It's official - Tow is On The Way

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by LeonardS

2015 19, 2015 F150 2.7L Ecoboost Crew Cab

With those new purchases, your tag line could be "Go first class...or stay home!"

Nice choices. You are going to have a blast picking up your trailer in your new ride. Hoping for great weather for you!

Thanks Leonard. I was thinking awhile back along the lines of "dang, we're gonna be spoiled", but then I remembered two important things: One, we camped for years in tents, with the Ants, Mosquitos, the heat and the lack of privacy and convenience (by the way, we had a ball), and TWO: this is the last RV we want to buy. Considering the McMansions and the conspicuous display of wealth and ostentation in alot of "campgrounds", maybe our choices were modest after all.

[LeonardS]

I'm just jealous a bit. Your Ford will have 100 more ponies, 100 more ft-lbs., and still suck down less fuel than my thirsty 4.0 liter Frontier!

Gotta love the new technology. Again, nice choice!

I've been in campgrounds with the conventional fifth wheelers. OMG they are huge! Your 19 will look very "modest" in comparison, almost frugal. But I'm betting you'll mostly be in different sorts of campgrounds, those a bit more off the beaten path.

[KarenH]

Speaking of conspicuous, I think Brian posted this pic of Ladybug next to a behemoth. I look at it whenever I need a laugh or need a reminder to be thankful for small things--especially small things like Egbert...

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by LeonardS

I'm betting you'll mostly be in different sorts of campgrounds, those a bit more off the beaten path.

Have you been reading my mind Leonard?

Originally Posted by KarenH

Speaking of conspicuous, I think Brian posted this pic of Ladybug next to a behemoth. I look at it whenever I need a laugh or need a reminder to be thankful for small things--especially small things like Egbert...

So true Karen. Egbert is 'camping', at least as I define it.

[Donna D.]

You folks are posting faster than I can read... and I try to read EVERYTHING.

My 2014 Ford F-150 (w/ ecoboost) gets me 15-17mpg during PDX rush hour. Somewhere around 16.8 towing Ten Foward (down I-5 WA/OR) and 23 mpg (I-5 PDX to Eugene at 65 mph).

I'm happy, my 2000 Ford F-150 (Triton V-8) averaged 13 mpg towing or NOT with my Scamp.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Does it have the built in brake controller? Hopefully it will be in before you need to leave, what about a tonneau cover?

We added a Tonneau cover. The 53A Equipment group and towing package didn't include the Integrated Brake Controller. I had to add it. It's a $350 option (ouch) but it did include the part, plus installation, plus programming. Just installing one yourself you'd still have to get a dealer to activate it so it could work with the dash electronics, to be able to adjust the gain from the dash, and have it show the adjustment from the computer. Thanks for reminding me on this one Jim. The integrated controller looks much nicer than another piece of equipment hanging under the dash.

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Any Ford dealer can install it in about an hour and it is essentially the same as a factory install. The Ford brake controller is the best brake controller I have ever used and I have had a few Tekonshas in my time.

I've heard others report the same thing, so another reason to add it. Thanks.

Lastly, a bit of good news: The truck leaves the factory tomorrow, with an estimated delivery date at the dealer of March 7th. The dealer says they typically arrive earlier than the ETA when they're coming from the Kansas City Plant (which ours is). I hope so. A late delivery might affect our trailer orientation date of March 20, as well as cut in to some camping time.

[cpaharley2008]

Once installed you can then keep a detailed record of your towing mpg thru the dash display.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Once installed you can then keep a detailed record of your towing mpg thru the dash display.

Yeah! Forgot that it gives you that capability. Shows 'trailer connected', 'trailer disconnected', towing miles, non-towing miles, trailer mpg (various profiles), you name it. Man, so much to learn with a new tow and a new trailer. I'm such a geek though, that I'm not fooling anybody when I say I don't enjoy it.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Yeah! Forgot that it gives you that capability. Shows 'trailer connected', 'trailer disconnected', towing miles, non-towing miles, trailer mpg (various profiles), you name it. Man, so much to learn with a new tow and a new trailer. I'm such a geek though, that I'm not fooling anybody when I say I don't enjoy it.

Wow! Nice tow.
So, Robert, with all those features to contend with, does it give you a windshield to see out of, so you know where it is taking you?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Wow! Nice tow.
So, Robert, with all those features to contend with, does it give you a windshield to see out of, so you know where it is taking you?

As long as it doesn't take me to a KOA, I'm good.

[steve dunham]

Make sure you check your owners manual . There is often a break in period before you are supposed to tow with the vehicle and your speeds are limited during the first XXX miles of towing . I was told for my new 2014 truck not to tow until I had 1000 miles on the vehicle and limit my speed to 55 MPH for the first 500 miles of towing. I do not know if Ford has similar requirements but it' s worth a look.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

Make sure you check your owners manual . There is often a break in period before you are supposed to tow with the vehicle and your speeds are limited during the first XXX miles of towing . I was told for my new 2014 truck not to tow until I had 1000 miles on the vehicle and limit my speed to 55 MPH for the first 500 miles of towing. I do not know if Ford has similar requirements but it' s worth a look.

Good points. The break in period for the tires is 300 miles, in which you're supposed to vary your speed and not exceed the speed limit. No problem there, since we plan to take our time anyway. The break in period for the engine (to properly seat the rings, bearings, etc) before towing is 1000 miles, in which you're also supposed to vary your speed and rpm's, although there is no mention of not going over 55 mph. Again, not a problem, since it's almost 2300 miles to Chilliwack from here. The engine should have already passed it's initial break in period before we get there.

[steve dunham]

Robert , I have read on several forums plus I was told by my local Ford dealer that Ford recommends the use of premium fuel when using the Eco Boost engine for towing. In our area premium fuel is 60 cents/ gallon or 25% more than regular . With every truck mfg. bragging that they are the fuel economy champs ,it gets confusing. I have often wondered if fuel cost per mile of towing might be a better standard than MPG. In my case my Ram Hemi uses 89 octane fuel which often comes at a 20 to 40 cents per gallon premium . I think you made a great choice in purchasing a F 150 ,just looking for information

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

Robert , I have read on several forums plus I was told by my local Ford dealer that Ford recommends the use of premium fuel when using the Eco Boost engine for towing.

It would be interesting to know if this is for reliability or driveability (due to reduced knock), or just for more power availability (since the engine can use more boost with higher octane). It should be in the owner's manual...

Originally Posted by steve dunham

In our area premium fuel is 60 cents/ gallon or 25% more than regular.
...
I have often wondered if fuel cost per mile of towing might be a better standard than MPG. In my case my Ram Hemi uses 89 octane fuel which often comes at a 20 to 40 cents per gallon premium .

Excellent point... since regular gasoline, premium gasoline, and diesel fuel all have different prices. Even if the EcoBoost-equipped truck gets better fuel economy with premium (and I don't think a significant difference is likely), the fuel price difference will probably kill any economic advantage.

I never buy premium fuel, in part because I avoid vehicles which need it. I got lucky with my current (non-towing) car, because I forgot to check and despite the 13.0:1 compression ratio, it runs on regular 87-octane.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

Robert , I have read on several forums plus I was told by my local Ford dealer that Ford recommends the use of premium fuel when using the Eco Boost engine for towing. In our area premium fuel is 60 cents/ gallon or 25% more than regular . With every truck mfg. bragging that they are the fuel economy champs ,it gets confusing. I have often wondered if fuel cost per mile of towing might be a better standard than MPG. In my case my Ram Hemi uses 89 octane fuel which often comes at a 20 to 40 cents per gallon premium . I think you made a great choice in purchasing a F 150 ,just looking for information

Yes, I'm familiar with the "manufacturer recommends premium fuel" argument for various vehicles. Personally, I think the evidence is pretty dramatic that in most cases it's not worth it. You "might" be able to squeeze a few extra ponies out of the engine on a dyno by using high octane, but today's modern engines and computer systems already have sensors that compensate for different octane levels. I don't give octane a second thought, and I have had zero issues by burning regular. I have owned a Mazdaspeed Turbo MX-5 since 2004, and the fuel filler door has big bold letters that say "premium fuel only". Guess what? I've only burned regular, and it runs like a top -- for 11 years now.

[Loren & Cathy]

The speed that we drive is a huge factor in the mileage we get. Remember 55 mph in the 70's. In running 70 to 75 mph with the 5.3 engine and the 3.73 rear end, I got 20 mpg shown by the computer and also figuring it the old fashioned way. I would bring it down to 60 mph for 40 or 50 miles and the mileage would jump up to between 25 and 27 mph. I don't know what speed will work best pulling the trailer but I was thinking in the 65 mph range. At what speeds do a lot of you trailer owners tow? Loren

[gbaglo]

I try to hold to 90 KPH ( 56 MPH ), but sometimes it's just safer to drive the speed of traffic, whatever that may be.

[Rossue]

Hi Loren- our experience towing is that 55-62 mph is the sweet spot for towing mileage-wise. Remember that in some states like CA 55 mph is the limit when towing anything.

[Jubal]

Higher octane fuels are necessary for turbo boosted gas engines. Low octane fuels result in predetonation during boost. The power control module responds to input from the knock sensors and regards timing and boost to minimize the chance of damage to the engine pistons due to predetonation. Retarded timing and and reduced boost result in lower horse power.It would be wise to follow the octane recommendations of the manufacturer particularly when towing and hauling under load to avoid engine failure. The higher fuel mileage of the ecoboost engines is only achieved when the turbo is not engaged. Higher octane fuels do not provide more energy and better mileage but are more resistant to predetonation.

[Rossue]

Right on! And....any Newbie w/ any turbo would be well advised to remember to idle the engine for 1-2 minutes after any hard running to avoid coking the bearings. My buddy just spent over $3K to replace his F350 diesel turbo at 90K.