mal01

The only upgrade I see is a transmission oil cooler and front stabilizer bar, this is a worthy upgrade for non towing?

pb65stang

I think it's worth it for the transmission cooler on its own. But that's just my opinion. As much shifting as auto transmissions do these days, I like knowing there's something keeping the oil cool, even in just a city driving environment.

mal01

Thanks for the input!

Velosprout

It's a truck. In my opinion the max tow package should be included in a basic build and not even be optional. With these trucks remaining on the road for decades, it is impossible to know what uses a future owner might have for the truck. Check out how many posts are on this forum about trying to upgrade capabilities.

WTF150

Like someone else said, even if you only use it one time it pretty much pays for yourself. You'll never need to rent a uhaul utility trailer?

seattleguy

I didnt have much of a choice. At my trim level (Lariat with 502A+) every truck had max tow and extended fuel tank. Which wasnt on my NEED list. But I did want standard tow package for all reasons cited above. I dont own anything that needs towing, but on every past SUV I have had, it has come in handy.
At the very least maybe you want to attach a bike rack or something to the hitch. Who knows. I think every car needs a tow hitch. I installed one on my wifes outback as well.

and I didnt think I wanted that extended range tank, but about to fill my third tank with about 1200 miles on the odometer now. Painful when i do, but nice not to worry about it often.

mal01

Maybe I'm missing something, what is the Max tow and where is that option listed? Some of the responses sound like if you don't get a towing package you don't get a hitch but there is one included with towing up to 5k lbs stock on 502A!

piercedtiger

Like others have said I think it's worth getting. I've known a few guys on another truck forum that didn't get the tow package, and tried adding it later when they realized they needed to tow something. By that time it was more costly for the parts alone to make their own tow package, even doing the work themselves.

Would you leave a cheap ball hitch in the receiver to keep cars from getting too close in the parking lot? Or maybe a step to get into the bed? Bike rack or lumber rack to support longer building materials? Shackle mount for a tow or recovery strap?

I didn't get a trailer until 8 years after I got my truck. I did tow cars on a UHaul auto transport for a friend a few times, and firewood on his 4x8 trailer. Now I have a 5x10 trailer and compact tractor I till gardens for people with. Didn't have to think about or add anything to the truck when I went to get the trailer.

Field Scout

I rarely tow but opted for the tow package simply for the added tranny cooler. The way I see it is keep temps down and things last longer. As for the fuel tank. Having the ability to drive longer between fill ups is great. I often take long road trips and not having to stop as often is appriceated. Both options are not absolutely necessary but the cost is relatively insignificant and for myself the gains outweigh the cost.

cadamwil

In my opinion, you buy a truck because you want a vehicle that will do it all. Part of the all to me is the ability to pull a trailer, even though I don't own one. However, I am going to rent/borrow one to go pick up some tools as soon as my truck is in. That's the reason I ordered the towing package and trailer controller. The towing package added the front stabilizer, smart connector, trans cooler and bumped tow capacity from 5k to 10k. In my case I left off max tow because it changed the gearing from 3.31 to 3.55 and most of my driving is highway.

Adam