If you're looking to bring great trailer, the particular 2017 ford f 150 3. 5 ecoboost towing capacity is most likely the most essential spec on your own radar right this moment. Back in 2017, Ford really stepped upward their game by introducing the second-generation 3. 5L Ecoboost engine, and this completely shifted the conversation about what a V6 can do in a global traditionally dominated simply by V8s. At the absolute peak, this particular truck was graded to tow up to twelve, 200 pounds , but as those who have actually spent time behind the steering wheel knows, that number isn't an one-size-fits-all warranty.
The Big Question: How Much Can It Really Pull?
When people speak about the 12, 200-pound limit, they're talking about a very specific configuration. Going to that max 2017 ford f 150 3. 5 ecoboost towing capacity, you'd usually need the SuperCab or SuperCrew using the 6. 5-foot bed, 2WD, plus most importantly, the Greatest extent Trailer Tow Deal .
If you're searching at a four wheel drive model—which let's end up being honest, most individuals are—that number usually dips a small bit, often landing somewhere between ten, 500 and eleven, 500 pounds based on your gear ratio and wheelbase. Even in the "lower" end, you're nevertheless out-pulling most of the competitors from that same year. It's the beast of the electric motor that relies on turbocharging to get the job done rather than raw displacement.
Why 2017 Was obviously a Special Year for that 3. 5L
You might wonder why the 2017 model is like a frequent subject of conversation. It's because Ford do a massive overhaul from the 3. 5L Ecoboost for that will specific model 12 months. They didn't just tweak a few issues; they added slot fuel injection in order to go along along with the direct injection, which helped with long-term carbon buildup problems.
More importantly for towing, they boosted the particular torque. The 2017 version put away 470 lb-ft of rpm , which was a significant jump through the previous year. When you're pulling a 30-foot camper upward a mountain pass, torque is your best friend. It's exactly what gets the load moving and keeps this moving without the engine screaming at 5, 000 RPM the whole time.
The 10-Speed Transmission Factor
Another huge change in 2017 was your introduction of the particular 10-speed automatic transmission . Before this, the F-150 used the 6-speed. While the 6-speed was reliable, the 10-speed had been a game-changer regarding towing. Because this has more gears in order to choose from, the truck can stay in the "sweet spot" of the energy band much more effectively. You don't get those large "clunks" or massive drops in RPM when the truck shifts while under a heavy load. It feels smoother, more composed, and frankly, a lot more confident when you've got a great deal of weight behind you.
Don't Forget the Utmost Trailer Tow Deal
If you're shopping the utilized market for a 2017 F-150 particularly for towing, you have got to check the windowpane sticker or the VIN for the Max Trailer Tow line Package (Option Code 53C). Without this particular, your 2017 ford f 150 3. 5 ecoboost towing capacity isn't going to hit all those headline-grabbing numbers.
This package isn't just an extravagant hitch. It generally includes: * A good upgraded rear bumper and Class 4 hitch receiver. * A higher-capacity rad for better air conditioning. * An upgraded front side stabilizer bar. * The 3. 55 electronic-locking rear axle (though a few have the 3. 73). * Integrated Trailer Brake Control.
Without these upgrades, the truck may have the engine power to pull a house, but it won't have the air conditioning or the structural support to perform it safely for a long period of time.
The Payload Trap: Why Towing Capacity Isn't Everything
Here is the thing that catches most people off guard. You see "12, two hundred lbs" and believe you're good to go. However in the particular real world, you almost always run out of payload capacity before you decide to strike your max towing capacity.
Payload is the quantity of weight your truck can have by itself four tires. Including the car owner, the passengers, the particular cooler in the mattress, the heavy tonneau cover you set up, and—most importantly—the tongue pounds associated with the trailer.
If a person have a 10, 000-pound trailer, the language weight (the fat pressing upon the hitch) ought to be about 10% to 15% of that, therefore roughly 1, 500 to 1, five hundred pounds. If your truck's total payload capacity is just 1, 600 pounds (which is common for high-trim Lariats or King Ranches with lots of heavy features), and you have 1, 200 lbs of tongue excess weight, you only have 400 pounds still left for individuals and gear. In case you and your own spouse weigh 350 pounds combined, you've got almost absolutely no room left regarding a bag of groceries, let by yourself a family of 4 plus a dog.
Check the yellow sticker inside the driver's side door jamb. It is going to inform you exactly what that specific truck can carry. It's often very much lower than the marketing brochures suggest.
Real-World Traveling: What It's Actually Like
Towing using the 3. 5L Ecoboost is a different experience compared to towing having a conventional V8 such as the Ford 5. 0L. With a V8, you hear the engine working; you hear that roar. The Ecoboost is much quieter, yet you can feel the turbos spooling up.
Something most owners think is that the "Eco" in Ecoboost goes away the second you connect up a truck. While empty, these trucks will get decent mileage on the highway. Yet once you're making use of that 2017 ford f 150 three or more. 5 ecoboost towing capacity, you may see your fuel economy drop into the single digits. It takes plenty of energy to make that much boost and shift that much fat. It's a trade-off: you will get incredible pulling power and "big truck" performance, but you're going in order to pay for it on the pump.
Stability and Technology
Ford furthermore introduced some pretty cool tech in 2017 to make towing easier. The particular Professional Trailer Backup Assist was a big deal. It's that little bit of knob on the dashboard that allows you steer the trailer instead of the controls. With regard to veterans, it's a bit of a gimmick, but for somebody who only tows a boat several times a summer, it can save a lot of frustration (and embarrassment) on the vessel ramp.
The truck also functions sway control, which usually uses the brake systems automatically if it detects the trailer starting to fish-tail. In a lightweight aluminum-bodied truck like the 2017 F-150, having that electronic brain assisting you stay stable is a nice safety net.
Conclusions on the 2017 3. 5L Ecoboost
If you're looking for a half-ton truck that your punches above its pounds class, the 2017 F-150 with all the three or more. 5L Ecoboost is usually a solid choice. It was a pivotal year that will combined the first real "fix" associated with the Ecoboost's early quirks with the particular debut of a much better tranny.
Just remember: don't just glance at the 12, 200-pound number and call it each day. Check your axle ratio, appear at your doorway jamb sticker for your payload, and create sure the truck has the right chilling packages. When established up correctly, the 2017 ford f 150 3. 5 ecoboost towing capacity can make it one of the nearly all capable workhorses a person can find with no jumping up in order to a heavy-duty F-250. It's more compared to enough for most traveling trailers, car haulers, and large ships, provided you are doing the particular math before you decide to hit the road.