Is AWD/4WD Really a Requirement as a Tow Vehicle?

[SFDavis50]

I understand the AWD but an F 150 towing a trailer up a paved mountain pass is going to use 2 WD whether it is a 4 X 2 or 4 X 4. Therefore the difference in mileage is based on the weight and additional drag of the transfer case, additional height of the front end of the 4 X 4 truck and how much BOOST is getting produced by the Eco Boost engine. Since the highway difference is 2 mpg (1 mpg combined) I believe that the difference is going to be 3 or more mpg difference between the two drives. I regularly tow over mountain passes and am in the market for a 2019 F 150 so I am interested in this topic.
I'm also interested in whether the 2.7 EB which is plenty powerful enough to tow a 5.0 TA will be in a constant or higher boost mode than a 3.5 EB towing the same trailer but in a less constant or lower boost mode. I'd like to see them do an Ike Gauntlet comparison pulling a 5000 lb trailer and look at the mpg going from Denver to Grand Junction. Still, I may be the only one interested in it so it probably won't happen.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

Since the highway difference is 2 mpg (1 mpg combined) I believe that the difference is going to be 3 or more mpg difference between the two drives.

You're assuming that the 4X4 penalty increases when the power level increases - I don't. The drag penalty won't change (because it is speed and not power dependent), and a heavier trailer or cargo doesn't increase the energy requirement to raise (up a grade) or accelerate the mass of the 4WD components. Yes, high mass hurts more in stop-and-go and grade-climbing situations, but those are already accounted for in the usual tests.

Objective data would be good, but not likely to appear from any source with sufficient accuracy to be useful.

[Chotch]

Going up a very steep grade will tax any vehicle. Normally aspirated or turbocharged when you put the pedal to the metal your gas gauge is gonna fall faster. Mileage on my 2.7EB was not as good thru the Catskills mountains as it was driving around Florida. The twin turbos I think do a great job of making a small motor that can get 22 mpg not towing pull a 5000lb trailer up a mountain getting 13.5 mpg. Turbocharged motors don’t loose as much power at altitude either which if you have to do a lot of high altitude driving would be a good thing.😎

[cpaharley2008]

On my last 7000 tow mile trip to Osoyoos, I averaged 15 mpg over the entire trip, so sometimes I'm cruising at 17-19 mp, when going up the rockies it drops to 7-9 mpg and 99 mpg going down the hills with engine braking. I find wind impacts more than weight while towing, whereas with the smaller turbo engines. weight may impact more than the wind ?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

On my last 7000 tow mile trip to Osoyoos, I averaged 15 mpg over the entire trip, so sometimes I'm cruising at 17-19 mp, when going up the rockies it drops to 7-9 mpg and 99 mpg going down the hills with engine braking. I find wind impacts more than weight while towing, whereas with the smaller turbo engines. weight may impact more than the wind ?

I dunno. I don't have any personal stats to compare towing with a turbo and non turbo, but I suspect that wind will have a greater impact in either case. We've had as low as 9 mpg with a stout headwind, and as much as 21 mpg with a tailwind. Huge swing. Towing an extra few hundred lbs would probably only make a tiny difference.

[Chotch]

Wind or weight, either 1 increases you need more power, you use more gas. The turbo gets an advantage at altitude because the forced induction makes up for the lower atmospheric pressure.

[Iowa Dave]

Well, I now wish I hadn’t skipped school and Physics class to go rabbit hunting. I’m not mentally ready to tow without a full understanding of Newton’s first law and the formula for calculating wind drag:
F equals k times v squared which equals p times Cp times A all that divided by 2 and then multiplied by v squared. And then there’s Luck. Luck is going in any direction when there’s a tailwind that day and finding a gas station that hasn’t raised prices 6 days before the holiday, with a restroom acceptable to your traveling partner.
Should have stayed in school and not went fishing with our pup tent and a can of night crawlers. On second thought, wish I would have fished more. I had to memorize a Shakespearean soliloquy, boy that helped me get through life.
Iowa Dave

[NCBill]

Been towing one trailer or another for several decades,, never had 4WD, never needed it. It really depends on where you live and where you camp.

My first TV was a 1965 GMC half ton pickup. I loved that truck, I should have kept it...

My next tow vehicle will probably be 4WD due to non towing needs. Now I live in the mountains where we do get snow. I won’t be hauling the trailer at those times but I will be using my truck.

[Vermilye]

While I managed to get away with a series of Dodge Minivans for about 15 years, in 2010 I switched to 4 wheel drive vehicles - a RAV4, a Tacoma, and currently a F150. Might have something to do with the 200" of snow we get each winter, but then, I've only seen one Oswego winter since 2010.

I have found at least one occasion each year to use the 4 wheel drive capabilities on other than snow, usually an uphill wet grass site. I'd feel bad tearing up a campsite. The trucks have also been fun on some of the desert trails...

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

On second thought, wish I would have fished more. I had to memorize a Shakespearean soliloquy, boy that helped me get through life.
Iowa Dave

To be 4WD or not to be 4WD? See it is useful.

Ron

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

To be 4WD or not to be 4WD? See it is useful.

Ron

Hi: Ron in BC... A B C's used to be useful when ordering an Escape trailer!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Hilola]

I find interesting the comments about how the turbo is better suited for higher elevations as we live at 5600 ft. elevation. I like the better gas mileage that the 2.7 provides but am wondering if the 3.5 would be better suited for the twisty, turny paved road that leads up to our property?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Hilola

I like the better gas mileage that the 2.7 provides but am wondering if the 3.5 would be better suited for the twisty, turny paved road that leads up to our property?

What is meant by "better suited"? The engine won't matter on 'twisty turny' roads - that's steering and suspension related, and would be the same. The 3.5L just has more HP and more torque.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by Hilola

I find interesting the comments about how the turbo is better suited for higher elevations as we live at 5600 ft. elevation. I like the better gas mileage that the 2.7 provides but am wondering if the 3.5 would be better suited for the twisty, turny paved road that leads up to our property?

. If you are concerned about low rpm pulling power on the 2.7 , don’t be. My 2016 2.7 makes 375 ftlbs tq at 3000 rpms. Towing my 5.0 thru the Catskills on some really twisty roads was absolutely no problem. I have 3:55 axle, if you went with the 3:73 it would be even more capable. The new 2.7 makes even more torque, but then again the 3.5 is Fords most capable motor for the F150 as far as towing. IMHO it’s overkill for an Escape.
🤔Hmmm, I must be getting old as I spent most of my life thinking there’s no such thing as too much hp.

[steve dunham]

I have the 3.92 towing differential in my truck. . I prefer the 3.92 gear ratio over the 3.31 & 3.55 I had in my previous trucks . The difference in towing ability may be imaginary but it works for me .

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by Hilola

I find interesting the comments about how the turbo is better suited for higher elevations as we live at 5600 ft. elevation. I like the better gas mileage that the 2.7 provides but am wondering if the 3.5 would be better suited for the twisty, turny paved road that leads up to our property?

If you want to pull like a banshee out of (seemingly) never ending corners, high numerical rear end and a transmission with enough gears to keep the engine rpm's on the power curve. Somewhere on the internet must be a graph of the EBs' power curves for reference.

Then like Robert says, suspension and steering and other factors like weight come into it too. What are your expectations?

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I have the 3.92 towing differential in my truck. . I prefer the 3.92 gear ratio over the 3.31 & 3.55 I had in my previous trucks . The difference in towing ability may be imaginary but it works for me .

The axle ratio does make a significant difference. You will never see a max payload or tow rating on a truck with 3:31 gears. You do pay a price in fuel economy, but if that’s what you need to get the job done so be it. On my truck the 3:55 works great, if I wanted to tow something much heavier the 3:78 would be the way to go. I think on the F150 that’s the lowest gear set they use.😎

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Chotch

The axle ratio does make a significant difference. You will never see a max payload or tow rating on a truck with 3:31 gears. You do pay a price in fuel economy, but if that’s what you need to get the job done so be it. On my truck the 3:55 works great, if I wanted to tow something much heavier the 3:78 would be the way to go. I think on the F150 that’s the lowest gear set they use.��

Hi: Chotch... My 2016 Ram EcoD. 8 spd. has a trailer tow pkg. and 3.55 rear gears. 25 mpgs towing suits me too, but then I prefer life on the edge also!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[DeadEyeDan]

4 WD is better for getting into situations that are difficult to get out of.

[John in Santa Cruz]

only time I've used 4x4 while towing so far is going slow on steep gravel/dirt, it improved the steering response, reduced the tendancy of the truck to 'plow' (understeer) ... but I've not yet experienced the joys of towing on snow or ice.

in general (not towing), 4x4 is for getting you unstuck. if you get stuck in 4x4, then you're really really stuck.