I was wondering who has towed with the 2015's, particularly heavy loads. I have a travel trailer (GVWR 8600 lb) and my 2013 XLT with the Max Trailer Tow pkg tows it really well with the 3.73 rear end. The 2015's with Max trailer tow package come with a 3.55 rear end and I'm afraid of performance.

If you have experience towing with a 2011~2014 Max-Trailer optioned F150 and also the new 2015, I'd love to hear your opinion on the new truck and whether the 3.55 is that noticeable over the 3.73.

Thanks in advance!

 

No experience, but I would wait for the HD Payload option for a trailer that heavy. The suspension and tire upgrades alone should be worth it. It also comes with the 3.73 rear end.

 

Your trailer is going to add between 850-1,300#'s of payload to your vehicle. Depending on the trim level and options, you are running out of available payload for fuel and passengers quickly.

I would recommend reading the Ford towing guide. It also outlines the frontal area added by a trailer, and what equipment/options your toe vehicle should have to handle that.

I tow a TT that is a bit lighter than yours, and I opted for the HD Payload (includes Max Tow) option. It offers greater flexibility.

 

The towing capability on the 2015's increases my current 2013 capability of 11,200 to 11,700 so I wasn't too concerned about having too heavy of a trailer, as I currently tow it with out any problems. I also use a Equal-i-zer 4 point sway with weight distro hitch.

My main concern was the performance of the 3.55 gears. Towing with the 3.73 is amazingly smooth off the lights and I can get up to highway speeds relatively fast. Also, the 3.73 rear end is so much more pleasurable to drive unloaded.

I would like to get the HD Payload Package, but unfortunately Ford choose to limit what trims you can get. I'm looking at the 501a package, and HD Payload is unfortunately not avail in 2015.

Thanks again!

 

I'll preface this by saying I am new to trucks and have very limited towing experience. So take it with a grain of salt...

I just towed my dads Chevy S10 500 miles so probably 7-8000 lbs including the Uhaul trailer.

My platinum has a 3.55 and a 1525 max payload (Max package but not the HD). It towed FLAWLESSLY. I could hardly tell I even had a car behind me.

Hope that helps. Was very impressed.

 

Hey Bubby, thanks for responding! Exactly what I was hoping to hear.

 

Well, a Travel Trailer has a lot more frontal area than a car hauler. And at speeds over 50mph, wind resistance becomes more important that weight.

Still, the big EcoB has a lot of low end torque. Maybe with the 3.55 you would spend more time in 5th gear, perhaps locking out 6th would be good. Using Premium gas would help. And there are "tow tunes" that can give you even more power if wanted.

But don't think there will an issue with power when towing that trailer with the 3.55.

 

I'm currently towing about 8k lbs with 3.44 equivalent rear end ratio (due to 33" tires").
This past summer while towing I pulled out of a gas station onto brand new asphalt and floored it to get up to speed. Got wheel spin on both rear tires and this was with the payload capacity of the truck probably maxed out. I wouldn't worry about the 3.55 gears at all.

 

I had a 2013 Fx4 with a 3.5EB and 3.55 Rear. It had no problem with towing much more
than 8600lbs so I would not worry about it. I opted for the 3.31 in the 2015 I just got and I am on the fence about if I should of went with the HD tow for the 3.55's again.It does not have the jump when I hit the gas like my old truck. I think that unless you are towing over 50% of the time, a 3.55 is a great compromise,fun and responsive when empty and
very good with a load behind you.

 

With the 500-700 pound weight loss over the same optioned 11-14, the .18 difference in gearing should not even be noticeable. If it is lock out sixth gear and effectively change your overall gearing. I would not be concerned at all.