JJKJ

iTrader: (2)

From what I understand, in Canada the mirrors are not included in the package, however in the US, the mirrors are included in the max tow package.

Hondafan

And the brake controller

Hondafan

You're right I forgot the bumper. Kind of an oxymoron, since why tow with the bumper when you have a class 4 hitch (or any hitch for that matter)

DogtownTX

Because on the recent F-150's the hitch is somehow integrated/attached to the bumper. Or so I've read.

kjo43

There's a difference in the hitch between Tow package and Max Tow package. look at the photos posted on this thread.

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/regula...85747/index11/

flixden

Looks like the receiver is attached much better in the max tow package hitch.

maplelakeduckslayer

lots of misinformation in here

acadianbob

For sure! The upgraded rear bumper is really an upgraded hitch receiver. The springs and bushings in the suspension are heavier. The rear axle gets a small upgrade in capacity. This stuff is not adequately communicated in their literature. I called Ford directly before I ordered my Max Tow and got this information directly from them.

Think about it; GVW goes up 500 lbs, payload capacity goes up about 320 lbs, so there is 180 lbs of "extra stuff" in the vehicle. Heavier hitch, mirrors, suspension components, springs, etc all weigh something.

While I don't know this part for sure, I think you also get the 51 tube radiator that other Eco's don't have. Reg Tow says upgraded radiator but I don't think it is the same one as Max Tow. There are other threads on this subject.

smokeywren

No, not exactly, but you can get close if you have the EcoBoost engine. The Max Tow pkg is available for SuperCabs with EcoBoost engine, and you can even get it with a regular cab longbed 4x4.

If you don't even have the regular tow pkg, then you must add the
..hitch receiver,
..7-pin wiring harness,
..upgraded (bigger) radiator, and
..oil-to-air tranny cooler.

All those parts are available from your dealer or aftermarket. The tow pkg also includes the SelectShift tranny, but I suspect that's standard for all F-150s for 2012. Look at your gear selection indicator in the dash. If it shows P.R.N.D.M.2.1 (including the "M") then you have the SelectShift tranny.

If you already have the regular tow pkg, then all you're missing from the Max Tow Pkg is the
..tow mirrors,
..brake controller, ..stronger rear bumper, and
increased GVWR.

Although not optional except as part of the Max Tow Pkg, you can buy the telescoping trailer tow mirrors from the Ford Accessories catalog. That's what I did. And the integrated trailer brake controller is optional for your XLT, so you can buy it from the parts dept if yours doesn't have it. However, some aftermarket brake controllers are good too, so you don't necessarily need the Ford Integrated Brake Controller.

I haven't checked for the upgraded rear bumper in parts, but I'm sure it's available too. However, your stock rear bumper is plenty strong enough for any trailer under 9,800 pounds if you install a receiver rated for 10,000 pounds or more. DO NOT use the rear step bumper to tow a trailer that weighs more than a few thousand pounds. Install and use a frame-mounted receiver hitch instead. Receiver hitches with various weight capacities are available to fit your F-150. You want a receiver that is rated for more than the heaviest trailer you might tie onto, so I'd order one with a trailer weight capacity of at least 10,000 pounds.

If you install everything mentioned above except increased GVWR, you won't have the 11,000-plus tow rating of the EcoBoost with the Max Tow pkg. But depending on axle ratio, bed length, and 4x2 or 4x4, you will have a tow rating of 9600 to 9800 with 3.55 or 3.73 axle ratio, or 8,200 to 8,600 with 3.15 or 3.31 axle ratio.

You won't have the 8,200 GVWR of the HD payload pkg, or the 7,700 GVWR of the Max Tow Pkg, so you'll have to be aware that you have a GVWR of 7,200 pounds which limits your hitch weight. You probably can't tow a trailer that grosses 9,600 pounds without overloading the pickup over the 7,200 pounds GVWR. And no, there's nothing you can do to increase the GVWR of the pickup except jack it up and run a heavier-duty pickup under it.

Mine is a Lariat, which includes the regular tow pkg and the brake controller. I didn't want the 3.73 ratio, so I skipped the max tow pkg and settled for the reduced tow rating of 8,400 pounds (GCWR 14,000 pounds). But the tow rating (based on GCWR) is not my limiter. The 7,200 GVWR is my limiter, so I bought a new RV trailer with a max hitch weight of about 700 pounds. My wet and loaded pickup weighs 6,040 pounds, so with max hitch weight of my trailer it will weigh 6,740. That leaves me 460 pounds max additional payload before I'm overloaded. I haven't added the toolbox or weight-distributing hitch yet, but I still should be able to hit the road without exceeding the GVWR of my tow vehicle.

If you don't have the EcoBoost engine, all the above still applies to your truck, except the GCWR and tow ratings will be less.

Caveat! The above assumes you are in the USA. Canadian specs are different, and I don't know beans about them.

blyons808

Thanks a lot for all the info! I think I'll only need to install the regular hitch receiver and wiring harness. I only plan to tow a small boat, so I think the basic tow package should be more than enough.