starks

Hey guys, newbie here. I just purchased a 2013 F-150 XLT - Super Crew, 5.0, 4x4 - 6.5 bed. Loving life - but getting in to specs I thought it could tow more since Ford regularly advertised them as towing 11,000 + for those years - I am now seeing that those are a 'Max tow package'. I have the trailer brake control set up inside - and am seeing I have the 3.55 gears.

Looking at this page - It shows I am listed at 7,500 lbs max towing.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...Tgde_Oct19.pdf

Does any one know for certain what BESIDES the gears (if anything) allows the 3.73 axle ratio to pull 9,100 pounds?

Looking at a 25' trailer thats about 6,200 pounds dry (from grandparents / babied / good deal) so it's hard to pass up - but not sure I want to deal with limiting luggage / gear to stay at 7,500 pounds.

If down the road I had the gears changed to run 3.73 - would that allow me to tow up to 9k? Or is there anything else I would be missing compared to the trucks set to pull 9,100?

Thanks!

sixpack577

Max tow has the 9.75 rear differential, instead the 8.8
As far as I know, all the max tow's also have the electronic rear locker.
My eb 3.5 has max tow, 9.75 e-locker rear, and 3.55's(the e-locker also comes standard with Fx4 package, which I also have, and apparently the e-locker can be ordered on Any option package).

starks

I hadn't seen that - I see that now in Ford towing link. Thanks. So it looks like there is a tow package - which mine has - and a max tow package.

It looks like the 5.0 with the 3.73 but not the max package is rated for 9,100 still. If I switched gearing, I am thinking it would be the same as the one listed for 9,100?

sixpack577

I think the max tow has more to do with the strength from the added size of the 9.75 differential, vs the 8.8, but I cannot say for sure. Ford has some strange ratings and packages, as there is little difference in a 3.55 vs a 3.73 gear.
And, don't quote me on this, as I am unsure, but from what I have seen, the 3.5 mt comes with 3.55's, and the 5.0 mt comes with 3.73's standard(maybe special ordered with different ratio is possible with mt package).
I would think the slight difference in gear ratios would be based on the differences in power curves of the 3.5 vs the 5.0
I'm sure someone will be along shortly to clarify.

icantdrive55

A lot of F150 buyers/owners don't understand that the Max Tow Pkg does NOT increase your towing limit or your payload rating. It is a somewhat misleading package labeling that simply groups some nice individual options--36 gal tank, ITBC, 4/7 pin wiring loom, Cat3/4 hitch, 9.75" e-locker rear axle housing, and at one time, tow mirrors (which I think are now stand-alone options)--that doesn't include other HD things like an upgraded frame, rear springs and tires.

sixpack577

This seems correct, as my 502A Lariat, max tow came with all those options, minus the tow mirrors, which I did not want anyway.

5.0GN tow

Most if not all 5.0 2013 models had the 9.75 diff, mine did, as did several people I know. The 3.55 gear was severely underrated in the 11-13 trucks. It will handle the trailer you are pulling as long as the payload you have allows for the tongue weight and your loaded weight without exceeding the GVWR. If you lock out gear 6 you will be turning about same rpms as a 3.73 truck in 6th. So in effect your final drive ratio in 5th with 3.55s is very similar to 3.73s in 6th.

Worry more about your GVWR than GCWR, if you are within GVWR and GAWR, being a small amount over GCWR(which is not a hard limit, but designed to keep you from slowing down traffic or overheating the drivetrain). The 2010 truck with 5.4 with less power and torque than 5.0 was rated to tow 9700 to 9800 with 3.55s. Most likely you will be limited to under 8k by GVWR.

Flamingtaco

I guess one can say that Max Tow increases driveline durability (9.75) and the connection (integrated HD hitch) for towing conditions, and adds cool towing toys.

Without max tow, I've everything but the gearing and HD hitch because of the 3.5eco and tow package.

acdii

Max Tow is considered the Ultimate Towing package. It includes everything needed to maximize the towing ability of the 3.5 Ecoboost engine. It includes everything in the heavy duty tow package, plus 36 gallon fuel tank, 3.55 locking axle, max springs, tighter ratio steering EPAS, Max capacity receiver and bumper, and integrated brake controller.

The cooling system is no different than that of the HD Tow Package, nor is the sway bar. It does not increase GVWR either. If getting an F150 for towing, the 3.5 with Max Tow is your best deal.

vrtical

There are some additional electronics with the Max Tow Package, its just plain bad *** if you want to tow.