Max Tow, The Misnomer
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Max Tow, The Misnomer
Buyer Beware
If you are shopping for a truck with Max Tow package, thinking it will give the truck it's maximum towing capacity per the Ford towing guide, Don't! It does not magically add to the payload of the truck, but in fact lowers it. If you want to tow the maximum per the guide you need to read the fine print.
To get the full 13,200 pounds towing capability, you have to have the XL Screw with 6.5' bed,RWD , 3.5 EB, and max tow package. That is the only truck that can tow a 13,200 pound trailer. It must also be the base model with no other options.
What the Max Tow package does give is a heavier duty hitch that allows for the TW of a 13,200 pound trailer @ 10%. It includes the ITBC, 36 gallon tank, and heavier duty suspension components. This would be the only reason to get the Max Tow package in anything other than a base XL Screw LB. It will save money on the MSRP vs adding the components individually except for the suspension and hitch. There is no reason not to get it, as long as it is not to tow 13,200 pounds with a Platinum.
IOW, Ford really needs to come up with a more conducive name for this package as it is misleading.
If you are shopping for a truck with Max Tow package, thinking it will give the truck it's maximum towing capacity per the Ford towing guide, Don't! It does not magically add to the payload of the truck, but in fact lowers it. If you want to tow the maximum per the guide you need to read the fine print.
To get the full 13,200 pounds towing capability, you have to have the XL Screw with 6.5' bed,RWD , 3.5 EB, and max tow package. That is the only truck that can tow a 13,200 pound trailer. It must also be the base model with no other options.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r5_Apr04.pdf
Max towing on 2018 F-150 XL SuperCrew®,6.5' box, 3.5L EcoBoost engine, 4x2 andMax Trailer Tow Package.
IOW, Ford really needs to come up with a more conducive name for this package as it is misleading.
#2
If you're looking to tow a 13,000# trailer, a F150 is a bad choice in the base case.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
That's true, but considering how they are advertised, and if you look at the number of times people post, can my truck tow this, or what's the max I can tow postings, you can see that the advertising is working in that people buy these trucks thinking that they have a huge towing capacity when in reality they don't. Same goes for the Max Tow package. A lot of posters think because they have Max Tow that they can tow a heavy trailer, when in reality, it has nothing to do with how much can be towed, just in that it is a package that has all the options for towing, the large fuel tank, better suspension and highest tow hitch.
#4
I agree you have to be very careful, and max tow doesn't automatically mean you can how 13k. It's a game they all play. I got the max tow for the options you listed, but would never dream of towing a heavy trailer with it.
#5
In my opinion it's the salesman's job to learn the buyer's intentions, and point them in the right direction if they're mislead. Most of the salesmen I talked to before I ordered my truck, did not understand trucks. They knew the features but not the functions. You can't sell trucks to people who use them, like you would sell them a car.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Nope, another misnomer. The fine print specifically states an XL Screw 3.5 EB long bed with max tow package. It is kind of misleading, but the HDPP isn't rated at the 13,200 pound tow limit either. Not that you can't, but according to the Ford tow guide, only one specific truck is rated to 13,200 pounds trailer towing. The HDPP gives the most payload of 3270 pounds to get best in class cargo, but again only on one specific model.
Max payload on 2018 F-150 XL RegularCab, 8' box, 5.0L engine, 4x2, Heavy-DutyPayload Package and 18" heavy-dutywheels.
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#8
Senior Member
They all do this, advertise the maximum towing capacity, using a base truck, Ford, GM and Dodge. They do the same with all three brand 3/4 ton trucks and 1 ton trucks. In Fact in 01 Both Ford and GMC and Chevy advertised their 3/4 ton could pull more than the 1 ton. This was impossible though as the pin weight of a 16K RV was higher than the payload of a 3/4 ton truck. There were conventional hitch trailer hitches rated for more than 12K then.
You have to know what your buying, and what you want it to do. All a Salesman cares about is making a sale, be it the RV dealer, Truck dealer or what ever. Ford wants to brag they can out pull GMC and so on. You have to read between the lines, and bs.
You have to know what your buying, and what you want it to do. All a Salesman cares about is making a sale, be it the RV dealer, Truck dealer or what ever. Ford wants to brag they can out pull GMC and so on. You have to read between the lines, and bs.
#9
They all do this, advertise the maximum towing capacity, using a base truck, Ford, GM and Dodge. They do the same with all three brand 3/4 ton trucks and 1 ton trucks. In Fact in 01 Both Ford and GMC and Chevy advertised their 3/4 ton could pull more than the 1 ton. This was impossible though as the pin weight of a 16K RV was higher than the payload of a 3/4 ton truck. There were conventional hitch trailer hitches rated for more than 12K then.
You have to know what your buying, and what you want it to do. All a Salesman cares about is making a sale, be it the RV dealer, Truck dealer or what ever. Ford wants to brag they can out pull GMC and so on. You have to read between the lines, and bs.
You have to know what your buying, and what you want it to do. All a Salesman cares about is making a sale, be it the RV dealer, Truck dealer or what ever. Ford wants to brag they can out pull GMC and so on. You have to read between the lines, and bs.
#10
There has to be a baseline to start the statistics from.
Would it be less confusing to give the lowest possible towing capacity and then have to add up your tow capacity as you look at lower trim lighter models?
Its called a calculator(your phone has/is one). Payload-GVWR=curb weight.(located in the door frame of all vehicles)
max towing rating per the guide-curb weight=your trucks real towing capacity.
Would it be less confusing to give the lowest possible towing capacity and then have to add up your tow capacity as you look at lower trim lighter models?
Its called a calculator(your phone has/is one). Payload-GVWR=curb weight.(located in the door frame of all vehicles)
max towing rating per the guide-curb weight=your trucks real towing capacity.