The Bull

I have a 2018 XLT F150. I am a bit confused about the towing capacity. The Ford Towing Guide says the 3.3l engine in my model can pull 7500, but the window sticker says 6500. Why is there a difference?

Also, my other question, is, with this truck, I am interested in a travel trailer that is just under the GVWR of 6500. With this trailer let's say it is maxed out at the 6500, would this truck be capable to pull this load up steep highs or mountains and would that load be a heavy strain on the tranny or engine?

chimmike

No, that trailer is too much for your truck.

Towing capacity is usually a factor of payload, but if your truck doesn't come with a tow package, you may be limited to a max trailer weight of 5,000lbs as it is.
As for your window sticker, that doesn't show tow capacity, that shows your GVWR...most likely.

The Bull

My truck is gcwr is 12500, so I subtract my gvwr from the 12500 and I will get the gvwr of the trailer I can pull is 6000, but then do I also subtract any weight I put in my truck, like passengers, let's say 500, would that drop the gvwr of the trailer to 5500?

Ricktwuhk

What does the yellow payload sticker on your doorjamb say?

The Bull

If I am looking at the right door jam sticker, I get the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1689

chimmike

aside from the weight aspect alone, I am not sure if you have a tow package. If you don't, pretty sure the manual limits you to 5,000lbs. all that aside, with the 3.3, it doesn't have the low end torque to be maintaining towing a 6500lb travel trailer. You're not only battling the weight, but the wind resistance of the frontal area of the trailer. With that 6sp auto and minimal low end torque, you're going to be running the revs pretty high to maintain highway speed.

Find a TT under 5000lbs GVWR. Even then, it's not going to be the easiest to pull with the base motor.

Sweetlou

Yes, everything you put in the truck or trailer is subtracted from the GCVWR. Every pot, pan, car seat, etc.

Your payload is decent. Always figure on a camper being loaded to the max GVWR because most campers do not offer a generous payload so once you add pots, pans, water etc you are maxed.

Ricktwuhk

Assuming your truck was properly configured for towing, that sticker tells you your answer.

1,689 minus anything you added to the truck minus the weight of you and all your passengers and all your stuff equals the payload remaining. Take that number and divide by .13 for the max loaded trailer IF your truck was equipped for that weight. Note that a weight distribution hitch weighs up to 100 pounds, and that also impacts payload. Finally, the actual receiver on the truck has a sticker on it limiting the weight it can take.

The 3.3 engine is not great for towing as noted.

13XLTEco

If you have a 3.73 ratio rear gear, a trailer with GVWR of 5000 pounds is the most you should get, although I have towed my 7650 GVWR camper with my 3.0 Ranger many times.

ModularFord

Towing 7,500 pounds with a 3.3L will be a chore. Pulling the same boat that my 5.4L 3V had no issue with up the same grade my bud had it to the floorboards and it was losing speed with the climb despite the revs. By contrast my 5.4 would sit at about 3,500 RPM 2/3 throttle and not lose any speed whatsoever. The 3.3 doesn’t have torque for mountain passes or grades, get a 5.0L V8 if you want to tow that more easily.