The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular half-ton trucks on the market and for a good reason. It has several engine options, features, a comfortable ride, and excellent towing capacity. But does it have enough towing capacity to tow a toy hauler? We have taken the time to research the F-150's towing capabilities to help answer that question for you.
Generally speaking, the Ford F-150 can tow a toy hauler. However, consumers should be careful about the weight of the toy hauler they want to tow. Towing a toy hauler under 6,000 lbs is a safe weight because once you have gear and toys, the weight of the toy hauler will increase significantly.
When it comes to half-ton trucks, the Ford F-150 is hard to beat, especially if you want to use it for towing. With that, there are toy haulers on the market light enough for the Ford F-150 to tow safely and efficiently. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Ford F-150 engine options and their towing capabilities. Just keep reading!
Pulling A Toy Hauler With An F-150
When looking to tow with your F-150, you will want to learn about the different weight limitations.
If you are towing something less than 6,000 lbs, then the Ford F-150 can pull it just fine. You do not need anything special for this sort of weight and will likely get good fuel economy while pulling it.
With a max tow package, the Ford F-150 is rated to tow 13,200 lbs. However, that doesn't mean it is safe to pull a toy hauler or another type of trailer that weighs that much.
When you look at the weight of a toy hauler, that is its "dry weight," meaning that it is empty. When you add the "toys" like a golf cart, four-wheeler, or dirt bikes, for example, that weight will go up.
In addition, the weight can go up significantly depending on how much you put in the toy hauler's garage.
If the toy hauler weighs too much, there are risks of swaying and the truck not handling the weight well going around a corner.
But overall, it is better to be safe than sorry when towing a toy hauler with a Ford F-150. So, keep the weight down and do your research on toy haulers before making a buying decision.
How big of a trailer can a Ford F-150 pull?
If you are interested in using a Ford F-150 for towing a trailer or anything, you should know how much weight it can pull. In theory, most Ford F-150s can tow a trailer that is 6,000 to 7,000 lbs safely. However, that is entirely dependent on which engine is under the hood.
For example, the Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost has a max towing capacity of over 10,000 lbs. In addition, when it is equipped with a Max Trailer Tow Package, it has a max towing capacity of 13,200 lbs.
On the other hand, the 3.3 L Ti-VCT V6 can only tow up to 7,700 lbs. That isn't a lot of towing capacity, especially if you want to pull a trailer. If you already own a toy hauler that weighs over 7,000 lbs, it is safer to use a larger truck such as a 3/4 ton or a full-ton.
Most gas or diesel engines in trucks this size can handle a heavier toy hauler or trailer. For more information, you should check out our other article on how big of a trailer a Ford F-150 can tow.
Which F-150 engine is best?
This is where things get tricky. The Ford F-150 has several different engine options, with some serving different purposes. For example, if you are looking for an economical truck, you can check out the Ford F-150 hybrid model.
However, the 3.5 liter V6 EcoBoost is the best if you need something with impressive towing capability. As mentioned above, it has the most towing capacity out of the Ford F-150 engines. It also gets good fuel mileage, making it one of if not the most popular F-150 engines.
The Ford F-150's EcoBoost engines are equipped with twin turbos which do scare some consumers. Why? Well, first off, more parts mean more things that can break and need to be repaired.
In addition, turbos are not cheap. The turbo itself can be costly, and then you have to consider labor costs. However, it would be best if you didn't have to worry about the turbo or turbos going out until you reach high mileage (150,000-250,000 miles).
Plus, by then, you will probably be on the market for a new truck anyway!
If, for some reason, you want to stay away from the EcoBoost engine, then the 5.0L V8 is a good option. It can't tow as much, but 11,500 lbs of towing capacity certainly isn't bad by any means.
The 5.0 liter is the same engine that they put in the Ford Mustang and is reliable. Naturally aspirated engines like the 5.0 liter have a lower chance of having issues down the road.
Do all F-150s have a tow package?
A majority of the Ford F-150's come standard with a tow package. However, that doesn't mean you should buy an F-150 without one.
If, for some reason, there is a truck that comes without the tow package and you think it could be helpful to have, check with your local dealership first.
Most likely, they will be able to install the option at no cost before purchasing or shortly after, so you can get down to business with your new Ford F-150.
However, it would be surprising if the F-150 you are looking at doesn't already have a tow package installed. This is because they have plenty of towing capabilities.
If it doesn't have a towing package, it could be because it is one of the smaller engines or the hybrid model that isn't used as often for towing.
How do I know if my F-150 has the max tow package?
There are a few different ways to figure out if your F-150 comes with the max tow package.
The easiest way is to look at the sticker located somewhere on or near the driver's side door. If you see "Max Tow Package" written there, then you're in business!
Another way to find out is to talk with a nearby Ford dealership and ask your truck's options by giving them the VIN. Then, they can put it into their system and tell you it does or doesn't have a max trailer tow package.
Lastly, you can check the build sheet inside your glove box or the owner's manual. You should find this document even after purchasing second-hand F-150s. However, if, for some reason, you don't have them, then contact the dealership and provide the VIN.
What is the difference between the F-150 tow package and the Max tow package?
Depending on what tow package is on an F-150 will determine its max towing capacity. For example, a max tow package helps increase the towing capacity, but how? When equipped with a max towing package, the F-150 will get mechanical upgrades.
This includes but is not limited to a high-performance radiator, upgraded stabilizer bar, high power cooling fans, and upgraded axles.
In addition, the max tow package will get other upgraded features such as backup assist, trailer brake controller, and even a bigger fuel tank. If you tow heavy and frequently, it may be worth it to get a max trailer towing package installed on your Ford F-150.
How much does it cost to have a tow package installed?
The cost of having a tow package installed on an F-150 depends on the model you choose, but the costs can range from $100-$800. Pricing will also depend on whether you go with a standard tow package or upgrade for the max trailer towing package.
If you can afford it, then go for it! It will help increase your towing capacity and make life easier when you are hauling around heavier loads. But, of course, it doesn't hurt to shop around and get various quotes from different businesses.
Nonetheless, one of the first places to check is with the Ford dealer service department because they specifically deal with those trucks daily.
They will give you a good idea of cost and what is the best tow package option. That doesn't mean you won't be able to get a better deal elsewhere.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the Ford F-150 is a best seller for a reason. While it is a massive half-ton truck for towing, some things to consider before hitting the road.
Do you have a trailer hitch? Do you have a max tow package installed on your F-150 already, or do you need one? With the right and safe equipment and accessories, there's no reason why your Ford F-150 can't be an excellent towing machine!
If you found this article helpful, please share it with friends and family. It can be a quick and valuable resource for those needing to know more about their F-150. In addition, don't forget to check out these articles:
How Much Weight Can A Ford F-150 Carry?
How Long Is A Ford F-150 Truck (And Will It Fit In My Garage?)