Live from Columbus Ohio - D3 Lucas Oil Series Race Weekend

[Mike Delahanty]

Ok - got some time for the towing review of the 2015 F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. First my frame of reference - 2010 F-150 with a 5.4 Modular engine. I tow a 24 ft enclosed trailer with my 64 Plymouth inside. The big difference is the smoothness of the power which comes from the turbo torque teamed with the 6 speed auto. It holds speeds easily on grades with no abrupt downshifting or engine drama. The Ford engine engineers say the power characteristics of the engine closely resemble a diesel. I haven't driven a 2.7L EcoBoost but others who have say it's a very capable tow vehicle

Now on to the truck. The feature level of the new generation truck make my 2010 model seem ancient. I have a mid level XLT Sport and its dripping with cool electronic features like a back up camera, lots of configurable info in the instrument cluster and an improved SYNC audio system. The rear seat of the Crew Cab is very spacious with plenty of legroom. There are USB ports and 110 volt plugs front and rear.

The big change is the aluminum body that cuts about 750 lbs - and the truck really feels lighter and more nimble.

[Jeff Stout]

I know tires can grow in size from direct sun but this is ridiculous. Hope Im not late on the tree

[Mike Delahanty]

R1 of SS has been interrupted by an oil down. The race is streaming live on D3 TV. Click on the D3 Archives and look for the Saturday July 25 video.


http://www.nhradiv3.com/apcm/templat...086&zoneid=118

[colby]

Originally Posted by Mike Delahanty

Ok - got some time for the towing review of the 2015 F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. First my frame of reference - 2010 F-150 with a 5.4 Modular engine. I tow a 24 ft enclosed trailer with my 64 Plymouth inside. The big difference is the smoothness of the power which comes from the turbo torque teamed with the 6 speed auto. It holds speeds easily on grades with no abrupt downshifting or engine drama. The Ford engine engineers say the power characteristics of the engine closely resemble a diesel. I haven't driven a 2.7L EcoBoost but others who have say it's a very capable tow vehicle

Now on to the truck. The feature level of the new generation truck make my 2010 model seem ancient. I have a mid level XLT Sport and its dripping with cool electronic features like a back up camera, lots of configurable info in the instrument cluster and an improved SYNC audio system. The rear seat of the Crew Cab is very spacious with plenty of legroom. There are USB ports and 110 volt plugs front and rear.

The big change is the aluminum body that cuts about 750 lbs - and the truck really feels lighter and more nimble.

I also opted for the XLT sport model to replace my 2011 FX2 5.0. I added the large touchscreen package and got the LED lights in the bed. They are very bright. The aluminum body is so much quieter and the doors shut well and feel really solid.
[URL=http://s178.photobucket.com/user/genoneracing/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150626_071707_zpshmpkk27c.jpg.html]

[btrc]

Mike, how does the mileage while towing compare to the 5.4 you had?

[Mike Delahanty]

Good morning. I'm outta there - Tom Russell sawed down the tree with a .001 light and from that point on I was pretty much toast in round 1. Hopefully one of the remaining racers will pick up the at track reporting for Sunday while I put away all the race car stuff and then head to the pool.

Fuel economy reports - I had a tail wind heading to Columbus and got 11 MPG on the first leg - towing at a speed mix of 55-65 MPH. Last night on the return trip I was running into a head and cross wind and running at 63-68 MPH and logged a 9.4 MPG.

But what really felt great was the way the engine pulled up hills and inclines with the feel of a diesel. I'm loving it!

Seemed like a lot of "Broke" (or I'm only here to get a grading point so I can go camp and party at Indy) singles. Will have to check the round 1 results to confirm.