Veloce Raptor

Screw the 5.0. Get the 6.2....

Evan Fullerton

A buddy of mine uses his Raptor to tow his Off Road race car around. That 6.2L motor is a beast and allows for wonderful burnouts and brisk acceleration even while towing 5000lb but it is a gas hog. Unladen combine mileage under 12mpg and we got 6-7mpg towing 5000lb to Vegas and back. Granted if one tried and towed a little slower mileage would probably have been better but it is tough to do when the truck is just so darn fast and sounds amazing.

67King

It isn't that simple. If you look at ISAC (Indicated Specific Air Consumption - a measure of how efficient combustion is) across a speed load map, you'll see they are all over the place. The 3.5L has a bit lower compression, which raises its ISAC (lower is better) from the onset. Now I agree wiht you about turbos (4 of my 6 vehicles have them, and 4 of the last 6 prior ones I have had were forced induction), but the issue with a small displacement turbocharged engine in a big heavy vehicle is that they will be working much more than a car. That will do two more things that hurt ISAC - first, it heat soaks the intercoolers, which will raise your air charge temperature. Second, it will put the engine in a state where it is constantly detonation limited, which causes the PCM to pull timing to make the engine survive, which kills ISAC. Finally, it causes BSFC (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) to increase (lower is better) because the cats will be constantly overworked, meaning teh PCM will have to dump fuel to lower EGT's to protect them. ON edit - turbo strategies also often dump excess fuel under heavy loading to get a bit more charge cooling to protect against detonation, which hurts economy further.

Guys on ski boat forums are getting around 9 in these things (probably 5500# trailers). I read some report that had a heavier load where a guy got 7. I've gotten 18 in a 2007 F-150 with a 5.4L (much inferior to the 5.0L) towing my 67 GTO on a steel trailer. My father-in-law gets I think 15 towing his 944 on the same steel trailer with the same truck.

Most of the 944 guys I talk to indicate the S2 is significantly better on track as far as fuel consumption than the turbos. Probably for similar reasons.

M758

So why do I get 8 mph with 8.0L V10? I tow at 2000 rpm... with the motor taking it easy.

400lbs of torque takes alot of fuel run. Years ago I towed with 4.0L Jeep Cherokee. That got 19 mpg empty and 12-13 mpg towing an open steel trailer. Barely could manage, but there it was. I towed the same trailer and a same stuff with 8.0L V10 and got 10-11 mpg. Of course that did not break a sweat.

BTW.. . 9 mpg with 5500lbs ski boat is due to leadfoot problems.


here is nice tow test using F150 over a long range towing 9000lbs trailer.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/04...-6-part-1.html

67King

FMEP. Your 8.0L produces a lot of friction. Plus it also has a 2V chamber with the plug not centralized and lower CR. Those add up to lower ISAC.

Your 4.0L Cherokee was probably turning a whole lot more RPM than your 8.0L, producing a whole lot more friction, which increases exponentially with RPM. Plus it was getting hot, reducing your ISAC.

I've seen teh report before. Wish they would have reported 5.0L fuel economy numbers. Not sure why, but it seems that everyone who tows with an Ecoboost has a lead foot. Haven't seen any reports of anyone towing with one who gets even fair mileage. But people sure do love them!

Jim Child

Wow. That's surprising. I have a 2006 F-150 with the 5.4L, and the best I can do towing my 968 on an open steel trailer is 13.5 mpg. That's on the highway between 70 and 75 mph over relatively flat terrain.

67King

This was all highway from Michigan to Tennessee, but I turned off teh cruise control, as it is way too fast to downshift. Funny thing is, on the way up there with teh trailer empty, I didn't do that, and got about 16. Current truck has a manual tranny!

Jim Child

I do usually run with the CC on, and agree that it probably consumes more gas.

M758

I am interested in one, but not for the mileage towing. I get 8 mpg now and can live with that towing heavy, but on occasion. I just need a truck that can handle the load. Motor is enough, tow rating is enough, but untill they come out with 8200 GVW 7 lug F150 with super crew and 6.5 bed I don't know I can get one. I need more than 1800lbs payload.

The other thing I need is 22 mpg hwy. I can't stand a 12-13 mpg daily driver with 80 round trip drive. Even 22 mpg is not great.

BTW... diesels can work, but at 50k are just too expensive and I would still have an issue getting over 22 mph hwy. 35k is a rip off too, but at least somewhat better.

Anyway my point is I am not shocked the 3.5L gets 8-10 mpg towing 7000-9000lbs. That what happens with a 6.5 to 7.0L motor (assuming 14 psi boost). The truck seems to best suit needs for towing heavy, but not terribly often. Strong milage during the week and enough to a nice big RV 8-12 times a year.

The 5.0L is good for towing moderate loads more frequently. If you are going to tow 5000lbs every 3 days it maybe better. 9 times out of 10 the 3.5L turbo will out drag or out tow a 5.0L, but unless you need the extra capacity it may not help.

ltusler

I'd go for the F150 super cab, but be sure it has the full tow package. The 36 gallon tank is a pain to fill, but I can get to BIR, drive around all weekend and get home on less than a tank. I also get to Road America, drive around a bunch and fill for the trip back.

Leigh2

I have a 2011 F150 4 X 4 Ecoboost...very comfortable truck and tows really well. Just came back from a 2100 mile round trip, towed 6000 lbs first half @ 10.4 MPG and no trailer on the way back @ 17MPG, 70 to 80 MPH the whole way...through the mountains. Lots of power, quiet and comfortable.

RickBetterley

I should add that my F-250 gets 16-17 mpg highway without trailer, 9 mpg with trailer

M758

Rear end ratio?

GT3 Nut

I agree and thats what I got. A 2011 F150 Supercrew.
Gas mileage is about 13 around town.
I have only towed an 18' enclosed with 2 track bikes and some misc stuff. Total weight was probably about 5,500 pounds max. I had the weight distribution hitch on and it towed really nice.
I didnt pay attention to the fuel mileage though since it was a relatively short trip. Sorry I cant help on that.
But I will say this is the first new Ford I have bought in quite some time. I have been a die hard GM guy. This truck is really great so far. Time will tell if I will be a Ford guy. My company fleet is primarily GM - 8 GM Vans and 2 GM Trucks with only 2 Fords (mine and a 2010 F150 with the 5.4).
So far I am very impressed with the quality of the 2 F150's.
My truck is my daily driver and it rides very nice. And those air conditioned seats........just awesome.

Leigh2

3.73