2018 Max Tow pkg: not really
#16
05-26-2018, 10:56 AM
Elder User
Oh and personally I believe that requirement for 20" tires is just to sell more expensive options.
#17
05-26-2018, 12:37 PM
Rereading the charts I posted it gets even more confusing the 8200 GVWR truck gets a .15 thick frame, the following frame sheet list the frame for the HDPP which has the most capacity as having a a .11 inch frame. So the F150 now has 4 frames instead of 3? The frames vary in thickness on the same frame so I think where you measure has an influence. I don't think the whole frame on the HDPP is thicker. The whole package only weighs 204 pounds more then the standard. Just for interest the bumpers seem the same, the hitch varies by a little more capacity it almost looks like an extra weld, and the tow hook attachment is bent not straight, they are different part number.
#18
05-26-2018, 03:49 PM
Join Date: Apr 2017
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I pulled my order manual and my spec sheet. I did not see any reference to a 20" vs 18" and do not have any footnotes indicating the specifications differ based on wheel size. The max trailer tow package in the 2018 manual consists of the pro trailer backup assist with trailer hook up lamp. It does not change your springs or capacities on any model. The capacity related towing package is the "trailer tow package" which comes with the 4/7 pin, trans cooler, class iv hitch receiver, smart tow connector, and the front stabilizer. The trailer tow package is required for towing up to 11,100.
#19
05-26-2018, 03:56 PM
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Thanks to everyone who has chimed in. It's been helpful.
#20
05-27-2018, 12:06 AM
I'm close to purchasing a new F150. I am having a rough time finding the MTTP with tow mirrors. In my search, I find a truck equipped with the Trailer Tow Package, the 36 Gallon Fuel Tank, and the Trailer Brake Controller cost $30 more, but includes the same goodies as the MTTP. The only differences I find are a true MTTP truck has a different rear bumper (no one knows what's different), and a 7050# GVWR instead of the 7000# in a non-MTTP truck. The other difference is the 3.55 rear end in the MTTP, versus the 3.31 in the non-MTTP. That gets you about 3,000# more trailer tow capacity than the non-MTTP truck.
If I can't find another major difference, I may go with the individually optioned truck. The 3.31 rear end will net better daily driving fuel economy, but the reduction in trailer capacity shouldn't mean much. I'd never consider towing anywhere near the 10,000# trailer capacity with a 1/2 ton, and certainly not the 13,300 with a MTTP truck.
If I can't find another major difference, I may go with the individually optioned truck. The 3.31 rear end will net better daily driving fuel economy, but the reduction in trailer capacity shouldn't mean much. I'd never consider towing anywhere near the 10,000# trailer capacity with a 1/2 ton, and certainly not the 13,300 with a MTTP truck.
I told the dealer they can have the truck back it’s not as advertised In the sale. They scrambled and found another f150 (with Max Tow, the 3.55 EL rear and equipped with tow mirrors). They wanted an additional 3 grand. I said no way in heck my wife is going for that. They offered me another grand on my trade, spray in bedliner. I said it still doesn’t cover it and that I would speak with my wife. In The meantime I made them give me my 2011 back. Ya, they weren’t happy. After the weekend I came back in to find out what the final outcome was. They had found another grand in incentives. So now I had a 2018 instead of the 2017;I had originally purchased. The difference was about 500 bucks which the bedliner actually covered.
While my wife was still pretty upset at the deal I told her we really had a better truck. Drove out of there happy boy.
#21
05-27-2018, 01:58 AM
#22
05-27-2018, 06:34 AM
My questions would be how many leafs on the rear springs and how many turns lock to lock on the steering. Thanks
#23
05-27-2018, 10:02 AM
My 2018 F-150 Platinum FX4 with a 3.5L Ecoboost, 3:55.1 gears, max tow package and 145.0" WB can pull 11,700 lbs I think. A friend that had to pull his loaded cattle hauler to the sale barn had a RAM 2500 that wouldn't run for some reason asked me if I would pull if for him. I wasn't sure my truck was capable until I looked up the spec's. My truck didn't have any problem pulling the 12,000 lb. trailer loaded with 10 cows but I don't think I would want to do that often.
#24
05-27-2018, 01:31 PM
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Mine is a 2018 157" Max Tow Lariat with 18" wheels and shows part# FL3Z-5482-B for the front stabilizer in the service department's lookup program.
#25
05-27-2018, 02:00 PM
2018 Max Tow 3.5 Ecoboost 157” FX4, I’ve got the same front stabilizer 5482-B. This is the heavier duty bar as it’s listed at just over 25lbs where the standard is a bit over 14lbs.
Rear springs are FL-34-5560-CH
Frame on my truck is marked 156.8 4x4HD
Upgraded received hitch HL3A-19D534-BC
GVWR 7050lbs and I do have the 9.75” rear end w/ 3.55 e-lock.
Truck was optioned with the LT275/65/18C Goodyear Wrangler Adventure all terrain tires. Door sticker payload is 1680lbs.
Rear springs are FL-34-5560-CH
Frame on my truck is marked 156.8 4x4HD
Upgraded received hitch HL3A-19D534-BC
GVWR 7050lbs and I do have the 9.75” rear end w/ 3.55 e-lock.
Truck was optioned with the LT275/65/18C Goodyear Wrangler Adventure all terrain tires. Door sticker payload is 1680lbs.
#26
05-27-2018, 02:15 PM
Join Date: Apr 2017
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2018 Max Tow 3.5 Ecoboost 157” FX4, I’ve got the same front stabilizer 5482-B. This is the heavier duty bar as it’s listed at just over 25lbs where the standard is a bit over 14lbs.
Rear springs are FL-34-5560-CH
Frame on my truck is marked 156.8 4x4HD
Upgraded received hitch HL3A-19D534-BC
GVWR 7050lbs and I do have the 9.75” rear end w/ 3.55 e-lock.
Truck was optioned with the LT275/65/18C Goodyear Wrangler Adventure all terrain tires. Door sticker payload is 1680lbs.
Rear springs are FL-34-5560-CH
Frame on my truck is marked 156.8 4x4HD
Upgraded received hitch HL3A-19D534-BC
GVWR 7050lbs and I do have the 9.75” rear end w/ 3.55 e-lock.
Truck was optioned with the LT275/65/18C Goodyear Wrangler Adventure all terrain tires. Door sticker payload is 1680lbs.
#27
05-27-2018, 02:40 PM
#28
05-27-2018, 06:51 PM
Cargo Master
I'm looking at a 2018 now, with the trailer tow package, 36 gallon tank, trailer brake control, and 20's. Its payload is 1850#. The three max tow trucks next to it on the lot are at 1750#. I can't see any reason why I need the max tow if I'm not dragging a trailer that is up at the 13k weight level. All have the 3.55 locker. That is the bigger need over the 3.31. The rest is fluff. After dragging trailers from 8 feet to 40 feet, I don't think the steering gear means squat. I can't recall ever buying a truck 20 years ago that had a special steering gear for trailering.
#29
05-27-2018, 11:04 PM
