Ford F150 5.0 vs eco...

[RollingsFarms]

Quick update. I had my dad over to help me put up 25 sheets of OSB and do some siding on a barn extension today and I drove his truck to lunch again.

To date it has average 17.2 mpg. Its a 2011 F-150 Super Crew 4x4 Eco Boost 4X4 with the 3.73 gears. His longest trip to date is about 55 to 70 miles, retired and does not go far. Average trip is 4/5 miles each way to town so about a 8/10 miles round trip. It also has factory remote start and he said he has used it just about every day this winter for a good 10 minutes in the garage. Yes, he opens the door first, but his garage is unattached so he keeps his second opener on the kitchen counter where he can see the garage door open then start the truck. Anyway, it has right at 10,600 miles on it now.

Chris

I always said remote start was useless.....until it came with my truck:laughing:

 

[jejeosborne]

I just drove mine today 200 miles towing a highwall popup camper that weighs 3400 lbs. I got 15.1 on this trip at 60-65 mph. I am now getting about 20 on the highway and 17.5 in town.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I just drove mine today 200 miles towing a highwall popup camper that weighs 3400 lbs. I got 15.1 on this trip at 60-65 mph. I am now getting about 20 on the highway and 17.5 in town.

That little camper is that heavy? I would have never guessed. I would have figured 1,500# ish.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

That little camper is that heavy? I would have never guessed. I would have figured 1,500# ish.
Chris

Yeah, the dry weight of that trailer is around 1000-1500lbs. 3400lbs is the GVWR, the max weight you can have on that axle and frame.
15 mpg is typical of any 1/2 ton truck with something like that with practically no wind drag. The empty fuel mileage of that truck is impressive but the towing mileage is not as I expected.

 

[High Compression]

not possible. your losing probably 30-35 percent horsepower through that drive train. Figure that and the weight of the truck, its not possible in 4wd on drive pavement especially with 373 gears. Video would make me eat my words though. I dont see that being remotely possible though.

Agreed. Especially without catastrophic drive line failure.

 

[jejeosborne]

Yeah, the dry weight of that trailer is around 1000-1500lbs. 3400lbs is the GVWR, the max weight you can have on that axle and frame.
15 mpg is typical of any 1/2 ton truck with something like that with practically no wind drag. The empty fuel mileage of that truck is impressive but the towing mileage is not as I expected.

Glad you don't know anything about my trailer. I took it last year to the landfill to weigh it before I convert it to a toy hauler. It weighs 3460 lbs with my camping gear in it (all that gear is in there still). It is the high wall series and will not fit into my 7' garage door plus it is 20' long from ball to bumper. I have it at my dads machine shop now adding 6' to the front to haul three dirt bikes on the front. I am having to upgrade to a 5200 lb axle because this one is already maxed out. Stock tires were only load range c which scares me.

Oh yeah, my dodge Dakota with a 4.7 liter got 12 mpg towing this same trailer.

Here is my scale readings and a picture from today midway on my modification. The tongue and axle weights don't equal the total weight because the scale rounds to the nearest 20 lb.

 

[Dmace]

Glad you don't know anything about my trailer.

You would be surprised how many people look at that GVWR and think that's the actual weight. My numbers are pretty close to being right, your empty weight on a stock trailer is still around 1500lbs and your GVWR is 3770 where I figured around 3400. Still not impressed, as I stated any 1/2 ton V8 truck will produce the same numbers. I would love to see some mpg numbers of these eco-boost trucks pulling a travel trailer with actual drag.

 

[Storm56]

A few updates and opinions on the Ram vs the Avelanche that I traded.

The carpeting was plusher in the Ave. I believe that the Ave had better feel in the steering dept. Even though the Ram has a 6 speed tranny I liked the 4 speed in the Ave better. It kind of seems like the gaps in the lower 3 gears of the Ram are too far apart while you hardly notice the shifts in the top 3.

The Ram rides better and that is a compliment as the Ave was an excellent riding vehicle. The Ram is quieter at speed. I am getting lots of positive comments on the Ram, it is a sharp vehicle. It does not seem to want to go in 4wd low range without backing uo, but it is new and may need to loosen up a bit. I am loving the backup camera for hooking uo my boat! The Ram turns tighter.

Overall quite happy with it at this point.

Fuel mileage, at 55-60 on the highway it can get 20+, at 65-70 drops to about 19. Rural driving seems to net about 17. Towing my 17 foot Ranger bass boat to the local lakes seems to be about 13.5, I believe if I were just highway driving it would probably be about 1 mpg more.

 

[jcmseven]

My father just got a an F150 with the Ecoboost. It is a 2wd truck with the 3.55 limited slip rear diff and has about 1200 miles on it (300 of which were put on the truck during dealer to dealer transport. My dad does almost all highway driving. He is on his third tank and is getting about 19 mpg in mostly highway driving. That is exactly what I get in my GMC 2500 diesel most times in a similar driving cycle (more hilly). Last week I pulled my 2320 JD tractor to my aunt's (85 mile round trip) to do some landscaping work for her. I used my dad's truck. To test it out I topped it off with fuel. The load was around 4500# total and the truck got 11 pulling it, based on hand calculation/refill--the computer said 11.4. I was easy on the road (highway most of the trip) and did not gun it aside from merging once. The truck handled the load fine, but the towing mileage was nothing to cheer about. I have experienced with newer engines, especially gasoline ones, very little improvement in mileage with "break-in" and wonder aloud whether this is a phenomenon of the past. My dad's dealer, who is also a long time family friend, is using the 5.0L as a demonstrator and reports to get about 16-17 in mixed driving unloaded. His is 4wd. He has not towed yet. My impressions:

1. The Ecoboost is a really powerful gas engine, and runs very well. A good pulling engine for a gasoline powerplant.
2. The 5.0 L will likely get within 1-2 mpg of the Ecoboost in mixed driving unloaded, and perhaps the same or better towing.
3. One must be careful what axle ratio he chooses for the truck. I suspect the 3.55 is the choice for most with the Ecoboost that mainly drive and occasionally tow. Ford has snuck some 3.15 ratios or 3.31 ratios out there in trucks in an attempt to have people buy a truck that gets the best mileage but is geared inappropriately for mixed work. Be careful!!
4. Again, it all boils down to which powerplant makes one feel more comfortable and happy. The mileage difference likely is so small over time the cost difference would be tiny relative to the cost of the truck itself. I view the Ecoboost owner as one who wants a torquey powerplant that can pull heavy loads well and do repeated stop and go driving when loaded. I view the 5.0L owner as everyone else. The 5.0 is a good engine and worth alternative consideration. So far, our Ecoboost has gotten a little less mileage than expected, and my dad is a pretty conservative driver.

John M

 

[Diamondpilot]

Glad you don't know anything about my trailer. I took it last year to the landfill to weigh it before I convert it to a toy hauler. It weighs 3460 lbs with my camping gear in it (all that gear is in there still). It is the high wall series and will not fit into my 7' garage door plus it is 20' long from ball to bumper. I have it at my dads machine shop now adding 6' to the front to haul three dirt bikes on the front. I am having to upgrade to a 5200 lb axle because this one is already maxed out. Stock tires were only load range c which scares me.

Oh yeah, my dodge Dakota with a 4.7 liter got 12 mpg towing this same trailer.

Here is my scale readings and a picture from today midway on my modification. The tongue and axle weights don't equal the total weight because the scale rounds to the nearest 20 lb.

Cant wait to see it done. It will be a neat ride all customized like that. I see a guy around here with a BP dump trailer that has a Bob Cat on the extended tongue like what you are doing with the spot for your dirt bikes.

Its way heavier than i would have though but now that I look again its not your average pop up camper. Its much taller when you compare it to your Ford.

Chris