Have been looking for an F150 Lariat Crew Cab to use for towing my travel trailer. I wanted to maximize my towing capability so have been looking for one in dealer stock with the Max Tow Package. They are few and far between!

So now I am wondering what that package has that is different from the standard Tow Package. Looking at the 2016 F150 Order Guide the only difference I see is that it includes the Integrated Brake Controller. But I can also order that separate If I ordered standard tow.

Someone know what the other differences are?

 

from the 2016 F150 brochure:

Max. Trailer Tow Package (optional on all trims; required for towing up to 12,200 lbs.; requires 3.5L EcoBoost engine) includes 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness, Class IV trailer hitch receiver, Smart Trailer Tow Connector, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, 3.55 electronic locking rear axle, trailer brake controller, and upgraded front stabilizer bar and rear bumper

the 'regular' tow package is as follows:

Trailer Tow Package (optional on all trims; required for towing up to 11,100 lbs.) includes 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness, Class IV trailer hitch receiver, Smart Trailer Tow Connector, Pro Trailer Backup Assist,™ auxiliary transmission oil cooler, and upgraded front stabilizer bar

neither package includes trailer tow mirrors, which is a separate option. that was my problem, finding a truck with trailer tow mirrors. then it didn't have a brake controller but my dealer added it after delivery. the people who order trucks for dealers have no idea what theyre doing when specing a truck for towing.

 

So the difference I see is the 3.55 rear-end and trailer brake controller, which can all be added as an option. Seems silly for the dealer to order that way but I have found a number of vehicles like that when I couldn't find the max tow option.

Plus the upgraded rear bumper, whats up with that?

 

dont know what the upgraded rear bumper is. and note that the max pack requires the 3.5 ecoboost engine. i had a '14 150 ecoboost that i liked but didn't tow very much with it. the truck i have now (located by my dealer) has the 5.0 engine. i would have taken either one. the must have for me was the tow mirrors. didnt want the Ford add on mirrors as they are not power telescope/power fold. after adding the brake controller, this one now has everything except that mysterious rear bumper.

 

Not 100% sure about the 2016, but on the 2013 and 14's I researched, the receiver was slightly different and actually integrated into the bumper with the MaxTow. I live in a rural area where receivers spend much of their life hauling considerably heavier loads than they are rated for with no ill effects, so I think it is more of a marketing gimmick than anything. I researched the specs on the 13-14 models, including frame thickness, axle ratings, springs, etc. and found NO changes that would justify a higher payload rating on the MaxTow.

 

Up until 2015 (maybe still) the Max Tow package had a different hitch and different bumper brackets.

 

I have an 2011 F150 XLT, it has a trailer brake controller and the SelectShift Transmission, I assume the trailer brake controller was installed afterwards btut the SelectShift transmission did not come standard on an XLT correct?

 

My 2011 ecoboost XLT F150 had select shift.

 

Select shift was standard as part of the towing package.

if you have the towing package, you have select shift. If you have select shift you have, at a minimum, the standard towing package.

 

the biggest thing you get with the max tow is a higher GVWR to accommodate the higher tongue weight of the higher tow rating.

if they are still advertising the upgraded bumper then it is still being tied into the hitch to help support the additional tongue weight. Otherwise there is no reason to upgrade the bumper.

you can order every piece of equipment that comes with max tow individually, but it doesn’t get you the higher GVWR to help you carry the additional tongue weight.

As you state, the physical differences are almost nothing.