2018 F-150 "regular" tow package vs. max tow package

[Puma26RLSS]

Originally Posted by flyflotrtim

You might be interested in responses here https://www.f150forum.com/f82/

Yes, that was helpful. I have the chart of towing capacities vs. truck options/rigs. Pretty convinced the max tow package with the 3.5 EB is the way to go. Thanks.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

Did your 2014 Platinum have the regular tow package or the max to package?

Sorry it was a regular tow package

[HangDiver]

I have an 2015 F150 with "regular" tow package, the 5.0 w/3.55 rear axle. I bought it used as it came equiped exactly how I wanted (36 gal tank was a must). With the truck and travel trailer all loaded up I'm hauling around 5k lbs. I would buy the same truck again in a heart beat, especially a 2018 w/10 speed trans. After using the truck for a couple of years I wish I had the 3.73 rear axle (2015 is coupled to the 6R80 trans), especially here in the mountains, but again, I'd buy a 2018 similarly equiped.

Given your 7,900lb trailer, I would think an EB would be better suited to haul that around. A 5.0 would do it. An EB would do it better IMO.

Good luck in your search.

[BigH]

Puma,

You're looking at this too hard...

Every truck today is tested under SAE J2807. They are tested for repeated standing starts, repeated braking, grade pulling, handling and more. The trucks have to perform to a minimum standard at their max load.

Find a truck that meets all your needs...driver aids, towing capacity, payload, receiver weight rating and pull the trigger. Any modern truck that meets all these will perform just fine.

[mnoland30]

I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty 2.8L CRD turbo diesel. More torque than my '95 F-250. My turbo went out while still under warranty. Dealer replaced it and still charged me $700. A couple of years later, my turbo went out 400 miles from home while pulling my aluminum bass boat. I limped home, it took several minutes to get up to 50 mph. I ordered an aftermarket turbo, and when it arrived, I started to take out my old turbo. Turns out, only the hose was ruptured. I sent the turbo back and replaced the hose with an aftermarket silicone hose, and have never had any trouble since with 170,000 miles on it. Both failures happened on hot days while hauling boats. I use synthetic oil exclusively. It has higher tolerance for high temperatures. The more you know about synthetic, the more likely you are to use it. I change my oil once a year whether it needs it or not. They've tested big rigs to 1,000,000 miles on the same oil, just changing filters. I'm thinking about an F150 max tow for my replacement vehicle.

[Puma26RLSS]

Originally Posted by BigH

Puma,

You're looking at this too hard...

Every truck today is tested under SAE J2807. They are tested for repeated standing starts, repeated braking, grade pulling, handling and more. The trucks have to perform to a minimum standard at their max load.

Find a truck that meets all your needs...driver aids, towing capacity, payload, receiver weight rating and pull the trigger. Any modern truck that meets all these will perform just fine.

Appreciate the recommendation. I am going for the 2018 3.5 EB with max tow package. I expect that will get me what I am looking for a cost that won't be beyond my reach. Folks seem to think that Ford cleared up some of the turbo issues by that model year and the driver assist options became more widely available then.

[jay2703]

This chart tells what included in each.
53A is Trailer Tow Package
53C is Max Tow Package

[Puma26RLSS]

Originally Posted by jay2703

This chart tells what included in each.
53A is Trailer Tow Package
53C is Max Tow Package

This seems to be a slightly different chart than the one I have, and the resolution is just a little too difficulty to read. I tried a magnifying glass, but could not make it work. Do you have a link to this chart on the Internet? It looks like it would really be helpful.

[jay2703]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

This seems to be a slightly different chart than the one I have, and the resolution is just a little too difficulty to read. I tried a magnifying glass, but could not make it work. Do you have a link to this chart on the Internet? It looks like it would really be helpful.

It's on page 16.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/cmslibs/c...VTTowGuide.pdf

[emoney]

Agree with your choice and want to point out that any time “tow vehicle” or “towing” comes up around here you’ll get the “I wouldn’t tow that rig with anything less than a Peterbilt”. So take it with a grain of salt. If the TT you own has “x” amount of weight and truck has more than that, you’re fine. Last I checked Ford isn’t in business to just throw numbers out in this litigious world we live in. I tow 5500lbs with my 2.7 4cyl turbo Chevy and don’t even know it’s behind me. Wait...I meant, “I bought a 1-ton dually for our 10’ pop-up”!!

[retiree]

My 2017 F150 came with everything that the Max package had except for the rear bumper upgrade. The stuff missing between the 2 groups was added when the truck was built including fuel tank, breaks etc. My tow rating is 10700 and my payload is 1849. This is from the 2017 Ford brochure. Have the dealer get you the original window sticker. Mine had it so I could verify all options.

[Rick J]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

I am beginning to shop for a 2018 F-150 (3.5 EB or 5.0 V-8 w/driver assist options). I see a lot of trucks on the market that meet my driver assist options needs with "just" a regular tow package plus the larger fuel tank. I had hoped to find a 2018 F-150 with max tow package just for added capability. But, they are less common. I will be towing a 7,900 lb., TT which I have already towed over 26,000 miles very well with a 2007 Ram 1500 Hemi. I would appreciate any Ford owners who have either the "regular" tow package or max tow package to offer any advice they think would be helpful based on personal experience with 2018 or similar F-150. Generally, the TV is loaded lightly with just the wife and I and few lawnT
chairs in the bed so we don't have a very loaded down TV.

d


They are hard to find but look for the HDPP,( heavy duty payload package) as well. They have a beefed up frame and suspension and rear end. With that much weight you can overload the rear axle without maxxing out payload because weight is transferred from the steer axle to the drive axle when towing.

[RStock]

I tow 6000lbs with the standard tow pkg with the 5l v8. Works very well. I did add 1000lb Sumosprings to the rear bump stops. Very easy self install and I feel it helps stabilize the vehicle in strong cross winds.

[Rick J]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

Appreciate the recommendation. I am going for the 2018 3.5 EB with max tow package. I expect that will get me what I am looking for a cost that won't be beyond my reach. Folks seem to think that Ford cleared up some of the turbo issues by that model year and the driver assist options became more widely available then.

e
You won't have any turbo issues. We run ours 300,000 kms plus, towing almost all that. I don't understand why people single out EcoBoost turbos out of the multitude of turbo engines made. It is the finest turbo on the market, bar none.

[Bhrava]

Max tow is actually a misnomer. The name implies that it gives the Maximum towing over all other packages, but in reality, only ordering the properly equipped truck gives Max Tow. A Base XL Supercab Long Bed 3.5 Ecoboost 2WD with Max Tow package is actually the ONLY truck capable of towing the touted 13,200 pound trailer.

For all other trucks it is more of a money saving option package as it includes everything in the HD tow package plus max rated springs front and rear, HD rear axle, and upgraded rear bumper supports and 1,320 pound rated receiver. In addition you get the brake controller and 36 gallon fuel tank. The 3.55 rear axle is as close to the HDPP rear axle as you can get, and the frame is also HDPP rated. You can only get it with the 3.5 Ecoboost though. As far as the "upgraded" front stabilizer, its the exact same one from the HD Tow package.

What you can't do is option a non Max Tow to include all the items in the Max Tow package, which leaves the 5.0 lacking a stronger frame, rear axle, and max rated springs.

You are still limited by payload though even with the Max Tow. My 2018 2WD Platinum has Max Tow. I special ordered it so there is no additional weight from the moonroof which gained me 75 pounds of payload. It has more payload than the 2016 4WD 502a Lariat I had before it.

If buying used, the only way to find if it actually is a Max Tow is by looking at the GVWR tag on the receiver. WDH will be 1,320/13,200 for 2017 and up. If buying new, and you want to have the most payload, stick with an XLT and option it light. Once you go for the Lariat, you are limiting yourself to a less than 8,000 GVWR trailer, and 502a and above(Platinum/King Ranch) you are limited to less than 7,000 GVWR trailer, regardless of tow package installed. Just not enough payload, all those are less than 1600 payload. I haven't seen the tags on 2021 models, they may have gone up a bit, but as of 2020 MY, they are still less than 1600 pound payload for the fully optioned trucks. Still better than GM and Ram though for the top line models.

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by Rick J

e
You won't have any turbo issues. We run ours 300,000 kms plus, towing almost all that. I don't understand why people single out EcoBoost turbos out of the multitude of turbo engines made. It is the finest turbo on the market, bar none.

Old school thinking! Turbo failures on all the Ecoboost engines are very rare. They are water cooled and I forget the term used, but coolant still flows through them even after the engine is turned off to prevent oil coking. Ford made probably one of the best engine lines to ever hit the market with the Ecoboost. There are about a dozen different ones now, and millions of them on the road.

[reevesfamily]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

Help me understand your recommendation, if you will. Do you have an F-150 with the max tow package? If so, do you have any comparison experience with 150/1500 trucks with the "regular" tow packages? I don't do any off road towing, nor any boondocking. I just drive down the road at about 55-60 mph. Stop at mostly commercial campgrounds. Unhitch and do the tourist thing or visit family in the area. Absolutely no plans ever to get a bigger TT. If I go with the 2018 F-150 with basic tow package, I get roughly 3,000 lbs. more towing capability than my 2007 Ram Hemi. I really need to hear from folks that are out there who are towing something about my weight with the Ford F-150 basic tow package to see what there experience is. And/or folks like you that may have experience with both. My goal is to have a truck with all the driver assist options (I am 76) and will bring me a little more under the published towing capacity and GCWR top figure. If I get a little less "road drama" when 18 wheelers fly by or I go over a pot hole, I'll be happy. Now, all that said. I do hope to find a truck with the max tow package. I just need to know what that max tow package translates into in terms of road experience. You mentioned a sway bar on the rear of the truck. I have been looking at inflatable suspension air bags that I could adjust up for towing and down for non towing situations for more comfort. How would a rear sway bar compare with the adjustable air bags in your experience? And thanks for your assistance on this. I appreciate it. I would just like to flush out a few more details if you have the time.

I’ll just offer this, we had a 2010 F150 King Ranch Super Crew with the 5.4l and it was all our “7900 lb” camper could haul. We were loaded at 8550 lbs and with just the warden and I and the bare essentials in the bed. Did it for 5 years and went to my current 250 diesel and began to breathe again and can now end the travel day with clean britches. Just sayin’, and I’ve towed our family campers around the country for over 40 years. Stop thinking capability and think safety. Your family, and mine, depend on it!

[{Tpc}]

I agree with looking at the payload. With what will likely be a heavy tongue weight, payload is a consideration even if packing light.

That said, skip the v8. You won’t like it with what I am thinking is a pretty long trailer, heavy trailer.

Even with regular tow, I believe the 3.5 has more capacity than the v8 anyways.

I tow with the f150 v8, my rig is lighter than yours but fairly long, and I’d rather give it a go with the 2.7 than the v8....not saying one should but shows how disappointed I am. It does the job, but I wish I would have got the 3.5.

And for anyone that says the 3.5 is worse on gas...well I’m getting 16-17 with the v8. Mine is a 2020.

For those that say go up in class, I agree. When my lease is up on this one next year I’m sucking it up and buying a 2500. Not sure it will be a f250 or a gm product but either way I plan to keep it awhile.

The only thing i did right this time was a 2 yr instead of 3 yr lease. Thankfully.

[NC Bill]

The fancier the truck, the lower the payload. Check the door jamb sticker on the truck you are buying. Tow ratings are a joke. I run out of payload on my truck at about 55% of its tow rating. And ANY options added after the factory come out of payload: towing mirrors, bed liner, camper top, side steps or whatever. Payload goes down, down, down!

[Mountaineer1954]

I have a 2018 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Platinum that my dealer found in Ontario Canada. We bought it last April and it had 18,000 miles on it. It came with:
5.0L Coyote
1828 lb. cargo capacity
10 speed tranny
3.31 Electronic-locking rear-axle
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Engine oil cooler
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist with Tailgate LED
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Upgraded front stabilizer bar
• Upgraded rear bumper
I added the integrated trailer brake controller after I bought it and the 36 gallon fuel tank was listed as an option. It is an awesome tow vehicle. We are retiring and bought a 2018 21 foot Gray Wolf Pup that had been used once. Hardly know that it's back their. To each his own but I prefer the 5.0 liter over the twin turbo set up. Fewer moving parts. Less to go wrong.