Towing with the Ford F-150 Lightning: Case Studies of Real-World Efficiency
Towing with the Ford F-150 Lightning: Case Studies of Real-World Efficiency
Posted on November 19, 2024
Electric trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning are transforming towing with their powerful, eco-friendly capabilities. A series of case studies from real F-150 Lightning owners illustrate how the truck performs across a wide range of trailer sizes and weights, giving insight into its energy efficiency in various towing scenarios, now presented in metric units.
Lightweight Campers and Smaller Trailers
In the first case study, an owner towed a 2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW camper, weighing 1,202 kg, and achieved 8.7 kilometers per kilowatt-hour (km/kWh) while driving at 96-105 km/h. Even more efficient, a TimberLeaf teardrop camper weighing just 671 kg returned an average of 10.6 km/kWh, even at higher speeds of 120-128 km/h, proving that smaller, aerodynamic trailers can significantly extend range when towed by an EV.
Mid-Range Towing Performance
The F-150 Lightning continues to deliver impressive efficiency with mid-weight trailers. A 24-foot (7.3 m) pontoon boat weighing 2,359 kg, towed at 105-113 km/h, achieved between 5.6 and 6.2 km/kWh, while a 21-foot (6.4 m) wakeboat with a tight trailering tarp came in at 6.8 km/kWh under similar conditions. Similarly, a 2009 Airstream, weighing 2,722 kg and towed at 96 km/h, also averaged 6.8 km/kWh, demonstrating the Lightning’s ability to efficiently manage mid-sized loads.
Heavier Trailers and Larger Loads
For heavier loads, the Lightning performs admirably, although efficiency naturally decreases. A 2015 Forest River Wildwood trailer, weighing 2,948 kg and standing 3.35 meters tall, returned 5.6 km/kWh at 105 km/h. Meanwhile, a 2015 Airstream Flying Cloud of the same weight but with a lower height of 2.74 meters achieved a slightly better 7.4 km/kWh. For large trailers, like the 37-foot (11.3 m) 2022 CONNECT, which weighs 3,629 kg, efficiency ranged from 5.0 to 6.2 km/kWh at 105 km/h, a solid performance given the size and weight of the load.
Conclusion
These case studies highlight the Ford F-150 Lightning’s capability to handle various towing scenarios with efficiency that competes with, and sometimes outperforms, traditional gasoline-powered trucks. Efficiency varies based on trailer size, weight, and driving conditions, but overall, the Lightning proves to be a strong option for those looking for a sustainable solution for towing, whether pulling a lightweight camper or a larger trailer.