Ford F150 3.5 Ecoboost experiences

[BBZ]

Hey all
About to order a new truck.. F150 HDPP 8 foot bed (same truck I have now, just newer).

I have had the 5.0 in my last 3 trucks and have not been disappointed at all, but considering the 3.5 ecoboost..

Experiences? Obviously its powerful.. What is the fuel economy like with a FWC?

We have average 15-18 no problem with camper on, I have heard the ecoboost suffers with a load?

Opinions please!

 

[MarkBC]

I have a 2022 F150 4x4 with the 3.5L Ecoboost. I love it. Unfortunately, I can't say how it would do carrying my FWC Hawk; it's my trailer-towing rig.
That said, I get about 24 mpg (at 65 mph, neutral conditions) when NOT towing and about 14 mpg when towing my 19-foot, 4000-lb, Escape trailer under similar conditions.

 

[BBZ]

I have a 2022 F150 4x4 with the 3.5L Ecoboost. I love it. Unfortunately, I can't say how it would do carrying my FWC Hawk; it's my trailer-towing rig.
That said, I get about 24 mpg (at 65 mph, neutral conditions) when NOT towing and about 14 mpg when towing my 19-foot, 4000-lb, Escape trailer under similar conditions.

That is solid.. do you know what gear ratio?

 

[MarkBC]

That is solid.. do you know what gear ratio?

I had to look it up in the spec sheet: 3.55

 

[TGK]

I have a 2017 F150 4x4 with the 3.5L EB and, like Mark, am towing a trailer in the 4,000 - 5,200 lb range. (My FWC was on an older F250 and that combo was sold a while back). On the freeway in relatively flat terrain and not towing, I've seen up to 22mpg. On two lane in mountainous/hilly terrain, 18- 20+. With the trailer on can get 14 - 15 on the flats if I don't go over 60 or so. Heavier on the pedal or in the hills, it will drop to 11 - 13 depending on the grades. I've been very happy with the set up. A very comfortable truck to drive compared to the older F250.

 

[TGK]

Hey all
About to order a new truck.. F150 HDPP 8 foot bed (same truck I have now, just newer).

I have had the 5.0 in my last 3 trucks and have not been disappointed at all, but considering the 3.5 ecoboost..

Experiences? Obviously its powerful.. What is the fuel economy like with a FWC?

We have average 15-18 no problem with camper on, I have heard the ecoboost suffers with a load?

Opinions please!

I meant to ask what sort of lead time are they quoting for your factory order with the HDPP?

 

[BobM]

I have the 3.5 10 Speed EB in my Transit Van which is a Class B Pleasureway Ontour 2.0 so it's heavier than a pop up camper and I get 16-17 mpg driving at high speed. I'm the truck will do better. No issues after 3 years and it is a power house and no issues at elevation.

 

[BBZ]

I meant to ask what sort of lead time are they quoting for your factory order with the HDPP?

depends who you ask, haha.. and what options you get.

I was told about 2 months if you keep it relatively simple..

 

[jclifb]

Had the 3.5L eco-boost in my van that was fully built out. It was a fantastic motor with gobs of power!

 

[WjColdWater]

I have had both 3.5 and 5.0 with a Grandby. My 2017 3.5/10 speed was enough truck for the Grandby and a 19’ Ranger bass boat. I traded it for a 2020 5.0/10 speed with the HDPP and it also did the job with both. I personally would stick with the 5.0 if your Grandby will be on it most of the time. The 3.5 is a fantastic motor for an everyday driver for fuel economy but, drops of fast with a load. I just think if you keep the 5.0 for the long haul it would be a better choice. That said no bad choice between the two motors.

 

[Atlin]

2015 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost, had it since new. Medium cab (suicide doors, not a full crew cab) and 6.5 bed with ATC Cougar (7' wide by 8' long, sits on the tailgate with the gate down). Running at around 67 mph without camper I get around 20-22 mpg, with the camper on, drops to 15-16 mpg. Plenty of power for whatever one would want to do with it - I would even consider going to the 2.7 ecoboost and probably still have sufficient power. Just over 100k on it so far, and no major issues. This has been a comfortable truck for us.

Also, I have the large fuel tank (36 gallons), which gives plenty of range with or without the camper. Well worth looking for one that has the big tank, in my opinion.

 

[BBZ]

2015 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost, had it since new. Medium cab (suicide doors, not a full crew cab) and 6.5 bed with ATC Cougar (7' wide by 8' long, sits on the tailgate with the gate down). Running at around 67 mph without camper I get around 20-22 mpg, with the camper on, drops to 15-16 mpg. Plenty of power for whatever one would want to do with it - I would even consider going to the 2.7 ecoboost and probably still have sufficient power. Just over 100k on it so far, and no major issues. This has been a comfortable truck for us.

Also, I have the large fuel tank (36 gallons), which gives plenty of range with or without the camper. Well worth looking for one that has the big tank, in my opinion.

Big fuel tank is a must! I currently have the 5.0 HDPP and am leaning with sticking with the 5.0..

 

[BBZ]

Cant get a HDPP with the 2.7 fyi.. so not really an option

 

[Flyfisher]

WjColdWater - What kind of mileage did you get with the 5.0 vs. the 3.5? (guessing that you drove them at about the same speed)

 

[Yonder37]

Recently acquired 2023 F150 Supercrew, 3.5L Ecoboost, 6.5' bed, 4WD/FX4, HDPP/Maxtow. Payload is 2478 lbs; towing rated at 13,700 lbs (but have never towed with it). Carrying a well-equipped FWC Hawk camper, dry weight 1430 lbs. Have been getting 15-16 mpg since the camper was installed, in a mix of highway and backroad driving. Power is ample, even with camper.

Added Firestone Ride-Rite air springs as recommended by FWC, not sure if they were actually necessary on an HDPP. Not sure FX4 package was worthwhile, as most FX4 components are included with HDPP/Maxtow anyway (the decal apparently adds resale value). Not thrilled with the C-rated General Grabber tires that Ford puts on HDPPs, plan to replace with E-rated Falken Wildpeaks.

Pleased with rig overall.

 

[Yonder37]

For 2023, the HDPP is only available on the base XL trim, and must be ordered with Maxtow. The "base" XL trim still seems pretty nice to me, especially with the "XL High" equipment group.

I ordered mine in early September 2022, it arrived in mid-January 2023, so over four month lead time. Did not get a few normally-standard features, like auto start-stop and heated mirrors. Supply situation is probably better now.

The HDPP/Maxtow includes the 36-gallon tank, also 3.73 axle with rear locker and upgraded frame, springs, brakes, hitch, wheels, and tires. GVWR goes up to 7,850 lbs, so higher payload. Ford could market this as the "F-200", between the F-150 and F-250.

 

[Yonder37]

Had three issues with 2023 F-150 related to the camper:

(1) satellite radio antenna is in a "wart" near the rear edge of the cab roof. It is covered by the cabover part of the camper, which apparently ruins reception. I went to a knowledgeable car stereo place before the camper was installed, and they put a new antenna on the hood near the windshield. Works well.

(2) GPS antenna is in a second "wart" near the rear edge of the cab roof. Same problem. The car stereo place installed a new GPS module on the dash near the windshield. Works well.

(3) the backup camera is on the tailgate, which is removed for the camper. FWC will install a new one, but they didn't have one that worked with a 2023 F-150. Found a replacement kit which included the same camera that Ford uses; it plugs into the same wiring and uses the same screen on the dash. The car stereo place mounted it in on the bottom of the camper under the door. Viewing angle is lower than when the camera was on the tailgate, but still adequate.

 

[BBZ]

I just placed my order last week.. will see how long it takes. Agree that the XL package is pretty nice (seems nearly identical to my current XLT package from 2016). Will keep my eye out for those issue you mentioned..

 

[Yonder37]

Started a previous thread at this site on relocating the GPS and satellite radio antennas on late-model F150s:
https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/24490-relocating-ford-antennas-for-fwc/

I replaced the backup camera using this kit, which includes a new camera:
https://www.mnrelectronics.com/250-8700-2021-ford-f-150-with-oem-360-view-and-mono-hd-includes-new-oe-camera/

Or can be done cheaper by removing and reusing the camera in the tailgate:
https://www.mnrelectronics.com/250-8701-2021-ford-f-150-with-oem-360-view-and-mono-hd-reuse-oe-camera-from-tailgate/

 

[WjColdWater]

WjColdWater - What kind of mileage did you get with the 5.0 vs. the 3.5? (guessing that you drove them at about the same speed)

I can’t give you good information on that for a couple of reasons. My 2017 3.5/10 speed with a Grandby and a 19’ Ranger bass boat 3500 lbs would do 10-11.4 depending on conditions. My 2020 5.0/10 with the HDPP with a Grandby and a BassCat 4200 lbs. would do about the same. Empty the 3.5 would do 18-20 depending on conditions the 5.0 would do 16-18.