Which Model Year...2012, 2013, or 2014?
 

Hello All. First time poster here. I'll be purchasing a used F-150 4X4 Extended Cab, or Crew Cab with a 3.5 EcoBoost engine. I'm sure some model years are better than others...transmissions, factory engine upgrades, etc. I'll be pulling a 3.600 pound trailer, so I'd like an integral trailer brake controller OEM from the factory (does this exist?). What equipment is included with a factory trailer towing option?

Anyway, what model years are preferred? Why? What should I be wary about?

I know this is basic, but I thought I'd go to the best source on the internet for answers. Thanks.

Cheers

Id go for a 2013 or newer. theres 2 towing packages. the towing package (basic) will have everything you need for a 3600lbs. the controller can be installed separately. the other package is called Max tow, and only availible with either the 3.5 ecoboost or 6.2. this will have 3.73s, the big mirrors, the brake controller,, the reciever hitch will handle 11,000...... this is for 2011-14. 15 and later Ford changed the max tow a little bit.

First off welcome to the FTE! :oval

I have to agree with Brokenleg ^^^ and get at least a 2013. Along with options or packages, that first year or two with any "New Model" tends to be the models that have the bugs that need to be worked out.

Unk Bob:-wink

Totally biased here with a 2011 but I'm not aware of any considerable design changes between 11 and 14 that would get you further out of the woods than the next truck. I'm sure I'll be pounced on if I'm mistaken about this, so stay tuned... Guess you would have a better chance with a 13+ to still be under at least a powertrain warranty, so theres an argument there.

I didn't order my '11 with the max tow, because I didnt like the bigger mirrors. It came with the hitch/7pin wiring. I picked up the factory trailer controller - doesnt cost much and is an easy install. But...your dealer needs to activate it and IIRC that was the most expensive part of the experience. But it installs super clean and behaves like it came out of the factory that way.

Only thing that scares me about this engine is reports about the timing chain stretching. I havent done enough research myself to know an accurate percentage of it happening, but if you're seriously looking at one, before you sign I think you may want to insist on hearing it start after sitting overnight to make sure you dont hear the rattle. But I have almost 75K on my 2011 and I havent had any engine issues, though I keep up on the oil changes and I replaced the plugs ahead of schedule around 60K.

In misc suggestions - this is the first truck I had with a backup camera and its made it so I'll probably always need one now. It also has the reverse park sensors, which I thought would be overkill with the camera but I like having them both...with the crew cab and 6.5 ft bed it makes parking much easier.

Good luck in your search!

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. How do the engine and tranny cooling systems differ between the tow packages?

Engines are the same. the transmission cooler may be a bit bigger. the front sway bar is bigger, why I dont know.

I just picked up a 2013 FX4. Fortunately for me it is from Canada which they offered the heavy duty towing package on my truck which has 5.0L, 3.73, Crew Cab, HD Towing, 157" WB, and 6.5' Bed. Towing Capacity of my rig is 9,100lbs. Maybe you can find one from Canada as well.

I also just picked a 2014 FX4 CrewCab 6.5ft bed 3.5eb 3.73. Was also a Canadian truck. Guessing Canadian trucks migrating south of the border due to the favorable exchange rate.

I chose 2014 as it would've been the most mature of that body style. I'm coming from an 04 Titan so the truck feels like light years ahead of where I was. :)

I can relate to that. I went from a 2001 F150 Extended Cab, to a 2013 Super Crew :-X03

Unk Bob

I have the 2013 F-150 Super Crew with the 3.7 V-6 and towing package. Haven't had any trouble towing what I've wanted to yet. We pulled 4000# of cordwood on my trailer 145 miles to my son's place and the truck managed 13.7 mpg at 70 mph. Unloaded at 75 mph on the highway it will average 22 and around town depending my foot, will run 19 average in winter and about 17.5-18.5 in the summer. Like the truck very much. Not the first Ford that I have owned but it has been over 20 years since I've had one.
John

While on the way home from a day of skiing, a local ford sales person gave me a ring. By 10:30 that night, my wife and I found ourselves with a 2014 FX4 SuperCrew Shorty EcoBoost in our garage. Had to remove the radio antennae to get it in (why is the thing taller than the cab?), and literally have less than two inches to spare on either end...but it's out of the elements.

The 2003 Tacoma it's replacing already seems like one of those little clown cars you see in a circus. I still love my Tacoma, and it beats the F-150 offroad, but the Ford will serve towing needs that the Tacoma can't touch.

Thanks for your input! I'm sure I'll have more questions for the forum......

Cheers. Drive safely out there.

TK

Well good deal.
But remember...

Internally, the engines may be the same. Externally they are not. Ford changed some things, most notably the supplemental vacuum pump which is a really big deal.

The thread starter did well by choosing a 13+ truck.

Do you have a list of what all changed in 13?

I watched Makuloco's video on the vacuum pump and was amazed at how thrashed that pump got and that is costs almost $500 to buy a replacement! Do you know what they changed on the pumps?

You guys should imagine how I feel in my '13 STX after being in a '94 S-10 :-jammin