The long wait is over. The 5.0L V8 Ford F-150 is here and takes on the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing challenge. We have tested several EcoBoost-powered trucks over the years, but the V8 truck was elusive. The big question is: can the naturally aspirated V8 do well at high elevation (going up a 7% grade to 11,158 feet above sea level) while towing the maximum weight? This is usually where big displacement and/or turbocharging are king.
2016 Ford F-150 Super Crew 5.0L 4×4 Lariat
- Engine: 5.0L V8
- Power: 385 @ 5,750 rpm
- Torque: 387 @ 3,850 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Rear Axle Ratio: 3.55
- Max Towing: 9,000 lbs
- Max Payload: 2,100 lbs
- GVWR: 7,000 lbs
- GCWR: 14,400 lbs
- EPA-estimated Fuel Economy: 15/21/17 mpg (city/hwy/combined)
- As-tested Price: $55,955
Here is how the test is configured and executed. This truck is participating in the 2016 Gold Hitch : Best Towing Half-ton Truck category. It means that it is hitched up to the same 9,000 lbs enclosed horse trailer that every other truck in the category also towed. We always use water for ballast, and set up the tongue weight at 10% (or 900 lbs).
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.
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.
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.
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So, how did the 5.0L Ford perform at TFLTrucks’s signature Ike Gauntlet test? You’ll have to watch the video to get all the results and the fun.
