It won't tow any better tuned but it will feel sportier doing so...
Towing and fuel economy report
- Thread starter sjwhiteley
- Start date
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maxxplatinum9137
Well-Known Member
Lol ok. Are you running a tow tune that’s been revised 3 or 4 times? @apex96
maxxplatinum9137
Well-Known Member
i know guys with tow tunes from 5 Star that datalog the tunes WHILE TOWING and their revisions they receive from 5 Star have helped them optimize power and efficiency and they can get 14-16mpg towing 4500lbs
I've used 5-Star on previous Ford vehicles, adding power doesn't make it tow better, just adds more power plus changes shift points and firmness. The vehicle can only tow so much before it doesn't feel adequate for the load... This is why I mentioned it will feel sportier with a tune, I know, I've tuned prior vehicles and yes that seat of the pants feel is awesome. But a tune doesn't change the vehicles towing dynamics or its load carrying capacities... Pulling a 30-34 ft camper that weighs between 7,000-9,000 lbs with one of these is still going to be a choir, regardless of the added power from a tune.
A tune can certainly net you more mpg, but the same can be said for not exceeding posted speed limits or going faster than the speed rating of your trailers tires... Being smooth and linear with the throttle and using tow haul mode will net you similar mpg on the stock mapping.
I have no qualms with tuning but don't just throw out that tuning will make it tow better... That's just not true, there are too many variables at play.
maxxplatinum9137
Well-Known Member
It will and it does when the tune is revised while towing. And we aren’t talking about performance tunes. We are talking about tow tunes. And yes everyone knows that it’s not about power but when that power is in the correct area of the curve, it will effortlessly move the weight compared to a stock tune where you’re pegging 16psi and your rpms are sky high just trying to get the thing to move. You sound like a novice when it comes to tunes thinking all you get is power, shift firmness and adjusted shift points. It’s way more than that. You probably never datalogged either. Nobody ever said it changes load capacities. Those are what they are, but I will tell you a tune that is written specifically for towing and is revised (which you probably have no clue what that means) with the trailer attached to the truck I guarantee will outperform in MPG over any other stock setup. These guys are talking about MPG on here, not performance. I’m done talking to you about this on here bc I can see it’s gonna be a downhill battle for you If you wanna talk privately DM me. You are just making yourself look bad publicly saying a specific tow tune won’t help tow more efficiently over the stock file
Seems you got your ******* all wound up over my thoughts... Believe what you want about me lol. I've done all the above before and seen no appreciable gains in mpg, just better power delivery and smoother running... Besides belittling me and throwing insults because I didn't agree with your statement only makes YOU look bad. Enjoy your vehicle and don't take everything on the forums so personally.
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ManUpOrShutUp
Full Access Members
I would have expected better gas mileage. My '11 EL gets in the low 14s with a similar load. It doesn't drop into the abysmally low single digits (8s) until I load it up with 7k+ lbs.
It’s just the nature of a boosted smaller displacement engine. These motors are great on gas unloaded vs a 5.4L V8. The 5.4 should get equal or slightly better mpgs under load vs the 3.5 which will be in boost.
Zig10
Full Access Members
My boat is about 7500 lbs on the trailer. I average about 8-8.5 MPG on the highway (long, flat tows of 500+ miles). Not really a record breaker there. Going to be fun this summer with $5.00/gallon gas.
mrmustang
Full Access Members
Ignore the troll you responded to, not sure why he is a troll, feel free to look at his other posts on the forum. It's clear he has no first hand knowledge.
Bill
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