Any of you guys pulling with a new F150?

Misterbulbous · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:12 am

My 2002 explorer is beyond hope for pulling my boat. With 200K miles and several transmission issues, I gotta find a replacement. Thinking about the ecoboost F150, but interested in responses or opinions from anyone who may happen to have one.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:35 am

I've been tinkering with boosted cars (turbocharged) my whole life.

Do not tow with a non diesel turbocharged anything. Diesel's do not have throttle bodies that open close hundreds of times per hour blocking airflow that put's stress on the turbo's seals and bearings. When you let off the throttle when in boost on a gas engine, the air gets backed up and puts pressure on the spinning turbo causing it to sometimes go backwards. There's valves that try to prevent that but it's not perfect. Towing will always put the turbo in a positive boost state, and you with the foot will always put stress on it from the throttle body. Turbo life will be only 3-5 years tops, and they're $2000 each not including labor.

You will need to run 93 octane minimum, and I would install a "turbo timer" to let the truck cool down and idle down... letting you walk away with the keys. If no cool down is given to the truck when stopped, the timing maps on the Ecoboost get much more mild... stealing your horsepowers.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:28 am

I've got two friends who have bought Ecoboosts in the last few months. They don't have much towing experience yet, but the early reviews are "awesome" power-wise. In both cases they replaced F150's with 5.4's and they both feel the power of the Ecoboost blows it away. The long term reliability is always the question, but an Ecoboost ought to tow your boat like it's not even there. Changing from an '02 Exploder to an F150-Anything will be a huge improvement for you.

Harry · **Joined:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:17 am **Posts:** 5

I've driven both the new ecoboost and the now standard 5.0 F-150. Frankly the premium on the ecoboost just ain't worth it. Add to that the dealers don't budge a whole lot on the prices due to the jacked up demand and you'll find little to justify saving 1 mpg and a few more horses.

The win is the new electronic locking RE and anti sway. Standard on Lariats with the T&T package. That by itself more than blows your explorer away.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:41 pm

The Ecoboost will have tons more get up and go then the standard V8 in the short term... but turbo technology is not new by any means. There is no such thing as long term reliability and turbocharged gasoline engines. Sell it before the extended warranty ends (and make sure it covers turbo replacement).

Misterbulbous · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:49 pm

Good points by all. It just sucks (in a way), that I have to buy a tow vehicle just to go boating! Unfortunately, I don't live on a lake (here in Kentucky).

ric · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:01 pm

Misterbulbous wrote:

Good points by all. It just sucks (in a way), that I have to buy a tow vehicle just to go boating! Unfortunately, I don't live on a lake (here in Kentucky).

You can't rent dock space on a lake? They do that all over here in Florida. Check Craigslist, there's always people renting out their dock to people. If you catch a good one, people here even have covered docks with lifts for rent.

jacknbella · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:40 pm

Just pulled my H220 last weekend for the 1st time with my 2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost and it was like night and day better than my 2010 Ford F150 5.4L. Unbelievable power with plenty left in the throttle too. MPG's were around 11-12 but who freakin cares!!! I was passing people on the interstate for darn sake!!! Who does that with a boat this big and heavy? I do!!!

Get yourself an EB and never look back...never ever look back...

My two cents...

Paul I. · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:12 pm

If it helps, I have a F-150 2010 with a 5.4L engine with the 3.73 rear end (which makes all the difference TOO). I am towing a V258, so total wight is about 8,000 lbs if not more. with no problems. Next year the lease is up, so we will see if the Ecoboost is the right choice for me.

Have you gone to Ford's web site & seen the video on it?

Misterbulbous · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:26 pm

ric wrote:

Misterbulbous wrote:

Good points by all. It just sucks (in a way), that I have to buy a tow vehicle just to go boating! Unfortunately, I don't live on a lake (here in Kentucky).

You can't rent dock space on a lake? They do that all over here in Florida. Check Craigslist, there's always people renting out their dock to people. If you catch a good one, people here even have covered docks with lifts for rent.

Yeah Ric, I used to live about a mile from Lake James up in Angola, Indiana. I kept my boat at a rented slip, but that was where I could go take care of it every day, keep it clean, ropes adjusted, etc...I'd LOVE to keep my boat down at Lake Norris or Dale Hollow, but it's just a little too far and my work keeps me on some of the weekends. Money issue as well...

Misterbulbous · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:28 pm

Paul I. wrote:

If it helps, I have a F-150 2010 with a 5.4L engine with the 3.73 rear end (which makes all the difference TOO). I am towing a V258, so total wight is about 8,000 lbs if not more. with no problems. Next year the lease is up, so we will see if the Ecoboost is the right choice for me.

Have you gone to Ford's web site & seen the video on it?

Yeah, I've been doing a little research. I'm born into the ford generation, as my grandfather and father both worked at the engine plant in cleveland...

Flying Sushi · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:33 am

I have a friend who tows his 7200lb race car hauler with 2010 Eco Boost F150 (Crew Cab) and happy for last few years… He claims Waste Gate of Turbo is working effectively and do not see too much concern… Ford has replaced 3 times on my old truck with 6.0 PSD (luckily it is a warrantee items) but Eco Boost sounds very reliable. (Ford must learned lesson from 6.0 and 6.4 PSD end) Only know issue has been very small case of misfiring and axel twist….. There are so many Eco Boost truck out there already and I would say it is a decent product…

jacknbella · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:30 am

Ecobooost was not available on 2010 F150's...just wanted to correct you in case anyone is looking for a used EB truck... Correct me if I am wrong though, late model 2010 Ford Taurus' had the 3.5L EB in them though...

Flying Sushi · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:28 pm

Quote:

Ecobooost was not available on 2010 F150's.

Oups!.... You are correct... He has a 2011 model purchased in 2010.... Same time I bought a 2011 6.7PSD F-350......

pete2833 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 16, 2012 4:07 pm **Posts:** 32

I just bought a 2012 Ford F150 Ecoboost. Great truck so far. Only 500 miles Great power and 20mpg's on the interstate. Haven't towed yet but will tow all of my stuff with ease. I will let you know how it does when I go to Michigan on May 14 to pick up my H180!!!!

www.iFourWinns.com

Any of you guys pulling with a new F150?

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