m91196

That good info and surprising but seen weirder things.

Did you do the complete installation, I’m thinking of building the parts list.

GMC to Ford

I purchased the parts through Ford and had my dealer installed them. A little expensive for labor, but the service manager bent over backwards trying to resolve all the discrepancies with the tow package and conflicting information between the owner's manual and towing guide. Multiple contacts with the Regional Service Manager and Ford engineering. Resolved parts discrepancies and question like the radiator differences (actually none). I owed them the courtesy of making some money off the installation.

I installed the upgraded stabilizer bar in 30 minutes at home. Shipped free to my door and cost $57. The dealer installed the cooler, cooler mount, cooling lines, transmission fluid, new wind deflector below radiator and cleaned out/plugged my radiator for the existing cooler.

caperJ

So did your truck not say tow package like on my pic previously posted. I checked with Ford yesterday and my truck has the upgraded Bar just not the Aux cooler.

isthatahemi

My understanding is that this change adds some cooling capacity to the engine, as the trans heat doesn't end up in the rad.

isthatahemi

That may be a moot point though, as we can all agree there would be a reason for additional cooling to be added to tow anything heavy or with a large frontal area.

GMC to Ford

My window sticker did not say tow package, but the salesman stated that it had one when I purchased it. I did not question his comment since it had the following: Hitch, Trailer Sway Control, Electronic Brake Controller, Tow Haul Mode, 4/7 pin Wiring Harness, Pro Trailer Backup Assist

I found out after the fact that the ETIS website had a "Medium Duty Tow Package" listed which means the truck has a hitch installed. The hitch was part of the $295 option for the Electric Brake Controller. Ford uses the term HD Tow Package (parts catalog) and Trailer Tow Package (window sticker) interchangeably. NO ONE at the region or dealership (service managers) or the fleet manager at multiple dealerships could tell me what "Medium Duty Tow Package" meant. I finally got an answer via Ford engineering after multiple inquiries.

I am not familiar with Canadian built trucks, but I highly doubt you have the upgraded sway bar without the aux cooler. Check the tag for the engineering part number: FL34-5494-AA converts to a Ford Part number of FL3Z-5482-A (standard stabilizer bar). The upgraded stabilizer bar is FL3Z-5482-B if the part numbers remained the same on the newer trucks.

Mike Up

Yes the aux cooler is not mentioned in the 2018 towing guide so that may be the reason. But the front stabilizer bar is also missing from the 53B hitch package that the tow packages 53A and 53C have.

Surprised that so many pages went on here. If a guy doesn't want to believe basic towing component common sense, it's his truck, when the trans gets burnt up, when ford won't warranty it, it's only his problem, no one else.

Hojo70

Contrary to your first sentence, transmission coolers do NOT affect towing capacity in any way shape or form. A transmission cooler is an optional piece of hardware that can preserve the life of your transmission and improve towing performance. That's it.

Secondly, you did not read my previous response, but I will repeat for you. 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 (as opposed to "bumper only" which you cited). Ford provides towing packages to ensure consumers that certain key components are already in place upfront when they buy their truck and drive it off the lot. The transmission cooler and front stabilizer bar improve towing performance but are not required and certainly do not mandate a towing capacity.

This information was confirmed from corporate customer service and 2 local Ford dealerships. You don't have to believe me and I could care less but I'm going trust Ford corporation and their dealer service network over some guy on the internet who thinks he knows better.

kalalp

Required Equipment Includes items that must be installed.* Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty (see your dealer for a copy) may be voided if you tow without them. F-150 For trailers over 5,000 pounds – Trailer Tow Package or Max Trailer Tow Package * Check with your dealer for additional requirements, restrictions and limited warranty details.

This is clearly posted in the Towing Guide

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content..._F150_Oct9.pdf

Page 6

Hojo70

No one is disputing that