Tow Ratings and How to Determine
02-28-2013, 11:32 AM
#11
Look for the yellow sticker inside the driver side door. It should have the payload listed there. Also if you look at the white sticker with the tire pressures there is a code listed there for the axle that the truck has unless it has been changed. You can look up the axle code on Ford's website. Just have the dealer send a pic of those and you can look them up for there.
02-28-2013, 03:27 PM
#12
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My 2012 F-150 SuperCrew EcoBoost has "tow rating" of 8,400 pounds, but with my TT that grossed only 4,860 pounds I exceeded the GVWR of the truck by 100 pounds. Sure, the EcoBoost can pull 8,000 pounds, but without Max Tow or HD Payload options it cannot haul the hitch weight of even a 5,000-pound TT without being overloaded.
2011-up F-150 4x2 with EcoBoost engine and regular tow pkg: GVWR = 7,100. Add Max Tow pkg and GVWR goes up to 7,600 or 7,700 pounds. Or enough payload capacity to add over 3,000 pounds to my TT weight. So instead of 4,870, my TT could weigh close to 8,000 pounds before I was 100 pounds overloaded. If I need to tow more than 8,000 pounds then I also need the HD payload pkg which adds another 500 pounds to the GVWR.
On a 2011-up F-150, the axle ratio doesn't add payload capacity unless you get the 3.73 E-Locker which with EcoBoost engine comes with the Max Tow Pkg, or the 3.73 limited slip which comes with the HD Payload pkg as well as the Max Tow pkg. With 3.15 vs 3.55 axle ratio, the tow rating goes up, but the payload rating does not. So you cannot tow any more with the 3,.55 than with the 3.15 because of payload restrictions.
To repeat, ignore tow ratings and axle ratio. Worry about the GVWR, which results in payload capacity. Payload capacity is the limiter for F-150s towing tandem-axle TTs or cargo trailers.
2011-up F-150 4x2 with EcoBoost engine and regular tow pkg: GVWR = 7,100. Add Max Tow pkg and GVWR goes up to 7,600 or 7,700 pounds. Or enough payload capacity to add over 3,000 pounds to my TT weight. So instead of 4,870, my TT could weigh close to 8,000 pounds before I was 100 pounds overloaded. If I need to tow more than 8,000 pounds then I also need the HD payload pkg which adds another 500 pounds to the GVWR.
On a 2011-up F-150, the axle ratio doesn't add payload capacity unless you get the 3.73 E-Locker which with EcoBoost engine comes with the Max Tow Pkg, or the 3.73 limited slip which comes with the HD Payload pkg as well as the Max Tow pkg. With 3.15 vs 3.55 axle ratio, the tow rating goes up, but the payload rating does not. So you cannot tow any more with the 3,.55 than with the 3.15 because of payload restrictions.
To repeat, ignore tow ratings and axle ratio. Worry about the GVWR, which results in payload capacity. Payload capacity is the limiter for F-150s towing tandem-axle TTs or cargo trailers.
The Maximum Towing Capacity of this same truck is 6300 lbs.
I looked up the GVWR, payload, and max towing here http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/
Last edited by David70; 02-28-2013 at 03:30 PM.
02-28-2013, 11:43 PM
#13
The payload figures on Fords website are for the base model. When loaded with options it will be less. My trucks base configuration (5.0 3.73 145" screw 4x4) supposedly has a payload of 1700 lbs. My FX4's payload is actually only 1416 lbs or so. Options add weight. Here is a picture of my sticker. You want to look at the candidate trucks and pay attention to the number where mine says 1416.
Also, if you're going to tow, stick with the ecoboost or 5.0. I wouldn't get the 3.7 to tow.
Also, if you're going to tow, stick with the ecoboost or 5.0. I wouldn't get the 3.7 to tow.
Last edited by RightYouAreKen; 02-28-2013 at 11:45 PM.
03-01-2013, 12:10 PM
#14
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I have just what your looking for! 
Where do you live?? I have been thinking about selling mine and upgrading to a Superduty diesel. Truck runs great and i have had no issues since the day i brought her home!
Where do you live?? I have been thinking about selling mine and upgrading to a Superduty diesel. Truck runs great and i have had no issues since the day i brought her home!
03-01-2013, 02:08 PM
#15
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There are certain levels of trucks that come stock with the tow package. The 2010 FX4 and Lariat ave tow package as standard equipment. The FX4 has the 3.73 axle as standard. The charts on this link will tell you what the trucks can do and what the standard optins are. If you look at a truck and it does not have certain clearly visible items, ie auxillary tranny cooler, then it does not have the tow package. In most cases the 7 pin factory trailer connector is a dead give away of the tow package.
03-01-2013, 02:19 PM
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I bought a weekend car in Boston last may but this was because it was a limited production, difficult to find vehicle. I flew to Boston and drove it back.
I think the trailer she has is similar to the one you have (not owning it I haven't paid that much attention to the details).
Assuming that with the Max Towing your's has the 3.73, what is the payload rating?
03-01-2013, 02:40 PM
#17
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She lives in FL in the winter (has a house there but it is rented out), I live in Cincinnati, and she spends part of the Summer in Lancaster, PA. I am interested but logistics would be somewhat of a problem (expense).
I bought a weekend car in Boston last may but this was because it was a limited production, difficult to find vehicle. I flew to Boston and drove it back.
I think the trailer she has is similar to the one you have (not owning it I haven't paid that much attention to the details).
Assuming that with the Max Towing your's has the 3.73, what is the payload rating?
I bought a weekend car in Boston last may but this was because it was a limited production, difficult to find vehicle. I flew to Boston and drove it back.
I think the trailer she has is similar to the one you have (not owning it I haven't paid that much attention to the details).
Assuming that with the Max Towing your's has the 3.73, what is the payload rating?
03-01-2013, 03:25 PM
#18
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There are certain levels of trucks that come stock with the tow package. The 2010 FX4 and Lariat ave tow package as standard equipment. The FX4 has the 3.73 axle as standard. The charts on this link will tell you what the trucks can do and what the standard optins are. If you look at a truck and it does not have certain clearly visible items, ie auxillary tranny cooler, then it does not have the tow package. In most cases the 7 pin factory trailer connector is a dead give away of the tow package.
The link you were going to include was missing.
03-01-2013, 03:57 PM
#19
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03-01-2013, 05:09 PM
#20
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No, Max tow for 2010 was only available with the 5.4 and 3.73 axle and put you up in the 11,000 lbs. The "STANDARD" tow is what every truck has 5000lb max and only a 4pin trailer connector. The 2010 Tow package increase the trucks tow capacity in all models, and with the exception of the 4.6L 2valve motor and 4 speed transmission they all can tow 8000 lbs or better with the tow package (1 exception reg cab 4x4 was only 7700). The exact max trailer weight tow package is determined by how the truck is out fitted. Any 2010 model that has a factory 7 pin trailer plug and aux transmission cooler will have the "Tow Package". The idea I was trying to get across is that unless your looking to pull some of the bigger trailers on the market, i.e. trailers with GVWs of 8500 or more, as long as you understand what the key factors are for the model year you looking at you can weed out the trucks that will not be in the range you need. Then from their you can get a VIN to confirm its actual outfitting.