Hojo70

"If your window sticker did not show a trailer tow package, your restricted to 5000 pounds" is the part where you've become confused. How much you can actually tow is really based on key factors such as engine type, wheelbase, tire capacity, GVWR, GCWR, GAWR and of course whether there is a class IV hitch as towing anything above 5000 lbs absolutely requires a weight distribution system. This is what is meant by their recommendation above as factory tow packages ensure consumers that certain key components are already in place. I confirmed this with Ford corporate and 2 separate dealerships, one just this morning.

isthatahemi

.........

isthatahemi

Well unless the tow packages are meaningless; if it doesn't have the cooling upgrade the restriction applies. (There are only 2 tow packages, not 3, 53B is hitch package as indicated, then there is the Trailer Tow, and the Max Tow).



Ya, sure you did. And no one mentioned the cooling system differences? lol.
I just went through this with someone I know, and sure enough, it required the cooler to be rated for over 5000#,

Straight out of the 2016 owners manual:


RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed a trailer
weight of 5,100 lb (2,313 kg) when
towing with, or by, bumper only.

Note: Do not exceed a trailer
weight of 5,100 lb (2,313 kg) if your
vehicle is not equipped with a
Heavy Duty Trailer Towing
Package

Bolded text for the extra stubborn folks!! Or the towing guide.....

F-150 Base Vehicle Frontal Area (36.6 sq. ft.) Without Trailer Tow Package or Payload Package 55 sq. ft. Any Powertrain with Trailer Towing Package or Payload Package and Trailer Towing Ratings Between 5,001 and 7,700 lbs. 60 sq. ft. Any Powertrain with Trailer Towing Package or Payload Package and Trailer Towing Ratings 7,701 lbs. and Greater 75 sq. ft. All 5th-Wheel and Gooseneck Applications with Any Powertrain with Trailer Towing Package or Payload Package

So which parts on the 53B package are "powertrain" upgrades?

caperJ

So they say the trailer tow package has the transmission cooler, isnt it the smaller rad in from of the rad? I have trailer tow and dont see the additional rad like in my 15 with max tow.

isthatahemi

The heavy duty trailer tow packages have the coolers. What is your GCWR?

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...wing_Guide.pdf

isthatahemi

What is the GCWR listed on your vehicle?

Gasser55

I'm a new Ford owner and I think this is rather misleading. On the 2016 spec pages it lists the cab type, gear ratio, and drive line to determine towing capacity. No where on those does it say you must have the HD tow package, but apparently in the manual that is required. I don't have the window sticker or manual- Does anyone have an actual working link to a window sticker lookup?

msgtord

Plug your Vin in here and it will tell you what you have.

http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

msgtord

"If your window sticker did not show a trailer tow package, your restricted to 5000 pounds" is the part where you've become confused. How much you can actually tow is really based on key factors such as engine type, wheelbase, tire capacity, GVWR, GCWR, GAWR and of course whether there is a class IV hitch as towing anything above 5000 lbs absolutely requires a weight distribution system. This is what is meant by their recommendation above as factory tow packages ensure consumers that certain key components are already in place. I confirmed this with Ford corporate and 2 separate dealerships, one just this morning."

No confusion on my part. I'm very well versed on what it takes to tow. Both personally and professionally.

What your saying to all these folks is that the towing guide and owners manual are both wrong.

That no one needed to waste their money on "tow packages ".

Go ahead and tow what you want. If you burn up your transmission you can bet that your dealer and Ford will not fix it if you towed more than what the manual allows.

Gasser55

Thank you, I saw you posted that earlier in the forum but could not get it to work on my Chromebook, tomorrow I'll try it on my PC. Just curious, mine is an XLT with 5.0 3.55 e-locker 4x4 with the Pro Trailer Assist Back up option. From what I've read if it comes with the Pro Trailer Assist option does that most likely mean the truck has a HD tow package?