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F150 Ecoboost. What’s the consensus?

Motor Boater

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So I really want an F250 for towing but it’s really more truck than I need. It would be great for being loaded down with gear towing to lake Powell but for normal day use, day boat trips, even weekend Havasu trips it’s probably overkill. So my question is how badass is the 3.5 ecoboost in the F150? Am I gonna be happy with it. I’m only towing a 24ft Tige. Is it going to be any better than my 6.2 liter Denali? Have they worked out all the gremlins they had with these motors a few years ago?
 

ArizonaKevin

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So I really want an F250 for towing but it’s really more truck than I need. It would be great for being loaded down with gear towing to lake Powell but for normal day use, day boat trips, even weekend Havasu trips it’s probably overkill. So my question is how badass is the 3.5 ecoboost in the F150? Am I gonna be happy with it. I’m only towing a 24ft Tige. Is it going to be any better than my 6.2 liter Denali? Have they worked out all the gremlins they had with these motors a few years ago?

Just rolled 100k in mine, only issue I had is a warped exhaust manifold causing boost leak but my truck is 2012. As far as I am aware that has been solved with the newer trucks.
 

Beerme

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I have a 2017 and absolutely love it. I haven't towed anything as heavy as your trailer, but from what i've towed, i've been really happy with the power. Not to mention, it's like towing while driving your moms Buick when you were a kid. Quiet and smooth as can be. I do have the 10 speed transmission in mine. My buddy did pull his 26 foot travel trailer with his, and has had nothing but positive things to say.
 

Mandelon

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I can tell ya the 3.7 base motor gets my XLT around town fine, and tows OK but not great. Its no V8 that's for sure! Mileage with upgraded wheels and tires is only around 15 combined. I'm curious what the ecoboost gets compared to that.
 

jetboatperformance

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My 15' F150 2.7 EB is a BEAST (358 hp) hauls ass and Tows well plus it gets 20 mpg
 

Familyties

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My company truck is a 2017 F-150 Super Crew 3.5 Eco boost 4X4 Lariat. Lots of power, 21 miles per gallon average. To the river 24 to 28 mpg. Very comfortable to drive great stereo
Now the problems I have had with this truck, 1 week old back to dealer due to sync problems they had it 3 weeks, picked it up and returned it the next day because it was surging. Another 3 days and they can't fix the surging but did fix the ac and radio. 9 months latter sync 2 failed and another dealership did a master reset and it worked for 2 weeks. Sync failed again but no replacements were available do to they were used on the lemon law trucks. 3 weeks later I got a remanufactured unit and everything worked great and even the surging went away. Then 6 months later at 68,000 miles I had a lifter noise which translates to a new $10,000.00 engine. Now after 2 months of arguing with ford they won't honor the 3 year 60,000 mile warrantee because I'm 8000 miles over. This is the third 3.5 Eco boost engine failure for our company on tucks with less than 80,000 miles.
Maybe I got the lemon who knows but go to your dealer and look to see how F-150's they are working on. I see lots of them at Upland Ford. No more eco boost truck for our shop, and I get my truck back this Friday. o_O
 

JDub24

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No complaints. It will pull your boat with ease and as @2FORCEFULL would say “It is as quiet as a mouse wearing slippers”.

Leveling kit with 35”s and bone stock besides that. Pulled a 10k toy hauler with zero issues up Sirocco Summit at 65-70 with ease.
 

nameisbond

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Mine is a 2018. Its going in Sept 3rd for timing chains at 30k miles. I liked it until the timing chain issue!
 

4Waters

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I've towed my 21ft boat with my dad's 15 F150 3.5l EcoBoost, I know it's there I feel every bump in the road and I can feel when the trailer rut tracks. I don't feel any of that with my 2001 F350 PSD, I would rather have a 3/4 ton or more.
 

QC22

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My buddy just towed a 26 foot travel trailer with his to Mammoth. Pulled the grade above Bishop at 60 MPH, AC on etc. He drives a HD truck for a living, and tows a boat a little bigger than yours all over heck and back too. He loves it!
 

RiverDave

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How heavy is a 24 Tige? That might end up being a pretty heavy boat?

RD
 

HALLETT BOY

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What I’ve seen on eco- boost equipped trucks , at around 90-100K miles , the exhaust manifolds bolts break / manifolds warp , and the turbo o- ring seals and coolant hose start to leak , requiring turbo removal .
 

Ol Man

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No complaints on my 2012 at 88,000 miles. Only put in gas and oil changes. Never uses oil between changes.

I tow my Vector, my Jeep on a trailer or flat tow and my enclosed trailer with my rockcrawler. The enclosed trailer is probably loaded to 8-9000 lbs. Never weighed.

I would buy another in a heart beat.
 

ArizonaKevin

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What I’ve seen on eco- boost equipped trucks , at around 90-100K miles , the exhaust manifolds bolts break / manifolds warp , and the turbo o- ring seals and coolant hose start to leak , requiring turbo removal .

I just had to do all of that on my 2012, cost me $1200
 

SoCalDave

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I have a 2014 3.5 and no issues to report other than poor gas mileage. Complained to the dealership about it but they said there is no codes so nothing they can do. Towed the 310 Hallett to the river and back with no issues. Only has 38,000 miles on it though.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Got a 2019 2wd SuperCrew Max Tow with the 3.5. It is bad ass. Tons of power and tows great. If you stay out of boost mileage is good. Overall mileage isn’t spectacular, just decent.
 
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manxman

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I've had a 2013 3.5 and put 10k behind it with no problems. I have 2 , 2016 f150's w/ the 2.7, 1 crew cab 4x4 and 1 standard cab short bed. The crew gets 17-20 mpg and the standard cab gets 20-25 mpg and is the fastest truck I have driven. I love the ecoboost platform and would have no problem buying another.
 

SixD9R

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My 2016 3.5 EB seems to work pretty good. I get about 17.5 MPG combined with fairly aggressive driving habits. I recently towed about 7,000 lbs and it had plenty of power to go up a long steep hill at highway speed.
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Blue Oval

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Sold several of them. Over all have been a good engine. Had a couple with poor maintenance have problems. Keep fresh oil in it! A couple 100,000 mile trucks with timing chain problems. The ones that have done a lot of towing seem to be the timing chain problems. The constant tipping in and out of turbo appears to stretch the chain.
 

WhatExit?

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I've towed my 21ft boat with my dad's 15 F150 3.5l EcoBoost, I know it's there I feel every bump in the road and I can feel when the trailer rut tracks. I don't feel any of that with my 2001 F350 PSD, I would rather have a 3/4 ton or more.


I'm not doubting you but it doesn't make sense to me especially compared to an F350
 

riverroyal

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Ive had 2. No regrets. I think the heaviest ive towed long distance is about 4500 lbs. Zero issues with power, actually hauls ass towing
 

4Waters

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I'm not doubting you but it doesn't make sense to me especially compared to an F350
All I'm saying is I wouldn't get an F150 as it's really annoying to feel all that while towing and I have only gone from Simi to Castiac (60ish miles round trip) I would be at wits end if I was going to Havasu.
 

LazyLavey

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A friend whos a sales rep drove one for about a zillion miles..And towed his Lavey to havasu several times.. He loved it , his kid just bought one I've heard nothing but good things about it

but you know what they say

There's no substitute for cubic inches
 

Motor Boater

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How heavy is a 24 Tige? That might end up being a pretty heavy boat?

RD

You’re correct. The boat weighs 4320 lbs so when you add the trailer and all the anchors, wakeboards, speakers, tubes, coolers and other shit it’s got to be 6500-7000 I’m thinking.
 

CLdrinker

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Get a less complicated V8 Chevy or Ram.
I know the Ram 5.7 with 3.92 gears will pull your boat with ease.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Get a less complicated V8 Chevy or Ram.
I know the Ram 5.7 with 3.92 gears will pull your boat with ease.

Why does no one ever use the “less complicated” rationale when it comes to 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks? Everyone always says go with the most complicated, and expensive diesel solution :)
 

Meaney77

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I have a 2012 Platinum with the 3.5. Its my daily driver and also my toad behind my motorhome.

The truck pulls my 25' Eliminator Eagle with no problems. I have also used the truck to pull my 24' enclosed trailer with 4 seat buggy, gas, 100 gallons of water, kids dirt bikes, etc...out to the desert for day trips. Tows great, plenty of power and super comfortable to drive. I have 3 little ones in car seats in the back seat and still plenty of room.

Would not hesitate to buy another one in a heartbeat.
 

Magic1

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Mine is a 2018 with no issues. I leave my F350 parked and drive the 150 daily. I tow short distance, like around parker with boat or too Havasu. Pulls great, I did do a tune to get rid of the stupid stop feature because it drove me nuts.
 

Bpracing1127

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I have a 2013 with 120k miles, it’s been aggressively tuned since 30k miles. I’ve towed everything from a 23ft boat. To a big 29 deck. A car hauler with a long travel rail inside to my current 25 ft toyhauler that comes in at 10k lbs. tows everything with ease. I’ve had one problem. Where the electronic throttle body stepper motor went out. 125$ later and fixed.

Best truck I have ever owned and best riding. Rode in friends new dodge 1500. last weekend rides like a piece of shit. Chevy is gutless.

Buy it and don’t look back. Towing your tige this truck will be perfect for it.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Mine is a 2018 with no issues. I leave my F350 parked and drive the 150 daily. I tow short distance, like around parker with boat or too Havasu. Pulls great, I did do a tune to get rid of the stupid stop feature because it drove me nuts.

How is the tune? Thinking of getting an intake and tune for mine.

I disabled the auto start stop with the jumper deal and Forescan.
 

beerrun

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There is no substitute for a V8 just saying
 

Sleek-Jet

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I can tell you that IMHO the V8 and the 10 speed transmission aren't a happy combo. Reliability is fine but the drivetrain just isn't very smooth, lots of what feels like hesitation while driving.

Don't know if the turbo V6 engines have the same problem or not.
 

Bpracing1127

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There is a video on YouTube where they go into a ford dealer and ask the service technicians what they would own and all but 1 said the 5.0
Ever owned a ecoboost?

Get a less complicated V8 Chevy or Ram.
I know the Ram 5.7 with 3.92 gears will pull your boat with ease.
Ever owned one?

Eco Boom!!!!
Name another engine that doesn’t blow up? You can’t they all do.
What I’ve seen on eco- boost equipped trucks , at around 90-100K miles , the exhaust manifolds bolts break / manifolds warp , and the turbo o- ring seals and coolant hose start to leak , requiring turbo removal .
I have 120k on mine and don’t have any of those problems, in fact I don’t know any one who does
 

squeezer

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2019 3.5 EB

Rescued a friends Bronco from Florence last week. Bronco and trailer are probably 6000 lbs. The coast range has some pretty steep grades and the truck would go up at the speed limit with no issues at all. Fuel economy takes a hit when boost comes up but thats not unexpected.

I was driving by the cylinder head temp gauge and back out if it started to creep up...
 

COCA COLA COWBOY

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Why does no one ever use the “less complicated” rationale when it comes to 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks? Everyone always says go with the most complicated, and expensive diesel solution :)

I know diesel cost more for maintenance and fuel and DEF, but I just like them! They also hold their value way more. If there is a problem and your stuck on the 10 in 120 degree heat, diesel AC will always blow cold. I have a Cummins and I am literally getting the same mileage towing my little 21 day cruiser or not. I also have the same power when I pass someone. I am 100% biased though.
 

RitcheyRch

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Must not be that bad as you sure see a bunch of these out on the highway pulling all sorts of trailers. I know some have had issues with them and have a friend that hads gone through a few engines on his and Ford bought it back. Not sure what really happened with it and he had a huge lift and big tires on it which may or may not have had an influence on the engine replacements.

My guess is with the larger tires, wheels and lift that the engine was constantly in boost.
 
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CLdrinker

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Ever owned a ecoboost?


Ever owned one?


Name another engine that doesn’t blow up? You can’t they all do.

I have 120k on mine and don’t have any of those problems, in fact I don’t know any one who does

I have ever owned a EcoBoost? No I test drove one and it was nice inside and was ready to buy it. Then I went and drove the Ram and the power felt as good or better than the EcoBoost. Ram wasn’t as nice inside but it was way cheaper close to 10k cheaper.
I bought the ram.
I was looking at buying an expedition last year with the EcoBoost but heard of to many problems with them. I honestly got scared and decided to go with the V6 Durango.

I was wanting to buy a Cummins this year but after hearing about fuel pump issues that made me look at gas 3/4tons. It was an easy choice to buy a gas 3/4 ton when I compared prices vs diesel.

I dont have to have the biggest and baddest and I’m a cheap fuck. So when I find something that will serve it’s purpose without greater risk for cheaper I base my decision according.

Lots of people have EcoBoost vehicles that have good luck with them. That’s great.

I’m a Chevy fan that owns 2 dodges lol. Don’t take it personal if someone talks bad about your brand.

They all suck in different ways.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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I know diesel cost more for maintenance and fuel and DEF, but I just like them! They also hold their value way more. If there is a problem and your stuck on the 10 in 120 degree heat, diesel AC will always blow cold. I have a Cummins and I am literally getting the same mileage towing my little 21 day cruiser or not. I also have the same power when I pass someone. I am 100% biased though.

The resale is more because it cost more to begin with. You’ll never recoup the extra cost in your fuel savings towing your boat unless you tow half a million miles.

When you aren’t towing, the half ton is way nicer to drive and cheaper to operate.

I haven’t even brought up registration and insurance cost savings of a half ton.

It is a free country, drive the truck you want, but if you tow less than 8000 lbs there is no need for a 3/4 ton or beyond truck, and your TCO will always be more than a half ton, even after you sell it.

Don’t tell me about mid 2000 diesels.. we are talking about modern new trucks. You can’t buy a Duramax for $42k like you could in 2006.
 
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QC22

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diesel AC will always blow cold
Not trying to pick a fight here, but whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis? Maybe something I don't know, but I can't see how the AC compressor knows what fuel is spinning it.
 

HCP3

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Not trying to pick a fight here, but whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis? Maybe something I don't know, but I can't see how the AC compressor knows what fuel is spinning it.

Low-RPM (idle) torque is my guess. RPM's will hold steady when the compressor kicks on.
 

QC22

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Low-RPM (idle) torque is my guess.
If the AC compressor doesn't slow the engine below idle, additional torque doesn't matter... any engine.

Edit: Sorry, this could go on forever.
 

HCP3

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If the AC compressor doesn't slow the engine below idle, additional torque doesn't matter... any engine.

Agreed. You caught me between an edit.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Not trying to pick a fight here, but whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis? Maybe something I don't know, but I can't see how the AC compressor knows what fuel is spinning it.

It’s not 1987 anymore.. every modern car and truck AC is cold without overheating. I just towed my boat across the 110 degree desert at 75+ MPH, truck froze me out.
 
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