I miss having a frigging truck. So I jump on Ford and started pricing a new F150. I see a link for the '11 models with 4 new engines. I check it out and see that they will be offering the new 5.0 in the F150, but.......the new Turbo V6 puts down better numbers.

2011 Ford F-150 | View Full Engine Specifications | FordVehicles.com

Choices choices. I love still having access to a D-plan. lol.

 

Yeah, that twin turbo V6 looks very interesting. My concern is towing, and having that motor constantly in boost. I would hate to do that to a motor, not to mention I bet the gas mileage goes down quite a bit too.

 

Most I would tow is a flats boat or a jetski.

2011 Ford F-150 | EcoBoost Torture Test | FordVehicles.com

Watch the torture test.

I think I may have sold myself lol.

 

That's a cool video. I signed up to receive notice when the next ones come out.

My problem is, the truck I want would be over $40k new, and I can imagine that a 2011 F-150 would be able to tow up a mountain with a frozen engine block, but it will still have the same turn signal and wiper stalk and ignition switch design that were known bad on my 87 Mustang HAHA.

 

Lets not forget the faulty cruise controls

 

just because the technology gets more advanced, doesnt mean it gets any better.

i cant see the TT6 getting much love to be honest. maybe at first but after a while when people start to realize it really just isnt what ford hyped it up to be, it'll go down the tubes. sorta like the new camaros...

 

while i don't have any experience with that motor, i do have quite a bit in towing with a boosted gas motor. the ranger. the first time i towed something with it, i was concerned about it, but after a few minutes of driving, i realized there was nothing to worry about. the only time i was really in boost was when i was taking off from a stop, or passing a car. levi and i even towed his car down from indiana several years ago, and i was hardly ever in boost.

him and i were actually just talking about this motor the other day, and while i can't remember exactly what the numbers were, i do remember being very impressed with the towing capacity.

 

I had always loved my Ford trucks. Before the truck I have now I had only owned 2 other Chevy's, one was a Tow truck and the other an 84 C2500 with a 305. So I couldnt compare either of them to today technology.

The turbo V6 is intriguing. But not sure how comfortable I would feel with a V6 under the hood,.. even if it was rated twice the stats. I dont know,.. maybes its an ego thing.

I like Ford trucks dont get me wrong. But after owning my current truck (04 Silverado) since Feb 07, it had 43k miles when I bought it. I'm at almost 114k on the odometer now. And other then an electrical issue with the gauge cluster. I have no mechanical issues to report. Its been a good truck. I currently average 16 - 18 mpg during normal everyday driving. I used to get a little better before the E10 switch but thats another debate.

As for towing,.. if your just pulling a car trailer the current 5.4 (Ford) and 5.3 (GM) both offer more than enough HP and torq. I imagine the new 5.0 will have some good specs,.. but I dont see where the 5.0 will have the torq band for towing. Yeah its rate 380 torq. But it comes in at over 4000 RPM. The turbo V6 has a more usable torq curv for towing with its peak coming in at 2500 RPM.

The 5.3 in my truck is rated 305hp/335torq. For towing its been great. I still average 12 - 14 mpg pulling a loaded car trailer. And that is what sold me on Chevy trucks. No I'm not going to be pulling a big goose neck trailer or 3 car hauler. Its only a 1/2 ton truck after all. But with the Z60 brakes and suspension and the tow package it makes towing a car trailer as effortless and stable as any 3/4 ton truck out there (Minus the tongue weight of course).

I would wait and see what owners have to say about the trucks first. I personally will never buy a new vehicle ever again. The markup and then the depreciation after you drive off the lot kills it for me. I wait a year or 2 for some good deals. But I would wait and see what kind of reviews real world owners give of the new engines and real world fuel economy statistics by the owners. Not govt testers. Not sure if you guys are paying attention,.. but we're almost to $3 gal again. It would be nothing for gas prices to hit $4 gal 1 year from now. We've done it before. I would keep that in mind with any kind of truck purchase.

I dont see the 5.0 being a good motor for towing. The 6.2 would seem better in my mind. But I imagine the fuel economy goes out the window just like it does when you go from a 5.3 to a 6.0 Chevy. Yeah,.. the HP and torq is there. But sheesh.

The turbo V6 seems to have really nice numbers. Doesnt look like it needs to scream RPM's to make enough HP and Torq for towing either. That would be a deterrent for me if the torq peak didnt come on until 5000 RPM. What would be the point? But with it coming in at 2500,.. well thats a no brainer right there. And this is coming from a guy who HATES any none V8 motors.

Hurst

 

What would be so different than a Turbo Diesle? Turbo shouldnt see constant boost except under load( passing, up hill, WOT)

 

Well for starters, diesels are BUILT to be under boost the whole time, and lots of it. This ecoboost is a car motor stuffed into a truck.

No, it won't be under boost pulling a jon boat, but pulling an enclosed car trailer full of gear, it very well could be under boost the whole time.