Towing with Ford F-150

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by emers382

things like the basically useless to me 400 watt inverter under the back seat.

Love my truck inverter, use it every day. Different strokes..... Love my F150, best tow vehicle I've ever owned.

Ron

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Love my truck inverter, use it every day. Different strokes..... Love my F150, best tow vehicle I've ever owned.

Ron

Hard to beat👍

[emers382]

I've used my inverter a few times, mostly when boondocking to grind my coffee with the Braun grinder which we've had for 46 years and it just won't quit!

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by emers382

.....................things like the basically useless to me 400 watt inverter under the back seat.

I realize you said, "useless to me, but OTOH, we use the inverter to charge Terry's 500 watt Bosch and my 21 ah Hailong Shark bike batteries while driving down the road. TETO!

Enjoy,

Perry

[mfschu]

I bought my 2004 F150 new and hoped it would last 10 years for me. It's now been my daily driver for 17 years, still going strong and a pleasure to drive with over 310,XXX miles. I plan on driving it to Sumas, WA next spring to pickup a new 21NE. So don't buy a F150 unless you don't mind driving the same vehicle for a long time.

[LoonCall]

Originally Posted by Centex

What are each of your bed lengths?

We have the 5.5' be with Andersen Ultimate Hitch. In a tight campsite, we did touch the cab. Highly recommend the 6.5' or full bed.


Other than that, we love our 2018 F150 Lariat EB 2.7.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by mfschu

I bought my 2004 F150 new and hoped it would last 10 years for me. It's now been my daily driver for 17 years, still going strong and a pleasure to drive with over 310,XXX miles. I plan on driving it to Sumas, WA next spring to pickup a new 21NE. So don't buy a F150 unless you don't mind driving the same vehicle for a long time.

Nice, did you do,the timing set ?

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

I realize you said, "useless to me, but OTOH, we use the inverter to charge Terry's 500 watt Bosch and my 21 ah Hailong Shark bike batteries while driving down the road. TETO!

Enjoy,

Perry

That's one of the several uses I have for it. Our folding e-bikes are carried behind the truck seats so I can pack them in and charge them up while we drive.

Ron

[mfschu]

I've not done anything to the engine but normal maintenance; oil changes, spark plugs, coolant. I did have to replace the alternator & belt at about 250K and I replaced the coils at 300K with the plugs.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by mfschu

I've not done anything to the engine but normal maintenance; oil changes, spark plugs, coolant. I did have to replace the alternator & belt at about 250K and I replaced the coils at 300K with the plugs.

That’s encouraging . Oil changes are the critical part I’ve read. Thanks

[Centex]

Originally Posted by oldwave

That’s encouraging . Oil changes are the critical part I’ve read. Thanks

IME / IMO (and betting that @mfschu will agree) all fluids are equally important if you seek maximum vehicle life.

Don't forget that hygroscopic brake fluid .... brake systems really don't like the rust spots that can form deep within them where the tiny droplets of water happen to settle.

IME most any vehicle will give a very long and reliable service life (miles and or years) if subject to proper use, preventive maintenance, and upkeep. There's certainly economic payback in the long run if you can overcome the 'hurdle' of not driving the latest technology or style (says the 'dinosaur lover' )

[Rossue]

Yeah, will admit doing maintenance on my '13 Yukon was probably easier than my F-150(from the dash forward) Expedition. And it was more of a creature comfort rather than the latest/greatest that induced me to switch. I do oil changes at 4-5K, vs. "up to 10K" the manual states. The Yukon was super easy for oil change with the 5.3 V8; All EcoBoost engines have a felt bottom that needs to be removed first and so far all my oil changes were done free at the dealer. Next one I do. Also have trans oil changed at 35K for insurance.

Another reminder from the past on why(besides supporting the economy)one should not hesitate if possible to drop some $$$ on new ride:

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by Centex

IME / IMO (and betting that @mfschu will agree) all fluids are equally important if you seek maximum vehicle life.

Don't forget that hygroscopic brake fluid .... brake systems really don't like the rust spots that can form deep within them where the tiny droplets of water happen to settle.

IME most any vehicle will give a very long and reliable service life (miles and or years) if subject to proper use, preventive maintenance, and upkeep. There's certainly economic payback in the long run if you can overcome the 'hurdle' of not driving the latest technology or style (says the 'dinosaur lover' )

Right at 80,000 miles I have replaced all fluids, transmission and filter, powersteering, coolant, and rear differential. The brake fluid was changed twice with install of loaded calipers. I’m sort of a dinosaur with electronic savvy as I made my living in IT for a long time. The oil change is particularly important with this engine as the oil pumps were really not robust enough. So far so good though. I’ll keep it a long time.

[ChristineMcD]

Originally Posted by Chotch

I think the F150 is 1 of the most popular and capable tow vehicles on this forum. Just make sure it’s specked out properly. My personal 2016 F150, 2.7 Ecoboost , 3:55 axle, with 6.5’ bed tows my 5.0 great. It has plenty of power , comfortable ride, and gets decent mileage. The Anderson Ultimate rail mounted hitch has worked out great also. It was easy to install, easy to use and really light weight. I have nothing but good things to say about truck, trailer, hitch combo.😎

Does your F150 have puck system already or did you install rail system or turn over ball in the bed of your truck.... we have a 2020 F150 4x4 eco with club cab and looking for best option.... ty in advance

[Fox hunt]

i also have the 2.7 F150 I installed a turn over ball hitch in stead of the rails. Works great- nice flat bed when not towing.

[ChristineMcD]

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).

May I ask if your new truck has a bed base that is puck system, rail system or turner over ball.... trying to figure out what to have installed in our 2020 F150 supercab 4x4 Eco

[ChristineMcD]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Tow/Haul does reduce fuel efficiency, but by how much, I can’t say. Towing the 5.0TA, I don’t see the difference in performance that Jim Bennett has described, but then again, I live in the flatlands. I can see where it would make a difference with extremely heavy loads, even in Florida. As previously stated, if I am about to start a steep descent, I activate the Tow/Haul mode because it downshifts quicker. My 2020 F-150 has 5 modes or shifting profiles. While I tend to drive unattached in the Eco mode, the profile that I really notice a performance difference is the Sport mode. That, too, is less fuel efficient but it certainly adds a bit of zip when you put the pedal to the metal.

Is your F150 a 4x4 and did you need high lift axle

[Fox hunt]

yes my truck is 4 wheel drive and no i did not need high lift axle i carefully measured several times because i was worried i suggest you measure and confirm with Escape

[ChristineMcD]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Huh? Do you have any idea how many 5.0 & 5.0TA owners are here that tow with a F-150? I'm just one and mine is a 4x4 too. My 5.0TA doesn't have a high-lift axle either.

Hi Donna
Does your truck bed have the puck system , standard rails or a turn over ball? Trying to figure out our best option.... using a company vehicle that we hope to buy out one day.... would love to pick your brain about a few other options please

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by ChristineMcD

May I ask if your new truck has a bed base that is puck system, rail system or turner over ball.... trying to figure out what to have installed in our 2020 F150 supercab 4x4 Eco

While Ford (like GM, Ram, and Nissan) offers a "puck" mounting pad system in SuperDuty pickups (F-250 and heavier), I don't think it has ever been available in the F-150 (or corresponding models of other brands) - it would be interesting news if they do now. There are aftermarket puck systems (one of which is compatible with the Ford OEM system), but I don't recall any forum members using one of them in an F-150.