Powerboost torque in Tow/Haul mode

[EdS]

Hello.. one of the reasons I am really interested in the powerboost is the higher torque numbers. This is due in part to the electric motor, correct?

However, I have heard that the electric motor does not engage in tow/haul mode.. meaning the 3.5 is "all gas" in Tow mode? Is that giving up one of the perks of having all that torque?

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[daemonic3]

I believe you won't get any "electric only" miles, but it doesn't mean the electric assist is turned off. That is my understanding.

 

[EdS]

Good to know.. they were not clear in the reviews on how this system works.

With numbers like this, it makes you wonder why they put out the 7.3, when this motor gets so much more more torque and similar HP numbers

 

[Pedaldude]

The 7.3 was specifically designed with fleet ownership in mind, where total cost of ownership is more important than advanced technology that may save fuel at the expense of complexity and greater maintenance cost.

Not to mention, the F-250s with the 7.3 engines will likely be operating in environments where the hybrid powertrain will lose many of its advantages.

 

[EdS]

The 7.3 was specifically designed with fleet ownership in mind, where total cost of ownership is more important than advanced technology that may save fuel at the expense of complexity and greater maintenance cost.

Not to mention, the F-250s with the 7.3 engines will likely be operating in environments where the hybrid powertrain will lose many of its advantages.

Which environments are those? Genuinely curious where the lower power (torque especially) of the 7.3 is a benefit> I do understand the 7.3 is more geared towards an inexpensive replacement for their older large gas engines. But in the F250 and F350 series, especially the up badged trims, you would think the more powerful 3.5 PB would be an option. I just thought it was strange that the F150 has a gas engine more powerful than the F250/F350

 

[Pedaldude]

Which environments are those?...just thought it was strange that the F150 has a gas engine more powerful than the F250/F350

Environments such as extended duty cycle for on highway usage, either with a loaded utility bed, heavy trailer. Long periods at idle, either low idle or high idle for the PTO (power take-off) to run hydraulic equipment. The same things that used to make pre emissions diesel truck engines desirable.

Marine engines face similar disparities, a 500lb engine in a planing hull boat can make more power than the 5,000lb one in a displacement hull vessel; only, that heavy engine is swinging a huge propeller nearly flat out for hours, versus the lighter engine that might be using full throttle for a fraction of the time on a small prop.

As others have pointed out, the Powerboost motor and battery become dead weight in heavy use. For something like the Super-Duty trucks, a more robust energy storage method would need to be used. Gyrobus immediately comes to mind: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrobus

 

[DBL R]

One of the things tow mode does is it Keeps ice on to keep oil pressure up to cool turbos. Oil pressure drops when running all electric, not great if you are towing heavy and the snails are working hard and you crest a hill where ice would typically turn off. I’ve seen several 1/4 slips done in tow/haul that produce better times than in normal or sport. I suspect it’s because ice shuts off while stationary in those modes, causing increased air temperatures and boost to be pulled if the turbos aren’t seeing enough oil pressure. Tow/haul still uses the hybrid powertrain to both accelerate and decelerate via regen breaking….unless the battery is “full” then it will only provide a quicker downshift for compression braking in addition to mechanical braking.

 

[Samson16]

Hello.. one of the reasons I am really interested in the powerboost is the higher torque numbers. This is due in part to the electric motor, correct?

However, I have heard that the electric motor does not engage in tow/haul mode.. meaning the 3.5 is "all gas" in Tow mode? Is that giving up one of the perks of having all that torque?

Electric only and electric motor assisted are very different. The electric motor often called a traction motor because it's used to drive the wheels works with the 3.5L twin turbo ICE engine. They complement one another because the 220 lb/ft of torque from the electric motor is present at 1 rpm.

The PB is capable of moving itself with the ICE engine "off", and that helps with city mileage numbers. The ICE engine comes alive quickly under load, and turning the dial to Tow/Haul mode tells the vehicle to prepare for a load event so it keeps the ICE running for you.

The 7.3L is a quality gas engine designed to run cool and be durable under load. It's a workhorse engine. The Powerboost is the finest example of a half-ton powertrain to date imo. They are apples and oranges. The PB can do occasionally what the 7.3 is made to do everyday just as the 7.3 is a poor choice for a daily driver or really anything other than towing and hauling stuff.

My two cents

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