trailer no problems either, but I take a huge hit in fuel economy. I think the highest I ever saw out of the meter on the dash was maybe 11.5, typically it is closer to about 9-10. Sans trailer I can get about 19-20 on the highway.
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Towing info
So I just bought the new F-150 with 3.0 diesel to pull my new 22' Airstream.
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
New User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
So I just bought the new F-150 with 3.0 diesel to pull my new 22' Airstream.
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
My 3.0 diesel tows my Lance 2465 trailer which loaded weighs about 7000 pounds. I live in Oregon and have towed over 5000 and 7000 high passes without any problems. I too use my cruise control a lot. You can't expect to go up a 6% grade without any loss of speed. I assume you were in tow/haul mode. The slowest I have gone at anytime is about 52 mph. When I am on the highway I generally tow at 60 mph which is a little over the West Coast speed limits. I would not worry about it. Next time put your foot in it to override the cruise control and it will probably down shift to a better gear.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 573
From: Brentwood,CA
So I just bought the new F-150 with 3.0 diesel to pull my new 22' Airstream.
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
What year truck is this? The 3.0 was discontinued mid 2019 so what is new? The lack of power and check engine light matches the TSB for the egr.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
So I just bought the new F-150 with 3.0 diesel to pull my new 22' Airstream.
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
I thought I loved it, until I went into the mountains.
The Air stream weighs 5200 lbs dry .tongue weight 500 lbs . We carry two Honda Super Cubs that weigh 375 lbs and a carrier that weighs 50 lbs
I use my cruise control exclusively.
While driving through Idaho at about 7,000 feet above sea level with a 6% grade my truck would not maintain speed It dropped from 70 mph to 58 mph then it missed ,the cruise shut off and the check engine light came on.
I drove 1000 miles home with no problem.
My concern is my trailer only weighs around 5500 lbs and this thing cant maintain speed through mountains.
Am I expecting to much out of my truck?
New User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
My 3.0 diesel tows my Lance 2465 trailer which loaded weighs about 7000 pounds. I live in Oregon and have towed over 5000 and 7000 high passes without any problems. I too use my cruise control a lot. You can't expect to go up a 6% grade without any loss of speed. I assume you were in tow/haul mode. The slowest I have gone at anytime is about 52 mph. When I am on the highway I generally tow at 60 mph which is a little over the West Coast speed limits. I would not worry about it. Next time put your foot in it to override the cruise control and it will probably down shift to a better gear.
This is a follow up to my answer. Why are you towing at 70 mph? Trailer tires are generally only rated at 65 mph.
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Towing.
i’ve never actually weighed my trailer or truck I can only go by what I was told from the Airstream dealer my 22 foot Airstream weighs approximately 5500 pounds I read the tongue weight was 525 pounds I did have aproximately 400 pounds in the bed of my truckIt drove perfectly well with the engine light on I average 15 miles per gallon towing at 70 mph My concern is the loss of speed and power
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
DEF usage while towing
Let me preface this with saying, I am a long time diesel engine fan. I, like many, looked forward to Ford offering a diesel engine option in the F-150.
The specs:
3.5L EcoBoost - 375 HP, 470 lb-ft Torque - EPA rated fuel economy: 17 City, 23 Hwy, 19 MPG AVG
3.0L PowerStroke - 250 HP, 440 lb-ft Torque (max torque achieved at 1,750 rpm) - EPA rated fuel economy: 20 City, 25 Hwy, 22 MPG AVG
From the standpoint of power output the EcoBoost beats the PowerStroke in both power and torque. The only caveat may be that the PowerStoke may "feel" better towing, with torque peaking at a lower RPM... however the "proof will be in the pudding" as they say.
The initial knee jerk reaction will be that the PowerStroke has a fuel economy advantage... but is there an actual realized savings? The PowerStroke option is a $2,400 upgrade over the 3.5L EcoBoost and diesel fuel is approximately $0.36 more per gallon of gasoline (of course this varies by region). Let's assume that the PowerStroke equipped truck, *on average* bests the EcoBoost by 3 MPG. For a vehicle driven 15,000 miles a year, you're looking at annual savings of ~$45 in fuel to run the Ecoboost. But wait, how many gallons of DEF is the PowerStroke going to require in 15,000 miles? For arguement's sake, lets say about $45 worth... so much for that touted fuel cost savings.
With that said.... Why would you opt for the 3.0L PowerStroke? Less power and basically zero realizable fuel economy advantage....
The specs:
3.5L EcoBoost - 375 HP, 470 lb-ft Torque - EPA rated fuel economy: 17 City, 23 Hwy, 19 MPG AVG
3.0L PowerStroke - 250 HP, 440 lb-ft Torque (max torque achieved at 1,750 rpm) - EPA rated fuel economy: 20 City, 25 Hwy, 22 MPG AVG
From the standpoint of power output the EcoBoost beats the PowerStroke in both power and torque. The only caveat may be that the PowerStoke may "feel" better towing, with torque peaking at a lower RPM... however the "proof will be in the pudding" as they say.
The initial knee jerk reaction will be that the PowerStroke has a fuel economy advantage... but is there an actual realized savings? The PowerStroke option is a $2,400 upgrade over the 3.5L EcoBoost and diesel fuel is approximately $0.36 more per gallon of gasoline (of course this varies by region). Let's assume that the PowerStroke equipped truck, *on average* bests the EcoBoost by 3 MPG. For a vehicle driven 15,000 miles a year, you're looking at annual savings of ~$45 in fuel to run the Ecoboost. But wait, how many gallons of DEF is the PowerStroke going to require in 15,000 miles? For arguement's sake, lets say about $45 worth... so much for that touted fuel cost savings.
With that said.... Why would you opt for the 3.0L PowerStroke? Less power and basically zero realizable fuel economy advantage....
New User
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Fords websitewebsite says that 3.0 is offered in the 2020.