I just returned from our big vacation , Los Angeles to Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, Denver, Utah and back.

I had purchased my '11 F150/supercrew 6.5bed, 5.0L in Feb. I towed a 5,000lb trailer and all our stuff. I wasn't sure how the truck would compare to my previous '06 f150 5.4L. This new truck was amazing. Way more power, seemed like it was made for this kind of trip.

Even handled the high grades of I-70 across Colorado. My average MPG was 12.7 throughout the trip, used e-85 or 87 gas. (my '06 always got about 9.0mpg)

I also noticed that the f-150 was by far the most popular truck out there, all over the roads were new F-150's. They put the Dodge and GM's in the dust.

Great truck--very happy with the performance.

 

glad you enjoyed the new truck and mileage increase. Sounds like a fun trip!

Welcome to the site!

 

Maybe some make a choice as I did for a 1/2 ton. It has higher capacities most of the time than the others. I'm betting the newer 6spd tranny made more of a difference than the engine. Number wise, its a little more powerfull, but whats the hp/tq curves. I don't like the fact that the peaks are so high, especially the tq. Was part of the reason (and personal experience with the little ladies '08 avy w/5.3L) that I didn't want the peaky gm motor. I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just guessing the trans had more to do with the huge improvement than the engine. Man I wish you had a 5.4/w 6spd to make a closer comparison. Time to roam the google for stock dyno sheets...I'm curious now. Good luck with the new truck.

 

I just took a similar 3,000 mile trip from Seattle to Colorado and back. I also have an F-150 with the 5.0. Going over an 8,000 foot pass while pulling a 2,000 pound enclosed cargo trailer I needed 3rd gear and 3,200 rpm to maintain 50 mph with the throttle at about 70%. What was your experience like?

Greg

 

I am sure a big part of the difference is the transmission. Going from a 4 speed to a 6 speed. That seems to help a lot with acceleration.

 

I generally was in 4th, dropping into 3rd as needed, RPMs averaging 35-4,000. Speeds were averaging 55, 50-60% throttle. I found the climb and over the pass very easy, I was able to pick up speed as needed to pass slower moving trucks.

Previously in my 5.4L '06 I could only hit a max speed and hardly pass, with throttle at 80%

 

Yep. Not knocking anyone's 5.0, but the 5.4 with a 6 speed is a superior towing machine to a 5.0. It has a much better torque curve for towing.

 

Yep - the 5.0 actually replaced the 4.6 3 valve, and has a similar torque curve. The EB replaced the 5.4 and has a TON of low end torque.