Towing Explorer Capable

My 2013 F150 with the EcoBoost engine has decided to blow up. It needs new head gaskets and probably has for sometime based on the gas mileage I was getting. It started eating antifreeze at the rate of about 1.5 gallons every 200 miles. It started to do this on a trip to Portland. The only sign was the engine got hot but not super hot. I stopped to check for leaks and issues and all I found was the antifreeze reservoir was empty. I added water and antifreeze at that time and had to keep driving since I was in the middle of Wyoming with not much around. The process of adding water and antifreeze kept me going. Upon my return I went straight to the dealer. The truck is now in the service department getting fixed. It only has 34K miles on it and will be fixed under warranty with possibly a new engine from Ford. Part of my dilemma is do I keep it after they fix it or run as fast as I can away from that truck. The engine will most likely be replaced with a factory shipped block from Ford and will probably be new since those engines are pretty new and won't have factory refurbished ones available yet. They could fix it but the cost of fixing it is pretty high versus just dropping in a new block. If they don't replace the engine there is no way I am keeping it. It's been at the dealer way to much for service already. I looked at the 2015 F150 with the V8 and it is nice but they upped the prices on the trucks and the money I put down on my truck when I bought is basically wasted at this point because I am just barely at the breakeven point loan to depreciated value. I won't pay the payments on what it takes to get into a similar equipped 2015 as my 2016. To get into a 2015 I have to loose a ton of features and get a very bare truck. I walked the lot a while in frustration and ran into a 2016 Explorer with the V6 290hp, 255lbs torque max tow of 5000lbs,   Yes not quite as capable as my 2013 Ecoboost truck at 365hp and 420lbs of torque but still enough to pull my 1999 Ski Nautique. Thoughts on a Explorer for towing? I drive about 12 miles to the lake on flat roads in Denver. If I go up over the mountains I know the Explorer will be a bit slower and trips to Lake Powell could be a bit harder but those trips are less than once a year on average. I'm not the guy that needs a big truck to be happy. I just need something nice to drive around and also tow the boat. Kids are old and grown. It's usually just me driving the boat around and meeting the team at the lake so gear is also minimal and I don't need a bunch of storage.    I also have no other use for the F150. The truck is not needed for work purposes or anything like that. The Explorer pricing is quite a bit lower than the F150 and I think the payments will be in my budget.

"Part of my dilemma is do I keep it after they fix it or run as fast as I can away from that truck".
Tough call, only you can make that decision. What kind of warranty will you get with the new engine? They have had another 3 model years of development maybe you just had a one off? Any forums that would have more experence with them? Even though I have had Volvos and BMW's with turbo's I have not been a fan of using them for a substitute for cubic inches when it comes to HD use. A month ago who would ever have thought a vehicle manufacturer would actually be caught lying on the capabilities of their product? Good luck on what you decide.

i cant comment on its abilities but we have had a 4 cyl 2011 escape that has 100g + miles on it with one set of brakes one set tires and a lower control arm. we are going to upsize to an explorer and everyone seems to be doing the same. its roomy comfortable and if its anything like the escape they got it right..

I used to tow my 83 with the 1999 v6 explorer and it was OK but not great. Upgraded to a 2004 EB with V8 tow package for the 96 Sport and is great pulling and fair stopping
I would think you would be ok with current technology

I'm pretty sure Brad (Barracuda) is towing with a current gen Explorer.
You could PM him. He showed up with this rig to the last CT mini, it sounded like he was happy with it.

We have a 14 Explorer, V6, never towed anything with it. I pull the 92 SN with a 4wd Suburban. NEVER. needed the 4wd, but I always engage it just to give it a work out. The Explorer is set up for the tow, but the Front Wheel drive concerns me, so we never used.
The new trucks are certainly pricey. While she is not a beauty queen, the Suburban does the job and fits 8. Smith family PLUS. Good luck, FORD is generally good with the warranties.