It's official - Tow is On The Way

[rbryan4]

Following my gut as well as some sound advice from several of you, we decided to stick with the truck we picked. We would just have too many regrets if we went with the 4x4 and other options we don't need or want.

There simply aren't ANY 4X2 Lariats available anywhere in Texas with the 2.7L Ecoboost at the moment -- it's a new and very rare breed. So, we worked out a plan with the dealer. He is going to rent us a truck for the trip with unlimited mileage on a 30 day rental. It'll be an F150 of the same size, but a V8 XLT. He refunded my deposit and is waiving the first month's payment, so the rental will wind up costing us a little under $200. Of course, it'll give us less mpg, but it's only one trip. They don't have 'demonstrators' or loaners when it comes to pickups, unless your vehicle is in their shop for repairs and it's short term.

I picked up an el-cheapo Reese Towpower controller for $29 so we will have trailer brakes on the way home. "Our truck" has been released from the factory and is awaiting shipment. It's scheduled to arrive in San Antonio on March 27th. When we get home we simply swap trucks.

Another crisis averted.

[Jubal]

"The 2015 4x2 2.7L Ecoboost will tow 8200 lbs". When the turbo is engaged?
"It'll be an F150 of the same size, but a V8 XLT." This will be a unique opportunity to compare to the 2.7 ecoboost after you take delivery.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Jubal

"The 2015 4x2 2.7L Ecoboost will tow 8200 lbs". When the turbo is engaged?
"It'll be an F150 of the same size, but a V8 XLT." This will be a unique opportunity to compare to the 2.7 ecoboost after you take delivery.

They don't quantify it for when the boost is engaged vs not engaged. You're right about the 'unique opportunity' thing too. It will be interesting to see real world number comparisons between the V8 and the 2.7L V6, with the same trailer and the same driver.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jubal

"The 2015 4x2 2.7L Ecoboost will tow 8200 lbs". When the turbo is engaged?

What does "engaged" mean for a turbo? Obviously, the towing capacity (and every other performance spec) assumes that the turbocharger is functional, along with every other part of the drivetrain.

The turbocharger is always spinning, and there is no driver control of its behaviour. This is not a mechnically driven supercharger with an on/off clutch like...

the car in the first Mad Max movie.

If you mean when it is producing boost, then it's going to do that whenever needed, and it's not going to boost under light enough load... both regardless of whether or not a trailer is attached.

[Jubal]

"no driver control of its behavior" ??
The turbo engagement or boost is in response to engine load and throttle position.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Jubal

"no driver control of its behavior" ??
The turbo engagement or boost is in response to engine load and throttle position.

Yeah, you can definitely get better mileage by slowing down and not stomping on it so it's not in boost as often. But similarly, you'll save gas by doing the same thing with a non-turbo engine.

There may be one difference though, and I plan to experiment with it once I get the truck: Some have reported that you should try to get up to speed more quickly with the Ecoboost, rather than gradually as with the non-turbo. The theory is that it's not in boost as long and the mileage is improved overall. Have no idea if that's true.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Yeah, you can definitely get better mileage by slowing down and not stomping on it so it's not in boost as often. But similarly, you'll save gas by doing the same thing with a non-turbo engine.

There may be one difference though, and I plan to experiment with it once I get the truck: Some have reported that you should try to get up to speed more quickly with the Ecoboost, rather than gradually as with the non-turbo. The theory is that it's not in boost as long and the mileage is improved overall. Have no idea if that's true.

We got over 15 mpg on our first trip with our new Ram truck when towing between 55 to 60 MPH . The mileage dropped to the upper 13's at speeds from 65 to 70 MPH . Driving like an old man. which I am, increases my gas mileage about 10 to 15%. It pays to be retired and not in a hurry.
,

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jubal

"no driver control of its behavior" ??
The turbo engagement or boost is in response to engine load and throttle position.

Exactly. It is not engaged or disengaged directly by the decision of the driver, like Max pulling the red knob on his shifter. If getting 100 horsepower out of the engine uses the turbo, there's no way the driver can decide to get that 100 horsepower by using more open throttle and no turbo, even though the engine could produce that much power without a turbo... it's just going to what it is designed to do.

As a result, there are not different capacities for towing with and without turbo "engaged" - there's a capacity for the truck, which has a turbo, and uses it. A towing capacity without turbo use would make no more sense than a towing capacity with a 3000 rpm engine speed cap (with an engine that produces maximum power at 5750 rpm and runs safely well beyond that).

I suspect that if you hook any trailer to an EcoBoost F150 and manage to drive it without ever seeing any boost, you're probably holding up traffic pretty badly. Since these engines are intended to use significant boost even at moderate speeds, they probably end up running in boost at relatively low speed to produce the same power that the non-turbo V6 would produce by running at higher speed, so boost doesn't mean extreme operation. Even if the boost gauge shows vacuum, the turbo may still be boosting to some extent.


So it looks like the intent of "when the turbo is engaged" was "when driven in a way that causes the turbo to produce boost". That's called normal driving, so yes - 8200 lb when the turbo is "engaged".

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Some have reported that you should try to get up to speed more quickly with the Ecoboost, rather than gradually as with the non-turbo. The theory is that it's not in boost as long and the mileage is improved overall. Have no idea if that's true.

Minimizing time in boost equates "boost" with "bad", and I see no reason for that. Maximum boost would likely mean that the engine management system will do things (in ignition timing and fuel injection timing, for instance) which compromise efficiency in favour of maximizing power output, and you wouldn't want that. Moderate boost, on the other hand, should be the mode in which the engine is designed to operate. Accelerating more quickly may improve overall economy because more of the energy produced by the engine comes in boost mode, not less... but we're just speculating here.

BMW did careful studies many years ago which showed that a typical (non-turbo) engine converted fuel to energy driving the car most efficiently at about 3/4 open throttle (and low engine speed), leading to a strategy of getting up to speed relatively quickly - while shifting early to keep the engine speed down - for best economy. Perhaps an EcoBoost engine shows a similar benefit when operated in moderate boost at moderate speed.

The BMW info was from memory, but in a quick Google search I found a brief reference: Popular Science, July 1981

[BRietkerk]

so the rental will wind up costing us a little under $200.

Another crisis averted. [/QUOTE]

Perfect, you save the wear and tear on your new truck and you will be able to deal with any new truck issues while around home. $200 well spent in my view.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

BMW did careful studies many years ago which showed that a typical (non-turbo) engine converted fuel to energy driving the car most efficiently at about 3/4 open throttle (and low engine speed), leading to a strategy of getting up to speed relatively quickly - while shifting early to keep the engine speed down - for best economy. Perhaps an EcoBoost engine shows a similar benefit when operated in moderate boost at moderate speed.

Interesting. So maybe it's not that a turbo benefits from getting up to speed quicker, but non-turbo as well.

Originally Posted by BRietkerk

Perfect, you save the wear and tear on your new truck and you will be able to deal with any new truck issues while around home. $200 well spent in my view.

Those were my thoughts too.

[float5]

One of the biggest gas-savers comes from pulling away from stop lights more slowly. We have an Eco light and if it is used, the driver will pull away more slowly, thereby saving gas, and will drive more slowly at getting up to speed, saving more gas. I try to use it.

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by Floating Cloud

One of the biggest gas-savers comes from pulling away from stop lights more slowly. We have an Eco light and if it is used, the driver will pull away more slowly, thereby saving gas, and will drive more slowly at getting up to speed, saving more gas. I try to use it.

Very true, but in most cities you would think everyone is running the quarter mile. Same for the speed limit. Whats that? And I forget where it was out west where there was no speed limit at all. At least with pulling a trailer you have an excuse to take it a little easier on the throttle. Loren

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy

......And I forget where it was out west where there was no speed limit at all. At least with pulling a trailer you have an excuse to take it a little easier on the throttle. Loren

I'm not certain when you talk about "WEST." I live in Oregon, right up against the Pacific Ocean. We have very specific MPH on our highways (federal, state, county, city). Just exceed the limits (wherever), I dare you. AND, thanks for contributing to our general fund (laughing here).

Please visit Oregon, enjoy your stay, spend your money. But, we are tree huggers, honest

[Cypherian]

State Speed Limit Laws

[cpaharley2008]

The only down side to this scenario is the trip up north will enable a good break in period adjustment unattached and towing home a good towing break in adjustment. Now Robert will have 2 brand new toys in his drive way and he can not tow until he puts 1,000 miles of driving on one of them!!
Other than that it is a win/win scenario.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

That's old news Pat. The production kinks are working themselves out. The 2015 4x2 2.7L Ecoboost will tow 8200 lbs.

What scares me is when I read not all trucks being able to tow .What would I want a truck for then ? I really don't like engine not being steel either . The body I can live with . I remember in the past problems with spark plugs in aluminum . What if you bought a used truck down the line and no one is clear whether it is really set up for towing . I know for years now trucks need to be camper certified or you can't put a camper on . In the old days you had a truck and put the camper on and away you went . Now all trucks are not the same trans , radiator, brakes , etc .so you need a camper certified to put that camper on .

[gbaglo]

I was sitting in the RAV while my wife picked up groceries today and a woman driving a Ford F150 4X4X4 ( it had seats for four, or maybe six ), long box ( or at least not short ) tried to park next to me.
Given the space she had available, she did pretty good, but the rear of the truck was still angled to prevent me from getting out of my spot.
We rolled down our power windows and she said, "I don't drive this truck normally". And, I said, "I don't blame you".
Another shopper assured her she could back out without hitting me, and she found three spots nearby that were clear and she could park.
I have enough trouble parking the RAV in these increasingly narrower parking spots in mall lots. I can't imagine having to drive a truck on a daily basis.

[padlin]

Sounds just like me, I don't even try to park near other vehicles. I'm one of those trucks parked 10 off in the far corner of the lots, heck I need the exercise. At 21' it doesn't fit lengthwise in a single slot much less width wise, turns like a cruise ship too.

[Jim Bennett]

I drive my F-350 every day for work, and have no issue parking at malls, or wherever. I just back into spots. If too tight, I just head to the periphery to find a spot. Of course, unlike baglo's girl, I have driven a big pickup lots, and have learned how to get around with it.

Heck, I often have a big dump trailer behind it too, while driving around town. I have become very proficient at backing it into a parallel parking spot just big enough to fit.