F150 buying (toy puller) or something else?

Slacker

Slacker

Liquor and Whores...
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
4,014
Location
Mebane NC / Durham NC
Rating - 100%
32   0   0
Looking into a newer F150 4x4.
This will tow lighter loads on the weekends, and be my primary Transportation. Looking for recommendations on what engine/tranny/axle ratio to look for vs what to avoid. Never owed a turbo before, would like to avoid it if I can.

Definitely not wanting auto start/stop.
Needs to split the difference between a toy tow vehicle and a DD.

I'm open to other choices except Dodge.
If one of the smaller pickups like the Colorado or Ranger will do the job, that's also a possibility but Im leaning towards a full size.
 
I think the auto start-stop came standard after 2017, but I’m told you can turn it off. Mine is a 2017 and doesn’t have it.

I love my 5.0 a lot, but the turbocharged V6 has as much horsepower and more torque.
 
Slacker said:
Im looking at 2016 and newer, 30k ish miles. Crew or extended cab. Tow package.
Click to expand...

Well you got plenty. Ford with the 5.0, Too many issues with turbo maintenance for my liking. If your pulling anything super heavy I would go with the best mpg gearing you can findoffer. If Biden does win the gas go back to 3-4 a gallon.Sounds like it will be used as a DD 5 to 6 times as much
 
Last edited:
I have the 3.3L for work and it sucks. Can’t get out of its own way...almost like they govern the damn thing’s acceleration. I believe the 2.6L eco boost is better, or the V8. Insult to injury is I only get 14.5MPG around town. Sacrifice engine size for what?!?!?

I don’t believe you can NOT order the auto stop/start, as annoying as that is. Just develop a twitch, like me, every time you start the vehicle. Mash the button for “off.”

Otherwise it’s an OK truck. Lot’s of room in the back in the crew cab model.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
Push one button on the dash...down side you have to do it every time.
Click to expand...
9outof10mms said:
I don’t believe you can NOT order the auto stop/start, as annoying as that is. Just develop a twitch, like me, every time you start the vehicle. Mash the button for “off.”
Click to expand...

Not an option, it's there to up the mpg. Active as soon as the wheels stop. Ugh... It should have a 3 second delay.

Good part is you can hit the button every time you start.

Best part is you can get a $40 in line harness. 15min to install. No more start/stop. Bought one 8 months ago, best $40 spent yet.
 
Majicmike said:
Well you got plenty. Ford with the 5.0, Too many issues with turbo maintenance for my liking. If your pulling anything super heavy I would go with the best mpg gearing you can findoffer. If Biden does win the gas go back to 3-4 a gallon.Sounds like it will be used as a DD 5 to 6 times as much
Click to expand...

I have a company truck so DD isn't a huge issue. I do plan on 500 mile trips towing light loads (toys) and local trips after work.
I think lower axle gearing with a 10 speed tranny may fit the job. Mountain towing is in my future.
My current tow rig is a 2001 2500HD 4X4.
I no longer need that much truck, and the mileage is a killer. It's at 168k miles and has been well maintained. I just can't see myself taking it to the mountains with my GF.
Fuel cost and high mileage.

I like the sound of the 5.0 and 10 speed tranny with lower gear ratio.
Any immediate downsides to that combo?
Hard to find? Expensive? Crap milage?
 
Last edited:
What kind of toys are you talking about. ATV or side by side or something larger like a camper. I have a 2016 5.0, 4x4 with the tow package that has 3.73 gears. I average around 16mpg empty and averaged 12 pulling my boat from Siler City to Wilkesboro this past weekend. If you are pulling atvs the combo you mentioned will be fine. Something larger like a camper you would need to check specs to make sure the truck can safely handle the load.
 
I know people who have the 5.0 and love it. I know people who have the two turbo 3.5 and love it. I personally would not be scared of either.
I do know that the 3.5 will not get the mileage advertised unless you really learn how to drive it and drive it like you want mileage. The 5.0 is similar but not as sensitive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Slacker said:
I have a company truck so DD isn't a huge issue. I do plan on 500 mile trips towing light loads (toys) and local trips after work.
I think lower axle gearing with a 10 speed tranny may fit the job. Mountain towing is in my future.
My current tow rig is a 2001 2500HD 4X4.
I no longer need that much truck, and the mileage is a killer. It's at 168k miles and has been well maintained. I just can't see myself taking it to the mountains with my GF.
Fuel cost and high mileage.

I like the sound of the 5.0 and 10 speed tranny with lower gear ratio.
Any immediate downsides to that combo?
Hard to find? Expensive? Crap milage?
Click to expand...
Well since you mentioned it, is that 2500 a crew cab? If you're buying a new truck that means you're offering a good deal on your current one right?

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
 
I got the 2.7 in a crew cab. Can tow 10k and the engine is not the limiting factor. I mainly tow a dump trailer with equipment or material.

64k miles on it, no issues. Got 25mpg back and forth to Raleigh on Saturday at 5 above the speed limit.

The 5.0, 3.5, 2.7 engines are vastly different. The 3.5 NA is the same as the 3.5 EB, but no turbos.
 
We have a ton of these F150/F350's at work. By far, the 5.0 is the engine to get in the F150. I have that in mine and average 19 mpg, the same as what the guys with the other engines average. The 5.0 has a proven track record. You can disconnect one connection by the parking brake to disable the turn off at the light "feature". Just put it back in if you tow. By 2019 Bluetooth seems to be standard but some trucks even in 2018 don't have it. I would buy my own new F150 if I did not already get to drive one for free at work.
There is a YouTube video on this exact question. They asked ten Ford mechanics what engine to get in the F150, 9 said the 5.0. 1 said the eco boost.
 
Last edited:
15' - 17' 5.0 with 6 speed auto look for atleast 3.55 gear, preferably 3.73 gears and tow package.

18' and newer 5.0 trucks get more power, and the 10 speed auto. With that transmission, 3.55 gear is equilivent to a 6 speed truck with 3.73 gear. Auto start stop is easily disabled.

We have a F250 with the 6.2 V8 / 6 speed auto at work. I have a 5.0 / 10 speed. While the trucks are rated for about the same hp / tq, the 5.0 / 10 speed delivers power to the ground smoother and will walk away from the 6.2 truck. The coyote motors with 10 speed are impressive.
 
Last edited:
Ryan, how much weight do you plan to tow? Our diesel crew cab 4wd canyon gets 31mpg on the highway And 27+ around town. It’s rated for towing up to 7,700 lbs.

Acceleration won’t throw you back in the seat, but personally I’ll take that compromise for the 31 mpg.
 
Scsmith42 said:
Ryan, how much weight do you plan to tow? Our diesel crew cab 4wd canyon gets 31mpg on the highway And 27+ around town. It’s rated for towing up to 7,700 lbs.

Acceleration won’t throw you back in the seat, but personally I’ll take that compromise for the 31 mpg.
Click to expand...

Not sure I want to spend diesel money. I'm just towing side-by-side jet skis the occasional trailer full of wood or crap.
 
DirtySCREW is a 2017 crew cab with the 5.0.
2018s were on the lot when I bought...but I specifically bought my truck because I didn't want to have to disable the start/stop feature.....I didn't even want it on my truck. Less to go wrong
I have the 3.55 gears and I've averaged 18 or 18.1 mpg for the life of my truck...19,450 miles as of now.
Truck rolls really good when u mash the accelerator.
Buy the 5.0 and don't look back!

DS
 
Last edited:
BatteryOaksBilly said:
Push one button on the dash...down side you have to do it every time.
Click to expand...

With FORSCAN software and the ELM USB adapter and a laptop you can disable that feature along with so many other options.
https://forscan.org/home.html
https://www.amazon.com/OHP-ELMconfig-Adapter-Compatible-Diagnostics/dp/B01F0GVBWY

From another forum...

Used BCM 726-48-02 x0xx xxxx xx on my 2017 F150 XLT 302a. Worked like a charm.
(You keep the existing value for each x in the above parameter for your vehicle)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...iVSlDFGFHnfeuhb3RTMVz95730/edit#gid=815852466

The code disables the function all together. You can press the switch and it lights up as off or again to back on, but it still doesn't allow the auto S/S to work. The symbol on the dash display shows with a line through it as if one of the parameters for it to work isn't available, but only when the button has be turned off and back on, as if it's trying to work
 
Last edited:
Ive never owned a ford but a co worker just bought a new 2020 edge off the lot fully loaded. Drove it for a weekend and the check engine light came on and the screen said something about a powertrain failure. She took it in and turns out the turbo had detached from the motor in some way. The tech told her that they have had lots of issues with the turbo models and recommended she trade it in for a version without the turbo.
 
Don't be afraid of the 3.5L turbo. They are becoming (if not already) the flagship engine on the F150's. They have more HP/Torque and the Torque actually comes on much lower then the V8's. I'm currently sitting on 170k on my '12 SCREW 3.5L. This was the first gen - so I would expect to have more issues, but its been pretty rock solid. I'm looking to get into a new truck within a year or two, and I'll be looking at the 3.5L or even the 2.7L (since I don't tow).
 
Been researching the hell out of newer F150s for months. I have a 97 F150 4.6 4WD with 178k on it now that is my trash/hunting truck. Also have a 2018 Mazda6 GT-Reserve (amazing and incredibly fun car to drive and still get 30+ mph avg) with only 9500 miles on it. Been working from home for a long time and thinking of replacing both with a newer F150.

From what I’ve read, the early 3.5 turbo had minor issues with the cam chains stretching (fixed in 2014 or 15 model, can’t remember which year) and valve-crud build-up due to the direct-injection and EGR (still an “issue” with the 3.5 and 2.7 EB but easily remedied with a catch-can setup).

3.5EB blows the 5.0 away in HP\tq but at the expense of fuel economy while towing as you’re always boosting when hauling a load. Fair trade-off for an extra nearly 100 lbs/ft of very usable torque IMO.
 
Last edited:
Slacker said:
I have a company truck so DD isn't a huge issue. I do plan on 500 mile trips towing light loads (toys) and local trips after work.
I think lower axle gearing with a 10 speed tranny may fit the job. Mountain towing is in my future.
My current tow rig is a 2001 2500HD 4X4.
I no longer need that much truck, and the mileage is a killer. It's at 168k miles and has been well maintained. I just can't see myself taking it to the mountains with my GF.
Fuel cost and high mileage.

I like the sound of the 5.0 and 10 speed tranny with lower gear ratio.
Any immediate downsides to that combo?
Hard to find? Expensive? Crap milage?
Click to expand...
I had 2 a '17 and a '18 with 3:73s and 10 speeds. 21-23 MPG.


NOW a word about Eco Boost. I have owned 4 of these. All were the bigger variant with from 365 to 400 HP.
These things can be Eco OR Boost...they ain't both. Believe me...you get to mashing that gas pedal they can get down to 11 MPG. You drive with an egg under the accelerator you can get 21MPG. It ain't Ever Both Eco And Boost.
 
Slacker said:
Looking into a newer F150 4x4.
This will tow lighter loads on the weekends, and be my primary Transportation. Looking for recommendations on what engine/tranny/axle ratio to look for vs what to avoid. Never owed a turbo before, would like to avoid it if I can.

Definitely not wanting auto start/stop.
Needs to split the difference between a toy tow vehicle and a DD.

I'm open to other choices except Dodge.
If one of the smaller pickups like the Colorado or Ranger will do the job, that's also a possibility but Im leaning towards a full size.
Click to expand...
My recommendation on the brand is out so I'll recommend this. You can never have too much truck. I would recommend steering away from the smaller trucks and just go with a full size.
 
Scsmith42 said:
Our diesel crew cab 4wd canyon gets 31mpg on the highway And 27+ around town.
Click to expand...

I like how he says "our". What he means is "the wife's, who sometimes lets me drive it".

It is a nice riding truck, so much more refined that my older 1500.
 
Slacker said:
Extended cab. 6.0 gasser
Click to expand...
I'm out then, need to have a crew cab.

With the deals manufacturers are offering now, I would go for a brand new truck rather than lightly used. This is the first time I have heard of Ford offering 0% on their trucks.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
 
GoWolfpack said:
With the deals manufacturers are offering now, I would go for a brand new truck rather than lightly used. This is the first time I have heard of Ford offering 0% on their trucks.
Click to expand...

^^^ When I was shopping for a used truck three years ago I finally gave up. Used truck prices on low miles, late models were just stupid. Ended up buying new.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
I had 2 a '17 and a '18 with 3:73s and 10 speeds. 21-23 MPG.


NOW a word about Eco Boost. I have owned 4 of these. All were the bigger variant with from 365 to 400 HP.
These things can be Eco OR Boost...they ain't both. Believe me...you get to mashing that gas pedal they can get down to 11 MPG. You drive with an egg under the accelerator you can get 21MPG. It ain't Ever Both Eco And Boost.
Click to expand...

Isn't funny how folks disregard physics and think they get some sort of "free lunch?"

As cool as the Ecoboost's power curve is, I think the relative simplicity of the natural aspirated 5.0 is hard to argue with.
 
I love my ‘16 F150 3.5 eco, mine has almost 70K on it and it still drives as good as the day I bought it; no issues at all They are very quick trucks and can tow a lot, but like @BatteryOaksBilly said they are either ECO or Boost, definitely not both. I can baby it and get 21MPHs or stomp on it and it goes WAY down. I just put some new tires on mine last weekend, went up a size so it will prob drop my MPGs a little.

9CBB3FE9-5FE1-490C-A694-8C5A1B5D147D.jpeg
 
DirtySCREW is the same color...but 4 doors.

Nice truck!

DS
 
I like that color and the 6 seat configuration.

It's got an e-locker too. Nice find!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom