Max Tow is basically the HD tow package plus every item that is best for towing, a 36 gallon fuel tank, integrated brake controller, elock 3.55 axle, and heaviest load hitch and bumper reinforcement. The sway bars I have found are the same as the regular tow package, but the steering rack uses a different ratio, there is a slight difference in steering feel between the two.

It is only available with the 3.5 EB, and since it is less expensive than ordering tow package with 36 gallon tank and elock rear end, most dealers order the separate components, which is why you don't see too many of them on lots, they make more money on the tow and separate options.

 

Pp

 

True in most cases, but payload determines how much can be towed more than what the hitch is rated at. Just because the MT hitch is rated at 13.200, doesn't mean the truck itself can tow it, it may only have 1500 pound of payload, and if the driver is 180 pounds and the passenger 120, that is 300 pounds taken off the top, and now only 1200 pound of payload is left, 120 less than the max rating. IOW, yes the Max Tow package allows for heaviest towing, but without payload it cannot.

 

 

The only way to know is to look at the yellow payload stick on the truck. Every truck is different. The higher the trim level and package the lower the payload. A stripped down XL or STX can have 1950+ pounds of payload. A limited can have as low as 1000 pounds. The "best" bang for buck in my opinion would be a XLT 302a with max tow only. A 4x4 configured like this has around 1850 pounds of payload and still some decent creature comforts. Max tow is also an extremely economical package. You get the 36 gallon tank, trailer brake controller, and 3.55 e-locker in addition to the upgraded stuff you get in the tow package. All of these things are things you want if you are towing add up to a lot of money saved when buying the package.

Example below (modify to your use case):

Truck Available payload: 1850 pounds

Trailer tongue weight: 800 pounds
Spray in bedliner: 50 pounds
Light weight Bed cover: 50 pounds
Driver: 200 pounds
Wife: 150 pounds
Kayaks on roof 200 pounds
Camping gear in bed 300 pounds
Medium dog 80 pounds

Total Payload needs : 1830 pounds
Available Payload left : 20 pounds

 

Pp

 

Huh? You mean that it adds weight and takes away payload right, not that it removes weight off the ball when hooked up, because that is not true.

Anyway, to give an idea of payload for trims, a 502a Lariat and 701a Platinum has roughly 1560-1580 pounds payload depending on how fully loaded it is, glass roof, power running boards, take away some of it, this is with the 36 gallon tank, and without the glass roof might even see 1600. XLT trims will have higher payloads due to them not having a lot of the little black boxes and ungraded seating of the Lariat and up trims.

I had checked out a couple 701a loaded 4x4 Platinums with Max Tow and 5.0 with Tow, and they were all near 1600 pounds, same as my 16 Lariat 502a had. This should give you some idea what to expect when looking, lower trims and Lariat packages should have much more payload.

 

It shifts some of the hitch weight from the rear axle onto the truck's front axle, which of course must still be included in the payload weight, and to a lesser extent, the trailer axles.