F150 owners.....3.5 or 2.7 Ecoboost

lcseds · 06-16-2021, 01:27 PM

Is there any particular reason many opt for the 2.7 Ecoboost over the 3.5? Just some MPG? I would think most every one would want the additional power of the 3.5L. Thanks.

Jim Bennett · 06-16-2021, 01:34 PM

I went for the 3.5 as that is the only size available with a 6.5' bed and 4 doors. The 2.7 will pull any Escape with no problem.

ChuckBC · 06-16-2021, 02:08 PM

We tow our E19 with the 2.7 EcoBoost. The truck is a 2019 F150 superb with a 6.5' box with a high top canopy. No plans for a bigger trailer so power, payload adequate. Definitely get the 36 gallon tank.

Jim Bennett · 06-16-2021, 03:14 PM

I chose the 136 litre gas tank, though it seems that is just about all they have in stock units.

dfandrews · 06-16-2021, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I chose the 136 litre gas tank, though it seems that is just about all they have in stock units.

And for those of us who are still on the ancient English system:
136L x 1.06 / 4 = 36.04 gallons.

Jim Bennett · 06-16-2021, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfandrews

And for those of us who are still on the ancient English system:
136L x 1.06 / 4 = 36.04 gallons.

Or 30 Imp gallons if you want to use old English measure. [emoji6]

**rbryan4** · 06-16-2021, 05:44 PM

I've now towed my 19 for 6 years plus all with the 2.7L, and the 36 gal tank. My next truck is delayed (chip) but is also the 2.7L, 36 gal tank. Love the combination.

Eggscape · 06-16-2021, 06:14 PM

We primarily use the F150 for towing and not much else so we got the 3.5 ecoboost and love it. Nice to have that little extra power to deal with the person in front of you that does below the speed limit until there is a passing lane and then they speed up.

MVA · 06-16-2021, 06:53 PM

We have a 2015 F150, 2.7l, 36 gal, super crew like others on the forum. I was surprised how well it tows and it has plenty of power. You may not need it in NC, but in the west with higher speed limits (75 mph), it has plenty of power.

The one question I would have is the reduction in gas mileage while towing. Without a load, I get ~22-23 mpg. Towing I get ~13-14 mpg.

Comments from the 3.5l owners?

Helihawkins · 06-16-2021, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVA

We have a 2015 F150, 2.7l, 36 gal, super crew like others on the forum. I was surprised how well it tows and it has plenty of power. You may not need it in NC, but in the west with higher speed limits (75 mph), it has plenty of power.

The one question I would have is the reduction in gas mileage while towing. Without a load, I get ~22-23 mpg. Towing I get ~13-14 mpg.

Comments from the 3.5l owners?

I get about 21-23 on the highway with the 3.5L. Haven't towed with mine but I know from family members, it drops off just as much.

**rbryan4** · 06-17-2021, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVA

We have a 2015 F150, 2.7l, 36 gal, super crew like others on the forum. I was surprised how well it tows and it has plenty of power. You may not need it in NC, but in the west with higher speed limits (75 mph), it has plenty of power.

The one question I would have is the reduction in gas mileage while towing. Without a load, I get ~22-23 mpg. Towing I get ~13-14 mpg.

Comments from the 3.5l owners?

If I averaged it all out for the 2.7L, from the rockies to the plains and everything in between, I get 24-25 highway when not towing, and 14-16 towing. Towing has been as high as 18 for stretches where I had a significant tailwind, and as low as 12 for stretches with a strong headwind.

Ronn · 06-17-2021, 10:05 AM

2015 F150 / 2 Wheel Drive / 3.5 EcoBoost / 3.55 Axle / 6 speed transmission / Towing a 2019 5.0 TA

I try driving 62 - 63 MPH (probably spend 50% of mileage at this speed). I do drive in the 70's if I want to make time or when traffic is heavy. Even on multiple lane roads, I do not like traffic building behind me or needing to slow down when they want to get by me so drive faster and keep up with the traffic when I am on busy roads.

Sept/Oct 2019 trip*13 tank average 13.876 actual*- computer said 14.725
Sept/Oct 2020 trip*9 tank average 14.393 actual*- didn't do the computer

DanK · 06-17-2021, 11:29 AM

I don't see anyone mentioning the $3500 price difference between the motors . I went with the 3.5 and enjoy the extra power .

Helihawkins · 06-17-2021, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanK

I don't see anyone mentioning the $3500 price difference between the motors . I went with the 3.5 and enjoy the extra power .

Well the 21’s 400HP and 500 Torque is a ton of fun! Worth the price of admission alone!

C&G in FL · 06-17-2021, 01:10 PM

I have owned both snd can state I will never purchase another 2.7 liter. The 3.5 has much more power and as a result it doesn’t work as hard to tow (my 5.0TA). I get better fuel mileage with the 3.5 than I did with the 2.7. Furthermore, on long climbs, the transmission temperature stays lower and increases slower. Yes, the 2.7 is adequate, but the 3.5 is noticeably much more responsive.

Brian B-P · 06-17-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanK

I don't see anyone mentioning the $3500 price difference between the motors .

I just tried the online (U.S. version) "Build & Price" for an F-150 SuperCrew/5.5' (the most popular configuration) in XLT (a popular trim level). The 2.7 EcoBoost (with Auto Start-Stop) is $1,195 more than base and the 3.5 EcoBoost (non-hybrid, with Auto Start-Stop) is $2,595 more than base. The premium for a 3.5 over the 2.7 is thus $1,400; that's profitable for Ford, but not $3500. What prices dealers ask for their inventory is anyone's guess.

GregColdewey · 06-17-2021, 01:48 PM

I had a 3.5 in a 2015 F-150, but when I traded in 2018 got the 5.0. There is no real difference in fuel economy and it's a cheaper option. Just got my trailer (21NE) in April, so I don't have a comparison for MPG towing, but I get about 12 MPG with the 5.0. Not at all concerned about that given how little relatively speaking I tow.

cpaharley2008 · 06-17-2021, 01:50 PM

"No replacement for displacement" is commonly known.........

gbaglo · 06-17-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"No replacement for displacement" is commonly known.........

And refuted.

Brian B-P · 06-17-2021, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"No replacement for displacement" is commonly known.........

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

And refuted.

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.

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