F150 owners.....3.5 or 2.7 Ecoboost

[uthorns]

I like to see what the mileage is on my truck’s computer but I don’t obsess over the accuracy of it. It’s gonna get what it gets and I’m gonna enjoy the ride. Maybe when I retire if I have to count every nickel then I’ll worry about a few tenths of a mile and put pencil to paper but I really doubt it.

Jimmy

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by uthorns

I like to see what the mileage is on my truck’s computer but I don’t obsess over the accuracy of it. It’s gonna get what it gets and I’m gonna enjoy the ride. Maybe when I retire if I have to count every nickel then I’ll worry about a few tenths of a mile and put pencil to paper but I really doubt it.

Jimmy

Absolutely enjoy the ride!

I'm just saying most of these mpg figures should be taken with a grain of salt. Of the five Lie-O-Meters my friends and I have (two Fords, two Rams, one GMC), none are even within 1 mpg. I've had these discussions at campgrounds where have yet to run into a owner with a Lie-O-Meter within 1 mpg when pulling. While gas mileage knocked a couple of trucks off our list, it was what the truck options were for the cost that made the final decision.

We're expecting our current 2019 F150 to easily go 200,000 miles before we trade. It's 1 1/2 years old and has 22,000 miles so far. 99% of its mileage is for camping. I'm 72 so I guess I'll be trading the truck when I'm around 80, ass u me' ing I make it to 80!

Enjoy,

Perry

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

No, we would not. As Glenn has appropriately pointed out, any number of factors affect the “Lie-O-Meter’s” results.

True - since the error in the displayed number is not consistent between vehicles (even two trucks of the same make and model) or even completely consistent between reading on different days in the same truck, it is not very useful for comparison. It is good for short-term comparisons of different driving choices (e.g. "how much does it cost to drive faster?") in the same vehicle.

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

The “LOM’s” results are simply electronic computations made by the vehicle based upon rate of fuel burn and mileage driven and probably other factors. And in most vehicles I have ever owned, the fuel gauge reads slightly different when the vehicle is moving than when it is at rest so the rate of fuel consumption may itself be off a bit. The best one can hope for is somewhat accurate, IMO. We would have differently flawed results.

Close. The input for fuel consumption or economy is not the fuel tank level gauge - that's not nearly accurate or responsive enough, and is used only to calculate remaining range. The fuel flow rate could be measured, but most vehicles don't have a flowmeter - instead, the number and duration of fuel injection pulses are counted to determine fuel used in a time period. Since the resulting fuel flow depends on various factors, this isn't a highly accurate indication... and thus the error.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

No, we would not. As Glenn has appropriately pointed out, any number of factors affect the “Lie-O-Meter’s” results. The “LOM’s” results are simply electronic computations made by the vehicle based upon rate of fuel burn and mileage driven and probably other factors. And in most vehicles I have ever owned, the fuel gauge reads slightly different when the vehicle is moving than when it is at rest so the rate of fuel consumption may itself be off a bit. The best one can hope for is somewhat accurate, IMO. We would have differently flawed results.

When not pulling and riding at 55-65 mph the Lie-O-Meter is withing .5-.7 mph. It's when pulling the LOM is very optimistic.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

You posted that you have the PowerBoost 2021 F150.

I would love to know if any of the truck's plug options will power the Air Conditioner on your Escape.

I have read that one of them is a NEMA L14-30R, but I don't know if that would work, especially with an adapter. Maybe one of the other lighter duty ones would work.

That would really be of interest if the truck would run the AC while boondocking.

This is actually indirectly related to engine choice, since the highest-output version of Pro Power Onboard is only available in the hybrid, and the hybrid is only available with the 3.5 L (not the 2.7 or any other engine).

The top version of Pro Power Onboard does have a 240 volt 30 amp receptacle with neutral (that's the NEMA L14-30R), which could easily be adapted for the Escape power cord's connector (the adapter is available ready-made), and is rated at 7.2 kW. That's the full 30 amps on each line, so the 120 volts tapped by the adapter would be at up to 30 amps, and thus more than enough for the air conditioner.

The next step down of Pro Power Onboard (2.4 kW, 120 V only) is rated for 20 amps and so should also be able to run the air conditioner, but again it's only available with the hybrid and thus the 3.5 L.

The 2.0 kW Pro Power Onboard might do it, but if the truck isn't a hybrid the engine would need to run continuously, which I think few people would find acceptable.

Even with the hybrid, because the F-150 hybrid is not the plug-in type and thus has only a small battery, the truck's engine would run frequently (at least once per hour) to keep up with demand if the air conditioner were run continually. That might be okay to cool off the trailer on a hot evening, but I can't imagine leaving that going overnight or all day.

[Radar1]

We have the baby Ecoboost in our Ranger, just 2.3 litres.
Does great pulling our 19' Escape whether up and down the hills out West or the headwinds on the plains. Never felt a need for more power.
Our Ranger MPG readout was always "optimistic", but I used the directions to adjust it and now it's within 0.2 MPG +/- of our calculated MPG, which is expected based on variables in filling the tank each time. Last four trips were 14.9, 14.8, 14.4, and 15.1 MPG calculated, using tow/haul mode. That's about 2 MPG less than we got pulling our smaller and lighter (3,000 lb loaded) Scamp 16, but respectable for a truck pulling a 19' 4,400 lb camper.
I'm impressed with the power and smoothness of the Ecoboost combined with the 10 speed transmission.
All late model Rangers only have one drivetrain option; 2.3 Ecoboost, 10 speed auto, and 3.73 rear axle.

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

This is actually indirectly related to engine choice, since the highest-output version of Pro Power Onboard is only available in the hybrid, and the hybrid is only available with the 3.5 L (not the 2.7 or any other engine).

The top version of Pro Power Onboard does have a 240 volt 30 amp receptacle with neutral (that's the NEMA L14-30R), which could easily be adapted for the Escape power cord's connector (the adapter is available ready-made), and is rated at 7.2 kW. That's the full 30 amps on each line, so the 120 volts tapped by the adapter would be at up to 30 amps, and thus more than enough for the air conditioner.

The next step down of Pro Power Onboard (2.4 kW, 120 V only) is rated for 20 amps and so should also be able to run the air conditioner, but again it's only available with the hybrid and thus the 3.5 L.

The 2.0 kW Pro Power Onboard might do it, but if the truck isn't a hybrid the engine would need to run continuously, which I think few people would find acceptable.

Even with the hybrid, because the F-150 hybrid is not the plug-in type and thus has only a small battery, the truck's engine would run frequently (at least once per hour) to keep up with demand if the air conditioner were run continually. That might be okay to cool off the trailer on a hot evening, but I can't imagine leaving that going overnight or all day.

That's interesting. It's somewhat similar to the Prius setup, then. The Prius engine will kick on for a while every so often if one is running the car's air conditioner (and some people have reported sleeping overnight in their Prius with the A/C running, when they camp). I suspect they must have the key turned in the ignition to do this, though. If the key must be in the F150's ignition overnight in order to power the Escape's A/C, it seems like one would be risking theft of the rig in the middle of the night. (What a way to wake up... bouncing down the highway with 'Lord knows who' at the wheel!)

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Radar1

We have the baby Ecoboost in our Ranger, just 2.3 litres.

That's the biggest four-cylinder EcoBoost; a "baby" EcoBoost would be the 1.0 L three-cylinder, which of course isn't in any of the trucks. The 2.0 L four-cylinder in the new Maverick compact pickup is also an EcoBoost, and of course no one is rationally comparing the Maverick to an F-150 as a tow vehicle.

Not surprisingly, the engine power is roughly proportional to the engine displacement among these engines of very similar design... and the 3.5 L puts out the least power per litre. The torque is also close to proportional to size (of course, since torque is just power divided by speed).

The EcoBoost 2.3 is more powerful than the V8's used in pickup trucks for decades - they didn't seem to have a problem towing a small travel trailer, either.

[Bert]

Anytime you and more weight/mass it's going to affect your mileage.
I have a large Touring motorcycle with lots of power, with my 5 foot girlfriend on it drops my mileage... LOL

I pull my 21C with a ford f150 5.0 liter, the 3.5 has more torque so it should pull better. Having said that I like my old school 5.0 liter V8, less moving parts and gotta love the sound of a V8!

[RicVic]

I get 13 to 15 MPGs when pulling the 5.0 TA or utility trailer with the side by side on it and 18.5 to 20 MPGs on the highway. This is with a 2019 F150, 3.5 eco boost with 3.55 gears and love the 36 gallon tank.

[Bert]

yep.. love that 136 liter tank, if I had my way it would be 200 liters.

[stever71]

https://youtu.be/QkYS6mpwiSM

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Bert

yep.. love that 136 liter tank, if I had my way it would be 200 liters.

Gas prices projected to hit $2 / litre in BC this summer. A $400 fill.

[Bert]

wow.. a toonie a liter!
The lowest I get it here for is $1.15

[Bert]

Really, that is amazing. What speed would that be calculated at?

[PatrickTXFL]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Very true. The F-150's 5.0 L V8 and the alternative EcoBoost 3.5 L V6 clearly demonstrate that supercharging is effectively a replacement for displacement. Higher engine speed is also to some extent a replacement for displacement. As in any technology in the real world, there are valid options... all with consequences.

For towing the extra displacement of the 3.5 versus the 2.7 is probably a good choice within the EcoBoost options, but many trailer tow vehicles are used mostly for other purposes, and in those other uses the 2.7 might be a better choice.

I know most people don't keep a truck for 200k + mileage but if you do the 5.0 will be cheaper to maintain and probably in better shape in block and heads than a turbo charged. My pick would have been another Ford, but my nissan 5.6 was about 15k cheaper to buy so driving my first non-ford in 20+ years

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

This is actually indirectly related to engine choice, since the highest-output version of Pro Power Onboard is only available in the hybrid, and the hybrid is only available with the 3.5 L (not the 2.7 or any other engine).

The top version of Pro Power Onboard does have a 240 volt 30 amp receptacle with neutral (that's the NEMA L14-30R), which could easily be adapted for the Escape power cord's connector (the adapter is available ready-made), and is rated at 7.2 kW. That's the full 30 amps on each line, so the 120 volts tapped by the adapter would be at up to 30 amps, and thus more than enough for the air conditioner.

The next step down of Pro Power Onboard (2.4 kW, 120 V only) is rated for 20 amps and so should also be able to run the air conditioner, but again it's only available with the hybrid and thus the 3.5 L.

The 2.0 kW Pro Power Onboard might do it, but if the truck isn't a hybrid the engine would need to run continuously, which I think few people would find acceptable.

Even with the hybrid, because the F-150 hybrid is not the plug-in type and thus has only a small battery, the truck's engine would run frequently (at least once per hour) to keep up with demand if the air conditioner were run continually. That might be okay to cool off the trailer on a hot evening, but I can't imagine leaving that going overnight or all day.

The 7.2kW version is what we have. Like Brian says - it has the outlet showing in the picture 240v-30A. I have not tried but I was thinking that the 30Amp male connector for Escape should fit into that. So, I don't know if I need to buy a NEMA L14-30R plug. Like I said, I have not tried it but the plan was to just plug the Escape connector into this socket...

We don't have the AC yet (a Houghton 9.5k btu AC is on order and should be installed in July). That said, we go very light on the AC use at home and prefer it that way when camping. It helps that the evenings are cool in our part of the country.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by kavm

The 7.2kW version is what we have. Like Brian says - it has the outlet showing in the picture 240v-30A. I have not tried but I was thinking that the 30Amp male connector for Escape should fit into that. So, I don't know if I need to buy a NEMA L14-30R plug. Like I said, I have not tried it but the plan was to just plug the Escape connector into this socket....

It doesn't fit, but you can buy an adapter which plugs into that socket, so the Escape's TT-30 connector can plug into the adapter. An example (first one I found):
LeisureCords RV Generator Adapter with 30 Amp 4 Prong Locking Male Plug To RV 30 Amp Female Standard Connector 18" (4-Prong)
(the same thing would be cheaper in the U.S., and there will be other brands)

There's also the "block" style, instead of the "dogbone" (or short cable). This one is even cheaper, and is a Camco (a common brand of RV accessories):
Camco RV 30A Generator Adaptor
(the description implied by the title is wrong - it adapts to our desired TT-30, not the household 5-15 connection)

These things are commonly called "generator adapters" because portable generators commonly come with locking receptacles, and most item that people want to plug into them don't have locking plugs.

[kavm]

Thanks a lot, Brian! I will get one of those! The dog bone seems like a better setup..

We have been focusing on keeping our head above water and tackling the basics only!

PS: The LeisureCords as well as Camco adaptors are rated for 125V/3750W. Since the ProPower is rated for 7.2kW power and 240v, I searched a bit more. Found one from Conntek with Max Rating: 7,500 Watts. Probably an overkill but I am inclined to go with this...

https://www.amazon.com/Conntek-PL143.../dp/B00DVE93PU

[uthorns]

Originally Posted by Bert

Anytime you and more weight/mass it's going to affect your mileage.
I have a large Touring motorcycle with lots of power, with my 5 foot girlfriend on it drops my mileage... LOL

I hope she doesn’t see your post.