What exactly does it mean if an ex has a factory "TOW PACKAGE"?

 

Big mirrors, maybe gears.

 

That is disappointing if that is all Ford does for a tow package in an ex.

 

Actually I think they all have tow package which means the receiver and wiring. Big mirrors was still optional.

 

5,000 lb rated hitch or 10,000 lb rating with WDH as equipped from factory some had larger mounting bolts that increased the rating. @WE3ZS knows all the details.

Not quite

The hitch is attached to prevent other vehicles (think cars with lower profiles) from submarining, hence; why the front has the blocker beam. It is functional as a hitch but you really do need "Tow Mirrors" to actually tow (safely).

Better

 

So basically they are saying "Your Ex Can Tow" Which really isn't saying much considering what it is. I was hoping for upgraded springs or something along those lines.

 

Nope, ALL EXs came with the rear G code springs, ALL of the PSD EXs had the front D codes and the V-10 ones had the C code fronts.
You typically see the "Tow Package" listed in EX for sale ads, folks see the receiver hitch and assume its an extra option like on most cars and some trucks. But as has been said, ALL EXs came with the rear receiver hitches as a federally mandated safety feature due to the mighty EX being a car (station wagon) vs being a truck, which don't require rear hitches for safety. On the bright side Ford did include the 4/7 pin trailer wiring and plugs along with the hitches. The earlier EXs hitches were rated at 500lb TW 500lb trailer and 1,000lb TW 10,000lb trailer with the use of a WD hitch. The later rigs use the exact same receiver hitch but with larger bolts to the frame and are rated at the same 500lb TW 5000lb trailer but with a WD hitch the TW was increased to 1250lbs and trailer weight to 12,500lbs.
I believe the larger tow mirrors were their own option as well as the 4.30 gears on the V-10 rigs. I'm not sure about the rear sway bars that some later model EXs got, I thought that I had read about them coming as a "package" with the big mirrors, but I may be remembering that incorrectly.
They also didn't get upgraded trans coolers with any option, ALL 7.3s came with the small coolers, some '00 and maybe '01 7.3s lacked the trans fluid cooling loop in the radiator. ALL of the V-10s had the mid-sized trans coolers (I think the 5.4s also had the same cooler, but not sure) and the 6.0s got the nice big coolers along with the new 5R110 trans. The 6.0 cooler is a popular and effective upgrade for the 7.3s and gassers, the 7.3 really benefit from it. I tow a heavy TT frequently and for long-ish trips all over the East with my stock cooler and have only ever seen the trans temp over 200 a few times briefly. But I do have a new 6.0 cooler waiting it's turn to be swapped in.
The EX can tow, and with a little bit of help, tow well. But expect to exceed the rear axle weight rating with any heavy trailer, the EX starts out somewhat rear heavy for what it's ratings are.