5.0 and F150 owners

[lcseds]

Hello folks. I am considering downsizing my F350 diesel dually long bed to an F150 (so I can like, turn and such). I don't know how well an F150 would do hauling (and stopping!) an Escape 5.0 in the mountains out west in the US. I was looking at F250's but would prefer a F150. Thoughts? Experiences? If you have this combo, do you have the max payload package or just the tow package? Also, how close to you come to maxing the payload rating (what is your real, loaded, tough weight).

Sorry so many questions from a newbie. But before I buy a 5.0 (I own nothing now) I don't want to make any mistakes with a tow vehicle. Thanks in advance!

[emers382]

Many tow a 5.0TA with an F150, with the V8 or the 2.7 or 3.5EB. I have never felt like I have been "pushed" down mountains with our truck. I know I am near the payload limit of the truck (1484lb) but try to load trailer and truck appropriately. Mind you most of our Mountain driving has been in the east. Our only Rockies trip was with a lighter single axle 5.0.

[Ronn]

I have a 2015 F-150 with the 3.5 Liter. Our payload is 1733 lbs. we do load fairly heavy and would venture we are in the 1600 lb range. Absolutely no problem going up the mountains and like Emers says "I have never felt like I have been "pushed" down mountains. We don't always tow in the "TOW" mode, but I do especially like it when in the mountains. Others on the forum have mentioned their transmissions down shift HARD, that has not been our experience.

[barry]

If you stay within your payload and GCWR then you should have no problem as that is what the truck has been designed for. I tow for about 2/3's of my overall mileage and the only thing I have found is that my rear brakes are wearing a lot faster than the front due to the proportional braking.
Barry

[C&G in FL]

As of 2020, Ford no longer has a maximum payload package option on the F-150. However, the max towing package available on the 3.5L (not on the 2.7L and I don’t know if it is available with the V8 does increase the payload by 300+ pounds from @1,450 pounds in the 2.7L to @1,850 pounds in the 3.5L. Having towed my 5.0TA with both, neither one has any problems or bogs down on long uphill climbs, and I mean crossing the Rocky Mountains. Both would accelerate towing uphill, the 2.7 rather respectfully, and the 3.5 like a rocket. I would recommend the tow/haul mode when negotiating long or steep downhill grades.

[padlin]

My 3.5 has had no issues with any hill going up, not so coming down. Burned up the brakes coming down Wolf Creek Pass on my 1st trip through the western mountains. I've since learned more about mountain driving with a trailer and have not had the same problem.


Sure would be nice to have the brakes of a Super Duty on the F150.

[PM15283]

You didn't ask, but the GM 1500 series with the 3L diesel handles the 5.0 beautifully. My 2020 Sierra double cab gets mpg in the high 20's when not towing.

[Perry Butler]

Had a 2015 F150 XLT 3.5 EcoBoost, extended cab, with the maximum tow package (1930+#'s payload) and 36 gallon tank. Hit 80,100 miles when I drove it in to trade. The F150 bed squatted 1 3/8" loaded with the 5.0 attached. No problems.

Purchased a 2019 F150 Lariat 3.5 EcoBoost, quad cab, with the max tow package and the springs (max payload package?), with a 1,738# payload and a 36 gallon tank. The 2019 squats 1 1/8" with the 5.0 attached. Don't need airbags of helper springs.

I much prefer the 10 speed tranny on the 2019 over the 6 speed tranny on the 2015. Still don't like tow-haul mode, but found the Eco mode did a better job hauling the camper in hills/mountains.

When we left in January the new truck only had 700 miles, and the first couple of tanks got crap for gas mileage. Upon getting home the new F150 had over 9,000 miles (we do travel in the winter). It gets about 13.5+ mpg hauling the camper using the mileage/gallons used or 14.3-15.5 relying on the "Lie-O-Meter."

Having had a 3.5 EB in our 2015 we got the 3.5 EB on our new 2019. Most powerful trucks I've ever owned, and blow away my 2003 Chevy Duramax 2500. That Duramax was pathetic, both in lack of power and fuel mileage. I know I'm not the only one to complain about that year engine.

I've been hauling in mountains for decades and know how to set the brakes on the camper for going down mountains, plus know how to use a tranny instead of brakes. The brakes on our two F150's are amazing. Quite an improvement over the brakes of yesteryear.

Enjoy,

Perry

[HarleyD]

Originally Posted by lcseds

Hello folks. I am considering downsizing my F350 diesel dually long bed to an F150 (so I can like, turn and such). I don't know how well an F150 would do hauling (and stopping!) an Escape 5.0 in the mountains out west in the US. I was looking at F250's but would prefer a F150. Thoughts? Experiences? If you have this combo, do you have the max payload package or just the tow package? Also, how close to you come to maxing the payload rating (what is your real, loaded, tough weight).

Sorry so many questions from a newbie. But before I buy a 5.0 (I own nothing now) I don't want to make any mistakes with a tow vehicle. Thanks in advance!

We have a 2016 F150 extended cab (2 door handles) with the ECO 3.5. We bought it used so did not have the luxury of choosing all the options. It does have the tow package. We bought a used 2018 5.0 TA in September of 2019 and drove the truck up to Calgary to bring it home. Fred Lew was most helpful in getting us back on the road and headed home. We spent about a week and half getting back and went through Banff and Waterton before crossing the border in Montana, then back to the Denver area. A week later we took the Escape to see the fall colors here in Colorado for about 10 days. We got to Cortez in the southwestern part of the state, most of the time in the mountains. We went through the Eisenhower tunnel, over Hoosier Pass and Lizard Pass. The F150 performed superbly and did not miss a beat at any time. I did use the tow/haul mode most of the time going up and down passes and it worked great, just as expected it delayed shifting going up and shifted early going down. On the way back we crossed Wolf Creek Pass and it too was a breeze. We are very pleased with the combination of units.
Now to get it back on the road!

[Chotch]

I could not be happier with my 2016 F150 6.5' bed, 2.7 Ecoboost, 3:55 axle. The tow rating is 7500 lbs and 1630 lbs payload. So far have clocked a bit over 10K towing and the handling and power are great. Recently took the truck on a trip to Florida, not towing, I got 22.9 mpg average overall for 5000 mi. While in Florida I was amazed at the 26 mpg I got with several tanks of gas, 87 octane regular at that. Just mentioning this to show the truck as well as being a more than capable workhorse it's a decent daily driver.

[Fox hunt]

Another happy F150 2.7 owner with a 5.0 both 2017. I would get as much payload as you can get (only limitation) and i got the bigger gas tank. No issues with mountains i use tow mode works very well we do a lot of mountain driving in the NW and Canada.

[Sands]

We are quite happy with our 2016 F-150; 4x4; super cab; 6.5' bed; Anderson hitch; V8; payload PKG; tow PKG; 3:55 rear end. Picked up our new 5.0 in March. Averaging 23.2 mpg not towing & 14.9 towing. With the 5.0 TA we are not even close to Max payload (2000lb) or tow capacity (9000lb). In tow mode only an occasional application of brakes is needed on downgrades. Uphill it's possible to accelerate sharply if desired. This combo is very well behaved!

[ChuckBC]

I have a 2019 supercab F150 with 2.7 EcoBoost, 6.5' bed and 3.55. These motors are amazing and truck drives beautifully. I don't plan on getting a larger trailer than the E19 so I'm happy with on and off trailer use.

I would recommend the 3.5 EcoBoost to increase your towing capacity and payload. Consider the supercab (suicide doors) since it's 13" shorter than the crew cab 4 door). Plenty of room inside behind front seats. Also get the 36gal. tank to have long haul capability. I like the 6.5' bed for hauling since the 5.5 is short.

Go to Ford lots and check inside door sticker for payload. You'll see the more options lessen the payload even though they are same basic vehicle.

I am also amazed at the trailer assist you set up for towing. All you do is let the truck back up, hands off wheel and do fine adjustment with dash knob. It's something when your partner says okay straight and the truck sorts it out while you feather the gas. Yes I know if it doesn't work I'll have to park the trailer the old way!

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by ChuckBC

I am also amazed at the trailer assist you set up for towing. All you do is let the truck back up, hands off wheel and do fine adjustment with dash knob. It's something when your partner says okay straight and the truck sorts it out while you feather the gas. Yes I know if it doesn't work I'll have to park the trailer the old way!

I would point out that the OP asked about the 5.0 and the F-150 and the trailer assist does not work with a 5th Wheel trailer. It may be a nice feature for those with bumper pull trailers, but I can’t say because it sits unused, taking up space on my dash!

[Jim Bennett]

Maybe I am too old school, but I just watched a couple videos, and I really don't see an advantage for this backup assist. What does using this knob do that the steering wheel won't? Isn't it just another way to do the same thing?

Now, a vehicle that drives itself while you get to take a nap, that I understand.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by ChuckBC

I have a 2019 supercab F150 with 2.7 EcoBoost, 6.5' bed and 3.55. These motors are amazing and truck drives beautifully. I don't plan on getting a larger trailer than the E19 so I'm happy with on and off trailer use.

I would recommend the 3.5 EcoBoost to increase your towing capacity and payload. Consider the supercab (suicide doors) since it's 13" shorter than the crew cab 4 door). Plenty of room inside behind front seats. Also get the 36gal. tank to have long haul capability. I like the 6.5' bed for hauling since the 5.5 is short.

Go to Ford lots and check inside door sticker for payload. You'll see the more options lessen the payload even though they are same basic vehicle.

I am also amazed at the trailer assist you set up for towing. All you do is let the truck back up, hands off wheel and do fine adjustment with dash knob. It's something when your partner says okay straight and the truck sorts it out while you feather the gas. Yes I know if it doesn't work I'll have to park the trailer the old way!

I'll add to this - get the tow mirrors. Much more useful than the stock ones.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I'll add to this - get the tow mirrors. Much more useful than the stock ones.

Absolutely. I have always had the on my Super Duty Fords, and insisted on them when I went down to an F-150.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Maybe I am too old school, but I just watched a couple videos, and I really don't see an advantage for this backup assist. What does using this knob do that the steering wheel won't? Isn't it just another way to do the same thing?

Now, a vehicle that drives itself while you get to take a nap, that I understand.

Jim, I would be careful about posting such comments as they might result in some Millenial responding “OK, Boomer!”

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Maybe I am too old school, but I just watched a couple videos, and I really don't see an advantage for this backup assist. What does using this knob do that the steering wheel won't? Isn't it just another way to do the same thing?

Now, a vehicle that drives itself while you get to take a nap, that I understand.

I have to agree with Jim. While the system came with my F150, I never activated it. I also don't believe it is functional with Jim's 5th wheel...

[barry]

Originally Posted by ChuckBC

................ Consider the supercab (suicide doors) since it's 13" shorter than the crew cab 4 door) .....................

I may be wrong but I always thought that what you gained in the box you lost in the cab and vise versa as they both have the same wheelbase.
Barry