I've got a 19 EB 3.5 with 14,000 miles on it. It was a rental used by oil rig workers in Canada and it is in fantastic shape but I can't get a work up on it's options. No sticker. So I have these big tow mirrors with the concave blind spots but no hitch. I am going to need that pretty soon.

So what I am looking for is how to see what this truck has and get the equipment up to par with max tow. Since I have to open my wallet on this and want the best value, upgrade suggestions beyond max tow are very welcome.

To start things off, I need a class 4 hitch and probably should be looking for a better trans cooler?

 

Id start by getting a copy of that monroney sticker so you don't shoot in the dark. Its probably worth paying for it. Just take your VIN to a Ford dealer and have them order it. I think through the parts department.

Do you have the Brake controller? Or even the trailer plugs back in the rear bumper. You'll want both of those. They should all be plug and play if you get the right ones and its my opinion you'll want the ford OEM ones. They integrate much better with the truck.

 

Oil Cooler - Has the same one as Max Tow

Trans Cooler - has same Liquid-to-Liauid Cooler by the trans as Max Tow. Only the Raptor (and possibly the 3.0PS Lion Diesel) has a front mount Auxiliary Fkuid-to-Air Cooler.

Radiator - Different than a Max Tow based on parts numbers. I believe the one on the standard trucks now may have been the towing radiator at one time. I would not change it unless it created an issue.
Fans & Fan Motors -If you have boomerang shaped fan blades and black domed motors you have standard fans. If you have straight fan blades and silver capped flat back motors you have the brushless high output setup.

Front Anti-Sway Bar - Hollow, Solid Bar from HD Tow & Max Tow is 23% Stiffer and fits stock brackets.

ITBC - It's likely you are.not Prewired for it. Pull.the piece where it goes and see if the connecter is there and if you have a fuse location in the fuse block for it. If not an aftermarket progressive controller like the Tekonsha Prodigy would likely be an easier install.

The factory hitches (requires center bumper section) are generally a bit better built than the aftermarket hitches but something like a Class IV 10,000/12,000 lb Curt would be easier and cheaper.

You should already have 4-Pin Wiring at the back but you need to add 7-Pin.

monroneylabels.com

Unless you can get a dealer print up the window sticker and even better the build sheet for free.

 

Doesn't max tow use a different frame? Not sure you can just make a truck max tow by adding things on. The sticker it has is the sticker it has.

 

You are thinking HDPP.

Max Tow is 3.5EB, 3.55 rear end, sway bar, 36 gallon tank and a "beefed up" hitch. Though some of this can be individually added. I have a buddy that has a '16 F150 Plat that is 701A with FX4 but not Max Tow. However it has everything that would make it a Max Tow except the sway bar.

 

That's right. One of them got a beefier frame. But my other point about adding max tow things doesn't change the sticker in the door is still true. It may make your truck tow better, but it doesn't legally increase its capacity.

 

I am pretty sure that Max Tow doesn't increase payload capacity which is the sticker that you are referring to. In fact it might actually lower it a bit considering the sway bar and hitch might be heavier. Also a bigger 36 gallon tank when full is heavier than the smaller standard tank. The big tank is nice though. This weekend I was getting 7.1 MPG towing the camper. There isn't anything in Max Tow Package that increases the capability of the sticker in the door. I guess the one * is the heavier duty hitch which as I mentioned is available outside Max Tow as well. That would potentially increase tongue weight a bit but you still run into payload limits. It is really just a bundling of items that make the truck tow better like you said. You likely get a bundle discount vs ordering every part of it as a separate line item. Kind of like the 701A Lux Package.

 

What's the issue with buying max tow? The package saves like $1500 over piecemeal options.

 

I love Max Tow, it's a **** ton of value.

 

I think you actually have that backwards. Only if you order just the basic trailer hitch (53B)...which nobody with much sense would, you still just get the base model hollow front bar.

The basic regular Tow Package 53A that most trucks will have, gets you the upgraded solid front stabilizer bar, the same one included in Max Tow 53C. Most everything else in Max Tow can be added separately. The thing that is exclusive to Max Tow is what they call an upgraded bumper, but most would consider it an upgraded hitch receiver mount which is basically the center 1/3 of the rear bumper. Lay the two side by side and it's hard to see much difference except the safety chain flanges.

There is no rear "swaybar " in the picture at all.

I have a 5.0 and people love to point out that Max Tow (53C) is not available with a V8...that's true...but the V8 doesn't get different coolers or radiators to tow, the brake controller, elec differential (mine is 3.73), back up assist and big gas tank were also on mine as stand alone options. So basically I am thicker tow chain wings shy of Max Tow.

look here:

https://www.f150forum.com/www.f150fo...d.php?t=351048

The first thing I wanted to clear up though is once you get the tow package, 53A...you get the solid front stabilizer bar...same one used in Max Tow 53C. Not allowing Max Tow on a 5.0 is just another way they hype the EcoBoost.

Take a look at the linked thread and tell me it isn't just a game to have two different bumper-reciever options.