Thank you everyone in advance. I've spent MANY hours learning about the variables to consider when towing and I am much more informed than where I started.

I am looking to purchase a 2020 F150 2.7L, 3.55 Axle Ratio truck. I've read a lot about the confusion regarding the various tow packages. However, the documentation from the dealer raises a few questions that I have not found an answer for. Under "Optional Equipment" it lists Class IV trailer hitch. Would this be considered the 53b tow package? The dealership comments on their website lists "Trailer Tow" as one of the options, but when I went to the 2020 F150 built site it does not appear that this truck has all of the features associated with the Trailer Tow Package.

To make things a little more confusing, the last page of the information I was sent lists "Trailer/Camping Pkg".

Finally, the vehicle is 1 year old with 15,000 miles. Does it make sense that the condition would be labeled "rough". The truck is about 3 hours away so I haven't driven to see it. However, the salesperson said it is in new condition and was a local lease. It looks like there was a repair on the display, but that wouldn't seem to be enough to cause a "rough" label. The title is also clean, no accidents.

From everything I have read the 53b is very similar to the 53a as far as the aux transmission cooler and oil cooler, because they are both standard in all 2.7 turbos. The 53b is missing some "fancy features", but it is also missing the front stabilizer bar which I would need to add. Please correct me if I am wrong. I just want to make sure that this truck at least has the 53b package. It does have the slot for a 4 and 7 pin.

I included pics of what I discussed from the literature.

Thanks again!

 

As per the 2020 F150 manual page 308 footer 3, https://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...US_04_2020.pdf, Class IV hitch, aka 53B, is labelled "Medium Duty Trailer Tow Pkg" and is restricted to 6000lbs maximum trailer weight on a 2.7L GTDI platform. And on page 302 is the somewhat contradictory statement "Note: For vehicles equipped with 2.7L and 3.3L engines without a Heavy Duty Towing Package, do not exceed a trailer weight of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) when using the
trailer hitch". You'll also be able to deduce that what Ford considers to be a "Heavy Duty Trailer Tow" package is 53A and 53C.

As best I can tell the only difference between 53B and 53A pertinent to actual towing is the upgraded front stabilizer bar. Therefore I would personally consider a 2020 53B F150 to be equivalent in tow capability to a 53A if you replace that bar with the upgraded OEM. I don't know what happens if you were to get in an accident with a trailer weighing more than 5000lbs but less than 53B limit and arguing to the court that you have the OEM parts for the 53A config. I'm guessing it depends on how much you can afford for a good lawyer.

Rough condition sounds scary, I would want that explained with the greatest amount of detail. Hopefully it's just cosmetics and not powertrain.

That price is ouch. If you can wait half a year I'd build and buy new, 2021/22s are nice upgrades especially if you can get xlt trim.

 

Looks like you’re paying $425 for a hitch receiver.

There’s nothing about a 2.7/3.55 gears that gets you a “camper package”. You need the 622 2.7 Eco Payload Package to plop one of those (a slide-in) in the bed.

Also, stabilizer bar by itself doesn’t add capacity. The HDPP/Max Tow trucks with heavier underpinnings get that as a bonus with their gear.

As for what you theoretically max out at towing wise, I’d trust the current towing guide over a carried over manual. The 3.3 with the 8.8” rear stuck to a 5,000# limit. The 2.7 blows that away, with or without the payload package option.

 

A vehicle can be listed as 'rough' due to having a lot of scratches on the interior/exterior, worn paint on the door handles, etc. Rough can also be used to describe a vehicle with a lot of dents, bent bumpers, damaged door seals, whatever.

I'd want to look at it in person to see if the exterior can be buffed out, overlays installed over worn interior paint, cheap seals replaced, etc.

 

Thanks everyone! I spoke with the dealership regarding the rough condition. I was told that it is in great condition and they use the rough label because their goal is to price their cars lower than other dealers. However, the designation is not a reflection of the truck's condition. I am hesitant due to this though and I'm looking at a 2019 too. I'll start a different post for it. However, I was wondering, is it the the aux. trans/oil cooler that comes with both the 53a and 53b or the oil cooler. The towing guide lists the aux. trans/oil cooler with both, but not the oil cooler. I know most posts say they all have the oil cooler, but it seems strange that it isn't listed in the brochure. Also, the actual asking price is $36,000, so seems like a pretty good deal. Thanks again!

 

Sir, don't walk away, RUN. This Dealer is a dishonest to say the least.

 

There is no aux trans cooler.
It will already have a front stabilizer bar. Whether or not its the strongest one is another story.

If you like the truck, go up and see it. Visual condition will say a lot. Since it has low miles, my concerns would be condition and WARRANTY.

Odds are its payload is around 1550 lbs if its an XLT 302a, or maybe around 1700 if its a XL 101A.
Either way, it wont hold anything besides the smallest least equipped truck camper, as you can get one that weighs 1100 lbs or so. Even that would max the truck out after everything is loaded.

The tow rating will definitely be 6,000 lbs. But the only thing that really separates that truck from a 53A in terms of ability is the front stabilizer, of which it has one anyways.

The actual limiting factor, the only one that actually counts is payload.

 

There is no aux trans oil cooler on the 10R80 trucks. Look at the small print. Thats only with 3.3L trucks cause they still came with the 6R80 in 2020.
The 2.7 has an oil cooler regardless.

One thing you'll tend to notice if you look at enough F150's, is that even though it doesnt list something it still might be there anyways.
No oil cooler listed, but its there.
No E-locker listed, still might be there anyways.
Not max tow, but still couldve been ordered with a 36 gallon gas tank.
Heck, it could have the upgraded front stabilizer. That would require visual verification though.

 

Thank you JaseBosto. I had the salesman send me a picture of the payload sticker and it is 1,630 (Truck has the 101A package). I've been pulling my trailer for the last 6 years with an 2003 F150 supercrew, V8, 5.4 L, but it did not have the tow package (I learned that after the purchase), but I never had an issue. The trailer only weighs 5,200 lbs loaded, so tongue weight is about 630 lbs. My family weighs 450lbs, so we should be good with payload, right?

So, if my payload is alright, and I add the upgraded stabalizer bar I should be able to tow the same 7,600lb rating as the 53a right?

I'm not doubting you, but just to relax my uneasiness, could you please explain why Ford wouldn't show on their tow spec sheet that 53b has the oil cooler? It seems like customers would be happy that they're getting a decent tow package with 53a. Also, If you look at the 2019 one they did do this, not sure why they didn't continue doing so with the 2020.

Finally, I found a 2019 2.7l, 3.5 axle ratio, 53a vehicle without the TCB, for about $1000 more than a the same truck with a 53b package, but with the TCB. The 53b truck also had a larger fuel tank. Which would you choose?

I really appreciate your help!

 

I would get the one you like better, cause both will pull that trailer fine and you wouldnt notice a difference between the two.
You'll be fine with payload.
I wouldnt replace the front stabilizer bar.

As far as the oil cooler, well some engines come with it regardless and some do not. The 2.7 is one of those engines that come with it regardless.