Trailer Tow Package vs Truck with Addons Funniness

[JExpedition07]

Interested to see what you find. My truck is a 21 XLT 3.5 EB with tow package (not max tow), so it is a 14th gen, and had the “GVWR package” on the window sticker. One of the motivations for the truck was to pull a travel trailer with the family - including 3 kids and a dog - so I was paying particular attention to the different payload specs and why I went down the rabbit hole in the first place. Frame thickness was the only suggestion I could find that seemed to make sense - but happy to learn otherwise for whenever I make a future upgrade.

Here it is. Just raised my eyebrow when I bought mine at the dealer, my 5.0L V8 with no changes from the 2.7 truck next to it is given a higher GVWR from Ford (7050) and I can’t find any reason why other than they want you to buy the two premium engines.

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[Calson]

My 2022 Supercab 4WD XLT with the Max Tow package has a Class IV hitch receiver. The only difference the package provides is the trailer brake controller and a second leaf spring at the rear axle.

According to Ford "Do not exceed a trailer weight of 7,000 lbs. with only the Class IV hitch (53B), without the Trailer Tow Package (53A)."

The truck has a 11,600 lb gross trailer weight capability ONLY when a weight distributing hitch is used. The limitation is probably due to the weakness of the F-150 truck frame. My 2011 Silverado could tow 17,000 lbs with the factory hitch and no need for a WD hitch for the truck. I am used to needing a WD hitch for the SUVs I have owned when towing a heavy trailer.

 

[Revz]

Here it is. Just raised my eyebrow when I bought mine at the dealer, my 5.0L V8 with no changes from the 2.7 truck next to it is given a higher GVWR from Ford (7050) and I can’t find any reason why other than they want you to buy the two premium engines.

Thx!
As I read the table - there are 3 different frame sizes (designated LD/HD/HPP) similar to the past generation. The table doesn’t show which frames are matched with which trim/engine/options, so you need to make sure you are comparing trucks with the same frame for an “apples to apples” comparison. If you did that, I’m in no position to argue.

 

[JExpedition07]

Thx!
As I read the table - there are 3 different frame sizes (designated LD/HD/HPP) similar to the past generation. The table doesn’t show which frames are matched with which trim/engine/options, so you need to make sure you are comparing trucks with the same frame for an “apples to apples” comparison. If you did that, I’m in no position to argue.

The way I read that document is the wheelbase and 2WD or 4WD should determine the frame thickness. Motor shouldn’t matter.

 

[Revz]

When there are multiple frame options for a given wheel base / cab / drivetrain, there are unspecified options that determine what frame is used. For ex. - Reg cab 4x2 and 122 WB can have either the LD or the HD frame. This table doesn’t tell you when you get the LD and when you get the HD.
That said, I thought Max tow has a beefier frame, that the OP won’t get by just adding the tow “extras”.

 

[sts90]

When there are multiple frame options for a given wheel base / cab / drivetrain, there are unspecified options that determine what frame is used. For ex. - Reg cab 4x2 and 122 WB can have either the LD or the HD frame. This table doesn’t tell you when you get the LD and when you get the HD.
That said, I thought Max tow has a beefier frame, that the OP won’t get by just adding the tow “extras”.

I never even remotely said my truck could have Max tow numbers. My only point was the standard tow package is not the value they seem to state. I am simply defending the point 7,000 LB limitation is a farse and should be between 9,500- 10,000 on my truck.

 

[Revz]

I never even remotely said my truck could have Max tow numbers. My only point was the standard tow package is not the value they seem to state. I am simply defending the point 7,000 LB limitation is a farse and should be between 9,500- 10,000 on my truck.

Sorry - wasn’t trying to misstate your original post. Just trying to explain my understanding that different packages come with different frame thicknesses - which *may* explain some differences and a lot of people (myself included for a long time) had no idea about. I’m not defending Ford either - I have no idea whether the limitations are sound or not.

 

[HammaMan]

That doesn’t sound right so I checked. The PowerBoost 157” wheelbase is lighter than the 6.2L Max tow as I thought. PowerBoost max curb weight is 5,540 pounds. 6.2L steel body was 5,904 pounds in the same configuration both per ford specs. Those 6.2 max tow packs were beefy trucks with the 7 lug axles. Those were supposedly the heaviest F-150 ever made.

I was limiting data to 5.0s and under. Did you come across any optioned vehicles? JJ's optioned curb weight is 6,000lbs. I wouldn't be surprised to see some custom after market bodied / upfitter versions with some much higher curbs.

 

[Samson16]

My 2011 Silverado could tow 17,000 lbs with the factory hitch and no need for a WD hitch for the truck.

Which Silverado did you have?


2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Pickup truck

Engine: 4.3 L V6, 4.8 L V8, 5.3 L V8, 6.2 L V8
Horsepower: 195 to 403 hp
Bed length: 69.6 to 98.4″
Curb weight: 4,463 to 5,488 lbs
Towing capacity: 4,400 to 7,000 lbs
Transmission: 4 & 6-speed automatic

 

[JExpedition07]

He must be talking about a 3500 HD is what I was assuming

 

[Samson16]

He must be talking about a 3500 HD is what I was assuming

That makes sense but he said " The limitation is probably due to the weakness of the F-150 truck frame. " and then used his Silverado as a comparison.

It seems pointless to compare F150's to 3500 HD's. What's next? 3500 HD's to Dump Trucks?

 

[JExpedition07]

That makes sense but he said " The limitation is probably due to the weakness of the F-150 truck frame. " and then used his Silverado as a comparison.

It seems pointless to compare F150's to 3500 HD's. What's next? 3500 HD's to Dump Trucks?

Well my F-750 can tow 40,000 LBS, the 2011 3500 HD Chevy was only rated 17,000 (likely due to the weakness of the frame)

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