Previously pulling my Jayco Jay Flight 19BH camper with my 2008 Sport Trac that had the 4.6L 3 valve motor and the 6 speed trans 6R60, I got about 8.5 mpg on an average. In town driving netted about 8.0 and the high was 9.0 mpg. Not very impressive. Towing my previous Pop Up that weighed 2700 lbs, got about 14.5 mpg towing @ 60 mph. That was better than my previous 2005 Nissan Pathfinder 4.0L 4 valve/5 speed transmission SUV that got 13 mpg pulling that same pop up.

Pulling my Jayco Jay Flight 19BH camper with the new F150 in my signature, I got 10.0 mpg in town driving with very little highway. I am really impressed with that.

Now my Jay Flight trailer is only about 5000 lbs loaded but it's a standard trailer unlike the many light and ultralight trailers out there that have low height. My trailer is a good 1' to 1.5' taller than light trailers out there. This is what makes a tow vehicle struggle and eat fuel the most. The actual weight and length are trivial next to the profile of the trailer.

Since the F150 is larger in width and height, I think that helped to make the tow a bit more areodynamic and the much better torque curve and peak torque to get the rig rollin much easier.

What I'm really unimpressed with is the rear suspension. While hitching it up with the camper's hitch system, still setup to the Sport Trac, I still needed just as many links pulled up in the chain, to get the rear end up, from sagging. The rear suspension is no stiffer than the Sport Trac. I really should had known this as the Sport Trac was one hell of a truck next to the competition. This further supports that the Sport Trac was a 1/2 ton in midsize trim.

 

Definately agree the rear suspension is the weak link on F150's. I put a canopy and sliding bed tray on my 2010 and it sagged 1". Thats only 275lbs. But it does tow my 7200lb NorthTrail pretty darn good.

 

All I cam say is if your towing alot put airbags on the back totally worth every penny.

 

Have the newer F-150's gone soft? I've been over the scale 1000-1500 pounds over my GVWR and it still isn't on the bump stops. Maybe the distance between the rear axle and the receiver was closer on the Sport Trac?