Towing with new truck
04-23-2019, 01:40 PM
#11
Yes, it does. All F-150s have an oil-to-water heat exchanger located near the back of the tranny. Crawl under you truck and study the heat exchanger (cooler) and you'll see both ATF and coolant lines going into and out of the cooler.
The tranny cooler is not included on the window sticker because it's standard equipment.
In fact, if your window sticker says you have the "Class IV trailer hitch". then you also have a higher-capacity radiator and engine fan than the stock F-150 without that hitch pkg or a towing pkg. Details are in the 2019 Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide.
Ford does not clarify whether the class IV trailer hitch pkg #53B is a "towing package". #53A is the Trailer Tow Pkg" and 53C is the "Max Trailer Tow Pkg" but 53B is the "Class IV trailer hitch pkg". But they somewhat clear it up in the fine print of the RV and Trailer Towing Guide.
"Towing Equipment: Required Equipment: F-150: "For trailers over 5,000 pounds, Trailer Tow Package or Max Trailer Tow Package". No mention of the Class IV trailer hitch package, so your max trailer weight is 5,000 pounds (or 500 pounds tongue weight, whichever occurs first).
The tranny cooler is not included on the window sticker because it's standard equipment.
In fact, if your window sticker says you have the "Class IV trailer hitch". then you also have a higher-capacity radiator and engine fan than the stock F-150 without that hitch pkg or a towing pkg. Details are in the 2019 Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide.
Ford does not clarify whether the class IV trailer hitch pkg #53B is a "towing package". #53A is the Trailer Tow Pkg" and 53C is the "Max Trailer Tow Pkg" but 53B is the "Class IV trailer hitch pkg". But they somewhat clear it up in the fine print of the RV and Trailer Towing Guide.
"Towing Equipment: Required Equipment: F-150: "For trailers over 5,000 pounds, Trailer Tow Package or Max Trailer Tow Package". No mention of the Class IV trailer hitch package, so your max trailer weight is 5,000 pounds (or 500 pounds tongue weight, whichever occurs first).
It appears the only option not on my truck that is part of 53A and not 53B is the upgraded front stabilizer bar (the tailgate LED is also not included). I’m assuming I can have the dealer add the upgraded front stabilizer bar and then essentially have the 53A package, correct? The upgraded front stabilizer bar would help when towing any amount of weight, but also increase my towing capacity to 9,000 lbs., which may be limited by my payload.
04-23-2019, 03:22 PM
#12
Senior Member
This is all starting to make sense now. The dealer confirmed this morning that the truck has a factory transmission cooler. I was looking around the radiator for the cooler similar to the set up on my old F150.
It appears the only option not on my truck that is part of 53A and not 53B is the upgraded front stabilizer bar (the tailgate LED is also not included). I’m assuming I can have the dealer add the upgraded front stabilizer bar and then essentially have the 53A package, correct? The upgraded front stabilizer bar would help when towing any amount of weight, but also increase my towing capacity to 9,000 lbs., which may be limited by my payload.
It appears the only option not on my truck that is part of 53A and not 53B is the upgraded front stabilizer bar (the tailgate LED is also not included). I’m assuming I can have the dealer add the upgraded front stabilizer bar and then essentially have the 53A package, correct? The upgraded front stabilizer bar would help when towing any amount of weight, but also increase my towing capacity to 9,000 lbs., which may be limited by my payload.
There is nothing you can do to the truck to increase the towing capacity (legally).
Last edited by Brad34; 04-23-2019 at 03:25 PM.
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mikeinatlanta (04-23-2019)
04-23-2019, 03:47 PM
#13
I do not have the Pro Trailer Backup Assist, nor would I put any value to having that option. Ironically an option that helps inexperienced drivers back up with a trailer is part of a package that allows you to tow heavier loads.
I will have the dealer double-check the front stabilizer bar tomorrow when the brake controller is installed to see which one I have and also see if he can determine the truck’s maximum towing capacity. Either way, I will probably have him swap out the front stabilizer bar unless there is a downside. I will not be towing over the 5,000/500 lb. limit, but want to have the truck as beefy as possible for when I tow.
04-23-2019, 05:27 PM
#14
Couple of points.
Your truck is rated at 5,000lb. Keep in mind that not every difference is listed on the option page. An example would be some Max Tow get the HDPP frame. Upgrading parts is never a bad thing, but if you are asking about rating it's 5,000.
The sticker on your receiver is your receiver's rating, not the trucks.
Unless you are hauling Styrofoam, it will take a shocking small amount of cargo to push a 20' enclosed well past 5,000 and even beyond its 7,000 capacity.
In Georgia, brake requirements are determined by the trailer weight rating, not the actual weight. That makes my 10' aluminum single axle illegal even when empty.
Your truck is rated at 5,000lb. Keep in mind that not every difference is listed on the option page. An example would be some Max Tow get the HDPP frame. Upgrading parts is never a bad thing, but if you are asking about rating it's 5,000.
The sticker on your receiver is your receiver's rating, not the trucks.
Unless you are hauling Styrofoam, it will take a shocking small amount of cargo to push a 20' enclosed well past 5,000 and even beyond its 7,000 capacity.
In Georgia, brake requirements are determined by the trailer weight rating, not the actual weight. That makes my 10' aluminum single axle illegal even when empty.
04-23-2019, 06:56 PM
#15
I could be totally wrong, but I dont think so. The tow ratings are a Ford rating not a Govt rating like payload. If you upgrade the axle ratio, and add all tow package equipment,( sway bars, hitch, radiator, trans cooler, and brake controller) you have tow package equipped truck. You then have the heavier rating, Ford alludes to this in the manual when they say properly equipped. The proper equipment is the proper equipment even if its dealer installed. Non of this will change payload or GVWR, but GCWR and tow rating are set by Ford based on equipment.
04-24-2019, 10:08 AM
#16
Couple of points.
Your truck is rated at 5,000lb. Keep in mind that not every difference is listed on the option page. An example would be some Max Tow get the HDPP frame. Upgrading parts is never a bad thing, but if you are asking about rating it's 5,000.
The sticker on your receiver is your receiver's rating, not the trucks.
Unless you are hauling Styrofoam, it will take a shocking small amount of cargo to push a 20' enclosed well past 5,000 and even beyond its 7,000 capacity.
In Georgia, brake requirements are determined by the trailer weight rating, not the actual weight. That makes my 10' aluminum single axle illegal even when empty.
Your truck is rated at 5,000lb. Keep in mind that not every difference is listed on the option page. An example would be some Max Tow get the HDPP frame. Upgrading parts is never a bad thing, but if you are asking about rating it's 5,000.
The sticker on your receiver is your receiver's rating, not the trucks.
Unless you are hauling Styrofoam, it will take a shocking small amount of cargo to push a 20' enclosed well past 5,000 and even beyond its 7,000 capacity.
In Georgia, brake requirements are determined by the trailer weight rating, not the actual weight. That makes my 10' aluminum single axle illegal even when empty.
Lots of people buy a Max tow and think they can tell people they'll die in a fiery wreckage if you go over 5001 lbs with anything less than what they bought. A lot of it is how comfortable you feel stopping and what not.
04-24-2019, 12:59 PM
#17
Senior Member
In other news... check the frontal area of your trailer. If you are within 15% of max recommended for your options, more cooling would be a good idea for towing regularly. An oil to air radiator after the oil to water radiator would both decrease the temp of fluid returning to the transmission, and reduce the thermal load the transmission places on the engine cooling system.
04-24-2019, 02:17 PM
#18
There really are no legal laws written about towing capacity. As long as you stay within GVWR, GAWR, and GCWR, then legally you are fine regardless of what the tow ratings Ford says. Civilly however, you are in the Negligence category if you tow above and beyond the trucks as manufactured tow ratings in the event you have a crash, and someone is injured or worse, regardless of fault.
IOW, even if aftermarket parts can get you to the max GCWR as stated in the Ford towing guides, the VIN is what will be used to determine "Properly Equipped". No matter what you installed after it left the dealer, the VIN is the Document used. Lawyers love this stuff.
I just checked Missouri trailer laws, Very surprised that they have NO brake requirements for trailers at all. Most states have a 3500 GVWR requirement. Anything 3500 and up GVWR requires brakes, regardless of it's empty weight, but not in Missouri.
All states can do spot checks though, and if a Trooper suspects that a truck is overloaded, even pulling an RV, they can pull it over and have it weighed, and they do look at the GVWR, GAWR on truck and trailer (but not GCWR since it is not stated anywhere), as well as check the axle and tire ratings. There are no weight limits for light/medium duty trucks since 20K single axle is the limit, 34K tandem, but they can use the vehicles GVWR tag and if you are over it and can't distribute the weight, then they OOS your vehicle until it can be, as well as fine you.
Don't bury your head in the sand on this. It can and does happen even to people towing RV's. Just play it safe and keep it at or better yet, under the GVWR and GAWR. Also just keep in mind the negligence portion, that can happen too, hopefully it never does, but you can never know.
IOW, even if aftermarket parts can get you to the max GCWR as stated in the Ford towing guides, the VIN is what will be used to determine "Properly Equipped". No matter what you installed after it left the dealer, the VIN is the Document used. Lawyers love this stuff.
I just checked Missouri trailer laws, Very surprised that they have NO brake requirements for trailers at all. Most states have a 3500 GVWR requirement. Anything 3500 and up GVWR requires brakes, regardless of it's empty weight, but not in Missouri.
All states can do spot checks though, and if a Trooper suspects that a truck is overloaded, even pulling an RV, they can pull it over and have it weighed, and they do look at the GVWR, GAWR on truck and trailer (but not GCWR since it is not stated anywhere), as well as check the axle and tire ratings. There are no weight limits for light/medium duty trucks since 20K single axle is the limit, 34K tandem, but they can use the vehicles GVWR tag and if you are over it and can't distribute the weight, then they OOS your vehicle until it can be, as well as fine you.
Don't bury your head in the sand on this. It can and does happen even to people towing RV's. Just play it safe and keep it at or better yet, under the GVWR and GAWR. Also just keep in mind the negligence portion, that can happen too, hopefully it never does, but you can never know.
04-24-2019, 09:16 PM
#19
There really are no legal laws written about towing capacity. As long as you stay within GVWR, GAWR, and GCWR, then legally you are fine regardless of what the tow ratings Ford says. Civilly however, you are in the Negligence category if you tow above and beyond the trucks as manufactured tow ratings in the event you have a crash, and someone is injured or worse, regardless of fault.
IOW, even if aftermarket parts can get you to the max GCWR as stated in the Ford towing guides, the VIN is what will be used to determine "Properly Equipped". No matter what you installed after it left the dealer, the VIN is the Document used. Lawyers love this stuff.
I just checked Missouri trailer laws, Very surprised that they have NO brake requirements for trailers at all. Most states have a 3500 GVWR requirement. Anything 3500 and up GVWR requires brakes, regardless of it's empty weight, but not in Missouri.
All states can do spot checks though, and if a Trooper suspects that a truck is overloaded, even pulling an RV, they can pull it over and have it weighed, and they do look at the GVWR, GAWR on truck and trailer (but not GCWR since it is not stated anywhere), as well as check the axle and tire ratings. There are no weight limits for light/medium duty trucks since 20K single axle is the limit, 34K tandem, but they can use the vehicles GVWR tag and if you are over it and can't distribute the weight, then they OOS your vehicle until it can be, as well as fine you.
Don't bury your head in the sand on this. It can and does happen even to people towing RV's. Just play it safe and keep it at or better yet, under the GVWR and GAWR. Also just keep in mind the negligence portion, that can happen too, hopefully it never does, but you can never know.
IOW, even if aftermarket parts can get you to the max GCWR as stated in the Ford towing guides, the VIN is what will be used to determine "Properly Equipped". No matter what you installed after it left the dealer, the VIN is the Document used. Lawyers love this stuff.
I just checked Missouri trailer laws, Very surprised that they have NO brake requirements for trailers at all. Most states have a 3500 GVWR requirement. Anything 3500 and up GVWR requires brakes, regardless of it's empty weight, but not in Missouri.
All states can do spot checks though, and if a Trooper suspects that a truck is overloaded, even pulling an RV, they can pull it over and have it weighed, and they do look at the GVWR, GAWR on truck and trailer (but not GCWR since it is not stated anywhere), as well as check the axle and tire ratings. There are no weight limits for light/medium duty trucks since 20K single axle is the limit, 34K tandem, but they can use the vehicles GVWR tag and if you are over it and can't distribute the weight, then they OOS your vehicle until it can be, as well as fine you.
Don't bury your head in the sand on this. It can and does happen even to people towing RV's. Just play it safe and keep it at or better yet, under the GVWR and GAWR. Also just keep in mind the negligence portion, that can happen too, hopefully it never does, but you can never know.
04-24-2019, 09:43 PM
#20
Where the whole mess goes grey is on a modified vehicle. Nothing in the law prevents you from modifying a vehicle to increase performance. Then you have hand built cars like I have, or my home built trailer. Nothing in the law says what either can carry. Then again, nothing I built is "rated" by anyone.