I'm trying to help guide my Father-in-law down the right path when looking for a newer used F150 to tow his new camper...the camper is a Jayco Jayflight SLX 267BHS (5515# dry, 7500# gvwr)so I'm confident he shouldn't need anything more than a 1/2 ton as the trucks primary/only use will be pulling the camper...I just want to make sure it has plenty of power for when they do head up into the mountains..

Will the smaller ecoboost 2.7 do the trick? What rear end ratio's were available...are they specific to the engines or trim packages? I think we've only come across 3.55 or 3.73 locally...

gvwr packages? We've seen some advertised as 6500# and 7200# gvwr packages...

Any years/engines/issues to stay away from?

Thanks for the help!

 

If the primary use of the truck is pulling a trailer, I'd prefer the 3.5L EcoBoost engine for a few related reasons. 1) it's more powerful, 2) It's more likely to be combined with the max tow package and 3) while towing, it will get exactly the same fuel economy.

Don't even consider anything without the factory trailer brake controller. It's better than anything aftermarket. Also, I'd want to be sure to get the factory tow mirrors. They are excellent.

I've pulled three trailers about that size with five or six different truck/engine combinations, and the best was the 3.5L EcoBoost. The low RPM power is amazing and effortless. You won't find anything better without getting a super duty diesel.

As for gearing, with the 3.5L EcoBoost, rear axle gearing isn't a big deal. Mine had the 3.31 rear gears and it was still great. Most have that 3.55 axle and it would be my choice.

 

 

The 5.0 is a good engine, it just has 70lbft of torque less at peak, and the peak is 2,000RPM higher than the 3.5 Ecoboost. Also, depending on the mountains he's going to head to, the Ecoboost will keep more of its power as he gets higher than the 5.0 . If they are little mountains this is less of a concern.

 

You might be interested in this thread. It's a 2.7 Ecoboost but has some good content related to your search.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...wing-trip.html

 

I think if we could find the 2.7 with the maxed out towing options it would probably be ok for him...

But trying to find a ford certified pre-owned 2.7 (or really even 3.5) with max tow and a 6.5' box is probably harder than locating a unicorn...his camper is ordered so he's got some time, but should hopefully be in by the end of april/early may so he can't wait on it forever...

The tow mirrors would be awesome, but I've yet to see them on anything used so far...if they have the tow mirrors is that indicative of also having the max tow option? Meaning if we did somehow come across a 2.7 with the tow mirrors is it reasonable to assume it has the maximum towing capacity? It's a crap shoot sometimes with what dealers list under the listings online so trying to tell as much as I can from photo's/engine/rear ratio ...

 

 

Just be careful of payload, lots of the 2.7 trucks have a 6600 GVWR and very little payload available.

 

Agree, and to be clear, I wasn't suggesting the 2.7 Ecoboost, just relaying a recent example of a member's happiness with his towing and camping experience with a 2.7 Ecoboost. The assumption here is that another truck just like A/Ox4's except with a 3.5 would be even better at this task.

 

 

Yes it's the same engine up until 2017.

 

I'd stick with the 2016 and after if I want to use my cellphone and have it projected on the 8" screen. Sync 3 is fantastic, you won't get that in the 2015. That's one of the reasons why i'm glad I waited until 2016.

Also, you might wind up getting $10k to $12k off a new F-150, Ford's always offering incentives. Not now, but maybe in six months from now, you'd never know.

I wouldn't buy a used F-150 because of the strong resale value. My 2012 was bought for $10k off the MSRP and I traded it in four years later, losing only $5k in value. Way better than all the other cars I've owned.

 

 

Thanks...this is the kind of nuanced info I'm really looking for since I don't have time to go pouring year-by-year through specs/comparisons for him...

Looks like 17's in the 3.5 EB are probably out of his budget...inlaws are retired/fixed income and know what they can afford to spend...I don't see him ponying up for a new one no matter how enticing the incentives because this will only really be driven to pull the camper (they'll still be keeping their escape and explorer for normal driving) and dollars to donuts a 14-16 with 50k or less is easily running 10-15k lower than anything advertised on something new in this region and will probably only see 4-5k per year or less which will last plenty long

What is the group think on the aluminum body, is it a significant selling feature over the 14's? Is it a reason to prefer a 14 over a 15/16? They barely use their sync systems as is, so as long as the truck has bluetooth and sat radio they'll be satisfied.

 

What is "302A" that I've seen in several sig's? I assume an option package but specifically what came in it?