I was initially looking for a 2018+ Lariat 3.5 Ecoboost 4x4 w/ Max Towing Package as I have several friends hauling trailers with those. Unfortunately it's nearly impossible to find one with the Max Towing Package so now I'm looking at 2018+ Lariat v8 5.0 4x4's. I compiled a list of VIN's (30+) and asked Ford to check the VIN's to see if they have the Max Towing Package and oddly enough, none of them did. This seemed weird to me so after further research I found that package doesn't even exist for the v8's (stupid me!).

So now I'm trying to educate myself further on what my needs are when shopping the v8's. Obviously(?) I'd look for one with the Tow Package (53A) but what axle should I be looking for?

Looks like my options here are
3.31 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio
3.55 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio
3.73 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio

Besides the 53A package and the correct axle, any other truck options I should be on the lookout for?

I do not have a travel trailer yet but that purchase will be made right after the truck. Looking to be around a 24 foot trailer but want a little space in the truck to move up or down. Will be purchasing a boat in the next year or two as well.

I'm trying to digest as much information as possible by reading this forum but any help you could offer would be extremely appreciated.

 

You’ll want the larger 36 gallon fuel tank, and also the integrated trailer brake controller.

You will have to take care of the tow mirrors after the fact.

 

I didn't realize they were hard to find. Here's one at my local dealership right now...they constantly have a stream of these trucks anytime I've ever looked:

https://www.hellerford.com/inventory...ehicle-details

 

If your not married to the Lariat trim level, you may have better luck finding a max tow in XLT. Benefit is you will also gain some extra payload as it won't be as heavily optioned out as a Lariat This may be important to you as you said you want some room to potentially grow in the future.

 

I agree with MisterC and if you think finding a MaxTow is hard... Try finding a Heavy Duty Payload Package (HDPP).

 

Good call outs -- thank you!

It likely has to do with our color wants as my wife and I will only drive black or dark gray vehicles. I know I know .. *eye roll*

We definitely thought about that but at the end of the day, we spend a lot of time in our vehicles (especially one we will be using to tow a trailer long distance) and we really enjoy the fully loaded aspect and not just a vehicle that goes X-->Y. We are in no hurry and can wait as long as it takes to find the right truck. Thanks for your input!

 

Examine the yellow/white cargo carrying (payload) sticker on the driver's side door jamb of any vehicle you're looking at. If you get a heavily optioned vehicle, I'm guessing you may see a payload in the 1400-1500 lb range. For a 24' trailer you will likely take up 600 or more pounds of that payload figure for trailer tongue weight, take off another 100 lbs for a weight distributing hitch and your available payload drops down to 700-800. From this you will need to deduct you and all passengers, pets and anything else you are carrying in the truck and/or bed. It adds up quick!

 

I'd HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY suggest looking at some trailers and getting some weight numbers before you make your truck purchase. We see way too many cases of not having enough truck for that trailer just bought. Some things to know in case you don't:

Mods you do to your truck (bed covers, bigger tires, etc), stuff you leave in it (radios, flashlights, hi-lift jacks...), stuff you take on trips (wood, coolers...), the people you take with you, weight distributing hitches (60-100lbs) and the weight of the trailer tongue consume a truck's payload, and each truck has a max that is a lot lower than most realize. A Lariat is going to have less available payload than a lesser equipped truck like an XLT. You need to look at the yellow sticker on a truck you like and see what it has for payload.

Then, before buying a truck, you need to go look at trailers. The tongue weight listed for a given trailer is for that floor plan with no batteries, propane, water, or add-on's. Almost all trailers have add-ons, so the UVW on the trailer plaque is almost always wrong. You can easily enough weigh trailer tongues on-site with a bathroom scale to get an accurate UVW tongue weight, then calculate the weight of batteries, tanks, and water (as a percentage of their location between the tongue and axle[s] centerline), and also then add more based upon what you will load into the trailer, which for a 24ft is often 1000-2000lbs.

Many that purchase Lariats and above find they are exceeding their payload with the trailer they just purchased. You have the opportunity to avoid this.

Also, max tow does not increase payload. It's a durability (heavier gauge hitch) and stability (firmer springs, shocks, thicker sway bars, more cooling, this varies over the years) package. You can get a higher tow capacity with Max Tow, but you almost always lose payload due to the heavier parts. For more payload, you have to either step down in trim levels, or go the holy grail route and order a HDPP 3.5L eco.

 

The problem with the Lariat is, every Dealer orders a moonroof, and that is a killer on the Payload. I ordered my Lariat without moonroof, my payload is 1760# If you get a Lariat, loaded with a 5.0, you will struggle with payload on most 24' travel trailers.

IMO, Lariat or loaded XLT, pulling a trailer, you will be far happier with the 3.5 and maxtow. I researched for months before I pulled the trigger. Try and settle on 1650+ for payload

ps: often this website works correctly. put the vin# you are interested in in place of one in there.
http://www.windowsticker.forddirect....MF1CB1LKD37272

 

Yep, the higher bling level trims will have lower payloads than a comparable XLT. all that pretty bling comes at a cost, extra WEIGHT!
You need to focus more on payload capacity, than towing capacity. nearly all tow vehicles will run out of payload WAY before getting close to max towing capacity.
My XLT has the Max Tow package and i'm very glad i have it.