Eco-Boost opinions

[Patches]

Real numbers for the Eco-Boost.

"Ford F150 EcoBoost V-6 turbo truck review towing trailers."

Chris

Nothing there to brag about; my 4x4 Tundra Double Cab can match most of his fuel mileages, except the 20+'s, but mine is a 4x4 with 4:30 gears(not 3:15's) and does not require premium grade fuel. ***-On- Man

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nothing there to brag about; my 4x4 Tundra Double Cab can match most of his fuel mileages, except the 20+'s, but mine is a 4x4 with 4:30 gears(not 3:15's) and does not require premium grade fuel. ***-On- Man

Yea, I know its not the greatest but the real story is how it pulled though the hills. I wonder why they would chose to use a 3.15 geared truck?

As for the rear diff on you truck, my truck, and anyone elses truck that is all out the window these days. This truck with its 3.15 and its deep 1st gear might be equal to say a 4.10 gear in a Dodge. The only way you can really compare is to do the math on both the tranny gear, rear end gear, and revolutions per mile of the size of tires it has.

Its not the good old days when everyone used similar 3 or 4 speed gear boxes, 3.55 to 4.10 gears, and 15" wheels and when a 265 tire was big.

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

Exactly, many of the chev's now have very tall gears in the rear end but 4:1 or better lows in the automatics. Do better than old 4.10's with the old trannies.

 

[Patches]

Yea, I know its not the greatest but the real story is how it pulled though the hills. I wonder why they would chose to use a 3.15 geared truck?

As for the rear diff on you truck, my truck, and anyone elses truck that is all out the window these days. This truck with its 3.15 and its deep 1st gear might be equal to say a 4.10 gear in a Dodge. The only way you can really compare is to do the math on both the tranny gear, rear end gear, and revolutions per mile of the size of tires it has.

Its not the good old days when everyone used similar 3 or 4 speed gear boxes, 3.55 to 4.10 gears, and 15" wheels and when a 265 tire was big.

Chris

They chose the 3:15's to produce the mileages their talking about and ya, a 4:17 first gear is low, but, you don't go down the road in first gear(got to get close to a 1:1 transmission ratio at some point in the 6 gear trans.)At 1:1, you're towing with a 3:15 ratio and I'm towing with a 4:30 ratio. Agreed :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[slowzuki]

You don't tow in 1-1 ratio on a six speed double over drive auto, so the rear axle ratio doesn't really matter. It matters more for cruising unloaded at 75+ mph without spinning the engine up too high.

They chose the 3:15's to produce the mileages their talking about and ya, a 4:17 first gear is low, but, you don't go down the road in first gear(got to get close to a 1:1 transmission ratio at some point in the 6 gear trans.)At 1:1, you're towing with a 3:15 ratio and I'm towing with a 4:30 ratio. Agreed :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Patches]

Just did the math; a 4:17 first gear and a 3:15 final drive produces a 13.1:1 ratio, while my 4:30's and my 3.33 first gear produces a 14.3:1 ratio :licking:

 

[slowzuki]

And the towing numbers posted are fantastic for a tall trailer like that horse trailer. We towed a 20 ft enclosed trailer with a 4.6 F150 for a few thousand km's of highway, it had the aero bulb nose and all and we never got above 12-14 mpg even empty. To those claiming they are getting near 20's towing a trailer with their Tundra, I don't believe you. A coworker has a Tundra and has tracked every drop of fuel since new and try everything in the book to get good mileage, and they are getting 16 -20 mpg empty. Worse numbers are when they drive in the city.

 

[slowzuki]

Good, so you should be able to get a slightly bigger load moving or start on a bit steeper hill.

Just did the math; a 4:17 first gear and a 3:15 final drive produces a 13.1:1 ratio, while my 4:30's and my 3.33 first gear produces a 14.3:1 ratio :licking:

 

[Patches]

You don't tow in 1-1 ratio on a six speed double over drive auto, so the rear axle ratio doesn't really matter. It matters more for cruising unloaded at 75+ mph without spinning the engine up too high.

I tow my loaded equipment trailer in 4th gear(1:1) most of the time, occasionally getting to 5th gear on the levels. The trailer and two pulling tractors weigh in at over 10,000. One tractor weighs 3500, the other 5500 but I've never weighed the 18' foot Bri-Mar trailer. I'm not trying to start a peeing match here, just don't think this 3.5 is worth all the hype; to each their own

 

[Diamondpilot]

My dads Eco Boost has 3.73 gears so whats the point. Tire size is still a major factor.

His has almost 9,000 miles now and has averaged 18mpg since day one.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

My dads Eco Boost has 3.73 gears so whats the point. Tire size is still s major factor.

His has almost 9,000 miles now and has averaged 18mpg since day one.

Chris

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

Have had my 2011 F150 Ecoboost for about 6 months now, over 7K miles already. Mileage during the summer and fall, after I got 2500 miles on it, was an easy 18+ in general driving on 87 octane fuel, 22+ on highway IF I stayed under 75 mph. Once I hit 75+, the mileage dropped like a stone. Have hit 25 a couple of times at 55mph and drafting a big truck. Now that the weather has turned colder, the mileages have dropped off by about 1.5 mpg. Rear end is a 3.55, supercrew cab, 5.5 foot bed (wish I had gotten the 6.5 when I hauled the 12' lumber home).

If I dangle my toes in the turbos, mileage will suffer big time. But the smile factor increases.

Traded in my 2005 F250 6.0 diesel because I just didn't need it anymore. While the F150 won't haul anything near what that F250 would haul weight-wise, it'll do what I need it to do now. The only thing I've hauled with the new truck so far is a small open trailer with 2 large ATV's on it. Didn't see any change in performance for mileage, but we're only talking about 1700 pounds total. The 2003 F150 with the anemic 5.4 that I had, pulled the same ATV's in an enclosed trailer, about 3000 pounds total, and wouldn't even hold 5th gear at 65 MPH. The Eco was happy at 65 in 6th.

The previously quoted upcharge for the Ecoboost is my not experience. It is only $700 over the cost of the 5.0. Just pulled out the window sticker and re-checked it, $700. Perhaps different trim lines have different up-charges for the Eco. The 5.0 is a proven and reliable engine, and sure sounds better than the V-6, but I will get that $700 and more back on trade-in in the future.

So far, so good. If it stays together as well as my 6.0 F250 did, I'll be happy. And look at how many people were whining about their 6.0's, guess I got a good one.

 

[Diamondpilot]

So far, so good. If it stays together as well as my 6.0 F250 did, I'll be happy. And look at how many people were whining about their 6.0's, guess I got a good one.

I hear ya. I had a 04 F-250 6L and still have a 06 F-350 SRW that I bought both new and never a single issue with either other than a bad fuel gauge on the F-350.

Its a wonder how we ever made it off the dealers lot.:laughing::confused2: 200,000 miles between the two of heavy towing and work when ever they left the drive.

Chris

 

[kenmac]

Friend of mine just bought a new Ford Eco boost after his F250 diesel was stolen. He claims that the dealer told him that this Eco boost would pull his 35ft 5th wheel with 2 slides. I 'm waiting / wanting to see this

 

[CLinton_in_FL]

Friend of mine just bought a new Ford Eco boost after his F250 diesel was stolen. He claims that the dealer told him that this Eco boost would pull his 35ft 5th wheel with 2 slides. I 'm waiting / wanting to see this

Not my truck, but this is a pretty big load. I think the guy said he got 8.5-9.0mpg. Jsut search for ecoboost tow test. It is on one of the forms.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not my truck, but this is a pretty big load. I think the guy said he got 8.5-9.0mpg. Jsut search for ecoboost tow test. It is on one of the forms.

I would say that is a honest #. That truck has 3.73 gears, can tell by the mirrors, and I would guess that trailer has 3 3,500# axles so its within its 11,300# tow rating for the Eco Boost F-150 with 3.73 gears.

Chris

 

[JIGBUILDER]

Several RV.net members with the EB engine pulling TTs up to 8000 lbs report 10-11 mpgs towing at highway speeds on long trips. However where the EB shines in on the road empty such as folks that use the trucks on long dailey commuter to and from work or making long solo trips.
One member posted he had the F250 6.0 PSD that gave him 16-17 on the road empty and 9-10 towing a 8000 lb TT and lots of problems. He dumped his problem plagued 6.0 and came up with a F150 HD at 8200 GVWR and is tickled pink with 22 mpg on the road and 12 towing the same TT. He was a bit disappointed in his towing mpgs howeven IMO 8000 lbs is a lot of weight for a V6 to handle without spinning the turbos up. A diesel they are not for heavy towing duties but a stout engine for a 1/2 ton truck.

 

[Bama67]

I have had an Ecoboost since October, and only have 3000 miles on it, but so far I LOVE it!

It was my first brand new truck purchase and I don't regret it a bit. It is a SuperCrew,4x4,XLT, perfered package (power everything) with 3.73 and Offroad Package.

I paid $32,000 and feel like it is a steal for what I got.

Okay, and all you guys that have been saying "i think it is overrated, my 318 Dakota has tons of power and gets 14mpg towing or whatever should just hold judgement to you have driven one and towed with it."

I would venture to say that any load under 10,000lbs I would much rather tow it with this truck than my previous (2007 Dodge Cummins 2500 4x4) I rides so much better, brakes are just as good, and with the tow control it really is no sweat.

I test drove this truck and the 5.0 when I was going to buy and it made it a no brainer The 5.0 is strong, but it needs twice the revs to feel close to the same power as the Eco.
And yes, mpg does drop off when towing, but what trucks don't? I guess people still think they are going to get 20mpg towing 9k.

And even in this big, lower geared 4x4, I can get 20mpg or more on trips no sweat. The average tank for me; half city, half highway gets me around 17-18mpg.

And it does not require premium. Also, the 5.0 is no more "proven" than the Ecoboost, actually the Eco is the older of the designs and has been out a few years in other platforms.

I don't know where you guys are seeing all these Ecoboost "problems" online at either. Definately not any more than any other truck.

To the Tundra with the 4.30 gears. With the 3.73's and the F-150s first gear at 4.17, I have a ratio of 15.55 to one in first.

And I am pretty sure that even towing my 20ft equipment trailer, I could beat my 2005 F-150 5.4 in a drag race. :laughing:
It has that much low end torque. I love it.

 

[Bama67]

Oh yeah, and those high dollar turbos on there only cost about $300 brand new.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks Bama. Your numbers and view of this truck is the same as mine. My father has the same truck, same gears, ect and his numbers match yours. Like you said, the F150 is a fine truck from its brakes to the engine.

Chris