Later model F150 towing capacity

[Lori Meyer]

Did Ford make the later model F150's with higher towing capacity? If so, what year did they start and how much can a later model F150 tow?

Thanks for your help.

[SmokeyWren]

Ford has made F-150s rated tow over 11,000 pounds since at least the 2009 model year. But those are rare F-150s. For 2009 model year, they have to have the "big" 5.4L engine and 3.73 axle ratio along with the optional Heavy Duty Payload Package and the Maximum Towing Package. For 2011-up, they have to have the EcoBoost engine along with 3.73 axle and HD Payload package. Without the HD Payload pkg, the tow rating may be 11,000 pounds, but you'll be overloaded with anything more than a skinny driver in the truck.

The HD Payload pkg before the '15 model year included heavy duty 7-lug wheels, and it rode "like a truck". So they were not popular and dealers didn't stock them. Therefore if you wanted one you had to special order it. As a result, they didn't sell many, so used ones are very hard to find.

That very special F-150 began in the '97 model year when it was badged F-250 LD (light duty). GVWR was 7,700 pounds, and it looked like an F-150, not a Ford Heavy Duty F-250. For 2000 (Y2K) model year, Ford dropped the F250 badge and called them the F-150 with 7,700 GVWR. Beginning around 2011 model year, they increased THE GVWR to 8,200.

[tuffr2]

Actually 2011 I believe Ford improved their trucks with all new engines. The 2011 5.0 litre is better than the older 5.4 litre engine. The eco-boost was new in 2011. Ram in 2011 made improvements to interior of their truck and I believe minor engine improvements to their 5.7 litre hemi.
The Chevy was improved I think in 2013.

I owned a 2011 F-150 5.0 litre. Oh, also Ford added a 6 speed transmission. I test drove an older 5.4 litre F-150 then the 2011 5.0 litre. There was no comparison, the 5.0 litre was much better.

I would recommend driving a 2011 Ford eco-boost and 5.0 litre. Then 2011 Ram 5.7 Hemi. You will like both trucks.

Good luck

[Cumminsfan]

My 2010 F150 Max Tow with 5.4 and 3.73's had the 11,100 tow rating. The HD package doesn't increase the tow rating, only the payload.


With that being said it struggled with 7300lbs in the hills and mtns. Lots of 3rd-4th gear stuff. Plus no lockout for OD. So you couldn't just stick it in 5th and have it stay there. It would shift to 6th at the earliest opportunity. Then back to 5th, 4th, 5th. 4th, 6th, 5th. Well you get the point. IMO the 2009-10 F150 6p is the worst tranny for towing. Even my 08 4sp had an OD lockout. In 2011 they came out with the 6sp select shift. Way, way nicer.

[JIMNLIN]

Did Ford make the later model F150's with higher towing capacity? If so, what year did they start and how much can a later model F150 tow?

Thanks for your help.

Later model ?? That covers a lot of years .
Use this https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas.../techspec.html
from Ford and search each year model F150 for tow ratings/GVWRs/RAWRs.
Ford has the specs if you take the time and dig it out.

I found a 8200 GVWR/4800 RAWR package in '07 with up to a 10k tow rating in the spec pages.
Remember not all F150 trucks have the same capacities. Lots of different GVWRs/RAWR and tow ratings all depending on vehicle selections.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

My 2010 F150 Max Tow with 5.4 and 3.73's had the 11,100 tow rating. The HD package doesn't increase the tow rating, only the payload..

True, but misleading. Without the HD Payload pkg you'll run out of payload capacity long before you get close to the tow rating when towing a tandem-axle RV trailer. And Ford, in so many words, says you should NEVER exceed either the tow rating or payload capacity (GCWR or GVWR).

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

True, but misleading. Without the HD Payload pkg you'll run out of payload capacity long before you get close to the tow rating when towing a tandem-axle RV trailer. And Ford, in so many words, says you should NEVER exceed either the tow rating or payload capacity (GCWR or GVWR).

You're exactly right. BTDT. I towed a Heartland North Trail 26LRSS with it. 7300lbs loaded and a 900-950lb TW. With a canopy and bed full of camping gear plus two bikes I was right at the 4050lb RAWR and the 7650lb GVW.

[brulaz]

Would agree, look for a used 2011-2013 F150 (actually 2014s can be had new at big discounts in my area). The new tranny and motors are improved over the previous years.

If towing heavy (upto 8K?), look for a 3.5L EcoBoost with sufficient payload for your tongue weight and cargo, and a 4050# rear GAWR. The door stickers will tell you all you need to know. I doubt that you will find a used HD Payload truck (rear GAWR of 4800#), but who knows ...

My trailer is a bit heavier than Cumminsfan's, and the truck's loading is similar: we're also right at the rear GAWR of 4050#. But the towing experience with our 2011 EcoB versus his 2010 5.4L V8 is like night and day. We have less down-shifting and less high rpm running up hills because of the EcoB's low end torque and HP. I also suspect the newer trucks have more sound deadening material, making for a quiet more relaxing drive.

[wandering1]

Read the towing specs from Ford, its much more accurate than guesswork and personal opinions.

[marcham]

If it doesn't have the hd payload, forget about a F150 for that trailer. I have a 28' TT and am shopping for a F250 gas to get more payload. On the f150, you cannot put all the payload in the bed... There's only about 1000lbs remaining for the rear axle on a crew cab 4x4.

[brulaz]

Originally Posted by marcham

If it doesn't have the hd payload, forget about a F150 for that trailer. I have a 28' TT and am shopping for a F250 gas to get more payload. On the f150, you cannot put all the payload in the bed... There's only about 1000lbs remaining for the rear axle on a crew cab 4x4.

But if you can make do with a 4x2 and smaller cab, Payload can be higher. We have a 2011 SuperCab 4x2 with MaxTow only (not HD payload). The truck's payload is 2030#.

Our trailer is ~28', 7500-8000#, with a tongue weight of ~1130#. We're under GVWR and GCWR, but the rear GAWR and hitch receiver rating are very close.

We also beefed up the suspension to reduce "wallowing" and switched to LT tires. If we'd known about the HD Payload option at the time, I would have probably gone that route as it already includes the beefed up suspension and tires, as well HD axles and wheels.