2017 Ford F-150 Ike Gauntlet Towing Review: How Good Are the New EcoBoost and 10-Speed? [Video]

2017 ford f-150 10-speed ike gauntlet towing test review
2017 Ford F-150 10-Speed Ike Gauntlet

How does the 2017 Ford F-150 do on the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing test with the 2nd-generation 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and the 10-speed automatic transmission? You are about to find out!

The EcoBoost lineup of truck engines has proven to be very powerful and not particularly efficient in real-world use. Ford continues to improve its EcoBoost engines by making them more powerful and more efficient. The 2nd-generation 3.5L twin-turbo V6 in the 2017 F-150 use twin fuel injection (port and direct injection) to make more power than ever. This engine is now pushing out a class-leading 470 lb-ft of torque. The twin injection system is also supposed to improve its fuel efficiency. The 10-speed is the other component that’s there to improve efficiency and acceleration. Check out the 100-mile towing MPG loop video.

This is the second in a series of 2017 Gold Hitch awards towing reviews.

2017 Ford F-150 Crew 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4×4 Platinum

  • Engine: 3.5L V6
  • Power: 375 @ 5,000 rpm
  • Torque: 470 @ 3,500 rpm
  • Transmission: 10-speed automatic
  • Rear Axle Ratio: 3.55
  • Max Towing: 11,500 lbs
  • Max Payload: 1,710 lbs
  • GVWR: 7,600 lbs
  • GCWR: 16,500 lbs
  • EPA-estimated Fuel Economy: 18/23/20 mpg (city/hwy/combined)
  • As-tested Price: $63,595

All half-ton trucks are hitched up to the same 9,000 lbs enclosed CM Trailers 20-foot CargoMate trailer. We always use water for ballast, and set up the tongue weight between 900 and 950 lbs. We calculate the tongue weight at approximately 10% of the combined trailer weight.

Downhill

We test downhill performance by starting the 8 mile downhill at 50 MPH (which is the speed limit inside the tunnel). We use the tow/haul mode (and exhaust brake if equipped) and let the truck do its thing. If it accelerates past 60 MPH, which is the speed limit, then we apply the brake firmly to slow down to 50 MPH. We count the number of time we have to apply the brakes in this fashion. Every time we touch the brakes on the way down, the truck looses a point.

Uphill

We time the truck on the way up (8 mile stretch of the interstate on a 7% grade going from around 9,000 feet to 11,158 feet of elevation). We also take note of the truck’s average MPG as reported by the trip computer. The benchmark time is 8 minutes. This assumes that the truck accelerated quickly, and maintained 60 MPH the entire way up the hill. Every 5 seconds over the time goal subtracts a point from the truck’s overall score. The benchmark MPG number is 6.0MPG. Every 0.2 MPG below that, and the truck looses a point.

Subjective

Each reviewer that participates in the test is given a maximum of 25 points for their subjective opinion. These scores are averaged and added to the downhill and uphill objective scores. The final score is stated out of maximum possible 100 points.

As always, we invite all pickup truck manufacturers to participate in every part of the Gold Hitch award testing. This year’s half-ton class is comprised of the following:

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 8-Speed

2017 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost V6 10-Speed

2017 Nissan Titan 1500 V8 7-Speed

This is one of the times when we are selling TFLtruck / Ike Gauntlet merchandise. We always appreciate your viewership and support.

Get all the details and the final Ike Gauntlet score in the video below.

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is an Automotive Enthusiast, Producer, Reviewer, Videographer, Writer, Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and Friend.