Towing Package (Or Lack Thereof) And The Dealer Makes It Right
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Rapper63 (03-26-2021)
04-09-2019, 07:29 AM
#12
Senior Member
my sales person was a cute 20 something .. she told me all about the options and features my truck had that didn't exists .. she told me i could remote start my truck from the Ford Pass app when i didn't have sync connect or remote start .. i never said anything to anyone about it but apparently she had been doing that for a while because 1 week after i bought my truck she was no longer there .. i went there to pick up my owners manual she forgot to give me
04-09-2019, 08:42 AM
#13
My truck has the light and it was purchased without a tow package. Is this a new thing?
I can't figure out why Ford is so deceptive in their tow packages and setups. Class IV hitches that really aren't class IV.
My truck was configured from the factory with:
Class IV? receiver
4/7 Way Connector
Tow Haul Mode
Trailer Sway Control
Electric Brake Controller
Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Smart Trailer Connect
BUT, without the towing package. Also, my salesman stated it had the tow package at time of sale. Two other dealerships who looked at it when I discovered the discrepancy stated it had the tow package too. It took me 3 months to convince the dealership that my truck did not have the towing package because ETIS said 53B (Medium Duty Tow Package). I later learned that it just means I have a receiver. 6 months and $450 later I finally had all the components of the tow package (front stabilizer bar and new auxiliary transmission cooler), Despite all of my efforts, Ford engineering still tried to convince the regional and dealership service managers that I could tow the maximum limit, to include 55 sq. ft. frontal area) without either of those components installed despite being contradicted by the owner's manual and 2016 RV & Trailer Towing Guide.
I can't figure out why Ford is so deceptive in their tow packages and setups. Class IV hitches that really aren't class IV.
My truck was configured from the factory with:
Class IV? receiver
4/7 Way Connector
Tow Haul Mode
Trailer Sway Control
Electric Brake Controller
Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Smart Trailer Connect
BUT, without the towing package. Also, my salesman stated it had the tow package at time of sale. Two other dealerships who looked at it when I discovered the discrepancy stated it had the tow package too. It took me 3 months to convince the dealership that my truck did not have the towing package because ETIS said 53B (Medium Duty Tow Package). I later learned that it just means I have a receiver. 6 months and $450 later I finally had all the components of the tow package (front stabilizer bar and new auxiliary transmission cooler), Despite all of my efforts, Ford engineering still tried to convince the regional and dealership service managers that I could tow the maximum limit, to include 55 sq. ft. frontal area) without either of those components installed despite being contradicted by the owner's manual and 2016 RV & Trailer Towing Guide.
The last two things you listed (pro trailer backup assist and smart connector) along with the assist light are cues that it had the tow package since all three are included.
04-09-2019, 08:48 AM
#14
Senior Member
Ford engineering after pulling the factory build sheet and reviewing ETIS through the regional/dealer service managers. In 2016, package 53B for a 5.0L was a receiver and nothing else. Pro Trailer Backup Assist and the brake controller were factory add-ons. My towing limit was 36 ft. of frontal area and 5000 lbs. without the Trailer Towing Package 53A.
Last edited by GMC to Ford; 04-09-2019 at 09:13 AM.
04-09-2019, 10:54 AM
#15
So who, exactly, stated that you are limited to 5000lbs. The note on Page 15 of the towing guide states a trailer tow package or max tow package is required to tow over 5000 lbs.
Page 16 calls the 53b package a trailer towing package right in the title of the table. Ford's 2018 towing guide actually calls the 53b package a "trailer towing package" on page 37 of the guide. The notes on page 18 and 19 note that the weight is limited to 5000lbs when towing with the bumper. Getting the 53b package makes that go away.
To be blunt, Ford has done nothing to eliminate confusion over these packages on the F150 going back to at least the 2004 model year (when I went through a similar exercise). Their interest is in marketing the 53A package so more profit is made on each truck (though the upgraded sway bar is nice).
So your dealer worked with you, but I'm not sure that makes the interpretation right. Also not sure a 53c equipped truck was what your requirements were.
Page 16 calls the 53b package a trailer towing package right in the title of the table. Ford's 2018 towing guide actually calls the 53b package a "trailer towing package" on page 37 of the guide. The notes on page 18 and 19 note that the weight is limited to 5000lbs when towing with the bumper. Getting the 53b package makes that go away.
To be blunt, Ford has done nothing to eliminate confusion over these packages on the F150 going back to at least the 2004 model year (when I went through a similar exercise). Their interest is in marketing the 53A package so more profit is made on each truck (though the upgraded sway bar is nice).
So your dealer worked with you, but I'm not sure that makes the interpretation right. Also not sure a 53c equipped truck was what your requirements were.
When it comes to the towing guide, build sheets, and website, they change the names of the towing packages which is what leads to confusion. See the screenshots below from the website. The 53b is called the "Class IV Hitch," 53a is called the "Trailer Tow Package" and 53c is the "Max Trailer Tow Package." Compare the options in the screenshots to the matrix in the towing guide and you will see the option codes match those names. When the towing guide talks about towing more than 5000 lbs, it means that you need the named "Trailer Towing Package" which is the 53a option, not "a trailer towing package" which all three fall under in option category. The towing guide is very confusing because all three packages are listed in the trailer towing package matrix making you think all are trailer towing packages as referred to in the weight limitation statement. But while all are trailer towing packages, only the 53a is called the "Trailer Towing Package" which is what you need to have to tow more than 5000lbs...that or the Max Towing Package. 53b is the "Class IV Hitch" option which is limited to 5000lbs. Confusing as hell.
Did Ford do this as a concious decision to deceive customers or is it just some manual writer in a cubicle in Dearborn who did not think to make things as clear as they should be? Probably the latter. Hope this clears this up. I spent way to much time on this when a simple change in package names in the towing guide would fix this.
Ford needs to get this cleared up so that people are towing safely and within limits that do not violate their warranty.
Last edited by scoobybri; 04-09-2019 at 10:58 AM.
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GMC to Ford (04-09-2019)
04-09-2019, 11:24 AM
#16
Senior Member
My truck is a Lariat so most of the tow package (53B) features are standard on my trim level (LED light, Class IV hitch, Smart Trailer Connect, etc.) and included in the pricing. So, adding the trailer towing package to a Lariat costs $995 and you get a $60 upgraded stabilizer bar and auxiliary transmission cooler ($40). It looks like the 2018 models include the auxiliary transmission cooler for any of the tow package options now.
04-09-2019, 12:17 PM
#18
Gone Golfin
iTrader: (3)
my sales person was a cute 20 something .. she told me all about the options and features my truck had that didn't exists .. she told me i could remote start my truck from the Ford Pass app when i didn't have sync connect or remote start .. i never said anything to anyone about it but apparently she had been doing that for a while because 1 week after i bought my truck she was no longer there .. i went there to pick up my owners manual she forgot to give me
Almost a shame we are not all this "tuned in".
04-09-2019, 12:23 PM
#19
What isn't mentioned is that each package has a different receiver too. Since I haven't, nor plan to, crawl under a bunch of trucks to see the differences, going off what I know from earlier years, the standard tow (5000) is rated around 1050, the HD was 1150 and the max was 1250. Today the max is 1320, and the HD is 1250? I don't remember exactly what my last truck was. I don't know what the rating is on the standard receiver.
That tailgate light is standard on Lariat and up, but on XLT if it has one, then it has the HD tow package so good to know when shopping XLT.
That tailgate light is standard on Lariat and up, but on XLT if it has one, then it has the HD tow package so good to know when shopping XLT.
04-09-2019, 01:19 PM
#20
Senior Member
you been pissy at me since i made a joke in another thread and you try to start an uproar and lenn told you to get thicker skin.. i get it.. you can't let things go.. its ok .. but following me around trying to trigger me into an argument for vindication is going to get old for you soon enough