I recently traded my 2010 F150 5.4 in on a 2012 2500 CTD ST CC LB 4x4. $36,662 after discounts OTD. To get an F150 with the long bed I would only be able to get the Scab. I got PW, PD locks, chrome bumpers/grill, carpet and Bluetooth. F150 EB's are at least that much and a lot more. I pull 7300lbs and quite frankly the truck feels like overkill. Very little shifting when pulling hills/mtns in Oregon. Runs in 6th gear 90% of the time, dropping to 5th only on mtn passes. The power is just plain a kick in the butt to drive with when towing. Last trip up the mtn and back 220 miles I averaged 10.7 hand calced. I know if I want I could easily pull 11+mpg. But I am having too much fun running 60+ up in the mtns. I'm sure the EB would do a great job also and more than likely get better mpgs when not towing. I'm guessing I could beat an EB for mpg when towing. If I was on the fence and I was when I bought my 10 F150 I would opt for the deisel. I shoud've last time around, but didn't. I'm really impressed with the Rams fit and finish, but Ford or Chevy are pretty much as nice or nicer depending on trim level. Never owned a diesel before and hopefully the Cummins serves me well.
If you're primarily using the vehicle as a commuter/family car with occasional towing, get the EcoBoost. If you're going to maybe doing more towing, and possibly heavier towing in the future, get the diesel.
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY or DIABLO PREDATOR tuning MBRP 4" Turbo back Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, Rail press & Trans Temp
Torklift Stable Loads
We have a Rockwood Signature Ultra Light with a dry weight of 6820 and I now have a 2012 Ford F150 Ecoboost Crew Cab with Max Tow and the HD Package. I love it and it tows GREAT. We live in the mountains and we have had no problem climbing them at speed, nor do we have any problems braking with the integrated brake controller.
It is a great vehicle for a daily driver, I average 17.7 mpg around town, stop and go. I average 21.9 on the highway, not towing. Towing is another story, but we did a 4500 mile, 40 day trek and averaged 10.6 mpg.
I'm not saying that it is better than a diesel, but I love it and would purchase one again. It rides wonderfully - is more comfortable than my husband's Chrysler Pacifica with the touring edition package on it. The girls have plenty of room in the back, in fact, we spent the night in it when driving to do a cruise - had 4 hours to sleep and didn't want to spent $200 for a hotel room. DH in front seat, 5 year old in other front seat. 8 year old on back seat and I snoozed on the floor.
M GO BLUE wrote: If you want to tow with a gas engine tow the the Ecoboost...
If you want to tow with a diesel engine get the diesel truck...
THERE IS NO COMPARISON IN A GAS ENGINE VS. A DIESEL ENGINE WHEN TOWING...DIESEL ENGINE WINS ALL THE TIME
Hate to nitpick, but not really...
Put a 3V V10 (362hp/457ft-lb) or an 8.1L up against an older generation diesel and that blanket statement crumbles.
The 3V V10 or 8.1L will walk away from a 90s or even early 2000's diesel towing in the mountains.
To be fair, the current generation of 650-800ft/lb diesel trucks have no gasoline equal in towing performance.
Diesels are great, I'm a fan too, but it simply isn't that black and white.
While that may be true, not quite an apples to apples comparison, I would still be willing to put my 5.9 Cummins up to the test, and lets also see who can pass the most fuel stations!
Both of those engines are beast no doubt, but the 8.1 is over 3L larger than my Cummins, and I am sure with the same gear ratio (3.55) rear ends that I could stay pretty close in the hills, pulling the same 12K load.
Don't forget the late 90's and early 2000's were the years that diesels also got the best fuel mileage.
Back to the OP question, either would work, from all I have read and heard, some 1st hand, is the EcoBoost does a fine job and at a 7,000# load should do just fine.
There will always those who want diesels and those that don't.
Russ & Paula
The Beagles Hedwig and Precious.
Portland, OR.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS
2001 Dodge 2500 4X4, 5.9 Cummins 5 speed, 3.55 gears, Pacbrake, Power Puck, 258K
I haven't heard anything about the Ecoboost that solves the gas fuel mileage while towing problem - if in fact it's a problem! That's up to you and your usage and expectations. I went to diesel for the economy - I do regular 2,000 mile round trips once a month, which is not the usual usage. When I was doing irregular shorter trips my gas engine truck was fine - but I save $500 each round trip with the diesel.
Other than that, it's whatever floats your boat! There are excellent trucks out there these days, no doubt about it.
The "diesels will drive away from you" statements are simply not true. If you drive away from my big V10 it's because you are speeding not because I can't keep up. Diesels are nice and awesome and all that etc. but so are big gassers.
We can hem and haw about diesel vs gas all day long. Here are a few
"diesel gets better mpg"
"gas is cheaper per gallon and only a few mpg off"
"diesel cost more upfront"
"diesel has a higher resale value"
"diesel stinks"
"gas stinks"
"diesels are loud and annoying"
"gasser with loud exhaust are worse"
"gasser is cheaper to repair"
" diesel last longer"
We can do this all day.
OP you probably have your heart set on one over the other. Personally I would get the truck that will pull your NEXT trailer because you will probably upgrade when you least expect it. Lol
Have fun in your search (get a big gasser).
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
"It's Kind of Fun To Do The Impossible"
~Walt Disney~
M GO BLUE wrote: If you want to tow with a gas engine tow the the Ecoboost...
If you want to tow with a diesel engine get the diesel truck...
THERE IS NO COMPARISON IN A GAS ENGINE VS. A DIESEL ENGINE WHEN TOWING...DIESEL ENGINE WINS ALL THE TIME
Hate to nitpick, but not really...
Put a 3V V10 (362hp/457ft-lb) or an 8.1L up against an older generation diesel and that blanket statement crumbles.
The 3V V10 or 8.1L will walk away from a 90s or even early 2000's diesel towing in the mountains.
To be fair, the current generation of 650-800ft/lb diesel trucks have no gasoline equal in towing performance.
Diesels are great, I'm a fan too, but it simply isn't that black and white.
While that may be true, not quite an apples to apples comparison, I would still be willing to put my 5.9 Cummins up to the test, and lets also see who can pass the most fuel stations!
Both of those engines are beast no doubt, but the 8.1 is over 3L larger than my Cummins, and I am sure with the same gear ratio (3.55) rear ends that I could stay pretty close in the hills, pulling the same 12K load.
Don't forget the late 90's and early 2000's were the years that diesels also got the best fuel mileage.
Back to the OP question, either would work, from all I have read and heard, some 1st hand, is the EcoBoost does a fine job and at a 7,000# load should do just fine.
There will always those who want diesels and those that don't.
I agree; given the choice myself, I'd much rather tow with an older diesel that may not beat the V10 or 8.1L in a race up the hill but would get about 2x the MPG.
I just had to good-naturedly challenge the statement that diesels "always" and without exception out-perform gas engines when towing. I fully realize I'm splitting hairs here
It's pretty easy to pin down. The diesel will tow anything that the EB will tow but certainly not the other way around. For this reason if you're talking about towing a variety of trailers of different weights, the diesel makes a lot more sense. If you're towing anything that keeps you under the ACTUAL weight rating for the EB then that would be the better choice (lower cost fuel, MUCH lower purchase and maintenance costs and more pleasant drive around town due to size).
The question is like asking "who is best, a doctor or a nurse" As ALWAYS you have to define "best"
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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As ALWAYS you have to define "best"
