Do you know how much a Ford F-150 can tow? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.
Ford F-series pickups are among the longest-running vehicle model ranges in the world, being produced since 1948 and currently in their 14th generation.
Since 1975 the entry point of this lineup of pickup trucks is F-150, which is arguably the reason why the F-series is the best-selling family of pickups in the States since 1977.
One of the reasons for this is their versatility for carrying people and weight, but also for towing.
So, how much can a Ford F-150 tow? Depending on the combination of engine and other options, the Ford F-150 can tow between 8,200 and 14,000 pounds. I’ve listed below the most common towing capacities of the Ford F-150 based on the available trims Which included:
• 3.3 liter Cyclone/Duratec V6 flex-fuel can tow up to 8,200 pounds
• 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 gasoline can tow up to 10,100 pounds
• 3.0 liter PowerStroke V6 turbo diesel can tow up to 12,100 pounds
• 3.5 liter PowerBoost V6 hybrid can tow up to 12,700 pounds
• 5.0 liter Coyote V8 flex-fuel can tow up to 13,000 pounds
• 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 gasoline can tow up to 14,000 pounds
Without further ado, let’s get more into details or this matter.
Table of Contents
What is a Ford F-150’s Towing Capacity?
When it comes to the towing capacity of Ford’s F-150 models, the first factor that affects it is the engine choice.
The lineup has six internal combustion engines you can select from.
There is a choice of two gasoline, twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engines with 2.7 or 3.5 liter capacity.
Also, two flex-fuel engines, 3.3 liter V6 Cyclone/Duratec and 5.0 liter V8 Coyote.
There is also one diesel engine, namely the 3.0 liter PowerStroke V6 turbo diesel.
The last engine in the ICE lineup is the PowerBoost hybrid, which is actually the 3.5 liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 aided by BorgWarmer’s HVH250 electric motor.
From the lowest to highest, their maximum towing capacity is:
- 3.3 liter Cyclone/Duratec V6 flex-fuel – up to 8,200 pounds
- 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 gasoline – up to 10,100 pounds
- 3.0 liter PowerStroke V6 turbo diesel – up to 12,100 pounds
- 3.5 liter PowerBoost V6 hybrid – up to 12,700 pounds
- 5.0 liter Coyote V8 flex-fuel – up to 13,000 pounds
- 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 gasoline – up to 14,000 pounds
Besides these ICE engines, Ford’s F-150 lineup includes the fully electric F-150 Lightning.
It comes in two versions with two different battery pack capacities, and while both have the same dual-motor setup, their maximum towing capacities differ.
- Lightning with base battery pack – 7,700 pounds
- Lightning with extended range battery pack – 10,000 pounds
An important thing to have in mind is that these are the maximum towing capacities, and equipment selection does decrease them.
This is because of the relation between vehicles’ curb weight, GVWR, load capacity, and hitch rating.
So, let’s get first a bit about them.
Read also: Trailer Wiring Diagrams:19 Tips Towing Electrical Wiring Installation
What are GVWR and hitch weight ratings?
The hitch weight rating is a specification of any vehicle which tells you how much weight you can put on a hitch.
When you are towing some trailer, part of its weight is transferred to the hitch of towing vehicle.
For the safest towing, without any excessive under or oversteering, this weight should be kept between 10-15% of the weight of the trailer.
This is simply done by adjusting the weight inside the trailer, either moving it closer or away from the towing vehicle.
GVWR is the specification of a vehicle that tells you how much it can weigh when fully loaded with liquids, passengers, and any other load.
In other words, GVWR is made of the curb weight plus load capacity.
When adding various optional equipment to a vehicle its GVWR stays the same but curb weight increases, the consequence of this is that the load capacity decreases at the same time.
Because this added weight is distributed to both front and rear axles, how much additional weight you can put on the rear one also decreases.
In other words, the hitch rating decreases, and with it the towing capacity.
Read also: What Percentage Of Towing Capacity Is Safe?
What Affects a Ford F-150’s Towing Capacity?
In general, adding various optional packages decreases the towing capacity of a Ford F-150.
For example, four wheels drive has more components and because of this F-150 with the front wheels drive has a higher tow capacity.
Though the engine’s output in principle increases towing capacity, more powerful engines are usually heavier, which decreases towing capacity.
The cab and bed size selection also has an impact, as the load capacity depends on the cargo space.
The more space for cargo there is, the less is left over in the capacity of the rear suspension to carry the weight.
But, besides these selection options that negatively impact the towing capacity, F-150 can be equipped with the Max Trailer Tow package which increases it.
When all of this is taken into account, the absolute maximum towing capacity of F-150 has the variant with 3.5 liter EcoBoost engine, front wheels drive, SuperCab with 6-½ feet bed, and Max Trailer Tow package.
Can A Ford F-150 Tow a Camper?
Whether an F-150 can tow a camper depends on the exact configuration of the pickup and the model of the said camper.
The absolute maximum towing capacity an F-150 can have is 14,000 pounds, which is more than enough to pull the currently longest and heaviest camper on the market, Jayco’s Eagle 334DROK.
Of the engine options that an F-150 can have, only V8 Coyote and 3.5 liter EcoBoost are strong enough for this 41 feet and 12,825 pounds behemoth.
The other engines are good enough for practically any camper that is 34 feet or less in length, as they rarely have GVWR above 8,000 pounds.
For the precise information on whether some Ford F-150 configuration can tow a particular camper, you are always best off by comparing the pickup’s tow capacity and camper’s GVWR.
Final Thoughts
While the F-150 lineup of the pickup trucks has been the cash cow of the Ford Motor Company since 1977, it is the true American workhorse.
Besides being the favorite as a professional vehicle, it is also a very versatile pickup truck for towing campers.
It provides both high capacity as a people carrier, but also for towing.
The towing capacity of a specific configuration of an F-150 depends first on the equipped engine and it ranges between 8,200 and 14,000 pounds.
In other words, even with the weakest engine in the lineup, you will be hard-pressed to find a camper that it is not able to tow.
References
https://www.cars.com/articles/breaking-down-the-2021-ford-f-150s-towing-capacities-433112/
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