[Mr. D]

I'm getting ready to leave towing a 21' Northwood All Season Travel Trailer on I-40 from the High Desert of Calif. to the East Coast, and then down through the South. I'll let you know how my 2012 F150 Ecoboost 4x4 crew cab does. I've got a Edge tune on it and it runs pretty strong. I've already towed it down from Oregon and it pulled like a small diesel! I've owned lots of diesels and I like this better! I had one Ecoboost stumble on the Oregon Coast pulling at steady speeds in the rain. Pulled over & shut it off, and when I restarted it was gone! Never had one in the dry, High Desert!

I'll let you know how it all works out in about a month!

Hello all from a new member! A nice forum for Ecoboost owners! The software is great for uploading pictures!

Mr. D

 

[AK-KingBoost]

Mr D that is awesome stuff! so jealous as it will no doubt be a epic journey for you! Keep us posted and safe travels

 

[SPPD]

Very Cool!

SPPD

 

[Eco_Punisher]

Safe trip bro!

 

[AKSilverboost]

Drive safe and have a wonderful trip! I know that when I pulled an enclosed trailer loaded with toys and the like that the manual option on my FX4 made it a very smooth ride. 4 gear up a 6% to 7% hill was as smooth as honey. It never even flinched. I was able to time my shifts so that no speed was lost and was able to get even more gas milage out of it (Around 16mpg) through the mountains here in Alaska. And this was all stock.

 

[Mr. D]

Thanx for the friendly comments to a new member!

I'll give you a report on the Ecoboost when I get back! I'll either have a great time or be ready to sell the whole outfit to one of you guys!! LOL! Why you say! Because I've been Rving since I was 26 and I'm 71 now! I've been just about everywhere in the U.S. multiple times! I took my two sons on a couple of "Around the U.S. trips" that were 3 months long. After a while it was like being Gypsies! After three months they would have stayed out longer, but school was starting! Our only home was a travel trailer! So, it could be a,"Been there.... done that!" experience at 71! I guess I'll know in a month if the thrill is still there!

I sure love the Ecoboost! I've had every kind of diesel and loved the GM Duramax, but for towing a medium sized trailer I prefer the Ecoboost... especially when not towing!

Here's my other Ford! I couldn't find the right towing equipment to pull my trailer! LOL!
H

 

[Mr. D]

Report on: Towing With An Ecoboost 4x4 Crew Cab

I pulled a 21’ 6,500 lb. travel trailer all across the U.S. with a 2012 Crew Cab 4x4 Ecoboost. I traveled from California to the East Coast across I-40 and down through the South & Florida and home again on I-10. I promised to give a report on how the Ecoboost performed for those interested in how it compares to towing with a diesel. I’ve been pulling travel trailers for 45 years so I know a thing or two about them both 5th wheel and ball & hitch type! I’ve pulled the same size trailer with both the Dodge Cummins and the Chevy Duramax, as well as big block gasoline engines, so I can offer a good comparison. First of all, I was running and Edge Programmer on the 87 octane economy setting that gives the 3.5L Ecoboost another 50+/- H. P. It has plenty of power in all situations and I only had one short “Ecoboost Stumble” incident in the rain. On an earlier trip on the Coast of Oregon in the rain it stumbled so badly I had to pull over to the shoulder and restart it. The Ecoboost 3.5L does not seem to pull quite as strongly as my 2009 Chevy Drama did. It is more comparable to the small Cummins diesel in Dodges around 2004 which was the last Dodge I owned. In any case it has plenty of power to do anything I need to do in traffic or in the mountains. The built in braking control from Ford is a dream compared to add on brake controls. The transmission seemed much like the Allison transmission in Chevys, which is a good thing! You don’t even know the trailer is there as you go from highway speeds to 25 MPH through a town. Very smooth braking. I also prefer the older “friction” type sway bars as you can release them completely when backing up in sand or grave and not have the trailer get locked up. For novices, always have the front of a trailer “slightly” lower than the rear or you will get trailer sway! Some people never get that as they sway all over the highway and can’t figure why! As far as mileage, I would say it is just about the same as a GM Duramax or a Cummins. I suspect a little better than a Ford big block diesel. It probably averaged 9 to 11 MPG based on the wind and grades. Being May, we ran into a lot of wind & just ducked the tornadoes! After the bragging is over, most trucks won’t pull a big rectangle through the wind and get much more than 11 MPG. 87 octane gasoline was about 10% cheaper which probably kept the fuel cost about the same as any diesel pickup. The Ecoboost pulls far more like a diesel than a gasoling engine. In my opinion the reason to buy a Ecoboost is the lower initial price and the fact that the lighter engine & front suspension makes them ride far nice when you are not towing and driving around town. I’ll be 72 in December and have been everywhere in the U.S. at least three times over the years, so I’m selling my brand new 2012 Northwood “all Season” 21 ft. trailer after one trip and doing my traveling overseas from now on! I may even sell my truck although I love it! I might keep it for my varmint hunting trips even if I’m not towing anymore! It gets about 18 MPG around town and about 22 on the highway! Not bad for a pickup! I’ve found you can take a nap with the A/C on and it runs nice and cool. In any case I hope this hopefully object report from and retired science teacher on my towing experience with an Ecoboost helps someone know what to expect especially if they are thing of buying an Ecoboost for towing. Hard to believe a 3.5L engine tows so well. Hope my report helps someone! P.S. If you want a great deal on a "All Season"quality trailer and see the floor plan of my new 21' Northwood Desert Fox "all season" top quality trailer with one only trip on it for about a $6500. loss to me for one trip click on these addresses! It's a great deal! 2012 23' Northwood/Desert Fox/Used Once!

 

[SPPD]

Thanks for the update! Sounds like you had a great last hooray! Good luck with selling your trailer.

SPPD

 

[graysailor]

Looks like a nice set up. I just yanked the chain today and bought a FX4 to pull my TinCan (Airstream) around the country. New to RVing so I have a lot to learn. I live in Mexico so I have drive my Taco up to the San Francisco Bay Area to pick up the new Beast put a Cap on it and a few other toys and head out to parts unknown. No schedule and no plan as to where I'll go. Best of luck to you on your overseas adventure.

 

[STdan]

Thanks for the towing report! Those Desert Fox trailers are nice. I was looking at one of their toy haulers, but just couldn't find one with a decent price in my area. Went with a Raptor Toy Hauler instead.

Did you happen to try the edge on the tow mode? (setting #2)

 

[Mr. D]

Thanks for the towing report! Those Desert Fox trailers are nice. I was looking at one of their toy haulers, but just couldn't find one with a decent price in my area. Went with a Raptor Toy Hauler instead.

Did you happen to try the edge on the tow mode? (setting #2)

I left the Edge in Economy mode all the time. It didn't seem to have any problems being in that mode. I tried the "Tow/Haul" on the tranny and frankly didn't see much difference. I think it would be useful climbing mountains when the tranny gets confused which gear to be in. With lighter trailers, I didn't use it with my diesels either.

 

[Mr. D]

I posted a "Tips For Newbies Blurb I wrote. Hope it is helpful!

If I don't get what I want for the trailer I'll keep it and I may pass you on the coasts of California & Oregon.

I'm just done with cross country trips! To much driving across boring highways to get back East! I-10 is a killer, mind numbing until Eastern Texas. I-70 is tough across Eastern Colorado & Kansas. I-40 is the easiest to stay awake on with more choices for stopping, but it is tough until Eastern New Mexico too! Frankly, with gas prices today, & considering vacation time available ... now days I would fly back East & rent a car & drive my family down the East Coast from Maine to Florida rather than RV it back East across the plains states highways.... but then I've done it many, many times! Sorry Plains States Highways! LOL!

We still like going from the San Luis Obispo area through Northern Calif. Oregon & Washington up to Vancouver, Canada. If you ever get the chance put your RV on the Anacortes Ferry to Victoria Island. It stops at the islands to deliver fresh produce, mail, etc. It's like going in and out of the Greek Islands! Also from Vancouver to Bannf if you have time. Bannf is America's Swiss Alps.

Have fun RVing all! Any questions I can answer... let me know! I can give you some tips about going across the U.S. as I have done it many times!