A7B2FX4

Having looked at all the posts about not being happy towing with too little truck there shouldn't be any doubt in your mind to go max when buying. The dealers just dont order the max tow package very much. The 7200# truck is a marshmallow ride. Why push the limits when you can order exactly what you need. The tow package and max tow are two different animals. Also add the LT tires instead of the squirmy P series.

magblue10

Your right and wrong my best friends max tow has the same exact tires as my non max tow has the ****ty GY Sras. If you went HD with max tow then you get 17 inch LT tire. The 7200 is a bit soft but that can be rectified for little money. I don't disagree the max is great but everyone doesn't need it. For this person he would be ok. I do wish he could get the 3.73 but as I had said earlier he will be ok unless a heavier trailer is in his future. Payload can be an issue for max tow and non max tow. The only way to really get away from that is going HD but again for many this is overkill

A7B2FX4

Sorry I phrased it wrong in my post. The LT tires are an option(or at least were) in 2012 which I have on my max tow EB. Dont know about other rims but they were available on the 18".

magblue10

Could be my buddies was not ordered it was a truck off the lot

Dreamcatcher

I pull a 6600 lb. travel trailer. It has a hitch weight of 650 lbs. and it's 29 feet long. I have towed it with a 2011 Screw 5.0L and now with a 2012 Screw EB. They both towed the TT with no problems. Both vehicles have the 3.73. I also have the 18" LT tires (C load) available with the Off Road Package. The LT tires are better for towing as the sidewalls are more stable. I would recommend at least the following for towing: EB, 3.73, LT tires and the Ford brake controller. You may need the max tow package for increased load. I only have the tow package and not the max tow package. The standard mirrors (power folding) are fine. However, when I tow I snap on the aftermarket tow mirrors (Amazon.com). The 2012 max tow mirrors are the elephant ears (manual telescoping). If you order a 2013, then get the power telescoping mirrors. I have 5 1/2' box. You may want the 6 1/2' box. The only disadvantage of the EB may be the jake brake. The 5.0 L seemed to work a little better. A friend just bought a 2012 Supercab 5.0L HD Payload Pkg (7 lug alum wheels, E load LT tires) for a planned bed camper to use on the beach. You will not need the HD Payload to tow a TT. In fact, his is the only HD Payload vehicle that I have seen.

Buzam

Get max tow, you won't regret it if you plan on towing with any regularity. The extra payload will come in handy especially if you ever want a bit bigger of a TT.

acadianbob

X2!

blueovelboy

maybe now (2013) but my 2010 with max tow didn't have them i had to add them my self. so back to my statement not always

Fastbikeman

Like you, I have also been researching for a new tow vehicle. I have found that folks that tow are very passionate about their tow vehicles. Few if any have compliants about their own tow vehicle but will have a lot to say about other vehicles.

Like you said the capacity ratings can get very confusing. I have also found that many sales people do not understand the numbers. So when you shop tell the dealer that you want their most experience truck saleperson to work with you and make sure you do your homework.

I tow a 25 foot airstream with a base weight of 5500lbs and a GVWC of 7300 lbs. the hitch weight is 837 lbs without options or variable weight. To that you must look at the gvwc of the truck. Knowing and understanding GVWR is important to towing because it tells you explicitly the maximum weight of passengers and cargo you can safely carry in your truck or SUV. GVWR is the total combined weight of truck and trailer, including all passengers, fuel, fluids and cargo. GVWR is constant and does not change, regardless of what you tow. It’s engineered in when the vehicle is manufactured.

Because of all of this I have narrowed my choice down to the F 150 eco booster or the F 250 diesel at the right price. If I order the F150 it will be the supercrew 6’.5 inch box 4X4 with the ecobooster with the 3.73 limited slip axlealong with both the HD Payload Pkg and the Max tow pkg. to the trim, not sure, but I suspect it will be the Lariet. I will also get the deployable mirrows and deployable running boards as they are easy for my wife to climb in an doubt of the cab.

This will need to be ordered from the factory as I have not seen any F150 in any Ford lots that have exactly what I want.

I am also looking at the diesel because the 2012 has lots of incentives, it has more then ample towing capacity and diesel fuel prices are about the same for premium gas, which Ford recommends be used when towing with the ecobooster.

brulaz

MaxTow doesn't really stiffen your suspension even though it increases the payload a bit. Only the HD payload option (only available in certain models and cab configurations) adds heavier duty shocks, springs and LT tires (as well as a heavier duty axle and rims).

If you're only towing/hauling occasionally, the regular soft suspension is ok. But when fully loaded up you may notice rocking (shocks), sag&floating (springs) and tire squirm (tires).

If you tow/hauling much of the time, you may want to order the HD Payload (if its available for the model/cab you want). Even if you don't need the extra payload, the heavy duty suspension alone is worth the $$. This option is rarely found on the dealer's lot though.

Otherwise, if you want a stiffer suspension, there are aftermarket options. That's what I (see sig) and a lot of others have done.