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The "Packed Options/Emissions" sheet I mentioned earlier has a 5000 lb limitation if you don't get the 53A tow package. The brochure mentions a 6000 lb limitation. The towing guide basically implies you need 53A for gooseneck/fifth wheel towing which I have never done with a 1/2 ton. I also attached a simplified towing package chart. 53B gets you everything 53A ($995) gives you (in terms of towing ability) except for "upgraded front stabilizer bar". I am going to find the part number for this and do this upgrade for ~$50. Even if you LOVE Pro Trailer Backup Assist, it can be added seperately on the build site for $395. I've had it in my last 2 trucks and didn't care for it. So $995 towing package minus $50 I have to spend for upgraded stabilizer bar gets me a LED light on the tailgate. Hopefully all this info will save some future buyers some $$$$. Ford makes this very confusing. Even though I did not order the "tow package", I believe I have a "tow package". It's called 53B and the towing guide lists it as one of the available tow packages. If you don't have a tow package then you fall under the "F150 (std.)" column on the towing guide which means you are limited to the bumper capacity of 5000 lbs.
I've seen one document that limits 53B trucks to 5000 lbs, but the towing guide doesn't. Pages 18 & 19 show conventional towing limitations and do not specify that 53A is needed. However on pages 20 & 21 for fifth wheel/gooseneck towing there is a note that states 53A or 53C is required.
53A gets you (as apposed to 53B) upgraded stabilizer bar (wish I could find part numbers, it appears 2018s are different), rear LED and Pro Backup assist. Out of those 3 items only the stabilizer bar affects towing. I could care less about led and assist. $995 towing package basically gets me a $40 bar. I'm not even sure about this until I see the part number for my current 53B bar and the part number for the 53A bar. That's why I left the tow package off for the first time in my long history of special ordering trucks. 302A package gets me everything I need. I almost got the tow package for the Aux transmission cooler, but decided I could install latter if necessary. Now that I have my 2018 and have read these threads..... It turns out there is no extra "Aux" cooler with the tow package. I'm so glad I saved $995. I don't understand why Ford puts tow related items in trim packages. I attached picture of stabilizer bar tag. All other threads mention a FL3Z-5482-A or B bar.
Is that a specific 2018 Transmission Cooler for the Max Tow Package?I have a 2017 with the Max Tow Package but didn't see anything like that?I did however find this [picture posted]up front under the radiator is this the 2017 Max Tow Transmission cooler?
All 10 speed transmissions get the cooler I showed (oil to water OTW exchanger), however if my research is correct the 2017 3.5/10 speed package didn't have it yet. This 2017/3.5/10 package also can have the front oil to air OTA auxiliary cooler also if I am not mistaken. All 2018s with the 10 speed have my cooler and only this cooler (no auxiliary air cooler). To make up for the loss of the air cooler Ford increased the radiator capacity and fan flow.
What's confusing for me is when you do a search by vin and get all the things added mine says "With heavy Duty Trailer Towing", "With Super Engine Cooling System", "With 9.75 Axle", "Integrated Brake Control", "With (STANDARD) Transmission Oil Cooler". For a new guy getting into trailer towing and trying to figure out how much he can tow, (what limits are) it makes it VERY confusing.
What's confusing for me is when you do a search by vin and get all the things added mine says "With heavy Duty Trailer Towing", "With Super Engine Cooling System", "With 9.75 Axle", "Integrated Brake Control", "With (STANDARD) Transmission Oil Cooler". For a new guy getting into trailer towing and trying to figure out how much he can tow, (what limits are) it makes it VERY confusing.
It is very confusing. Here's a second example, my 2.7 2wd Supercab 6.5' bed truck has 3.55 EL axle. This isn't even listed as an option in brochure. What's my tow limit?
2WD gets 3.15 or 3.73 per brochure
4WD gets 3.55 or 3.73 per brochure
From: Midland County Texas, just west of the star in my avatar
Originally Posted by dbr1976
It is very confusing. Here's a second example, my 2.7 2wd Supercab 6.5' bed truck has 3.55 EL axle. This isn't even listed as an option in brochure. What's my tow limit?
2WD gets 3.15 or 3.73 per brochure
4WD gets 3.55 or 3.73 per brochure
You're right. 2018 F-150 4x2 SuperCab with 2.7L EcoBoost engine and 3.55 axle is not included in the 2018 RV and Trailer Towing guide. That normally means the combo was not available for ordering. But the 2018 F-150 Order Guide shows that 3.55 E-Locker axle was an option in the 4x2 with 145" wheelbase and 2.7L engine. So I suspect you've found an error in the towing guide.
But all the other configurations with 2.7L and 3.55 ratio have 4x4 drivetrain and tow rating of 7,600. So I suspect your tow rating is at least 7,600, and maybe a coupla hundred pounds more (because your 4x2 weighs a coupla hundred pounds less than a 4x4).
Also, as far as hitches. it doesn't exactly list hitch as a Class anywhere I can find, unless I'm missing it. Looked on vin list, window sticker, and bottom of hitch. All my Hitch sticker says is Hitch type with arrow showing to look below, which lists WDH max gross Trlr Wt 10,500 max Tongue WT 1,050
Weight carrying max gros Trlr Wt 5,000 and max Tongue TW 500.
In my opinion Ford needs to list things better, I mean after all we pay them all that nice fresh money! Doesn't make things easy for the layman tower to figure out.
All the towing data is vague. Max square footage for towing???? Is it the front of the trailer? Area of trailer above cab? What if trailer is not flat? No one seems to know for sure. Also wind resistance is proportional to the square of speed so it is the true enemy not trailer square footage. Why doesn't Ford list tow package A....60 mph limit, tow package B......70 mph limit, etc. Why can my truck with 3.15 axle pull 7700lbs, I upgrade to 3.55 axle (13% higher rpms) and I can pull maybe 200 lbs more, but if I go to 3.73 axle (only 5% higher) and now it's 500 lbs more. Heck you go to the 3.5 engine and the max tow isn't the 3.73, it's the 3.55. Really I am not sure why the rear end even matters anymore when the first gear is ultra low and the 2 top gears are higher than the 6 speed. If you need more rpms to tow lock out the top gears. Maybe my 3.55 rear end can tow with only 10th locked out. The guy with the 3.15 can lock out 9th and 10th. Weird.......
