F150 transmissions: Do more gears = better towing?

[motion]

I tow my little 8x12 enclosed race trailer with my 06 F150 5.4. Gas mileage drops from 17ish down to 9ish, and the poor truck really struggles with small hills and headwinds. I think I have a 4 speed. A buddy tells me the newer trucks have a 6 speed, and it makes a huge difference in towing. I've also heard Ford is coming out with a 8 speed. I was waiting for a 1/2 ton diesel from Ford, but this could change my mind into staying with a gasser, if true.

[stomachmonkey]

18 wheelers have from 8 to 18 gears.

[kaisen]

Yes, more gears equals better towing. The ratios are closer so it can a find the right gear for the speed and load -- doesn't have to lug, doesn't have to over rev

[motion]

Thanks. So, all things being equal, will more gears result in better mpg while towing?

Reason I ask is because I would hate to fork out $40K plus for a new F150 with a 5.0 and end up with 9mpg while towing my small trailer.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by motion

Thanks. So, all things being equal, will more gears result in better mpg while towing?

Reason I ask is because I would hate to fork out $40K plus for a new F150 with a 5.0 and end up with 9mpg while towing my small trailer.

How small is "small?" Is it a box or a flatbed?

In general more gears give you more options to match ground speed with the engine's most efficient RPM, so yes it gets better mileage. The more your terrain and load vary, the more difference there would be between a 6 speed and a 4 speed.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by motion

Thanks. So, all things being equal, will more gears result in better mpg while towing?

Reason I ask is because I would hate to fork out $40K plus for a new F150 with a 5.0 and end up with 9mpg while towing my small trailer.

One way or another, more gears results in better mpg while towing. It's a complex mix of variables, but that's generally true. All that really matters in a long distance freeway towing situation is your final drive ratio => what that equates to in engine rpm at the speed you want to drive => is your engine efficient at that rpm?

I'd honestly wait for the new F150 unless you get a tremendous deal (which you tend to do).

You know me, I'd also recommend the new GM as it gets much better real-world fuel economy, especially towing a small trailer like that.

[speeder]

When that aluminum F-150 comes out, I'll probably have a low mileage 2013 ecoboost for sale.

[speeder]

Even has double MC tire chock things already installed in the bed.

[JAR0023]

I have no opinion and no real idea on the longevity of the ecoboost six in the F-150 but my dad loves his. He went from an '04 5.4 to a '13 with the turbo six. Said it tows much better. FWIW he pulls a Polaris Ranger on an open trailer (light but might as well be a spinnaker) and a 20 ft. enclosed trailer full of tools/supplies. -J

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I'd honestly wait for the new F150 unless you get a tremendous deal (which you tend to do).

Considering the hype that the new F150 is getting, I suspect there will be some fantastic deals to be had on left over 2014 models.

Only one data point, but I regularly tow 4000 lb of 23' boat and 2000 lb of tandem axle trailer, so 6000 lb of tall and wide load. Truck is a 2012 F150 SuperCrew 4x4 with the 5.0 and 3.55 rear axle ratio, tires are approximately 1" oversize which doesn't help MPG. At 65 MPH I get in the ballpark of 12-13 MPG, at 80 MPH it's more like 9 MPG. On the upside, I can set the cruise at 80-85 MPH and the truck maintains speed.

[daepp]

We run a fleet of close to 40 Ford pickups at work.

F150's 2004 and later, most with 4.6: all are on their second or third tranny by 200K. I had hoped that the 6 speed 2012 was better, but it was actually more expensive to fix and the tranny lasted no longer than the 4 speed. Also the newer 4.6 has more power but no better on the trans. I still love 'em, and they're the greatest driving trucks ever so...

F250's 2001 to 2012, most with 5.4: not a single tranny replacement. And they are usually driven fairly loaded up with stuff, but very little trailering.

Just my personal experience - YMMV!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by daepp

We run a fleet of close to 40 Ford pickups at work.

F150's 2004 and later, most with 4.6: all are on their second or third tranny by 200K. I had hoped that the 6 speed 2012 was better, but it was actually more expensive to fix and the tranny lasted no longer than the 4 speed. Also the newer 4.6 has more power but no better on the trans. I still love 'em, and they're the greatest driving trucks ever so...

F250's 2001 to 2012, most with 5.4: not a single tranny replacement. And they are usually driven fairly loaded up with stuff, but very little trailering.

Just my personal experience - YMMV!

That's interesting. My inlaws have owned a 2008 F150 5.4 since new, at 130k now and it still drives great. They have done almost nothing to it. The 6-speed in the newer trucks is basically the same as the 5.0 Mustang, they put silly amounts of power through it reliably in modified cars.

I wasn't 100% happy with the fuel economy biased shift logic in my truck, so I installed a 5-Star custom tune. Absolutely night and day difference.

[daepp]

We have one 5.4 F150 - a 2004. It has about 80K on the original trans. IDK if it's the same one as in the 3/4 ton or not. So far so good; however, it has had very light duty as a part-getter and it has low miles.

If I were buying, I would buy Ford, and make the choices as follows:

- MPG as the driving force: F150 twin turbo Eco-boost V6, or wait for a light duty diesel or Al F150.
- Longevity/Reliability: F250, gas or diesel, with a 5 or 6 speed manual. Last year was around 2010-11.

I will only buy Ford, but the F150 autos are a week point for us to be sure. And we do have the transmissions serviced. The 150's do 90% of their miles on the freeway in moving traffic. And every one of the 4.6's has had at least 1 rebuild by 150K. I'm sure our guys are in a hurry and never baby them, but I wish they'd last like the 250's.

The 250's are driven on the same freeways, fully loaded with tools and materials, then a short distance off-road on job sites. We've had a few of the blown spark plugs, but we know how to prevent that for the most part now. We've lost a few fuel pumps, lots of coil packs etc, but a lot of them have 300K+ and we have no intention of getting rid of them.

Good luck Motion. FWIW, if I didn't have to drive it every day, I'd go for the manual diesel F250. They are hard core!

[tedg04]

Originally Posted by daepp

FWIW, if I didn't have to drive it every day, I'd go for the manual diesel F250. They are hard core!

Especially if they are nearing on 20yrs old. I'm so metal.

[ledhedsymbols]

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