max trailer tow package

[Rich06]

Anyone get an new F150 with the max trailer tow package? Is the ride any different than the standard tow package on the FX4 or Lariat since it has an extra leaf spring? It also says 20:1 steering ratio but I don't know how that compares to the standard steering ratio.

Thanks

[Deano]

i got the max tow package with my FX4 and the ride is beautiful, the steering ratio just gives you a a nice light feel to the steering but does not make the truck feel loose in any way.

[Rich06]

I checked the sticker on the inside door jamb on my '06 XLT XTR and it states that the payload is 1475 lbs. I checked the same sticker on some '09s and it ranged from 1420 for a XLT XTR to 1210 for a Lariat with nav and max trailer tow. It seems that I would be over my 7200 GVWR if I get an '09 and tow my same 27BH trailer with bikes and canoe/rack and passengers although I will be well within the 17100 lb GCWR.

Does anyone think this would be a problem? Is the new truck going to squat less with the longer/wider leaf springs and/or max trailer tow package. Or should I just not worry about it and get some air bags or super springs.

[LaredoRV]

What brand is your 27BH ? I haul a '08 Laredo 30BH (see sig) 34" Fifth-Wheel with my truck no problem... I only have exhaust & Edge programmer, so I wouldn't see the problem ;)

[Rich06]

I don't really have a problem with power from the 5.4. But the weight issue has pushed some people into heavy duty trucks:

Jayco 27 BH TT (7500 lbs max) tongue weight + hitch - 700 lbs
passengers (5) and stuff - 500 lbs
canoe - 75 lbs
truck rack - 75 lbs
bikes - 100 lbs

add this to 5800 lb lariat (pickuptrucks.com) and you are over the gvwr of the truck. When my 3 kids grow up it may be more of an issue.

[Phil G.]

Hey Rich, if you are asking "will the truck" pull the trailer OK?" I believe the answer is yes and as you stated, air bags will stiffen the rear up anyways. If you are asking "do I need to stay under the GVWR of the truck?" The legal answer is yes based on if you have an accident, you may be deemed at fault if you are overloaded. If you smoke the transmission and the dealer somehow figures out what you are towing (like your dead on the side of the road with it attached when roadside assistance comes-this always gives you away :) ) then he may void warranty. Having said all of this, people overload their trucks' GWVR regularily and get away with it. So it's your call. I have not heard much about Alberta but I do know a couple of years back, BC was running trucks/campers through the scales and I heard a number of something like 60% were legally overloaded. So again, it's your call. By the way, your math looks good towards calculating your final carrying weight of the truck. Few people seem to get this! Remember, if the 7500lbs your quoting as "max weight of the trailer" is the brochures stated GVWR, your unlikely to hit that weight unless you are a rock collector. If thats your GWVR, I'm guessing the dry or "unloaded weight" is somewhere around 5000lbs. Likely, if you travel with normal camping items and just a few gallons on water on board, that unit will likely be on the road in the 6k-6.5K lbs range. The 700lbs hitch weight should not change that much assuming you load the unit correctly. Good luck in your decision!

[Huggy_Bear]

Max tow package: some sites say it includes the large tow mirrors - like the F250/350 I assume. Is this true?
If so, the dealer I saw yesterday was lieing about the max tow package in the truck. Had the std mirrors.

[LayinHp]

Hey Rich, if you are asking "will the truck" pull the trailer OK?" I believe the answer is yes and as you stated, air bags will stiffen the rear up anyways. If you are asking "do I need to stay under the GVWR of the truck?" The legal answer is yes based on if you have an accident, you may be deemed at fault if you are overloaded. If you smoke the transmission and the dealer somehow figures out what you are towing (like your dead on the side of the road with it attached when roadside assistance comes-this always gives you away :) ) then he may void warranty. Having said all of this, people overload their trucks' GWVR regularily and get away with it. So it's your call. I have not heard much about Alberta but I do know a couple of years back, BC was running trucks/campers through the scales and I heard a number of something like 60% were legally overloaded. So again, it's your call. By the way, your math looks good towards calculating your final carrying weight of the truck. Few people seem to get this! Remember, if the 7500lbs your quoting as "max weight of the trailer" is the brochures stated GVWR, your unlikely to hit that weight unless you are a rock collector. If thats your GWVR, I'm guessing the dry or "unloaded weight" is somewhere around 5000lbs. Likely, if you travel with normal camping items and just a few gallons on water on board, that unit will likely be on the road in the 6k-6.5K lbs range. The 700lbs hitch weight should not change that much assuming you load the unit correctly. Good luck in your decision!

Excellent reply




if its at its maxed out capacity you'll aways find more stuff to take or pick up on trips... and as the kids get older there toys get bigger lol

[Viper238]

Max tow package: some sites say it includes the large tow mirrors - like the F250/350 I assume. Is this true?
If so, the dealer I saw yesterday was lieing about the max tow package in the truck. Had the std mirrors.

No.. the manual extending tow trailers are extra.

[Bates88]

If it starts squating go with a superspring or the airbags for towing.
Hauling uneven loads in the bed or a camper than airbags are better.