Which Tow Package?
10-31-2017, 01:58 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Which Tow Package?
I have a 2017 XL STX with a 3.15 axle and 23 gallon tank, but the sticker doesn't say which tow package I have. Based on the Ford Towing Features handout, and what's on my truck, I believe I have the 53A package. I have the oil cooler, but have no idea how to recognize having the upgraded front stabilizer bar (or what that actually does). The sticker does say that I've got the 6250# GVWR Package, so I guess that includes the 53A tow option?
I'd like to rent a small travel trailer (not pop-up) for the wife and I to do a few weekenders in and see if we'd ultimately buy one. Should I buy and install the Trailer Brake Controller before our first excursion?
I'm reading through the threads trying to wrap my head around payload versus weight ratings, truck scales, etc etc. Any directions for a towing noob are greatly appreciated.
I'd like to rent a small travel trailer (not pop-up) for the wife and I to do a few weekenders in and see if we'd ultimately buy one. Should I buy and install the Trailer Brake Controller before our first excursion?
I'm reading through the threads trying to wrap my head around payload versus weight ratings, truck scales, etc etc. Any directions for a towing noob are greatly appreciated.
10-31-2017, 02:04 PM
#2
Senior Member
You could not have the max tow package with a 3.15 rear. The only tow package you may have is the standard tow package
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10-31-2017, 02:31 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
53B, which has the dual connectors, receiver, and smart trailer tow connector.
53A, which adds the tranny cooler and upgraded stabilizer (mine?)
53C, (which I believe you call Max Tow), adds the upgraded rear axle, bumper, brake controller, and 36 gal tank.
Looking at the Ford chart, it seems that I have a GCWR of 12,500# for my SCab with a 3.15 and 145" WB, and a max loaded trailer weight of 7,600# using a weight distributing hitch.
The online calculators ask for curb (empty) weight of the truck, is there a place to find that for my specific truck, or do I need to scale weigh it and then deduct my weight, etc?
10-31-2017, 03:33 PM
#6
There are three towing packages available:
53B, which has the dual connectors, receiver, and smart trailer tow connector.
53A, which adds the tranny cooler and upgraded stabilizer (mine?)
53C, (which I believe you call Max Tow), adds the upgraded rear axle, bumper, brake controller, and 36 gal tank.
Looking at the Ford chart, it seems that I have a GCWR of 12,500# for my SCab with a 3.15 and 145" WB, and a max loaded trailer weight of 7,600# using a weight distributing hitch.
The online calculators ask for curb (empty) weight of the truck, is there a place to find that for my specific truck, or do I need to scale weigh it and then deduct my weight, etc?
53B, which has the dual connectors, receiver, and smart trailer tow connector.
53A, which adds the tranny cooler and upgraded stabilizer (mine?)
53C, (which I believe you call Max Tow), adds the upgraded rear axle, bumper, brake controller, and 36 gal tank.
Looking at the Ford chart, it seems that I have a GCWR of 12,500# for my SCab with a 3.15 and 145" WB, and a max loaded trailer weight of 7,600# using a weight distributing hitch.
The online calculators ask for curb (empty) weight of the truck, is there a place to find that for my specific truck, or do I need to scale weigh it and then deduct my weight, etc?
10-31-2017, 04:41 PM
#7
I have a 2017 XL STX with a 3.15 axle and 23 gallon tank, but the sticker doesn't say which tow package I have. Based on the Ford Towing Features handout, and what's on my truck, I believe I have the 53A package. I have the oil cooler, but have no idea how to recognize having the upgraded front stabilizer bar (or what that actually does). The sticker does say that I've got the 6250# GVWR Package, so I guess that includes the 53A tow option?
I'd like to rent a small travel trailer (not pop-up) for the wife and I to do a few weekenders in and see if we'd ultimately buy one. Should I buy and install the Trailer Brake Controller before our first excursion?
I'm reading through the threads trying to wrap my head around payload versus weight ratings, truck scales, etc etc. Any directions for a towing noob are greatly appreciated.
I'd like to rent a small travel trailer (not pop-up) for the wife and I to do a few weekenders in and see if we'd ultimately buy one. Should I buy and install the Trailer Brake Controller before our first excursion?
I'm reading through the threads trying to wrap my head around payload versus weight ratings, truck scales, etc etc. Any directions for a towing noob are greatly appreciated.
The 3.15 gear axle would only be on a RWD truck, so that rules out 4WD, and the 3.15 gearing, it may have the standard hitch, rated 500/5000 and WDH 1050/10500. Crawl under and look at the sticker on the hitch, it will show those numbers.
Hitch is a $95 option,
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector
You also have the standard front sway bar, and standard trans cooler. If you have the outlet in the bumper with the 4/7 connector, then adding the brake controller can be done, it is located left of the plate mount.
My 2014 had the same exact setup, RWD, 3.15 gears, and the trailer connector, and hitch, but did not have a tow package. At the top of the sticker, look under standard items, I have seen stickers that had the tow package listed there, and it is possible that you have it as a standard item, in which case, all you need is the controller added.
In any case, you do have a low GVWR which limits you to 5000 pounds of trailer, tops. What you can do is add a heavy duty transmission cooler so you don't overheat while towing. Since it is a 2018, it should have the 10 speed trans, so in the end the 3.15 gears are irrelevant, the trans more than makes up for the final drive.
Last edited by acdii; 10-31-2017 at 04:45 PM. Reason: Foudn that you can have the tow package with 3.15 gears
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10-31-2017, 04:49 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I took a swag of 4500 for the sake of the calculator, wasn't too far off from the stickers. 6250 GVWR - 1695 Payload = 4550 Curb Weight.
10-31-2017, 05:17 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The 3.15 gear axle would only be on a RWD truck, so that rules out 4WD, and the 3.15 gearing, it may have the standard hitch, rated 500/5000 and WDH 1050/10500. Crawl under and look at the sticker on the hitch, it will show those numbers.
Hitch is a $95 option,
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector
You also have the standard front sway bar, and standard trans cooler. If you have the outlet in the bumper with the 4/7 connector, then adding the brake controller can be done, it is located left of the plate mount.
My 2014 had the same exact setup, RWD, 3.15 gears, and the trailer connector, and hitch, but did not have a tow package. At the top of the sticker, look under standard items, I have seen stickers that had the tow package listed there, and it is possible that you have it as a standard item, in which case, all you need is the controller added.
In any case, you do have a low GVWR which limits you to 5000 pounds of trailer, tops. What you can do is add a heavy duty transmission cooler so you don't overheat while towing. Since it is a 2018, it should have the 10 speed trans, so in the end the 3.15 gears are irrelevant, the trans more than makes up for the final drive.
Hitch is a $95 option,
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector
You also have the standard front sway bar, and standard trans cooler. If you have the outlet in the bumper with the 4/7 connector, then adding the brake controller can be done, it is located left of the plate mount.
My 2014 had the same exact setup, RWD, 3.15 gears, and the trailer connector, and hitch, but did not have a tow package. At the top of the sticker, look under standard items, I have seen stickers that had the tow package listed there, and it is possible that you have it as a standard item, in which case, all you need is the controller added.
In any case, you do have a low GVWR which limits you to 5000 pounds of trailer, tops. What you can do is add a heavy duty transmission cooler so you don't overheat while towing. Since it is a 2018, it should have the 10 speed trans, so in the end the 3.15 gears are irrelevant, the trans more than makes up for the final drive.
Sorry for all the questions, the last time I towed anything was a pop up Coleman with a Datsun PU about thirty years ago.
10-31-2017, 06:45 PM
#10
Senior Member
