Powerboost with Max Tow Package Question

[natwood1957]

Can anybody tell me the specifics on how the Max Tow Package differs in the PowerBoost as opposed to the non-PowerBoost F150? I've seen some info which says there are differences, but I haven't seen anything "official".

FYI, I've got King Ranch PB on order with a 6.5 foot bed and 4x2. (The 4x2 means the gear set remains at 3.55 rather than upping to 3.73 as on the 4x4). I've still got time to add the Max Tow and am debating doing so. I don't need the additional tow capacity, it comes down to other factors such as additional cooling. Though, one of the things I've seen is that the PB in Max Tow does not add the additional cooling. So . . . anybody know specifics on this?

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[Bluesman]

I am not aware of any difference in the cooling package but the specs. do show the Max. Tow package includes a larger diameter and thicker rear brake rotor. The parking brake system also has more holding force than standard. This is regardless of the power train.

 

[imnuts]

Based on documentation, best guess is that you get larger rear brakes and the upgraded rear bumper. Any other changes are educated guesses since Ford makes it clear as mid trying to find the differences between the various tow packages and how it effects ratings. Unless you're going to need the added tow rating, it may be best to leave it off as you will lose some payload adding the Max Tow package.

 

[natwood1957]

Thanks. Agree on the "clear as mud" thing. Probably, my biggest question comes down to whether or not there is an upgraded cooling (I have read on a non-Ford sight that the hybrid already has upgraded cooling so it isn't added) and what they do to the suspension. Regarding suspension, this isn't clear because of the stepped of GVWR of the PowerBoost. Any insights out there?

 

[jj4567]

Jury’s still out. Ford hasn’t been very transparent about the specs and documentation is minimal.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...ass-iv-vs-tow-vs-max-tow-updated-doc-v4.1188/

 

[rpeterslll]

Its also reported that it has an upgraded rear axle also.

News: These 2021 Ford F-150 Trucks Have a 3/4-Floating Axle & It May Be Delaying Your Truck - The Fast Lane Truck (tfltruck.com)

 

[natwood1957]

Jury’s still out. Ford hasn’t been very transparent about the specs and documentation is minimal.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...ass-iv-vs-tow-vs-max-tow-updated-doc-v4.1188/

Thanks much. Helpful thread.

 

[natwood1957]

Its also reported that it has an upgraded rear axle also.

News: These 2021 Ford F-150 Trucks Have a 3/4-Floating Axle & It May Be Delaying Your Truck - The Fast Lane Truck (tfltruck.com)

Thanks much. This also is helpful info. Realistically, I think my tow is going to max out at 7K pounds or just over. An axle capable of handling 14K pounds seems like overkill.

 

[don.mullins]

I believe the non-PB trucks get the 36 gallon tank with Max Tow. The PB only has the 30 gallon since the hybrid battery takes up some of the space the 36 gallon used.

The Powerstroke had the same issue, but that is where the DEF tank was located.

 

[natwood1957]

Regarding the cooling system, max tow, and the PowerBoost, I went to my local Ford dealership and asked them if the PowerBoost already had the max tow cooling system on it. My sales guy was great. He went back to the service department and talked to one of the techs. The tech said that the PowerBoost comes equipped with system temperature "regulator" rather than the additional cooling equipment of the max tow. The regulator served to either decrease or increase temp depending on the need. The key was that with a hybrid temperature consistency was key, even more so than lower temps.

 

[hotrodmex]

I'm not sure why this is still a matter of confusion, especially when it could be easily rectified by people with MaxTow checking the ends of their axle tubes, or even better, taking their wheel off and seeing if they have the 3/4 float bolt at the end of their axle.

I've seen other assurances that MaxTow gets the 9.75HD axle, but they seem to go unheard.

Pic from a 2021 Powerboost with MaxTow who found his axle bolt broken.

You can also see how the axle tubes are different between the standard:

And the 3/4 float with hub assemblies bolted to the axle shafts:

I would assume this is also why you get the larger brakes, but it looks like same brake caliper (tabs on axle housing are just moved further out).

Thoughts?

 

[guppydriver]

Thanks much. Helpful thread.

It’s crazy to me that the original post made on that thread was January 2021, and still no one really has any definitive answers regarding the contents of the three tow packages when ordered in tandem with a PB.

Still debate on axles, springs, leafs, etc…..

It’s almost comical.

 

[hotrodmex]

Another PowerBoost with MaxTow and the broken axle bolt:

Plus 3 other people in the thread that have PB MaxTow and broken bolts

I would bet a 6-pack of beer that MaxTow gets you the 9.75HD axle, which would make it well worth it...if I didn't just comb a thread with like 5 axle bolt failures....

 

[DW2020]

I'm not sure why this is still a matter of confusion, especially when it could be easily rectified by people with MaxTow checking the ends of their axle tubes, or even better, taking their wheel off and seeing if they have the 3/4 float bolt at the end of their axle.

Thank you for posting this! I always figured the payload loss from MaxTow people like to quote had to be from more hardware than an inch on the rotors.

I had a quick look at my 2021 Job 1 PowerBoost with MaxTow and it has the bolts on the axle ends. (Easy because with winter steels the hub is visible). Incidentally the brakes are for sure bigger, I had a fiasco with 17” wheels that were supposed to fit, bolted up fine, but scraped on the calliper.

Glad I ordered the MaxTow! Short of spring rates, that makes it almost an HDPP….and makes the GVWR look real conservative.

 

[hotrodmex]

I had a quick look at my 2021 Job 1 PowerBoost with MaxTow and it has the bolts on the axle ends.

This would also explain why you need to add MaxTow for an HDPP build. HDPP for the frame cost; MaxTow for the axle cost.

Is the flange where the axle tube meets the rotor also a few inches thick, vs a flange just the thickness of the brake flange? This area right here:

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