Grandson is thinking about another truck. Towing would typically consist of a 14 foot landscaping trailer with a John Deere 3025 tractor, loader and finish mower.

I don't follow Fords so I don't have any knowledge. I guess the main questions would be:

1) Is the 3.5 up to the task? I would expect he'll want to tow that load 2-3 times a month minimum, perhaps more often.
2) Is it going to get better mileage doing it than the 5.x V8
3) Is one better than the other (3.5 vs. V8) in terms of reliability?

I’d shy away from the first generation 3.5 Ecoboost due to reported reliability issues but I never had issues with mine when I had it.

It has great torque for pulling that type trailer if you stay under the trucks payload and tow ratings.

Not sure on the mileage while towing for the 3.5, but my truck (2018/5.0/4x4/3.55 rear) on 35" tires averages 16 and change in daily driving (no highway), and 15ish a couple of weeks ago when towing a utility trailer loaded with mulch. The 3.5 Ecoboost is actually rated to tow more than the 5.0 V8. I think my truck is rated to tow 10,500 or so and the 3.5 can get just over 13,000.

I went with the 5.0 because I plan to keep this truck for a long time, and not having to deal with turbos seemed like a better plan for longevity. I have seen quite a few people who have 200k plus on the Ecoboost with no problems though. The Ecoboost has a ton of torque early on. The 5.0 is no slouch, but it does pull noticeably harder up top than it does down low.

I have a 2018 with the 5.0 and I LOVE it. I've towed 9k with it no problem. I also drove the big ecoboost, and liked the "feel" of the v8 better. I understand that the eco is higher rated, but it didn't feel as solid on power to me as the v8 does. The numbers, of course, tell a different story, and I don't think you can go wrong with either of them.

DrDan has a 2019 or 2020 150 with the big ecoboost and tow package. Maybe he'll be along to comment.

I friend has a 2015 or 2016 with the small ecoboost, and he has had no problems, can tow 8k or so, gets good mileage, and it moves out when you ask. He pulls a double horse trailer or a landscaping trailer with a John Deere 3032 tractor without issue.

I had an F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost and towed a 28 foot travel trailer with it. The thing towed with no issue at all except I got about 9 MPG when towing.

If I kept my foot out of it, I could get 22 MPG on the hiway without a trailer.

It can get good mileage if you take it easy and drive like an old lady.

The tractor and loader should be just under 3000 lbs. The mower which you did not specify maybe another 500 lbs. plus the weight of the trailer. Either engine should pull this fine. I have no knowledge on Ford engine reliability but the weight should help someone who does.

The 3.5 is a hoss and gets killer gas mileage. My uncle uses it for his lawn business pulling a 20' trailer with his equipment. He did get a 2015 brand new that was a total lemon. Shoddy composite oil pans combined with a warped block from the factory. After a year of struggling with the dealer, they replaced it with a 2016.

The 3.5 is the most powerful motor Ford offers Ford towing in the F-150 (need it to get the highest tow rating).

That being said, the 5.0 V8 would be just fine too for that kind of load (the 2.7 Ecoboost could easily handle it too).

There are videos on youtube where the Ford dealer sales rep asks the Ford Techs in his shop what motor they would get if buying a new F-150, almost all said the 5.0 V8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...nel=TownandCountryTV

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sigarms229,

I've had 3 F-150 XLTs with the tow package and the 3.5 Ecoboost. They were all towing monsters and I would take them over the V8 any day.

I towed car trailers, horse trailers, landscape trailers, and all manner of bullshit with them. They have an appreciable difference in torque and an added bonus is sounding like a turbine when the turbos spool up. Having a built-in gain controller was awesome too. The furthest I towed anything was an 17 foot double axle trailer loaded heavy from Cleveland to Phoenix and back. Mileage was in the high teens. Also towed a Rav 4 on a four wheels up trailer from Savannah to Pittsburgh, no issues at all going up and over the Appalachians in West Virginia.

It's my personal view that any newer vehicle you buy today is going to be complicated as shit, turbos or not. To not buy a vehicle because of a belief that the V8 is somehow simpler is disingenuous. I had two 5.4 F-150s. The cam phasers went bad on both, spark plugs broke on one.

I had a 2016 XLT 2wd, Crew Cab short bed, with the 2.7 EcoBoost. It had no problem towing a 7x12 cargo trailer (Though it was like pulling a parachute & got about 9mpg doing it).
Never had a drivetrain issue with the truck in the 36k I put on it.

My mom has a 2011 Lariat 4x4, crew cab long bed, with the 3.5 EcoBoost. Well over 100k miles on hers & she was regularly towing a horse trailer (with a living quarters, I believe) without any major issues.

My brother had an eco boost and hated it. All the cons of a v8 with none of the power or benefits.

If it matters at all there is nothing ECO about Ecoboost engines. I get 16 mpg in my car that has the 2.7TT engine in it. It's all city driving and short trips (work is 5.3mi away and dozens of shopping centers within 5mi). It will do low 20's on road trips though. Don't let the name fool you.

I know this isn't a factor for purchasing, but with a tune the 3.5TT is an absolute beast and would destroy mustang made before 2014 at the track.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
If it matters at all there is nothing ECO about Ecoboost engines. I get 16 mpg in my car that has the 2.7TT engine in it. It's all city driving and short trips (work is 5.3mi away and dozens of shopping centers within 5mi). It will do low 20's on road trips though. Don't let the name fool you.

Since you're mentioning ecoboost engines in general, I'm going to have to disagree.

I've got a Ford Ranger with an Ecoboost. In its first tankfull of gas I did 50% city driving and 50% freeway at around 80 MPH. I got 25 MPG and this was on a car that's not even broken in, it's only got around 500 miles on it now.

And I have fairly extensive experience driving a 1968 Bronco with the V8 289 engine and my current ranger is substantially faster. Not just a little, but a lot. The 1968 got around 18 MPG.

Like others have said they will both do the job just fine.

Don't expect the EcoBoost to get even decent fuel mileage. They do terrible mileage pulling any weight because you are always into boost.

I don't know where you live but if you live at a higher elevation the turbo would do better.

To add to the Eco bits.
In my 2.7TT F150, I averaged between 19-21mpg commuting, about 50/50 city/hwy.
Best I ever did was about 25mpg between Albuquerque & Houston.

I have a 2012 F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I occasionally tow my 8000 pound wood chipper with it with no problem. It pulls stronger than my F250 with a 5.4. The trailer and load you mentioned can be easily towed with any F150.

I have said it before. The 5.0. I got a chuckle out of the shop mechanics choice overwhelmingly

I have a PowerBoost (3.5L Ecoboost/electric Hybrid) with 3.73 gears, and I can tell you at highway speeds unloaded the mileage is around 20 (sticker suggests 24). If it is in the boost, it is using a lot of fuel.

My neighbor has a 5.0L and he is getting better mileage than I am on the highway. I’m getting around 24-25 around town.

I have had a 2012 and now a 2018 with the 3.5 and not an issue to speak about. If I was towing anything I would not hesitate to get the eco boost. When I tow the boat it rarely has to downshift as the torque and power is at low RPM. The v8 will likely have to downshift and increase RPMs on hills. My buddy has a Denali with the 6.2 v8 and an F150 with the 3.5. He much prefers towing with the eco boost. With that small load, either motor is quite capable, so I would get whatever has a better deal.