I am looking at a 2017 3.5 with the 10 speed trans with towing. The truck does not have the towing package. No transmission, oil cooler or upgraded sway bar. I may want to tow up to 10,000 later and as it is it is only rated for 7,000. How difficult would it be to upgrade and get the additional capability?

 

Not worth it. The cost of the upgrades as an add-on would be a lot more than getting a truck with it in the first place.

 

I agree with GlueGuy.

Keep looking for the configuration you want instead of trying to do it via the aftermarket.

What you`re looking for is out there but you`re going to have to search for it.

 

I have been looking but I found this truck at a really good price. I don't need the towing ability now but would possibly need it in the future. That's why I was trying to find out if I could add it later if needed, maybe 5 years or so from now.

 

10k? get a super duty.

 

There is no upgrade you can do after you purchase it that will change the RATED tow capacity, even if you use Ford parts. However there are lots of cooling and suspension upgrades possible and people certainly do tow 10k with these trucks.

I'm the kind of guy who like the higher tow rating that a truck built with all the correct parts has. If that doesn't bother you, and you don't mind spending a couple thousand upgrading this truck, we'll that's up to you.

 

I spent a lot of time researching this for a friend who was buying a '17 without the towing package. I insisted it wasn't rated for more than 5,000 lbs like the '15-16s, and that the difference was the transmission cooler. She then sent me a photo of the transmission cooler.

Did more digging in the literature and can't find the same 5,000 lb limit in the towing guide or the owner's manual for the '17. She's since towed across the country twice, once with a camper, and the other with a loaded enclosed trailer. No issues, and she sent me photos of her transmission temperature in Arizona at 210 pulling a hill.

SO based on that, I think the '17s are different than the '15-16s. Monitor your temperatures while pulling and I think you'll be fine.

ON edit: the relevant pages for the '17 F150 are attached. Notice the 5,000 lb restriction is now only referring to towing with the bumper instead of a receiver hitch.

 

If you`re really serious, you might want to try looking out of your State.

That`s how I got a great deal on my 2016 Lariat with the package that you`re looking for.

I live in GA but I drove to Mobile AL for my purchase and I saved a ton of money.

Good luck to you.

 

That's comparing a receiver tow Hitch to a fifths wheel towing setup. NEVER pull 5000lbs on your bumper.

 

Is there even a bumper hitch option for an F-150? I don't recall ever seeing one.

 

The only 2017 F150s limited to 5000 lbs towing are the ones with the standard 3.5L V-6. The document at the URL below, has a couple of pages of towing specs broken out by engine, wheel base, and towing package (or the lack) of. https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/..._F150_Sep7.pdf

 

If you plan to tow a 10,000 pound trailer in the future, you need to abandon the search for a F150 and go straight to a F250.

There is nothing you can do to a F150 3.5 NA to safely and legally tow a 10,000 pound trailer.

 

Let's assume it is a 2017 3.5/10 speed, as originally posted, which means it is the ecoboost.
Gman

 

You can legally tow a 10k trailer with the current model 3.5 Ecoboosts that are properly equipped. The Specifications state it. Is it safe, IDK, In the past with my old F250 6.0 I've towed 11k in my mind was NOT SAFE in that truck. It did it, but it was working hard. I believe the F150 will do it (10k) today, but again is it safe, I don't think so.

JMHO

 

My bad, I missed the 10 speed. Good catch.