F150 Ecoboost and an enclosed trailer

Doug1 · 03-13-2015, 11:13 AM

Bought a 2wd EcoBoost in 2011 King Ranch with the super crew cab. It came with the towing package and was rated as having the highest towing capacity other than stepping up to a diesel. I had to pull an open car trailer at the time and it worked well.

Anyone try pulling a 28 ft enclosed trailer with this setup? I know I really need a dually with a diesel but I don't have that at the moment and have a chance to pick up a 28 ft Vintage trailer for a pretty good price.

james schaechter · 03-14-2015, 07:46 AM

I would be most concerned with the handling and braking. I see if it has the max towing package the rating is over 11,000lbs. Maybe it has big brakes and better springs. If it was me, I would dig into that to confirm first. I can't imagine the engine being a rocket ship for towing, but that is what it is. If you don't have the max towing package I would be concerned about the total weight loaded.

I have not towed with an eco boost, but I was researching a new truck to replace my diesel duramax that was a 2002 and had 350k on it. Chevy has a max towing package 1500 that is rated over 11,000lbs. It had more than enough power and I felt that the upgraded brakes and suspension would have handled the 24 ft enclosed I have.i am sure ours is about 8,000lbs loaded. I ended up buying a cream puff used duramax and I am really happy with that. I guess I just couldn't go back to a half ton after owning 3/4 tons for over 20 years.

Good luck,

jmcarter · 03-14-2015, 08:58 AM

Pretty common for a steel 28 ft enclosed, race car, tools to run north of 10K at the scales and have a lot of tongue weight which is likely to put you over on rear axle load rating. A really good weight distribution hitch will help but you'll need to take it easy, particularly on those long 6+% grades...the turbo will get you up the hill but downhill can be white knuckle. If you're committed to the Ford Ecoboost then I'd recommend staying with the open trailer or finding a aluminum trailer (ATC Raven series being one of the more reasonably priced examples). Just my 2 cents based on many years of towing race trailers and RV's.

Doug1 · 03-14-2015, 10:23 AM

I'm not sold on the EcoBoost as a towing vehicle for this rig but it is my daily driver so I wanted to try to avoid having to get an additional vehicle. Guess I'm going to have to look for another tow vehicle when the time comes to use the trailer. The car is several months from being done so that will buy me a little time.

cad · 03-14-2015, 11:22 AM

My good buddy tows his 28 Haulmark Elite II with cabinets, Honda 3000eu generator, 71 Chevelle, and golf cart with no issues with his 2014 F150 Ecoboost.
He gets pretty good mileage (10+) and it stays in overdrive most of the time.
I am not a Ford fan, but I wouldnt trade it off until you try it. It out pulled my 2014 6.0L 2500HD by a mile...DO NOT get a 6.0L 2500HD with VVT. I got 7mpg pulling my 24' last summer. Needless to say, I have a Duramax now.
You will need an equalizer hitch, but those are only $250.

Clark

mtheulen · 05-02-2015, 09:39 PM

Pulling it will not be the problem.Stopping it will

03-13-2015, 11:13 AM	#1
Doug1 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 2 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	F150 Ecoboost and an enclosed trailer Bought a 2wd EcoBoost in 2011 King Ranch with the super crew cab. It came with the towing package and was rated as having the highest towing capacity other than stepping up to a diesel. I had to pull an open car trailer at the time and it worked well. Anyone try pulling a 28 ft enclosed trailer with this setup? I know I really need a dually with a diesel but I don't have that at the moment and have a chance to pick up a 28 ft Vintage trailer for a pretty good price.

03-14-2015, 07:46 AM	#2
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,994 Likes: 1,296 Liked 1,440 Times in 301 Posts	Re: F150 Ecoboost and an enclosed trailer I would be most concerned with the handling and braking. I see if it has the max towing package the rating is over 11,000lbs. Maybe it has big brakes and better springs. If it was me, I would dig into that to confirm first. I can't imagine the engine being a rocket ship for towing, but that is what it is. If you don't have the max towing package I would be concerned about the total weight loaded. I have not towed with an eco boost, but I was researching a new truck to replace my diesel duramax that was a 2002 and had 350k on it. Chevy has a max towing package 1500 that is rated over 11,000lbs. It had more than enough power and I felt that the upgraded brakes and suspension would have handled the 24 ft enclosed I have.i am sure ours is about 8,000lbs loaded. I ended up buying a cream puff used duramax and I am really happy with that. I guess I just couldn't go back to a half ton after owning 3/4 tons for over 20 years. Good luck, __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

03-14-2015, 08:58 AM	#3
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,308 Likes: 2,413 Liked 3,227 Times in 981 Posts	Re: F150 Ecoboost and an enclosed trailer Pretty common for a steel 28 ft enclosed, race car, tools to run north of 10K at the scales and have a lot of tongue weight which is likely to put you over on rear axle load rating. A really good weight distribution hitch will help but you'll need to take it easy, particularly on those long 6+% grades...the turbo will get you up the hill but downhill can be white knuckle. If you're committed to the Ford Ecoboost then I'd recommend staying with the open trailer or finding a aluminum trailer (ATC Raven series being one of the more reasonably priced examples). Just my 2 cents based on many years of towing race trailers and RV's. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

03-14-2015, 10:23 AM	#4
Doug1 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 2 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: F150 Ecoboost and an enclosed trailer I'm not sold on the EcoBoost as a towing vehicle for this rig but it is my daily driver so I wanted to try to avoid having to get an additional vehicle. Guess I'm going to have to look for another tow vehicle when the time comes to use the trailer. The car is several months from being done so that will buy me a little time.

03-14-2015, 11:22 AM	#5
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 703 Likes: 203 Liked 93 Times in 52 Posts	Re: F150 Ecoboost and an enclosed trailer My good buddy tows his 28 Haulmark Elite II with cabinets, Honda 3000eu generator, 71 Chevelle, and golf cart with no issues with his 2014 F150 Ecoboost. He gets pretty good mileage (10+) and it stays in overdrive most of the time. I am not a Ford fan, but I wouldnt trade it off until you try it. It out pulled my 2014 6.0L 2500HD by a mile...DO NOT get a 6.0L 2500HD with VVT. I got 7mpg pulling my 24' last summer. Needless to say, I have a Duramax now. You will need an equalizer hitch, but those are only $250. Clark

05-02-2015, 09:39 PM	#6
mtheulen Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 12 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: F150 Ecoboost and an enclosed trailer Pulling it will not be the problem.Stopping it will