Towing with Ford F-150

[Centex]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

What is a WDH? And what is Escape-E2 fastway?

WDH = Weight Distributing Hitch; e2-fastway a brand of same. Both for bumper-pull applications / moot for your 5.0TA interests.

There's so many folks here pulling 5.0TA's with F150 and very happy, most with a carefully selected 'standard' payload (i.e. without the "HD Payload Package"); personally I'd not worry about "bounce" - shop your F150 based on other features that you want / need. IMO.

[hlrosenberger]

I think the Andersen Ultimate hitch is a great way to go.

[hlrosenberger]

Yes. I want to go 5th wheel.

[WillyB]

Originally Posted by JStelly

I have a 2018 F150 3.5L Ecoboost with a crew cab and 5.5ft bed. My payload is 1440. I use the Anderson Ultimate hitch with turnover ball installed at Trademasters.

It’s a great combination towing, turning, etc. I love setting the adaptive cruise control and “almost” forgetting it’s back there.

5’-6” bed is what Escape Trailer uses for their F150 tow vehicle on the 5.0.

Just sayin’ that the “manufacturer” uses the shorter bed without issue.

[Fox hunt]

150 pulls a 5.0 great my is 5'6" bed and only a 2.7 eco and i hardly know the trailer is there even over mountains no bouncing around. yes i use the Andersen hitch so light weight and easy to remove.

[hlrosenberger]

I want to go with the F150, 3.5 Ecoboost , 3:73 axle electronic locking, with 6.5’ bed, Max Tow Package and Heavy Duty payload package. If that combination is available.

[Fox hunt]

that sounds perfect!

[Fox hunt]

the short bed i have is a little impractical a longer bed would work better but i use my truck as my main auto and didn't want the length....

[Sands]

2016 F150, 5.0 V8, 36 gal tank, max payload (just over 2000lbs), tow pkg, 6.5' bed, Anderson ultimate hitch (rail version) = great combo with 5.0 TA. Bought the truck used in Phx, AZ, but interestingly it was a Canadian truck when new. Maybe that's why it likes the 5.0 so much!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Yah, but we still think in gallons...

You do - many (probably most) of us don't.

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

It was my understanding that it was a Canada model only thing even though it was made in Dearborn.

The difference in product configurations for the Canadian and U.S. markets has little if anything to do with where the vehicle is made. Many models are built in only one location in North America, yet most have market differences. Sometimes it is matter of leaving out configurations which almost no one would want, and that's especially true in the much smaller Canadian market.

As an example, the Ford Ranger is not available as a 2WD in Canada, but all Rangers for North America are built at the same assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan, and both 2WD and 4WD are available in the U.S.

I don't know why anyone would choose the smaller tank in an F-150 in which the larger tank is available, but it would save Ford a few cents and would reduce the curb weight by the weight of the "missing" fuel (because curb weight is the weight of the truck with a full fuel tank).

I asked a Ford sales person about this (standing on a lot among literally hundreds of F-150s) a while ago when the tank size subject came up, and he didn't even know that there was a choice of tank sizes.

[C&G in FL]

I have had 3 F-150s, all Supercabs with a 6.5 foot bed, and the last two have had the larger fuel tank. My 2015 2.7 EB did not have the Max Tow Package but had the larger fuel tank. I do not believe the two are tied together; I believe the choice of the larger tank is a stand alone option but may not be available with the 5.5 foot bed.......I don’t know. My first F-150 (2012) had and my current F-150 (2020) has the 3.5 liter EcoBoost. While the 2.7 (2015) was adequate and had more than enough power to tow the 5.0TA, I chose to go back to the 3.5 liter. First, while the 2.7 was zippy, the 3.5 is a rocket. Unlike the 2.7, towing at highway speeds, if you give it gas, the resulting acceleration will pin you back into the seat, even going uphill. Furthermore, having watched transmission temperatures, they were lower in the 3.5 by a few degrees on the flats. However, going up long inclines the 2.7 produced much higher transmission temperatures and they climbed higher much faster than in the 3.5 liter. Both had the 6 speed transmission. When NOT towing, the 2.7 got 6 more miles per gallon, but when towing it only bested the 3.5 by .1 mpg. Since 75%-85% of my odometer total results from towing, the lower fuel efficiency when not towing is not a big concern for me given what I consider the “benefits” the 3.5 provides when towing. My current 3.5 has the 10 speed, but I do not have adequate data on fuel efficiency for comparison. Only time will tell, but from what little I have driven, it is getting 2+ mpg more not towing than my previous 3.5 got (2012).

[sofmerc]

My 2016 F150 EB 3.5, 36 gall fuel tank came from Canada but I bought it in Fl. Seems almost perfectly setup for the 5.0 TA. It has universal bed rails already installed. low mileage 26,000 with airbags, tow package (Not Max tow) and 7 pin socket installed in bed. The only thing I don't like is its a crew cab rather than the super cab. I got lucky so no complaints here. I just ordered the Anderson hitch (rail version). Only thing missing is the 5.0 TA....yet to come!

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

I want to go with the F150, 3.5 Ecoboost , 3:73 axle electronic locking, with 6.5’ bed, Max Tow Package and Heavy Duty payload package. If that combination is available.

With that setup you can probably tow 2 Escapes😁

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

I have had 3 F-150s, all Supercabs with a 6.5 foot bed, and the last two have had the larger fuel tank. My 2015 2.7 EB did not have the Max Tow Package but had the larger fuel tank. I do not believe the two are tied together; I believe the choice of the larger tank is a stand alone option but may not be available with the 5.5 foot bed.......I don’t know. My first F-150 (2012) had and my current F-150 (2020) has the 3.5 liter EcoBoost. While the 2.7 (2015) was adequate and had more than enough power to tow the 5.0TA, I chose to go back to the 3.5 liter. First, while the 2.7 was zippy, the 3.5 is a rocket. Unlike the 2.7, towing at highway speeds, if you give it gas, the resulting acceleration will pin you back into the seat, even going uphill. Furthermore, having watched transmission temperatures, they were lower in the 3.5 by a few degrees on the flats. However, going up long inclines the 2.7 produced much higher transmission temperatures and they climbed higher much faster than in the 3.5 liter. Both had the 6 speed transmission. When NOT towing, the 2.7 got 6 more miles per gallon, but when towing it only bested the 3.5 by .1 mpg. Since 75%-85% of my odometer total results from towing, the lower fuel efficiency when not towing is not a big concern for me given what I consider the “benefits” the 3.5 provides when towing. My current 3.5 has the 10 speed, but I do not have adequate data on fuel efficiency for comparison. Only time will tell, but from what little I have driven, it is getting 2+ mpg more not towing than my previous 3.5 got (2012).

Much higher transmission temps? Did they they ever get to the danger zone?

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

I want to go with the F150, 3.5 Ecoboost , 3:73 axle electronic locking, with 6.5’ bed, Max Tow Package and Heavy Duty payload package. If that combination is available.

Good choice - You should have all your bases covered !!

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

I want to go with the F150, 3.5 Ecoboost , 3:73 axle electronic locking, with 6.5’ bed, Max Tow Package and Heavy Duty payload package. If that combination is available.

Ford no longer offers a heavy duty payload package on the F-150.

[steve dunham]

When I was looking for a new truck in 2019 the difference in MSRP base price between a Ram 1500 and a Ram 2500 was only $1500 to $2000 - I would assume that Ford and Chevy are in that same price range
So by the time you add the max payload and trailering packages to a 1/2 ton truck is there any real price difference between it and a 3/4 ton
I guess my question is , “ If the beefed up 1/2 ton costs more than the standard 3/4 ton where’s the gain ? “

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

When I was looking for a new truck in 2019 the difference in MSRP base price between a Ram 1500 and a Ram 2500 was only $1500 to $2000 - I would assume that Ford and Chevy are in that same price range
So by the time you add the max payload and trailering packages to a 1/2 ton truck is there any real price difference between it and a 3/4 ton
I guess my question is , “ If the beefed up 1/2 ton costs more than the standard 3/4 ton where’s the gain ? “

If you need the capacity of 3/4 ton that’s the only way to go. But if you can get 1/2 ton that will suit your needs you have a truck that’s more comfortable and better handling vehicle, as in more compliant springs and tighter turning radius. Maintenance costs and mileage will be better. 1/2 ton trucks today can carry payloads of over a ton and tow over 10000 lbs if probably specked out and give you a better ride and handling. Now if the truck where loaded to these numbers all the time like a wrecker body or steel utility body loaded with hardware the smart choice would be 3/4 ton. Make sense?

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Chotch

If you need the capacity of 3/4 ton that’s the only way to go. But if you can get 1/2 ton that will suit your needs you have a truck that’s more comfortable and better handling vehicle, as in more compliant springs and tighter turning radius. Maintenance costs and mileage will be better. 1/2 ton trucks today can carry payloads of over a ton and tow over 10000 lbs if probably specked out and give you a better ride and handling. Now if the truck where loaded to these numbers all the time like a wrecker body or steel utility body loaded with hardware the smart choice would be 3/4 ton. Make sense?

I’ve ridden in , driven and towed with a Ram 1500 , a Ram 2500 and a Ford 350 and to be honest the only real difference I noticed was the turning radius
As far a handling , steering and comfort , there wasn’t enough of a difference to matter
My point was what that if the trailer I wished to tow required me to buy a beefed up 1/2 ton that costs more than a standard 3/4 ton , what am I accomplishing ?
I bought my Ram 1500 because it was capable of towing my Escape 21C and because the discounts on the truck were greater . If the price difference between the 1/2 and 3/4 ton were minimal , then the increased payload capacity of the 3/4 ton could tip the scales
I’d rather be able to carry what I want to carry , then have to constantly worry I am going over my payload limit
Everyone has different priorities

I suppose I could use the listed pin weight for an Escape 5.0
& pretend I only weigh 150 lbs & pretend that we pack really light and make the numbers work but I would only be fooling myself

[johnnyv]

Ok thx for your input ! That goes for everyone else too. I can't possibly blow my selection being 7 months from pickup date....can I ?