Trailer Tow Pkg (53A) vs Max. Trailer Tow Pkg (53C) - Rear Bumper
07-07-2016, 05:35 PM
#11
Senior Member
So help me understand the first picture of the sticker.
Does it mean without a weight distributing hitch you can only have a max trailer weight of 5,000# and a tongue weight of 500#?
But if you utilize a weight distribution hitch you can tow 12,100# with a max tongue weight of 1,210#?
If so wouldn't that mean all these guys with these wakeboard boats that weight about 6,000# when you add up, boat, trailer, gear, and fuel would technically need a weight distribution hitch just to go to the lake?
Does it mean without a weight distributing hitch you can only have a max trailer weight of 5,000# and a tongue weight of 500#?
But if you utilize a weight distribution hitch you can tow 12,100# with a max tongue weight of 1,210#?
If so wouldn't that mean all these guys with these wakeboard boats that weight about 6,000# when you add up, boat, trailer, gear, and fuel would technically need a weight distribution hitch just to go to the lake?
07-08-2016, 01:45 PM
#13
Size Matters
Thread Starter
Additional information the may prove helpful...
If your truck currently doesn't have a hitch, you will need to purchase items #10 and #12 (from parts illustration in post #1). The bumper reinforcement (without hitch) is attached to the frame with 4 nuts. The bumper reinforcement (with hitch) for both Trailer Tow Pkg (53A) and Max. Trailer Tow Pkg (53C) is attached to the frame with 6 nuts.
If your truck currently doesn't have a hitch, you will need to purchase items #10 and #12 (from parts illustration in post #1). The bumper reinforcement (without hitch) is attached to the frame with 4 nuts. The bumper reinforcement (with hitch) for both Trailer Tow Pkg (53A) and Max. Trailer Tow Pkg (53C) is attached to the frame with 6 nuts.
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Apples (09-23-2017)
07-09-2016, 09:29 AM
#14
Size Matters
Thread Starter
This morning after taking a great deal of precautions not to damage any of the paint on the tailgate, bed, bumper or dual exhaust tips, I swapped the HD Trailer Tow rear bumper reinforcement for the Max. Trailer Tow rear bumper reinforcement. Total time to make this swap using basic hand tools was 1.5 hours including taking time for photos. It was not necessary to remove the spare tire or dual exhaust. A light duty floor jack under the trailer hitch worked great.
As promised I took lots of pictures. I must say it took me about 5 minutes to locate the difference between the 2 reinforcements. As you scan through the photos, pay close attention to the reinforcement plate for the safety chains - this and the hitch's rating decal is the only difference.
Whomever in Ford's Marketing Department thought to make a big deal out of this difference must have received either a raise, promotion or both.
I also weighed both reinforcements and they both weigh exactly the same - 41.6 lbs.
Lastly I thought I should mention with my fleet discount the price difference between the HD Trailer Tow rear bumper reinforcement and Max. Trailer Tow rear bumper reinforcement is $2.23.
PS: even though my truck was originally configured from the factory with the Trailer Tow Pkg. and I added the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, swapped 3.31 gears for 3.73 gears and upgraded to the Max. Trailer Tow Pkg. rear bumper reinforcement, my truck still doesn't qualify to be considered the Max Trailer Tow Pkg. as it has the 5.0L & 8.8" rear axle.
As promised I took lots of pictures. I must say it took me about 5 minutes to locate the difference between the 2 reinforcements. As you scan through the photos, pay close attention to the reinforcement plate for the safety chains - this and the hitch's rating decal is the only difference.
Whomever in Ford's Marketing Department thought to make a big deal out of this difference must have received either a raise, promotion or both.
I also weighed both reinforcements and they both weigh exactly the same - 41.6 lbs.
Lastly I thought I should mention with my fleet discount the price difference between the HD Trailer Tow rear bumper reinforcement and Max. Trailer Tow rear bumper reinforcement is $2.23.
PS: even though my truck was originally configured from the factory with the Trailer Tow Pkg. and I added the Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, swapped 3.31 gears for 3.73 gears and upgraded to the Max. Trailer Tow Pkg. rear bumper reinforcement, my truck still doesn't qualify to be considered the Max Trailer Tow Pkg. as it has the 5.0L & 8.8" rear axle.
Last edited by tmcolegr; 07-11-2016 at 05:07 AM.
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07-09-2016, 09:30 AM
#15
Size Matters
Thread Starter
more...
07-09-2016, 09:33 AM
#16
Size Matters
Thread Starter
few more...
07-09-2016, 11:36 AM
#17
Wow, you gain a whole 100 lbs with the Max Tow Hitch. Unless you tow a boat, most trailers will max out hitch weight rating way before Tow rating.
With a travel trailer's average 13% tongue weight, you gain 770 lbs trailer weight.
A lot of work and money for such a minimal gain unless it's strictly for knowledge, which it's worth is only known to that individual.
With a travel trailer's average 13% tongue weight, you gain 770 lbs trailer weight.
A lot of work and money for such a minimal gain unless it's strictly for knowledge, which it's worth is only known to that individual.
07-09-2016, 11:57 AM
#18
Size Matters
Thread Starter
As I mentioned in my previous post I don't tow anything - at all. This was purely an exercise and investment in knowledge for both myself and anyone that reads this post.
Perhaps someone that is in the market for a new truck will have read this thread and call out a Salesman that is trying to blow smoke up his *** on why he should pay extra for the Max. Trailer Tow Pkg that he really doesn't need.
Look at it this way, now you know the difference and it didn't cost you anything.
Perhaps someone that is in the market for a new truck will have read this thread and call out a Salesman that is trying to blow smoke up his *** on why he should pay extra for the Max. Trailer Tow Pkg that he really doesn't need.
Look at it this way, now you know the difference and it didn't cost you anything.
Last edited by tmcolegr; 07-09-2016 at 12:04 PM.
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07-09-2016, 12:12 PM
#19
Senior Member
Here is what the brouchure says for the 2
Trailer Tow Package (optional on XL and XLT 300A,
standard on all other trims; required for towing up
to 11,100 lbs. [5,035 kg]) includes 4-pin/7-pin wiring
harness, Class IV trailer hitch receiver, Smart Trailer
Tow Connector, Pro Trailer Backup Assist™; auxiliary
transmission oil cooler, and upgraded radiator and
front stabilizer bar
Max. Trailer Tow Package (optional on XL, XLT,
LARIAT, KING RANCH and PLATINUM; required for
towing up to 12,200 lbs. (5,534 kg); requires 3.5L
EcoBoost® engine; n/a with Regular Cab 122"
WB) includes 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness, Class IV
trailer hitch receiver, Smart Trailer Tow Connector,
Pro Trailer Backup Assist; auxiliary transmission oil
cooler, 3.55 electronic-locking rear axle, trailer brake
controller, and upgraded radiator, front stabilizer
bar and rear bumper
Trailer Tow Package (optional on XL and XLT 300A,
standard on all other trims; required for towing up
to 11,100 lbs. [5,035 kg]) includes 4-pin/7-pin wiring
harness, Class IV trailer hitch receiver, Smart Trailer
Tow Connector, Pro Trailer Backup Assist™; auxiliary
transmission oil cooler, and upgraded radiator and
front stabilizer bar
Max. Trailer Tow Package (optional on XL, XLT,
LARIAT, KING RANCH and PLATINUM; required for
towing up to 12,200 lbs. (5,534 kg); requires 3.5L
EcoBoost® engine; n/a with Regular Cab 122"
WB) includes 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness, Class IV
trailer hitch receiver, Smart Trailer Tow Connector,
Pro Trailer Backup Assist; auxiliary transmission oil
cooler, 3.55 electronic-locking rear axle, trailer brake
controller, and upgraded radiator, front stabilizer
bar and rear bumper
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