Any experiences with 2011 Ford F150 V6 Ecoboost???

[shanngord]

'Ping sleeps under cover until March or April.

We are thinking of surprising her when she revives from her Sleeping Beauty rest with a new tow vehicle.

Searching the forum, we are probably going to look at the Toyota RAV4s or Highlander. My problem is that I would like a "real" 4 wheel drive.

Has anyone tried the Ford F150 V6 Ecoboost I am particularly interested in how much the fuel economy dips when pulling an Escape 17 or 19. Most of the small V6 SUVs take a big hit when towing... I am wondering if the truck gearing with the aprox. 300 hp would be more comparable to a V8 in fuel consumption while towing.

Any advice or insights would be welcome.

[gbaglo]

Not sure what you mean by 'real' four-wheel-drive, given that on the RAV4 you can push a switch to lock in the 4-wheel, if you need to. Rest of the time it decides for itself how power needs to be distributed to the wheels.

I'm not trying to sell you a RAV4, but remember, you have to park that F150, so you need to consider all the ways you will use the vehicle, unless you're just buying it for towing.

baglo

[shanngord]

The RAV4 is probably the vehicle of choice mostly because of fuel efficiency when not towing.

As someone who occasionally wanders well past where the pavement ends the comment about "real" four wheel drive was meant to mean a four wheel drive system with high and low range, locking differential, etc. How is the RAV4 chained up on all four wheels pushing snow with the bumper?

I have read all the posts in this forum regarding pros and cons of various tow vehicles. The one issue that I have with the RAV4 (and the other small SUVs) is the #3500 towing capacity. While this seems to be adequate for the Escape, I have a boat that I have to weigh before deciding whether to go up a size on the TV. The closest government weigh scale is 200 km (120 US miles) away and I'm too cheap to buy a trailer scale.

The Ford Ecoboost seems to be an option.

Gord

[gbaglo]

I've never been in the situation where I had to lock the 4X4.
As for snow, I'm counting on global warming.

Around 100-Mile parking isn't an issue and a pick-up is handy for hauling wood or moose.
As for the RAV4, I wish I had gotten the leather seats ( dog hairs stick in the fabric seats ) and the backup camera ( so I don't schmuk the spare tire that hangs off the back ).

baglo

[Paul S.]

I've got one of those!!!!!

23,000 trouble free km's so far. Our's is an FX4 crewcab longbox (6.5'). For 8 months of the year, every other weekend, we're out dirtbiking. So I needed a truck that could carry 4 people and 3 dirtbikes and tow our 17B (which is for sale. 19' on order!!!) I used to have a Tacoma that was adequate but the F150 is way more capable. It gets about the same or better mileage whether it's empty or towing as the Taco did but it's got waaaayyyy more power. The torque is just fantastic. It pulls very hard from 2000 - 3000 rpm so it never revs. Last summer we did western Colorado, Ouray and Silverton, and it never had any problems pulling up some very high passes. The Tacoma did the same route a few years ago but it had to work much harder.

Overall I love the truck. The only downside......it's a BIG truck. We also have a Jetta for driving around town.

[hippo]

Why don't you look at a American made Truck like the Toyota Tundra. What happened to the Fargo and Mercury pickup for Canadians those models may get better gas mileage towing Canadian built trailers.

[Paul S.]

F150's are made in Mexico Mine was assembled in Dearborn Michigan.

I looked at the Tundra but to get a cab that could hold 4 people comfortably meant having a box that was tiny. Plus, while the Tundra has a great motor, it can't compete with the low end torque of the Ecoboost or the decent fuel mileage it gets.

[shanngord]

Originally Posted by hippo

Why don't you look at a American made Truck like the Toyota Tundra instead of a truck made in Mexico.

I like Mexico

Originally Posted by Paul S.

I've got one of those!!!!!


Overall I love the truck. The only downside......it's a BIG truck. We also have a Jetta for driving around town.

Hi Paul S. : Thanks for posting this information.

One question: What is the difference in fuel economy towing the Escape vs. empty? The truck I am kinda looking at is a 2011 extended cab (not the 4 door) and is not much bigger than my present Dakota Quadcab. The Dakota with a small V8 gets about 21 mpg (imperial miles and gallons) empty and about 14 mpg (again imperial) towing my boat. I have not calculated mileage towing the Escape which should be better than towing the boat because my wife is riding shotgun when towing the Escape.

Gord

[shanngord]

Originally Posted by hippo

Why don't you look at a American made Truck like the Toyota Tundra instead of a truck made in Mexico.

I know to guys that own Tundras and love them when not towing. However, they both load heavy trailers once in a while for major trips and, according to them, get about 300 km (200 miles?) before needing to re-fuel. They have both told me that they would not get another Tundra for towing.

Gord

[Paul S.]

Empty I can easily get 21 mpg (Imp.) and, depending on conditions, have gotten 24 mpg. The trick is not driving too fast!!! Mileage drops pretty quickly at 120km/hr. Towing the trailer I usually see around 17 mpg. When I'm pulling the trailer I usually max out at 100km/hr so that would certainly contribute to the decent towing mileage.

The FX4 in 2011 was only available with a 3.73 rearend but the 2012 has a 3.55 option as well. I'd get the 3.55 if I was to order again. I'll be getting larger tires soon so that will offset the 3.73 rearend somewhat but there will be more rolling resistance so......!!!

[Vermilye]

My experience towing a 17B (weighed at just under 3000lbs loaded) with a 2010 RAV4 over around 20,000 miles is just under 15 MPG (US) towing on mostly secondary roads @ 55 - 60 MPH. On the few times I've towed in interstates, the average is just over 15 MPG towing at 60 MPH. All towing in 4th gear (no overdrive).

Unleashed, the RAV4 gets 24 MPG highway and around 22 driving around town. And I have had to lock in the 4 wheel drive once or twice! I think a big advantage of the F150 (in addition to the additional torque) is the additional ground clearance, and having an open bed for things like a generator, fuel, etc.

By the way, I have the "Sport" model - run flat tires and no spare on the door. BIG MISTAKE! tires at $1100 per set last 20K miles, the ride is very rough, they are useless on snow, and although I have never had to try it, who knows if you can really drive 100 miles on a flat. I ended up purchasing an additional rim & standard snow tires (which are a huge improvement), but finding a place for the spare is a pain. Now if you know anyone that wants to trade a Barcelona Red rear door that has a tire carrier for one that doesn't let me know!

[shanngord]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Unleashed, the RAV4 gets 24 MPG highway and around 22 driving around town. And I have had to lock in the 4 wheel drive once or twice! I think a big advantage of the F150 (in addition to the additional torque) is the additional ground clearance, and having an open bed for things like a generator, fuel, etc.

By the way, I have the "Sport" model - run flat tires and no spare on the door. BIG MISTAKE! tires at $1100 per set last 20K miles, the ride is very rough, they are useless on snow, and although I have never had to try it, who knows if you can really drive 100 miles on a flat. I ended up purchasing an additional rim & standard snow tires (which are a huge improvement), but finding a place for the spare is a pain. Now if you know anyone that wants to trade a Barcelona Red rear door that has a tire carrier for one that doesn't let me know!

Thanks for the information. When I went to look at the RAV4, the sales person tried selling me on the run-flat tires - "All the luxury car makers like Mercedes are going that way." The spare, or lack thereof, is a possible deal-breaker for me.

The thing I find kinda annoying on the new vehicle market is the Transport Canada and/or EPA fuel consumption ratings posted with the vehicles. I believe the RAV4 (V6) has a current rating of 37mpg (Imp) 30mpg (US) but drops by 20% as soon as real life kicks in. I'm wondering about the mileage estimates for the F150 Ecoboost (30mpg Imp?) if its just so much EcoBS.

My wife and I are still deciding. We will go with the RAV if we replace her car - the F150 Ecoboost if we decide to replace my truck.

The cargo area of the pick-up is useful for the non-camping cargo - like boat motors, gasoline, moose, etc.

Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for the input.

Gord

[Paul S.]

I think that the EPA or Transport Canada estimates are complete bs. The EPA recently changed how they acquire the info but it's still not "real world" although it's better that what Transport Canada does.
Also remember that the vehicle you buy may not be exactly what was tested. There would be a big difference in fuel mileage between an F150 XL supercab 4x2 with a 3.08 rearend and a Platinum crewcab long box 4x4 with a 3.73 rear gear (if these configurations are even available). There could be 1000lbs. weight difference alone between the trucks!!!!!

Cheers,

[J Mac]

The Ford Ranger has a towing cap. of near 6000 pounds with the automatic.
It comes with a tow package.
Optional 4X4.
Lots of room for storage if you get a canope.
Fits in the garage.
Mainly seats 2 adults but there is rear seating in a pinch for a pre-teen or a pet.
The milage seems to be about the average.

[Donna D.]

The MPG ratings are if you keep your foot of the pedel! I bet I get better fuel mileage than most. The idea of pulling a trailer at 70 mph gives me the willies. Slow down and smell the roses (or look at the scenery... you may NEVER pass this way again...)

[shanngord]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

The MPG ratings are if you keep your foot of the pedel! I bet I get better fuel mileage than most. The idea of pulling a trailer at 70 mph gives me the willies. Slow down and smell the roses (or look at the scenery... you may NEVER pass this way again...)

I probably get better fuel mileage than most as well.

My wife is quick to remind me if I exceed the posted speed limit by more than 5 mph :

Even though I tend to have a somewhat heavy foot when driving empty, I get the willies as well at the thought of towing anything at 70mph as well.

G

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by J Mac

The Ford Ranger has a towing cap. of near 6000 pounds with the automatic.
It comes with a tow package.
Optional 4X4.
Lots of room for storage if you get a canope.
Fits in the garage.
Mainly seats 2 adults but there is rear seating in a pinch for a pre-teen or a pet.
The milage seems to be about the average.

Are they still selling them in Canada? They are no longer available (2012) here in the US.

[hippo]

Some trailer tires have a speed rating printed on the tire. My Escape tires have a speed rating. Since it came from Canada the rating might not be the same as the US. We do not tow above 60 mph.

[escape artist]

Hi: All... Sorry to have to tell you but the Ranger is DEAD. As for EPA and Trans. Can. figures they're all gas!!! When was the last time you drove 60kph indoors on a level treadmill YMMV as Donna D says! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Garand]

No Ranger in the US?! I was startled to see this news. Apparently the 2012 Ranger is "up-sized" so it competes with the F-150.

We're not ready to buy yet, but the F-150 with the turbo V-6 (ECO boost) looks interesting. I will certainly wait a year or two before buying it, just to let the new engine get over any teething problems.

Dave