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Hey all. After purchasing my truck and looking at the towing numbers I realized that the capacities can be a little confusing at times so I thought I would stop here and just run my numbers by everyone to make sure I got it right. Below are my specs for my truck.
I currently only have the 53B option with the "Class IV hitch/7-Wire Harness & 4-/7-Pin Connector". I spoke with the dealership about adding the additional 53A components (Trans Oil Cooler/Front Stabilizer Bar) to increase my towing capacity over the 5,000 lbs listed in the towing guide. To me the trans cooler is really the important thing because I plan on towing a TT in the future. I made the mistake of buying without looking at the actual tow capacities first besides just having the 3.5L EcoBoost. With these new components do the below max towing numbers look correct for this configuration?
GCVWR: 16,100 lbs
Towing Capcity: 10,700 lbs (With the WD system is required per Ford for the hitch)
Also here is a link to a handy excel document I made that does some simple calculations to determine if your trailer/payload are within limits. Let me know what you guys think or if you see any mistakes. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing
Last edited by Paul Griffith; 03-20-2018 at 08:22 PM.
For 2017 F-150, the order guide states that with the 53B hitch pkg, and 3.5L EcoBoost engine, "towing capacity up to 7,000 pounds".
So forgetabout "Towing Capacity: 10,700 lbs." That's for F-150s "properly equipped) with the 53A or 53C towing packages combined with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.
There's more differences between the 53A towing pkg and the 53B hitch package than just the tranny cooler. Granted the auxiliary tranny cooler is the biggie required modification if you plan to tow a trailer that grosses more than 7,000 pounds. I don't know what those other differences are, but you need to dig deep into Ford specs to determine what they are and include them in the mods to your truck if you want to tow more than 7,000 pounds.
Find your Payload sticker on the door jamb. Then read the many threads that take you through the calculations.
Won't be 10,700 lbs after you reduce payload with your family, their stuff, etc.
All those numbers where listed in my initial post. I understand the fact that the 10,700 lbs is unrealistic with additional items (people, luggage, etc.) I just wanted to make sure I was reading the chart in the tow selector guide correct and that the MAX GCVWR and towing capacity numbers where right. After all the additional weight I know it will be more like ~7500 at the most that I could tow.
Last edited by Paul Griffith; 03-20-2018 at 08:24 PM.
For 2017 F-150, the order guide states that with the 53B hitch pkg, and 3.5L EcoBoost engine, "towing capacity up to 7,000 pounds".
So forgetabout "Towing Capacity: 10,700 lbs." That's for F-150s "properly equipped) with the 53A or 53C towing packages combined with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.
There's more differences between the 53A towing pkg and the 53B hitch package than just the tranny cooler. Granted the auxiliary tranny cooler is the biggie required modification if you plan to tow a trailer that grosses more than 7,000 pounds. I don't know what those other differences are, but you need to dig deep into Ford specs to determine what they are and include them in the mods to your truck if you want to tow more than 7,000 pounds.
Do you happen to know where I can look to find more specifications for the 53A package? I've been digging deep looking for more information with no luck. I know the 53C actually has an upgrade rear bumper and axle but not sure the 53A has any other differences then what I listed. At least I havn't been able to find anything .
Last edited by Paul Griffith; 03-20-2018 at 08:24 PM.
You asked about towing capacity, The top hay wagon you can tow up to the GCWR with the truck in question, the bottom trailer, you can't, both can weigh exactly the same. Still think I wasted space? Go read the long and drawn out thread I linked to that will explain to you EXACTLY how much trailer you can tow.
You asked about towing capacity, The top hay wagon you can tow up to the GCWR with the truck in question, the bottom trailer, you can't, both can weigh exactly the same. Still think I wasted space? Go read the long and drawn out thread I linked to that will explain to you EXACTLY how much trailer you can tow.
The link you posted was very helpful and I appreciate the effort you put into writing it. I knew most of it but the pintle hook thing was something new which I didn't know. It really explains the extremely high GCWR the tow guide lists. Your initial post just didn't really say much but I appreciate the follow up. The calculating of my actual towing capacity was not the point of my post and maybe my initial post was not clear. I was really trying to determine what parts from the 53A was required to tow outside of the 53B option package of 5000 pounds. The listed weights I add were just from the tow guide. The parts I listed seem to be the only things different between the two packages. The only thing I thought might be additional is a larger radiator but it's actually not any bigger according to the documents I read it's just two ports are blocked off. The other weird thing is my window sticker mentions no tow package outside of the 53B but just took a look at my truck and it seems to definitely have the trans cooler installed front right side of the radiator????? Anyone seen this before? Going to do some more digging tomorrow and see if I can find a part number on the stabilizer bar.
Crawl under and look at the sticker on the hitch, that will tell you everything you need to know of what you can tow. A lot of guys are towing heavier than what Ford says you can with the 2.7 and it is doing fine. The real limitation is the hitch itself between packages. A Max Tow, which I believe is still only available for the 3.5 is rated at 12,200 ( maybe 13,600? or that may be the HDPP hitch) pounds with WDH. The difference, I believe, between 53 A and B is about 1000 pounds hitch rating, may have changed a bit since the last time I looked, but it was something like 10,200 and 11,200 with WDH. More than likely if you have the 7 pin in the bumper, the brake controller in the dash, and the 10K hitch on the tail, you should be able to tow anything that falls within your payload in tongue weight. My last truck was a 2014 with 3.15 gears and I towed my RV trailer up and over the highest point on I-70 just fine with it. Stay within your payload and you should be fine too.
The maximum tow question comes up so often in regards to what the Ford towing guide lists that just those two pictures alone explains what it can and can't tow, but if you didn't know about the pintle, that would explain a lot. I live in Farm country, and also tow several different types of trailers myself from a plain old 6x12 enclosed single axle, to a two horse bumper pull to a 28' travel trailer, each one tows quite different from the other and the differences in hitch and load vary greatly.
03-20-2018, 06:43 PM
2017 3.5L Eco Towing Capacity
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I live in Farm country, and also tow several different types of trailers myself from a plain old 6x12 enclosed single axle, to a two horse bumper pull to a 28' travel trailer, each one tows quite different from the other and the differences in hitch and load vary greatly.