F150 Ecoboost

LISmama810 · Aug 4, 2012

I've seen a couple people mention newer F150s, so I was curious if anyone has the Ecoboost engine. We're seriously considering trading on our Beast for one. I've heard nothing but good things about it and wanted to see what you guys think, if anyone has one.

bubbaray · Aug 4, 2012

Research the recalls because that engine has had a few. We have the 8. DH was nervous about the eco boost being new. I'm not sure if the tow packages are available for it either

Eta we know a few ppl with new 150s and none have the ECB engine. But they all use it for towing so i dunno

canadiangie · Aug 4, 2012

My uncle has an f150 with Ford's ecoboost technology. Im pretty sure my parents f150 is an ecoboost model as well. My parents remain undecided on whether they love it (they tow an 18 ft trailer a few times a year), and I'm pretty sure my uncle likes his (went from either a Titan or a Tundra before hand and wanted better fuel economy). He also tows, on hilly terrain to boot.

I'm pretty sure you'll get a million opinions on it. It's one of those things where there's probably no one single answer...

LISmama810 · Aug 4, 2012

There's definitely a tow package for it. That's why we're considering it

Angie, do you know how much your uncle tows? I'd be curious to know how it does, especially on hills.

bubbaray · Aug 4, 2012

Is it the tow max or whatever it's called? I can ask DH tomorrow. He is at the ER with DD1 right how and I think he would kill me if I asked him truck ?s at this point in or crappy day

LISmama810 · Aug 4, 2012

LOL, of course don't ask him right now! We're not trading it in overnight

Yeah, with the max tow and max cargo (or whatever they call the packages), I think it tows like 9,000ish? Somewhere in there.

ETA: And I hope your DD is ok.

canadiangie · Aug 4, 2012

LISmama810 said:
There's definitely a tow package for it. That's why we're considering it

Angie, do you know how much your uncle tows? I'd be curious to know how it does, especially on hills.

I'll text my mom in the am. My dad will know exactly what my uncle tows.

kathysr98 · Aug 4, 2012

It's teh awesome! My dad has one & I've been driving it for over a week. Mom, dd, & I took it to Dallas last weekend. We checked the gas mileage on the way back & got 18.5 mpg trying to drive 80 but with quite a few random slow downs due to stupids. It went up to 21.5 when we slowed to 75 & had fewer stupids. That was with three passengers & the back of the truck level full of stuff under the bed cover, including our IKEA haul. We like our a/c & I have a lead foot, so better numbers are certainly available. Speaking of lead foot, it hauls butt. Seriously. Like smoke the tires fast, even from a rolling start. (FTR, I didn't do it, I was riding with my dad when he did!) He regularly tows a heavily loaded 16' enclosed trailer and says it tows better than his 2000 F250 V10 gas burner did. It's very easy to drive, IMO, and has tons of room in the backseat of the crew cab version. In fact, I have the small section of the backseat up right now & a B-Safe in the box sitting in that spot. The front seat is all the way back and the box has room all the way around. If you have any specific info you're looking for I'll try to help.

bubbaray · Aug 5, 2012

I know DH likes this forum. Here is a thread on towing with the ECB

http://www.f150forum.com/f70/towing-3-7-a-91285/

LISmama810 · Aug 5, 2012

Thanks guys!

Admin · Aug 5, 2012

Historically, I think turbocharged engines were mostly used to boost the horsepower in smaller, lighter engines for sports cars.

Recently, they've also started appearing because they can also boost fuel economy somewhat. I'm guessing Ford opted not to use "turbo" nomenclature and went with "ecoboost" to promote the fuel economy aspect.

The disadvantages tended to be reliability, complexity and repair cost. Also, while they tend to increase power and torque, it's usually at high speeds rather than the low-end torque useful in trucks. Also, some designs have "turbo lag", which means that it can take longer than a regular engine to reach peak power and thus the highest speed possible.

Not sure about Ecoboost, but perhaps Ford has some tweaks to make it more useful in a regular or heavy duty truck, rather than a "racing" truck (sounds like an oxymoron but there are a lot out there). This seems to back that up, if you trust CR:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/04/consumer-reports-f-150-ecoboost-beats-v8-for-towing-not/

LISmama810 · Aug 5, 2012

Burst my bubble, D.

No, seriously, that was interesting. We're mostly concerned with towing power and lowering our monthly payment. Fuel economy is a nice bonus. (It still beats our current truck, probably.)

bubbaray · Aug 5, 2012

What are you towing and what does it weigh? Where do u tow over flats or Mtn passes.

canadiangie · Aug 5, 2012

I texted my mom. She will ask my dad when she gets home. She's at the mall right now..

LISmama810 · Aug 5, 2012

We currently have a travel trailer with a GVWR of about 7700, I think. We might get something different, but it will be around the same weight.

We tow on flat roads for the time being, but eventually it'll be towing on everything.

bubbaray · Aug 5, 2012

DH says you won't get better fuel economy than with a diesel if you currently have a diesel. He also said that the ECB only gets 1L per 100km better than his V8.

And then he went off on a big rant that was basically exactly what Darren said upthread. Not designed for towing, higher maintenance costs, a smaller engine with a turbo added. Blah blah blah. He then left the room in a huff muttering that he didn't understand what the big deal was with those engines, they were going to blow up.

Un yeah. I think somebody didn't take his happy pill this morning. But there you go. He's um not a fan. LOL

Oh and somewhere in there he said that if he wanted to tow anything other than a very lightweight trailer he wouldn't get a 150 anyways. He'd get at least a 3/4 ton.

HTH

LISmama810 · Aug 5, 2012

LOL thanks

The Consumer Reports thing and everyone we've talked to who has one seems to really like it for towing. I'm skeptical just because I am, but the consensus seems to be good.

An ordinary 1/2 ton won't tow what we need it to, but the specs on the EcoBoost seem to say it will.

We currently have a 1-ton diesel, and we

it for towing, but it's enormous (it's a dually), expensive, and way more truck than we need.

bubbaray · Aug 5, 2012

This is JMHO but if you have a 1T you are really NOT going to like towing with any 1/2 T, regardless of the engine.

We always check out what other ppls rigs are and have never seen an ECB ever in an RV park. Towing boats yes. RVs no. In fact it is extremely rare to see any 1/2Ts towing RVs. Pretty much 99% are 3/4 or 1T diesels.

I think you'd be better off keeping what you have. Or if you get a smaller truck get a new super lightweight trailer.

LISmama810 · Aug 5, 2012

We've talked to a couple people with trailers and have done some reading on some RV forums, and pretty much everyone has been impressed with how the EcoBoost does. But that's why I'm asking here, for some more BTDT opinions.

I know that nothing will beat the truck we have now, but it's really a PITA for everyday use, plus it's costing us a lot.

bubbaray · Aug 5, 2012

How is it a PITA for everyday? Is it a dually?

F150 Ecoboost

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