2015 F-150 EPA numbers announced

Very true. No denying the Eco is a great motor. I'm not tuning whatever I get, as very long term reliability is my main objective. Hence why I'm leaning staying away from turbos. The most I'd ever tow would be about 7500 lbs, which the 5.0 can do easily (and it has better payload, which matters to me more).

IF I was buying a 3-5 year truck, the Eco would be a no brainier.

 

Payload only seems to differ by 10-20lbs between the two. Turbos got my attention purely due to pulling at elevation, like you. The Fast Lane Truck did a good comparison a couple years ago pulling 10k up the Ike Gauntlet using the EB, a Titan and 6.2L Chevy. I believe the EB made it up 50 seconds quicker, not that I'd be racing while pulling.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/

 

Yeah, turbos are a definite advantage in altitude. I'm planning to move back to lower elevation in the next couple years so that's not a huge issue.

I am not knocking the Eco at all. Great engine, I just don't know that I tow heavy loads frequently enough to have the 30 ft lbs of torque outweigh the potential maintenance or reliability issues down the road. No engine is perfect, and I am still going to drive both before deciding.

 

The thing that's also nice about the 2.7 EcoBoost is it's only a $500 option. That's true savings. The Ram EcoDiesel trucks are crazy expensive because you have to get a high package just to have the diesel as an option, and then it costs a fortune more. Every one of those I have seen has been close to $50k.

One thing I do find odd though is the stiff gas mileage drop on the 2.7 Ford going from 4x4 to 4x2 versions. (19/26 vs 18/23) Makes me think the 4x2 might be optimized for economy like the Eco versions of some other vehicles, with a tall axle ratio and other gas saving tricks, which is fine except that you have to buy a different version if you want to carry or tow much with it. And, it calls into question how close to those ratings you can actually come.

It's a cool truck though, no denying that.

 

For a few thousand more, they could (and probably will) just get a Cummins. I myself would opt for the F150 2.7 if it came down to it.

 

Mine still gets 22 on the highway