Dicky

I can get your build sheet if you want to PM me your VIN.

bcb97

No actually it is to SAE J2807 standards which includes two passengers at 150 lbs each, 100 lbs in options, and weight of tow package equipment. The towing guide gives you a ballpark estimate on what your truck can tow and is what is recommended by the owners manual. Going by acdii's recommendation, while i'm not saying isn't a good one (it is), requires you to go have your vehicle weighed with the passenger(s) that will be riding with you plus all their cargo, etc. It takes time to do what acdii recommends and the towing guide gives you a good ballpark estimate quickly. Getting close to the ballpark estimate is when I would dig much deeper and what actually my truck can tow and if I can tow whatever safely.

Jeff1024

Agree - before he goes that far step 1 is to make sure the truck came from the factory with at least the base towing package. No factory tow package means the truck is limited to 5,000lbs towing per the owners manual. I can't imagine a truck optioned /w the 3.5 EcoBoost wouldnt at least have the 53A package, but it is still good to double check.

603racing

Bumper pull = the factory hitch (old school reference)

I have the original window sticker now from the dealer. This is an XLT with the FX4 package. I do not see a 53A, but I do see as follows that applies to towing:

• Equipment Group 301A
• 3.31 electronic lock axle
• 7000 lbs GVWR Package
• Electronic 6 speed auto tranny with Tow Mode
• Selectshift Transmission
• Class IV hitch
• 36 Gal Extended range fuel tank
• Trailer Sway Control

In addition to this I do have the trailer configuration option in the menus. The dealer also confirmed the truck has the necessary connections to add a trailer brake controller, which I have already ordered. The door jam read 7,000 lbs GVWR and 1,893 for combined weight of cargo and occupants. Front GAWR 3375 lbs, rear GAWR 3,800 lbs.

So based on the additional items I have read today, the feedback from this group, and the information from the dealer, the max tow is 10,000 and some change. Leaving my focus on GVWR and rear axle load. Sound correct?

Jeff1024

The Class IV Hitch doesn't count as an official towing package from Ford. To tow more than 5,000lbs you need either the "trailer tow package" 53A or the "Max Tow Package" 53C. The reason behind this is the trailer tow packages adds an Auxiliary Trans Cooler to the truck. This is all detailed in the towing guide I linked to earlier.

So doesn't matter what the yellow payload sticker on the door jam says or what your GVWR is - you are limited to 5,000lbs. as the truck is currently configured.

bcb97

Just check on your window sticker under "Optional Equipment/Other" for "Trailer Tow Package......$895" as Jeff eluded to. I do not think the window sticker states whether it's a 53A,B, or C.

acdii

Rick is correct, the towing guide lists what the base truck can tow, BASED on those standards. The tow guide is reference only, so an XL with that particular gearing and the properly equipped tow package can tow that weight. To determine your actual towing limit, you must weigh the truck and subtract that from the GVWR to determine actual payload, THEN you can determine how much weight can be towed based on tongue weight percentage. Everything else is just for reference purposes.

603racing

Trailer Tow Package is not specifically listed.

I was under the truck last night and found the lines from the trans to the front of the truck and I'm assuming those are lines running to the aux trans cooler? The lines ran up the passenger side frame then crossed over and go forward to the radiator area higher up on the driver side.

Update: Found a diagram for the aux cooler, going to see if I can find it on the truck. The lines run to the location I mentioned regardless of an aux cooler.

Update on the Update: I do not have an aux trans cooler. The lines simply run to the radiator.

Ricktwuhk

Note quite. Your hitch will have a sticker on it that you can see if you lay down and look up. That sticker will have a max tongue weight of something like 1,150 or 1,250, something like that. If I recall correctly, 1,320 is the absolute biggest number I have seen posted. That number is the absolute maximum that you can have for tongue weight WITH a weight distribution hitch. So, if you do the math, with 100 pounds of tongue weight taken by the WDH, you'll see that you'll never get more than the low 9000s, depending on what that sticker says.

Keep in mind that PULLING is not the same as TOWING. A hay wagon with 2 axles has little tongue weight, so you can PULL a heavier hay wagon that you can TOW a travel trailer.

603racing

Right. I just didn't want to type all that out. When I said 10,000 I was just referring to on paper, not taking into account any equipment.