JoSal73

Haven't researched a ton, but I'm needing a pickup for towing a trailer...and i don't want to skimp on tow capacity.

It's looking like I want the 2017+ F 150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost ...with max tow package? What does the max tow package include? Can i just disregard that and do something aftermarket to match to make my search easier?

I'm using cars.com to try and filter..but key words not really returning what i want. Is there a specific trim that automatically comes with that I want..or is everything a la carte and i just have to do a lot of calling to find out if the truck has the options i need?

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

best bet is to visit a dealer and tell them what you want, then they can find one for you.

G-Force

First, it is important to know the the weight of the trailer you want to tow.

Lots of info on towing here: https://www.f150forum.com/f82/

JoSal73

Car weighs about 3500 or less ( 2 different cars ) and the trailer will weigh 6K or less, enclosed trailer with tools and parts in it. That's why I'm saying I want max tow capacity and that engine that can handle up to 12K (right?)

D2Abbott

I would encourage you to start shopping F250's.

Ricktwuhk

Wrong. Unless you're pulling a 12,000 pound hay wagon with no tongue weight.

I encourage you to read some of the threads on the Towing section of the forum. https://www.f150forum.com/f82 F-150s are most often constrained by PAYLOAD, which appears on a yellow sticker on the door jamb. They are also restricted by the capacity of the hitch, which is usually a tongue weight in the 1,050 - 1,250 range.

A trailer that weighs 9,500 pounds should have a tongue weight around 1,235 at 13%. That's already beyond the capability of most F-150 hitches.

An F-150 with a HDPP (heavy duty payload package) may have sufficient payload for your needs, but again you might be over on the hitch.

F-250/350 is where you should be looking.

deserteagle69

^ This.

Or just go straight to an F350. Not much difference in price but some extra capacity and better resale value.

An F150 can be spec'd to pull the weight you're talking about but it will be close to its max capacity. But a piece of cake for a Superduty to pull.

JoSal73

Great info guys. I agree, I will start looking at 250/350 models

Dan Church

I've got an '18 F150 with tow package (not max) and do not have the HDPP. I regularly tow a 3 horse bumper pull trailer. When loaded I'm ~9K lbs. I'm running a Curt weight distributing hitch rated at 10K lbs. This configuration has been perfect for my truck. The motor and transmission haul it around beautifully, up and down hills, merging on to freeways, etc... -- absolutely plenty of power. What you will find is that the F150 power train with the 3.5 EB and 10 spd tranny has quite a bit more ability than the suspension will allow. In my opinion that power train could move 15k lbs, however, scrub those posts above and read up on the towing and hauling thread, because you really have to understand payload and tongue weight to know what you're particular rig can readily do.

Based on my experiences, if I had the max tow and HDPP I wouldn't hesitate to pull 12K lbs provided I had the correct set up with WD hitch, etc... BUT I wouldn't recommend hauling any more and as these fellas are saying the 3/4 or 1 ton sure would give you some wiggle room. Enjoy the search, truck shopping is a ton of fun!

mhamershock

I have an HDPP and I'd not tow 12k with it. That's F250 weight. A lot of us tow RV trailers (toy hauler in my case) and they are big ole boxes. 12k GVWR on one of them would leave zero room for error on even an HDPP, and you'd likely be over hitch and RAWR capacity. I scale my rig several times a year and at 9500 trailer weight I am within 200 lbs of the 4800 RAWR limit. 10k would be max for me.

M

OP, you want a 250/350 as others have said.