Confused: can I tow 7700lbs?

[FormerRangerRaptorOwner]

It still boggles my mind that the new Ford Ranger can tow up to 7500 lbs (with appropriate tow package(s) see below), but many of the F-150s are maxed out at 7000 lbs even with a WDH--mine included since I did not get the Max Tow Package. Yes, I understand the whole "tow package" thing, but on the Ranger it is no more than a Class IV hitch, 4/7-pin trailer wiring harness and backup assist. There is no mention of larger radiator/brakes, suspension, alternator, etc... Based on this knowledge, it would appear the F-150 can tow AT LEAST 7500 lbs if you have a Class IV receiver, and a trailer brake controller with 7-pin wiring harness--and a WDH of course. While I am not professing to tow beyond your truck's towing capacity, there does seem to be some ford exemplars that would indicate otherwise. Just my .02.

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[Star Lord]

Trailer brakes are required on 3000 lb trailers and above. 1500 in CA I think. So that's why the max trailer package includes the brake controller. Ford thinks that most people may not tow 3000lb+ trailers with the standard package. And if they do then they can pay to add the controller.

But you aren't getting the max package to tow 3000lb trailers so I am guessing at 7000 and below the standard equipment can take it.

 

[Bobcat82]

It still boggles my mind that the new Ford Ranger can tow up to 7500 lbs (with appropriate tow package(s) see below), but many of the F-150s are maxed out at 7000 lbs even with a WDH--mine included since I did not get the Max Tow Package. Yes, I understand the whole "tow package" thing, but on the Ranger it is no more than a Class IV hitch, 4/7-pin trailer wiring harness and backup assist. There is no mention of larger radiator/brakes, suspension, alternator, etc... Based on this knowledge, it would appear the F-150 can tow AT LEAST 7500 lbs if you have a Class IV receiver, and a trailer brake controller with 7-pin wiring harness--and a WDH of course. While I am not professing to tow beyond your truck's towing capacity, there does seem to be some ford exemplars that would indicate otherwise. Just my .02.

I have a 2023 F150 platinum max tow power boost – other things the package includes is a lower rear end. F150 is due way more than Ranger so that accounts for part of the total towing capacity Dash for example the expedition or excursion has a lot more load on the body Dash it weighs more with rear seats – so it has a lower towing capacity. My F150 does tow 7600 pounds easily. You do have to calculate where the load is and on what axles the load is on the car dealer or the trailer dealer will not be helpful. They’ll just go with the total trailer and capacity. I’ve been to glacier Yellowstone redwood greater lake grand Tetons up and down those highways without an issue very stable.

 

[{tpc}]

but many of the F-150s are maxed out at 7000 lbs even with a WDH--mine included since I did not get the Max Tow Package.

This statement is confusing me a great deal. The only updates I see are for the smart trailer tow thing and the 7way/4way connecter (which I think are part of the same thing) and the trailer brake controller. I feel like if you performed those updates, you should be able to pull more than 7k pounds, but maybe I am missing something? Of course even if you update the missing stuff, technically speaking by the letter of the law, you still are constrained to the original window sticker. It will never update on fords website.

Of course its likely I am missing something lol.

 

[{tpc}]

It is interesting that for 2024-2025 models they did away with the 53ABC stuff and now just have a 53T?

 

[Xman]

In the past, questions just like yours have opened a huge can of worms. Rather than wading into the thicket, type your VIN into this tool and do with the information what you will. https://www.ford.com/support/towing-calculator

Thanks for the link, JEB! I've been trying to figure out exactly what towing capability I have with my 2024 Lariat PowerBoost (sans max tow axle and sans brake controller). As stated in the 2024 towing guide, my max tow is 10,800 lbs so was happy it agreed with Ford's on-line towing calculator.

I thought not being restricted to 7K might have been because the PB is beefed up in several ways. But then I checked some 2025 XLTs 3.5EB with and without the tow/haul package option and they were identical at 10,400 with the on-line towing calculator. Is the 7K limitation more of an issue with earlier model F150s and how Ford configured them?

 

[FormerRangerRaptorOwner]

Also, I believe that video was not entirely correct. My truck has the same hitch with the angled chain brackets, and it does not have a max tow package. It came with a 4-pin trailer harness from the factory. I replaced it with the 7-pin harness and installed a trailer brake controller. While they are all Ford factory OEM parts, apparently my towing capacity is still limited to how it came from the factory.

 

[Ricksc]

Yes and no. 4 pin doesn’t run trailer brakes. 7 pin will. Adding 7 pin and a trailer brake will make a difference. Still need to stay with in total GVW and pay load.

 

[FormerRangerRaptorOwner]

This statement is confusing me a great deal. The only updates I see are for the smart trailer tow thing and the 7way/4way connecter (which I think are part of the same thing) and the trailer brake controller. I feel like if you performed those updates, you should be able to pull more than 7k pounds, but maybe I am missing something? Of course even if you update the missing stuff, technically speaking by the letter of the law, you still are constrained to the original window sticker. It will never update on fords website.

Of course its likely I am missing something lol.

Yes, one would assume. But that does not seem to be the case based on Ford’s recommendations.

Well my sticker says 11,600, right in between The sticker looks a lot like the max tow except it's white on black. don't know if the V-5 or part number on the side has any more meaning (the part number shows not found when I try to look it up on the Ford site)

I do have the "bent forward" hook receivers though:

This video is incorrect. I have the angled. chain hooks and my F150 did not come with any of the tow packages. Just a 4-pin trailer connector.

 

[FormerRangerRaptorOwner]

Yes and no. 4 pin doesn’t run trailer brakes. 7 pin will. Adding 7 pin and a trailer brake will make a difference. Still need to stay with in total GVW and pay load.

Yes, but for towing, the most important number is GCWR. It seems like the consensus on this forum is to stay under the GCWR and have the proper equipment installed, including a WDH for heavier trailers with trailer brakes.

 

[Ricksc]

Bottom line fit the truck to the trailer. Safety is always best choice. Better to have more truck than trailer. Don’t max out truck because you like the trailer. Yes you can tow more than it says but is it safe? Do you feel safe towing that trailer?

 

[Xman]

Well my sticker ..... don't know if the V-5 or part number on the side has any more meaning (the part number shows not found when I try to look it up on the Ford site)

The labels on F150 components do not show the part number. The labels list the engineering number. The only way I have found to get the part number, is to take the engineering number on the label and go to the dealer. The part department guys have been very helpful as I have tried to figure out windshield, shock, spring, and axle configurations on my 2024 Lariat.

 

[{tpc}]

So going to take a stab and say that if your truck is only equipped with a 4 pin connector, and not a 7-way and not a tbc, that is most likely the weight limiting factor.

First off, anything 5k or more being pulled by a 1/2 ton truck, should have a tbc imo. Of course if you don’t have a tbc, you might not have a 7-way, and you would need both properly installed to make it work correctly.

Then, if you are over 5k you should have a wdh, imo.

So again my guess is the lack of these things being installed at time of build, is what constrains the weight ratings. You could put all that stuff on there, but the truck will never be classified to a different weight rating and be legal. So I’d do so at your own risk.

Or better yet, trade up in truck. Always nice to get a new vehicle…

 

[Ricksc]

As long as you add the TBC and 7 pin, use a WDH and are within the weight ratings of the truck you will be fine. Only thing stopping you is the TBC and 7 pin. With a 4 pin and no TBC you only set up for basic small trailer. 4 pin only gives you trailer lights.

 

[Ricksc]

Do you know what gears the rear end is? 3:55, 3:73 3:31

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