Confused about spec's
08-15-2018, 11:54 AM
#11
I bought a truck without tow package or tow prep (Disclaimer - The 53B Hitch Package is referred to as the Medium Duty Tow Package in some Ford References) for the first time ever for the simple reason I wasn't going to pay $995 for a $40 Sway Bar and a LED (wouldn't use the Noobie *** anyway).
Last edited by Gene K; 08-15-2018 at 11:57 AM.
08-15-2018, 12:46 PM
#12
The 2018 F-150 order guide seems to agree with you. But the 2018 RV and Trailer Towing Guide on page 16 shows that the F-150 with 53B hitch includes the radiator upgrade and higher-power cooling fans that are part of the 53A and 53C trailer tow packages.
However, under required towing equipment for F-150, it says "for trailers over 5,000 pounds, trailer tow package or max trailer tow package". 53B is a hitch, not a towing package. So Gene K is whistling Dixie if he thinks his 53B hitch allows him to tow a trailer that weighs more than 5,000 pounds. The receiver is rated for more than 5,000 pounds, but his F-150 is not rated to tow more than 5,000 pounds without 53A or 53C towing package.
With the 53B receiver hitch, he still needs a WD hitch for tongue weight (TW) more than 500 pounds, which is a tag trailer that grosses no more than about 3,850 pounds. So for a tag trailer that grosses between about 3,850 pounds and 5,000 pounds, a WD hitch is required.
This is still a grey area that requires clarification in the Ford docs. Why does the order guide state that radiator upgrade and high-powered cooling fans are part of 53A and 53C, but not part of 53B? But then the towing guide says that radiator upgrade and high-powered cooling fans are part of 53B as well as 53A and 53C. Is 53B "Class IV trailer hitch" a towing package or just a hitch? The order guide calls it a hitch, while 53A and 53C are called a "trailer tow package".
However, under required towing equipment for F-150, it says "for trailers over 5,000 pounds, trailer tow package or max trailer tow package". 53B is a hitch, not a towing package. So Gene K is whistling Dixie if he thinks his 53B hitch allows him to tow a trailer that weighs more than 5,000 pounds. The receiver is rated for more than 5,000 pounds, but his F-150 is not rated to tow more than 5,000 pounds without 53A or 53C towing package.
With the 53B receiver hitch, he still needs a WD hitch for tongue weight (TW) more than 500 pounds, which is a tag trailer that grosses no more than about 3,850 pounds. So for a tag trailer that grosses between about 3,850 pounds and 5,000 pounds, a WD hitch is required.
This is still a grey area that requires clarification in the Ford docs. Why does the order guide state that radiator upgrade and high-powered cooling fans are part of 53A and 53C, but not part of 53B? But then the towing guide says that radiator upgrade and high-powered cooling fans are part of 53B as well as 53A and 53C. Is 53B "Class IV trailer hitch" a towing package or just a hitch? The order guide calls it a hitch, while 53A and 53C are called a "trailer tow package".
Page 302
Footnote #3 - Medium Duty Trailer Tow Package Class IV Trailer Hitch (This is 53B), Max Trailer Weights by Engine : 2.7L, 3.3L - 6000 lb / 3.0L, 3.5L, 5.0L - 7000 lb.
Incidentally the 3.5L 53B Combo has been rated at 7000 lb since 2017 when the 3.5L Gen II / 10R80 came out.
.My 53B has the same part numbers for Trans Cooler, Radiator and Fans as a 53A. Dealer ran the VIN on both.
Ford Fleet Specing System list:
Screw 145 4x4 3.5L 3.55
Base GCWR 10400
53B GCWR 12400
53A GCWR 16100
PS Good luck finding those GCWR without going through Fleet. It's the only way I could get them. Ford Customer Service (Claims my truck is 16100 GCWR) apparently doesn't have access to these numbers and published numbers appear to be unobtainium for Base and 53B.
Last edited by Gene K; 08-15-2018 at 01:52 PM.
08-15-2018, 01:05 PM
#13
The 53B is the $95 Trailer Hitch Option (On 300A and Lower) that comes standard on 301A and above. On the 2018 the only differences between the 53A HD Towing Package and the 53B is the LED by the Tailgate Handle (Standard on Lariat and Above), The "Noobie" *** (Not available on 100A) on the dash and a Solid Front Swaybar (Reference 2018 Towing Guide). With a 1621 lb Payload Sticker he must have at least a Lariat. You can't get the Payload that low on a Screw 145 4x4 XLT 302A even with Dual Roof, Big Tank, Tow Mirrors and Tailgate Step.
I bought a truck without tow package or tow prep (Disclaimer - The 53B Hitch Package is referred to as the Medium Duty Tow Package in some Ford References) for the first time ever for the simple reason I wasn't going to pay $995 for a $40 Sway Bar and a LED (wouldn't use the Noobie *** anyway).
I bought a truck without tow package or tow prep (Disclaimer - The 53B Hitch Package is referred to as the Medium Duty Tow Package in some Ford References) for the first time ever for the simple reason I wasn't going to pay $995 for a $40 Sway Bar and a LED (wouldn't use the Noobie *** anyway).
08-15-2018, 01:28 PM
#14
I have a 2.7L Screw 145 4x4 XLT Sport 302A, 3.73 elocker, with dual-pane moonroof, 36 gal tank, tailgate step, tow package and payload package, no tow mirrors, and my sticker on the door jamb says 1622 lbs payload. I have 1 lb more payload than he does. However, I can tow up to 8300 lbs.
That said I see I made some assumptions. He could have a 6250 or 6500 GVWR which could mean it's an accessory Hitch which if its a Ford Acessory I believe only has a 1050/10500 WDH Sticker on it. it also could be a Hitch that's not rated for WDH although I've never seen one for an F150.
Last edited by Gene K; 08-15-2018 at 01:59 PM.
08-15-2018, 02:03 PM
#15
Yeah my GVWR is 6900#. Not sure how much weight 302A adds.
I've seen someone post here that they had a basic hitch receiver and the sticker said 500/5000. No rating for WD hitch or anything. It is out there, but I'm not sure on what model. Could be with the 3.5L NA or the new 3.3L which is my guess.
I've seen someone post here that they had a basic hitch receiver and the sticker said 500/5000. No rating for WD hitch or anything. It is out there, but I'm not sure on what model. Could be with the 3.5L NA or the new 3.3L which is my guess.
08-15-2018, 02:19 PM
#16
Yeah my GVWR is 6900#. Not sure how much weight 302A adds.
I've seen someone post here that they had a basic hitch receiver and the sticker said 500/5000. No rating for WD hitch or anything. It is out there, but I'm not sure on what model. Could be with the 3.5L NA or the new 3.3L which is my guess.
I've seen someone post here that they had a basic hitch receiver and the sticker said 500/5000. No rating for WD hitch or anything. It is out there, but I'm not sure on what model. Could be with the 3.5L NA or the new 3.3L which is my guess.
The 3.3L seems to have the same 1160/11600 WDH sticker as all the others.
Last edited by Gene K; 08-15-2018 at 02:35 PM.
08-15-2018, 05:27 PM
#18
I didn't realized I caused such a stir but if this will help someone I went an looked at the door sticker, it was raining or I would have taken a pic with my phone
I was off by 5lbs on payload it's 1626...........GAWR rear 3350....front 3375..........GVWR 6600
The window sticker said class IV hitch $95.00
Truck is an xlt 2.7......3.55 e locker
Why is front an rear 6725 an gvwr 6600?
I forgot supercrew 4x4
One last thing it has factory brake controller if that means anything
I was off by 5lbs on payload it's 1626...........GAWR rear 3350....front 3375..........GVWR 6600
The window sticker said class IV hitch $95.00
Truck is an xlt 2.7......3.55 e locker
Why is front an rear 6725 an gvwr 6600?
I forgot supercrew 4x4
One last thing it has factory brake controller if that means anything
Last edited by Fordone; 08-15-2018 at 05:56 PM.
08-15-2018, 05:53 PM
#19
I didn't realized I caused such a stir but if this will help someone I went an looked at the door sticker, it was raining or I would have taken a pic with my phone
I was off by 5lbs on payload it's 1626...........GAWR rear 3350....front 3375..........GVWR 6600
The window sticker said class IV hitch $95.00
Truck is an xlt 2.7......3.55 e locker
Why is front an rear 6725 an gvwr 6600?
I forgot supercrew 4x4
I was off by 5lbs on payload it's 1626...........GAWR rear 3350....front 3375..........GVWR 6600
The window sticker said class IV hitch $95.00
Truck is an xlt 2.7......3.55 e locker
Why is front an rear 6725 an gvwr 6600?
I forgot supercrew 4x4
If you have 53B the Hitch should have a higher rating for Weight Distributing. Later trucks say 1160/11600 but earlier trucks may be a little lower since they tend to use up last year's stickers.
I was just trying to point out a budget WDH could allow more tongue load (Up to 1160 lb) and up to 6000 lb trailer weight if your trailer will accept it.
EDIT: It's on Page 297 (4x2) in Revision 4 of the Owners Manual (Number of Pages Vary by Revision)..My best estimate is you have a 11000 GCWR. In the case of my truck the GCWR is exactly the same amount lower as the difference in tow rating from the 53A.
Last edited by Gene K; 08-15-2018 at 06:06 PM.