I kinda with him. Reading your post on how long you expect to keep your truck the 5.0 is a huge gain for you. I went from 95 5.7 to 02 5.4, to 2011 5.0, to just recent 2018 3.5. Each of the V-8 engines was worlds above in power and performance. Judging from your last vehicle with 5.4 your can easily step into an XLT with 5.0 and feel like you are in top of the world. Simplicity and longevity are a great part of these motors. Strength to pull 5000 lbs will amaze you. Yes, I can tell you the 3.5L turbo is a tow monster. That said, I pulled a 7000 pound travel trailer for several years with nary a complaint from my last truck (5.0L). Between the 6 speed or 10 if your going new, the added hp at least 75 more and 385 or more pounds of torque depending on whether you buy new or as far back as a 2011 you will be very happy.
As to fuel mileage, I’d give this to the 2.7 or even the 3.5. The V8 will come close and depending on the price difference you might still be better with the V8. Maintenance definitely goes to the V8. I had the v8 with 3.55 and limited slip. Early on before buying oversiz3d tires I saw tanks of fuel up to 22mpg. Around town closer to 17 mpg. The new 10 speed will help both in towing and fuel mileage.
Best of luck in your decision.

 

If you will review the towing spec's (page 33), I would recommend you stay away from the smaller of the engines. https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?bodystyle=Truck&make=Ford&model=F-150&year=2018

 

I only have any real world experience with the 2.7 that I currently own so here it is for what its worth:

2016 2.7 purchased new in 07/2016. Currently have over 51,000 miles. I drive a pretty good mix of highway/city miles probably about 50/50. My gas mileage averages 20 mpg. My trips where I drive all highway miles have been limited to trips up through the mountains. On these trips I see 22-23 mpg with a lot of up-hill climbs through the mountains. I have no doubt that I would see 25 mpg or better on all highway miles with flatter terrain and less steep grade climbing.

As far as power goes, the 2.7 has plenty of pep. Yes, I am sure the 3.5 is quicker but I have never felt like my truck lacks any power or acceleration (especially in "Sport" mode). On the highway trips up the mountains as mentioned earlier, the 2.7 has no trouble and it never feels sluggish or like it is straining at all.

My towing experience is limited to a small boat and trailer so I don't have a lot of real world experience in that department.

As far as reliability goes, I have owned the truck for 1.5 years and drove 51,000 miles with absolutely no issues at all. I change the oil every 10,000 miles.

 

The 2.7 with a towing package will tow 7500# with no problem. TFL Truck pulled a 7400# rig up the Ike maintaining the speed limit with one.

 

28,000 on my 2016 2.7 and absolutely no issues whatsoever... mileage in summertime with 70/30 highway/city driving avg. 23-24 mpg. I'd go Ecoboost, your choice 2.7 or 3.5

 

I am kinda disappointed on the low towing numbers given the power output of the 2.7 eco. Enough for my needs, of course, but a 5.0 seems like a better buy.

 

With the 2.7 Ecoboost Payload Package and 3.73 gears, it's rated for 9000#. That's pretty impressive to me!

 

I was looking at 4x4 supercrews, and ford showed

2.7L EcoBoost® V6
3.73
8,000 lbs.

vs

5.0L Ti-VCT V8
3.73
10,900 lbs.

 

https://www.ford.com/services/assets...-150&year=2018

Page 33.

8k standard, 9k with the package.

 

I'm not sure I understand what you telling us. Where is your information coming from and are you saying the data in the chart is not correct? Please explain.

 

To get all of that, from a 2.7 truck, it is probably cheaper to just get a 5.0 and have better towing from the start.

 

No, I'm not contesting the chart. The chart says a 2018 2.7 will tow up to 9000# with the proper equipment. I am just saying that TFL Truck towed a 7400# trailer up the Ike Gauntlet in Colorado with a 2015 2.7 and was able to maintain the 60 mph speed limit all the way up. Also note that this was with a 6 speed and 3.55 axle.

Link:

http://www.tfltruck.com/2015/02/2015...-towing-video/

 

http://www.tfltruck.com/2016/03/2016...llenger-video/

The 2016 5.0 with a 6 speed and 3.55's towed a 9000# trailer up the Ike at the speed limit too, but it was over 5k rpm most of the way up. The 2.7 was holding fine around 3500 rpm.

 

Not meaning to get into an argument here. Manufacturers specifications are established using ideal conditions. They can't possibly establish towing capabilities for every type terrain and condition.

What a truck is capable of doing and what the manufacturer recommends (ideal conditions) can be two very distinctively different things. This is why some folks unknowingly damage their truck. They think if they tow a few hundred pounds over the recommended amount what the hey! they don't think they are hurting anything as long as they don't do it all of the time.

An analogy would be. My truck will do 100 + MPH but I wouldn't want to do that every time I got in it for the rest of its life. Just saying!

 

TFL Truck was towing within Ford-published limits. The published limits are actually higher on the 2018 than the 2015.