Real world towing MPG with Ford 5.0L V8?

[James Gang]

Ike Gauntlet 2016 F150 5.0V8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6foaq6NUbg

& Ike Gauntlet 2.7 vs 3.5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5CDxmwIa_M

[War Eagle]

Barton, While I always feel I learn something new from each FastLane Truck Ike Challenge video, they aren't necessarily what I would call "real world" for towing a light-weight fiberglass camper - especially here along the Gulf Coast where the elevation is literally sea level. That said, I would find it interesting if they would also make a run up the pass without the trailer to compare performance (primarily mpg) when not towing. Did you happen to catch how well the new generation Honda Ridgeline did in its Ike Challenge? Impressive for its class size! Now if only Ridgeline's fancy 2-way tailgate had a lock on it. I can't believe in this day and age that the Ridgeline's tailgate doesn't have a lock, not even as a factory/dealer option. Only from a third-party vendor. Crazy.... (Wait! I think I just hijacked my own thread! Back to the Ford 5.0L...)

[James Gang]

W. E.: Yeah I know it is not 'real world' for Escape Trailers, but is fun to watch. And I think that they try as best as possible compare apples to apples, like the Ford F150 5.0L to the Chevy 5.3L, The 2.7L and 3.5L turbos are awesome, but I still prefer V8's.

[War Eagle]

Barton, Well, our local Ford dealer made us an offer today on a 2016 F-150 with the 5.0L V8 that we couldn't refuse. We'll let you know in about 10 years if the V8 was the right decision. In the mean time, we're keeping our fingers crossed for continued low gas prices. Hope we cross paths somewhere down the road....

[James Gang]

Well, I own a '12 F250 with a 6.2L V8. Around town only about 12mpg, but as much as 17mpg at 70+ mph. Towing anywhere from 8 to 12 (with my former Surveyor TT) depending on conditions. Curious what it will do with the Escape.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by James Gang

Well, I own a '12 F250 with a 6.2L V8. Around town only about 12mpg, but as much as 17mpg at 70+ mph. Towing anywhere from 8 to 12 (with my former Surveyor TT) depending on conditions. Curious what it will do with the Escape.

We still have our old 1999 F-250 Super Duty 4x4 with the 7.3L Diesel, manual 6-speed overdrive and manual lock-out front hubs. Gets around 18-20 mpg regardless. With the long wheel-base (supercab + 8' bed) and heavy-duty suspension, it's great for flat-out towing, but not a convenient or fun run-around truck once you get to your camping destination. Much like gas, diesel prices seem to be headed back up, too, even a bit faster than gas in our area.

[Marky]

I did a lot of research becoming buying my 2016 Ford F-150. I was looking for TV that was dependable could be easily repaired, and could find a mechanic to repair it just in case. If my TV should break down in a small city I wanted a truck that could be repaired by any mechanic. This why I bought a F-150. The F-150 is the best selling vehicle for the last 30 years. Most of their sales are fleets to city and government agencies, construction, oil field, etc. I asked around and found out Ford is the most dependable truck for heavy duty work.
I bought the F150 with the non eco boost 3.5 liter engine. I want to keep it simple. It pulls my 17' Casita without any problems. We crossed the Rockies and been down the steep roads at the Palo Duro State Park in Texas. I'm getting 20-21 mpg in the city and 15-16 mpg towing at 60 to 65 mph.

[cpaharley2008]

I think transmissions and rear ends are important in this conversation. I had a 2009 Ram 1500 with 5.7 hem and 5 speed transmission with 3:55 rear. I averaged 12mpg towing or not. Same truck in 2014, same motor, 3:21 rear and a 8 speed transmission. I average close to 20-21 not towing on the way to pick up the Escape and 13-14 towing on the return. Never went over 3500 rpm in the mountains going to and fro.

[War Eagle]

We went with the middle of the road 3.55 electronic locking differential. Partly because we plan to spend more time in the Rockies when we're completely retired (hence the 4x4 drive, too), and partly because that's what was available in the deeply discounted year-end 2016 models that met our other criteria for towing. Hadn't planned on getting the on-board navigation system, but it came with the truck. I think I'm going to like it, though....

[James Gang]

Congratulations

[steve dunham]

One thing I've noticed on the Ford , Chevy and Ram trucks ,at least in my area is that if the truck comes with the towing package , it comes with the larger fuel tank. The extra fuel does cut down on payload capacity but on several occasions the larger tank has made the difference between running out of fuel or making it to our destination. I believe the Ford F150 has a 36 gallon fuel tank , which to me is a very useful option.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I believe the Ford F150 has a 36 gallon fuel tank , which to me is a very useful option.

Seeing you now live in Northern Canada, that would be 30 gallons, or 136 litres.

[peter]

WoW! A fill up in Vancouver will set you back $176.80. No idea what that is in $US funds.

[steve dunham]

When we were in Jasper / Banff last September we went through
$173 in fuel in just a few days of sightseeing.
It's not difficult in Canada to spend a couple hundred dollars on fuel but there are so many wonderful sites to see that it's well worth the time and money . Regardless of fuel prices we are planning a trip from Wisconsin to BC / Vancouver . There is something special about Canada that makes us want to come back for a longer visit.

This trip may be in a new Ford F150 with the 5.0 V8 .

[Jim Bennett]

Yeah, folks talk about travelling to the US and the hit Canadians get with the exchange rate, but it really is not that bad at all. Even with the current exchange rate, fuel (being the largest single cost) is still cheaper, food is on par once exchange is taken into account, and campground fees only a bit more. Just as long as you don't spend a lot on other things, it is all good. Plus, like Steve implied, go where you find things to enjoy.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

One thing I've noticed on the Ford , Chevy and Ram trucks ,at least in my area is that if the truck comes with the towing package , it comes with the larger fuel tank. The extra fuel does cut down on payload capacity but on several occasions the larger tank has made the difference between running out of fuel or making it to our destination. I believe the Ford F150 has a 36 gallon fuel tank , which to me is a very useful option.

In the U.S. for the F-150 the larger tank is optional; I wouldn't be surprised if dealers choose to include it in their orders for trucks with payload and towing packages - that would be the sensible choice. In Canada, there is no choice (or was no choice when I checked in the 2016 model year): 4X4 gets the bigger tank (except the shortest wheelbase) and 4X2 get the smaller tank... the size can't be specified as an option.

The extra fuel only cuts down on payload if you carry it... no need to fill it if severely limited in payload capacity. I would just fill it anyway.

Yes, the 36 US gallon / 30 Imperial gallon / 136 litre size is the larger F-150 tank. I would certainly prefer it, and since 2WD pickups are pretty rare here, it would be unlikely to get the smaller tank if buying here.

The Ram 1500 tank size isn't listed on its specs web page or downloadable spec sheet. I guess they don't think customers would consider the tank size to be important.

Chevrolet seems to have 98 L and 129 L tank sizes, with the 129 L only with the long (eight foot) box... regardless of cab, engine, drive system, or other options. Too bad, since the long box comes only with a regular cab almost no one buys that, especially for recreational use.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

In the U.S. for the F-150 the larger tank is optional; I wouldn't be surprised if dealers choose to include it in their orders for trucks with payload and towing packages - that would be the sensible choice. In Canada, there is no choice (or was no choice when I checked in the 2016 model year): 4X4 gets the bigger tank (except the shortest wheelbase) and 4X2 get the smaller tank... the size can't be specified as an option.

The extra fuel only cuts down on payload if you carry it... no need to fill it if severely limited in payload capacity. I would just fill it anyway.

Yes, the 36 US gallon / 30 Imperial gallon / 136 litre size is the larger F-150 tank. I would certainly prefer it, and since 2WD pickups are pretty rare here, it would be unlikely to get the smaller tank if buying here.

The Ram 1500 tank size isn't listed on its specs web page or downloadable spec sheet. I guess they don't think customers would consider the tank size to be important.

Chevrolet seems to have 98 L and 129 L tank sizes, with the 129 L only with the long (eight foot) box... regardless of cab, engine, drive system, or other options. Too bad, since the long box comes only with a regular cab almost no one buys that, especially for recreational use.

My 2014 Ram 1500 came with the optional larger fuel tank ( 26 US gallon = standard , 32 US gallon = optional) The dealer said that when they order 4x4 trucks for their lot with the factory trailer hitch and factory brake controller they automatically order the larger fuel tank. My truck also came with the 3.92 towing rear end .
I had the 3.55 rearend in my last truck , I prefer the 3.92
The larger fuel tank does cost more to fill but I also fill it less often , so the final cost is the same either way . I am not a fan of carrying an emergency 5 gallon gas can in the back of my truck so the bigger onboard tank works for me.

Happy New Years

[War Eagle]

So, putting it all together, our new tow vehicle is a year-end discounted 2016 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4 with 5.5' (short) bed including the 5.0L V8 engine, 6-speed auto, 3.55 electronic lock rear end, 302A performance/appearance package, trailer tow package, 36 gallon fuel tank and integrated brake controller. And for a little extra security, the blind spot/cross traffic alert/trailer tow management system. The above truck that we found sitting on the lot happened to also include the on-board navigation system plus the Fx4 off-road (skid plates) package which we saw as useful bonuses that came with the truck we wanted at a discount. We'll probably top the bed with a Leer 180XL mid-rise camper shell to improve aerodynamics while towing and give us secure shelter/storage for our larger outdoor camping gear like bikes, CLAM tent, lawn chairs, etc., etc. We're hoping it will be a perfect match for our soon-to-hatch 21'. Retirement, ready or not, here we come....

[BCnomad]

That will be a fine truck WarEagle. That 302 package has some nice touches.


I would love to compare "bug lines" some time (my no cap versus your cap) to see if the road devils are lessened with a topper.

[H46Driver]

We have the F-150 V-8 5.0 with 3.55 and I've got to show my ignorance with regard to 3.55 vs 3.92 rear ends as I didn't even know enough to ask when we bought the truck. Can someone, in 8th grade level terms, explain advantage/disadvantage of each so I'll know something when it's time for my next purchase. We almost exclusively tow having logged almost 31K of our 35K miles with a trailer hooked up. Thanks in advance. BTW we got 14.5 to 15.5 towing our 3500lb Casita - no data yet on the Escape 21.