Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
Mine is just an XLT 301A pkg.I do have the peasant model and the higher trim have more illustrations. This one have just what I need...
2016-2017 F150 4x4 EcoBoost - Real world experiences??
- Thread starter zuren
- Start date
I have a 2017 3.5 EB FX4 Supercab 6.5' bed, 36 gallon tank, max tow. My wife and I (kids are grown) are very happy with it - it hits the sweet spot for us (can tow, can moderately off-road, can haul stuff in the bed). The 36 gallon tank is very nice - I don't usually bother taking extra gas. I occasionally go on rides with a local 4x4 club; what is a "moderate" trail for the jeeps is about the limit of what the truck/driver can handle (2" level, some added weight (winch etc.). I would definitely not want to be a foot longer (6.5' supercrew) - I scrape enough already. It does great on ordinary forest service roads (it eats up corrugations), and straightforward trails like the "White Rim" trail are similarly no problem. While we are adding a rack and RTT, camping out of the 6.5' bed (with tonneau cover) is very comfortable - we've just been using Plano boxes.
Be aware with the EB you are limited in winch bumper selections unless you relocate the intercooler. With my added weight and 2" level, but stock tire size (KO2s), I can just edge above 20mpg on the highway at 65 if I'm delicate with the accelerator, but normally average about 17 with my town and normal highway driving (80mph) mix.
For us it has been a great purchase, but everyone has a different mix of needs.
Be aware with the EB you are limited in winch bumper selections unless you relocate the intercooler. With my added weight and 2" level, but stock tire size (KO2s), I can just edge above 20mpg on the highway at 65 if I'm delicate with the accelerator, but normally average about 17 with my town and normal highway driving (80mph) mix.
For us it has been a great purchase, but everyone has a different mix of needs.
Regcabguy
Oil eater.
Is that downhill?
Downhill? My neighbor's 2wd Supercrew,3.5 Ecoboost with MIchelin pizza cutters averages 15-16 mpg combined.
Buliwyf
Viking with a Hammer
How many stops? Idle time?
I recommend only using hwy mileage. That's the only fair test.
Ashland OH, to Dayton, all hwy, 77mph cruise control nets 16+mpg on my F250 with XL wheels and tires. I get 0 in the city, and every time I touch the brake pedal, kiss 0.5mpg away.
I recommend only using hwy mileage. That's the only fair test.
Ashland OH, to Dayton, all hwy, 77mph cruise control nets 16+mpg on my F250 with XL wheels and tires. I get 0 in the city, and every time I touch the brake pedal, kiss 0.5mpg away.
Dougnuts
Well-known member
Your neighbor must have a very heavy foot or do a majority of his trips in the city. Not sure about the picture you quoted, but my truck’s meter reads about 1 to 1.1mpg higher than Fuelly has given me and I’ve seen 24mpg on the dash from St. Louis to Lincoln, NE.
Regarding the 5.0 being solid, it seems that the newer ones have a ticking noise issue, as do the Mustangs. Just be advised that there may be something there.
I have a 2017 2.7 XL supercab with the FX4 and STX packages, 6spd and 3.55 gear ratio. I wanted the XL because I didn’t want carpet in my truck and I prefer the gear selector on the tree. The one I found just happened to have the STX package and I’m glad it did - lots of good stuff.
I read a lot about the 2.7 engine design, and I used one quite a bit at work on an airport snow team. I drove the 3.5 and the 5.0 before deciding I liked the 2.7 best. It feels the quickest, gets slightly better mileage, and was the cheapest of the 3. I considered competitors, but after driving every mid and full size truck, the choice was pretty obvious.
My impressions after 20k miles:
Performance: Super light on its feet - the aluminum body is really something. The little 2.7 in sport mode is faster than you would expect for a truck. I’ve owned many different turbos in the past, and the lag in these twin-turbo trucks is almost negligible. I was surprised to read someone mention turbo lag in an earlier post.
Problems: I haven’t had any issues other than a door lock recall - issues with freezing weather - fixed for free under warranty.
Towing: The truck tows very well power-wise, but there’s not much weight in the rear so a wdh would help, but I still tow a 4K lb travel trailer with a ball hitch and no issues - just long distance fatigue. I take about a 5mpg hit towing that trailer, from an average 20 to about 15. The stock FX4 shocks are garbage.
Off road / Snow & Ice: Pretty good for what it is. I’ve been in some places I had no business going and never got stuck. 4Lo and the rear locker is the business. The FX4 comes with downhill assist but I’ve never used it so can’t comment.
Rain: Not great unless you splurge for the version that’s AWD. Typical truck.
Minor annoyances: The auto start/stop is fine in decent weather, but sucks when it’s hot out and the AC isn’t on full blast. If AC is on high or you’re in tow/haul mode the start/stop function is deactivated. Its just a button, but still lame. Also, it’s kind of high off the ground for a stock truck, but I imagine some people like that.
Advice:
Get the tow haul/payload package and the big gas tank. It will just open up options you may not currently be considering.
A backup camera would be nice, but if you don’t mind mirror parking it’s not a huge deal.
Swap the crappy rancho shocks for bilsteins.
Get running boards.
If you get an XL, make sure it has the STX option.
I read a lot about the 2.7 engine design, and I used one quite a bit at work on an airport snow team. I drove the 3.5 and the 5.0 before deciding I liked the 2.7 best. It feels the quickest, gets slightly better mileage, and was the cheapest of the 3. I considered competitors, but after driving every mid and full size truck, the choice was pretty obvious.
My impressions after 20k miles:
Performance: Super light on its feet - the aluminum body is really something. The little 2.7 in sport mode is faster than you would expect for a truck. I’ve owned many different turbos in the past, and the lag in these twin-turbo trucks is almost negligible. I was surprised to read someone mention turbo lag in an earlier post.
Problems: I haven’t had any issues other than a door lock recall - issues with freezing weather - fixed for free under warranty.
Towing: The truck tows very well power-wise, but there’s not much weight in the rear so a wdh would help, but I still tow a 4K lb travel trailer with a ball hitch and no issues - just long distance fatigue. I take about a 5mpg hit towing that trailer, from an average 20 to about 15. The stock FX4 shocks are garbage.
Off road / Snow & Ice: Pretty good for what it is. I’ve been in some places I had no business going and never got stuck. 4Lo and the rear locker is the business. The FX4 comes with downhill assist but I’ve never used it so can’t comment.
Rain: Not great unless you splurge for the version that’s AWD. Typical truck.
Minor annoyances: The auto start/stop is fine in decent weather, but sucks when it’s hot out and the AC isn’t on full blast. If AC is on high or you’re in tow/haul mode the start/stop function is deactivated. Its just a button, but still lame. Also, it’s kind of high off the ground for a stock truck, but I imagine some people like that.
Advice:
Get the tow haul/payload package and the big gas tank. It will just open up options you may not currently be considering.
A backup camera would be nice, but if you don’t mind mirror parking it’s not a huge deal.
Swap the crappy rancho shocks for bilsteins.
Get running boards.
If you get an XL, make sure it has the STX option.
ebrabaek
Adventurer
Not at all.
Numerous mountain passes that we climbed. Granted the highest speed was 70 mph, but most was 60-65.
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
Since you were previously contemplating a mid size, I'm guessing that you don't to anything heavy, thus you have no need for the 3.5. The 2.7 is a great motor and doesn't have the timing chain problems that some of the 3.5 have.
There is a video on YouTube showing a drag race between the 2.7, 3.5, and 5.0. The 2.7 wasted the 5.0 and showed that the 3.5 isn't worth the decreased fuel economy unless you actually need it.
I have had the 3.5 and 5.0 in work trucks and currently have the 2.7 in my truck. While all three are good motors, the 2.7 is definitely my favorite. There is zero lag and with a simple tune it turns into an absolute monster.
I have a 2017 Screw STX 2wd. I get 24-25 mpg doing 70, 27-28 mpg doing 65, and 19-20 mpg doing 80. I usually get 20-21 mpg in town. My life time average over ~33,000 miles is 20.9 mpg. The worst I have gotten is 9mpg towing a buddies camper. It was around 9k and ai set the cruise at 75mpg.
There is a video on YouTube showing a drag race between the 2.7, 3.5, and 5.0. The 2.7 wasted the 5.0 and showed that the 3.5 isn't worth the decreased fuel economy unless you actually need it.
I have had the 3.5 and 5.0 in work trucks and currently have the 2.7 in my truck. While all three are good motors, the 2.7 is definitely my favorite. There is zero lag and with a simple tune it turns into an absolute monster.
I have a 2017 Screw STX 2wd. I get 24-25 mpg doing 70, 27-28 mpg doing 65, and 19-20 mpg doing 80. I usually get 20-21 mpg in town. My life time average over ~33,000 miles is 20.9 mpg. The worst I have gotten is 9mpg towing a buddies camper. It was around 9k and ai set the cruise at 75mpg.
I have a 2018 F150 Supercab 3.5 Ecoboost. Just completed a 2000 mile mixed freeway, mountain, city and offroad trip. 1/3 of the trip was with a relatively unloaded truck and the meter said 21.1 / 20.24 hand calculated. I didn't baby it and it included 80 mph Highway 90 N. Idaho. 2/3 of the trip was with the addition of a Gofast camper and I got slightly over 19 mpg with similar driving conditions but more 8000 ft+ altitude and more dirt roads. I hand calculated.
Around my little town, where most drives are 3-4 miles I get 12-14.
So far the truck has been trouble free and has handled every situation with ease. It hardly notices the camper and is still fun to drive. It's probably the fastest stock 4WD pickup on the market not that I need that much speed. The new Fords have the largest payload and greatest towing capacity of any non diesel 1/2 ton pickup. The stock 3.5 EB is a torque monster @ 470 lb./ft. and the torque is available at low RPM. In mountain driving its's nice not to have the engine whining at high RPM much of the time. Also high altitude doesn't affect turbo charged engines as much as NA engines.
Around my little town, where most drives are 3-4 miles I get 12-14.
So far the truck has been trouble free and has handled every situation with ease. It hardly notices the camper and is still fun to drive. It's probably the fastest stock 4WD pickup on the market not that I need that much speed. The new Fords have the largest payload and greatest towing capacity of any non diesel 1/2 ton pickup. The stock 3.5 EB is a torque monster @ 470 lb./ft. and the torque is available at low RPM. In mountain driving its's nice not to have the engine whining at high RPM much of the time. Also high altitude doesn't affect turbo charged engines as much as NA engines.
Last edited:
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
For those of you that own a newer F150, you can correct the display to make the mpg read out more accurate.
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/fix-inaccurate-mpg-display-2-minutes-421912/
I did it to mine and it's usually with in a 10th of a hand calculation.
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/fix-inaccurate-mpg-display-2-minutes-421912/
I did it to mine and it's usually with in a 10th of a hand calculation.
Compromise is a terrible idea, let her pick what she wants or she's going to be blaming you for however long till she gets the car she wants. Another point is a 1/2 ton is no substitute for a 3/4 ton, if you want a 3/4 ton just get her what she wants, wait two years, and buy the truck you want (or you can get your truck first and then get her the minivan she really wants); you'll both be happier. The 3/4 ton can haul a nicer camper so the family is more likely to want to go camping with you, can't tell you how my guys I've wheeled with over the years who's spouse wouldn't go with them.
With that out of the way, I'm really happy with my new F150 XLT FX4. The auto start/stop is really annoying when it's 90+ outside and the A/C compressor stops with the motor. Good luck find a 6.5' bed, I gave up and settled for the 5.5', because I didn't want a white truck.
Guessing you don't own and haven't owned a Mid Size truck in the last decade, because there is a huge difference between driving a Mid Size and a Full Size. Especially in a parking garage.
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
The F150 can be had with a 6.5' bed and the HDPP (Heavy Duty Payload Package), thus giving it the payload capacity of previous generations of 3/4 ton trucks.
HD package is only for the 5.0L V8, it's what I was looking for when I settled for a left over 2018. The biggest issue I had when looking for an F150 was trying to find one with a tow package and a 6.5' bed, the dealers around me were ordering the trucks and just adding the $95 hitch which limits your tow rating to what a Mid size truck can tow.
Bigc3031
Active member
I have 105,000+ miles on my 2015 F150 3.5EB 6.5’ super crew 4x4 lariat with max tow. It’s fully loaded.
This has been the best truck I’ve owned but there have been some issues.
The sunroof sucks. I’ve had it replaced 3 times. I’ll never get one again.
The throttle body failed two weeks ago. This is common at around 100k and the replacement features a metal gear instead of the plastic one.
The cooling seats suck. They heat up over time. The newer trucks have gone back to a fan based ventilated seat which actually works.
Tailgate solenoid failed. Month in, no problems since.
3 of 4 studs sheered on the turbo but drove fine. Dealer fixed in a day.
I lose the auto parallel parking feature which I love if I do a winch bumper. I know this sounds ridiculous but I use the auto park 4-5 times a week.
All of this aside I would buy the truck again. My plan is to buy the last model year they have the same bed dimensions and transfer all my gear over to it. The power is awesome, the ride is great, the service has been stellar.
There are more f150s in the field than all other full sized trucks from all domestic brands combined. There is a reason for this. This is also why you will find more complaints, it’s the sheer number out there.
This has been the best truck I’ve owned but there have been some issues.
The sunroof sucks. I’ve had it replaced 3 times. I’ll never get one again.
The throttle body failed two weeks ago. This is common at around 100k and the replacement features a metal gear instead of the plastic one.
The cooling seats suck. They heat up over time. The newer trucks have gone back to a fan based ventilated seat which actually works.
Tailgate solenoid failed. Month in, no problems since.
3 of 4 studs sheered on the turbo but drove fine. Dealer fixed in a day.
I lose the auto parallel parking feature which I love if I do a winch bumper. I know this sounds ridiculous but I use the auto park 4-5 times a week.
All of this aside I would buy the truck again. My plan is to buy the last model year they have the same bed dimensions and transfer all my gear over to it. The power is awesome, the ride is great, the service has been stellar.
There are more f150s in the field than all other full sized trucks from all domestic brands combined. There is a reason for this. This is also why you will find more complaints, it’s the sheer number out there.