93Cobra#2771

iTrader: (2)

As others have mentioned, max tow at the very least. The weights you posted, is that dry (brochure) weight is is that your fully loaded weight?

As mentioned above, you run out of cargo capacity way before you run out of tow capacity. If you even think you will go to a bigger camper, then HD or diesel truck will be your best choice.

Norotso

I wouldn't settle for less then the maxtow pkg. Go to RV.net/forums and do some reading in the towing and tow vehicle section.

smokeywren

2011-up SuperCrew 4x4 with 3.55 axle, EcoBoost engine and 6.5' bed has a GCWR of 15,500 pounds. Empty truck weighs 6,000 so the tow rating is 9,500 if there is absolutely nothing in the truck but a skinny driver.

You will be overloaded with hitch weight of 650 pounds, assuming you have the normal stuff in the truck, such as at least one adult passenger, some tools and a spray-in bedliner. That truck has plenty of GCWR to pull the weight, but not enough GVWR to haul the hitch weight unless you have at least the max tow pkg.

My 2012 SuperCrew EcoBoost 4x2 has a GVWR of 7,100 pounds, and when on the road with my TT that has 650 pounds hitch weight, I'm overloaded over the GVWR of my truck. The GVWR on a 4x4 is 100 pounds more, but the 4x4 components weigh more than 100 pounds, so you'll be even more overloaded than I am.

So as a minimum you neeed the Max Tow pkg that will pump up the GVWR to 7,700 pounds.

Yes. GVWR is the max weight you can have on the 4 truck tires without being overloaded. Including hitch weight and a full tank of gas. And that's usually the limiter on a truck with single rear wheels. With normal hitch weight of around 12 to 15%, the F-150 EcoBoost can pull a lot more weight than it can haul the hitch weight.

No. That's GCWR (gross combined weight rating). GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is the weight on the 4 truck tires, not including the weight on the trailer tires.

For 2013 F-150s sold in the USA, the trailer tow pkg is std on FX and Lariat and above trim, and optional on lesser trim levels. It includes the receiver, 7-pin wiring harness, upgraded radiator, auxiliary tranny cooler, and selectshift tranny.

The Max Tow pkg is the same as the trailer tow pkg, plus it ads the telescoping tow mirrors, the integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC),and minor changes to the rear bumper and suspension to result in an additional 500 pounds of GVWR.

The HD Payload pkg is almost a different truck. It has 8,200 pounds GVWR, with heavier duty wheels and tires and suspension. Way back when (1997-1999), Ford put F-250 badges on that pkg and called it the F-250 LD (light duty). But that confused the heck out of a lot of folks, so thay dropped the misleading badges and have called it the F-150 HD since the Y2K model year.

Max Tow without HD Payload requires 3.73 axle ratio with E-Locker diff. HD Payload pkg requires 3.73 axle with limited slip rear axle, and with the 3.73 LS axle you get both max tow and HD Payload. If you go to Ford Build&Price, you won't see either the max tow pkg or the HD Payload pkg unless you first choose 3.73 axle. With EcoBoost engine, if you choose 3.73 e-locker, the system will automagically add the max tow pkg. If you choose 3.73 LS, the system will automagically add both the max tow and HD Payload packages.

City dealers don't usually order either max tow or HD Payload pkg for the trucks they have in stock. So if you want your truck fixed up right for towing, then you should count on ordering it and waiting about 6 weeks for it to arrive.That way you get exactly what you want with no compromises.

Note: The above applies to F-150s ordered for sale in the USA. Canadian specs are slightly different. So if you're in Canada, find a copy of the Canadian F-150 order guide to see what is available for your truck.

93Cobra#2771

iTrader: (2)

X2 what smokey said. Our local dealer moves 60-90 vehicles per month, and I've only seen two HD package trucks in the lot, with both being special ordered. Max tow about the same. And I'm in a rural area.

Greg_8507

One question i haven't seen (I may have overlooked it, as i have been drinking) and what i think out weighs everything else is, how often you haul it and how far. My old 02 F-150 5.4 stock, hauled a 6,000 lbs, 24ft boat trought the WVA mountains all the way down to Beaufort S.C with out a problem. however it took 4 times the gas and over twice as long to do it. just because your truck is rated for it, and can often exced it (depending on the driver), doesn't mean it is practicle. A step up may be what you need, possibly even a Super Duty. On my diesle, I get the same milage hauling 5,000 lbs over 350 miles as I do driving the same distance empty. It's all in the frequency and distance.

Mikekoz13

7 or 8 times a year, rarely over 100 miles

Greg_8507

in the long run it sounds like you might be happier in a F-250, however i don't think out will be worth it to get a diesle. You will be well within limits with room to go heavier later on. Plus a larger truck will give you better control over a trailer that size, and you'll a better matched braking system. For a 28ft trailer, if you can get tow mirrors, get them.

smokeywren

I don't agree that how far you tow or how often you tow should be a factor in matching tow vehicle to trailer. If you tow only 5 miles there and 5 miles back, and do it only once per year, you don't want to be overloaded when you do it.

All of the popular tow vehicle manufacturers (GM, MOPAR, Ford, Toyota, Nissan) state you should NEVER exceed the GVWR or GCWR of the tow vehicle. And they do not make any exceptions for short distances or infrequent towing.

magblue10

I surely don't think you need to 250if you went with the max tow you would be fine if you felt the need to HD version could be an option people are acting like your towing and 11,000 pound trailer

tarheel - 2

I went thru this same quandary abt a year ago. I wound up buying the Supercrew, max towing option, short bed. I have never looked back, except to wonder where my 6000 lb trailer is. The truck pulls like a dream. Mileage under tow ranges fm 9-11 mpg and I tow at 60 - 65 mph. I live in the mountains of Western N.C. and can clear any pass at 60.
My advise - get the max tow truck and enjoy it