mikedj

I'm considering buying an F-150 as a tow vehicle for my 6,000 lb. boat. Some 2015 F-150s list an optional Class IV hitch receiver in addition to the Max Trailer Tow Package option. Research suggests that a Class IV hitch receiver typically has a weight carrying maximum capacity of 10,000 lbs. with 1,000 lb. max tongue weight. However, the Ford literature and the capacity stickers on the hitch receivers I've seen at the dealer list a maximum trailer weight of 5,000 lbs. and 500 lb. tongue weight. But the sticker also says, "Rating will vary depending on vehicle equipment. See owner manual for specific rating."

The salesman at the dealer and I searched the owners manual and could not find any information that specified the weight carrying specification (only overall capacity with WD setup). Unfortunately, several salesmen at the dealer and the regional rep they called had no clue as to the difference between weight carrying and weight distributing hitch systems, so they were of little help.

I have also written to Ford a couple of times, but have not received a response.

My question is, does the addition of the Class IV hitch receiver and the Max Trailer Tow package option change the weight carrying maximums for the hitch receiver to Class IV specs? And, if so, where would one find the supporting documentation?

Thank you,
Mike

11screw50

If you have access to a max tow truck, there will be a sticker on the receiver that lists the maximums.

My boss has a 2013 F250, the sticker on his receiver is 6,000/600 max, 12,500/1250 with WDH. I find it unlikely that the max tow F150 will surpass that.

mikedj

I checked the hitch receiver sticker on an F-250 at the dealer - for weight carrying, max trailer weight is 8,500 lbs. and max tongue weight of 850 lbs.

I also check the Curt manufacturing Class IV hitch receiver that is designed for the F150. It has weight carrying limitations of 10,000/1,000 lbs. I'm trying to understand why Ford lists the F150 as having a Class IV hitch receiver, but limits its weight carrying capacity to 5,000/500 lbs. I'm hoping I'm missing something and that someone can prove me wrong.

Mike

KR Kodi

iTrader: (1)

Lie down on the ground under the rear bumper and look up at the hitch on an F150 with a tow package - there's a sticker on the hitch with the weight rating limits.

Also, take a look at the 2015 Towing Guide:

http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...Tgde_Sep30.pdf


Scroll down to page 28 and read that the F150 hitch (and the weights listed are for the MAX tow package):

WITHOUT a WDH: max trailer weight 5000 lbs, max tongue weight 500 lbs

WITH a WDH: max trailer weight 12200 lbs, max tongue weight 1220 lbs

I believe that with the STANDARD tow package and a WDH it's 11100/1110


The sticker will something like this (the pic below is of my 2013 with standard tow pkg, which has a little lower rating than the 2015+):



.

Wannafbody

If you look at the Curt, you'll see less mounting points than the Ford hitch. IMO the Ford hitch weights were written by a lawyer.

MikeNC

I just checked my 2015 King Ranch with Max Tow, FX4, 6.5ft Bed with an ecoboost and the sticker on the hitch says 500lbs Max tongue weight, 5000lbs Max gross trailer weight for weight carrying and then 1210lb max tongue weight, 12100lbs max gross trailer wieght for weight distrubuting.

Hope this helps.

mikedj

My gut feeling is you are correct. Which makes it all the more frustrating.

Mike

zx12-iowa

6k lb boat? Hook and go. I tow 8k lb boat and no issues. Towed it thousands of miles.....

mikedj

I appreciate your effort. It confirms my research, but doesn't tell me what I want to hear.

Mike

mikedj

You, and, I believe, hundreds if not thousands of other people do the same thing. I truly believe the rig is fully capable. The problem lies in liability. If an accident occurs, and their lawyers do just a little digging, they'll quickly discover that I was towing an overweight load for my configuration (weight carrying hitch). Then it's all on me. I was hoping that since Ford calls it a Class IV hitch, I could find some documentation that raises the weight carrying limit to Class IV standards. No such luck so far...

Mike