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I'm in the market for a 2015-2018 F150 and I have several specific options that I'm looking for. One specific option that I would prefer is the max tow package option. Unfortunately, when searching some of the national car trader sites (like Auto Trader), I've found that some of their descriptions are very vague, and oftentimes they only list standard features like power steering and independent front suspension (duh). Is there any easy way to tell if a truck has the Max Tow Package? Does the presence of extendable tow mirrors mean it has max tow package?
FYI, my perfect truck if I could spec it would be a Lariat with 502A package, Max tow package, 3.5 turbo, FX4 package, Guard Metallic paint with black interior and center console. I also want the lowest rearend gears available because it will be getting 35s and a level kit as soon as it gets home. I know that's a hard truck to find, and I'll likely have to compromise in certain areas, but Lariat trim is the minimum and must have the 3.5 turbo. It would be easier to just spec out a new one, but my budget won't allow for that.
3.55's are the standard gears with the max tow package. I think that you could order 3.73's but finding one could be difficult. It might be easier to to find a truck with the 3.5/3.73/HD tow and add the brake controller. Good luck with your search.
The easiest way to tell (aside from requesting a window sticker) is from looking at the factory sticker on the receiver hitch. Max tow units will have a higher number listed under weight distribution than non-max tow trucks.
If the number listed are as below, it's a max tow truck
15-17: 12,xxx lbs
18-20: 13,xxx lbs
Another resource available for the 18+ trucks is this: https://fordfleetlive.com/#/VinCalculator
Punching in the vin will give you towing number for the truck. Only works for 18 and later.
Notes:
Tow mirrors are a standalone option and not an indicator or max tow.
There is a requirement for some of the model years for 20" wheels to be considered a max tow truck.
I'm sure you're aware, but you'll run out of payload long before getting to 12k, especially in a 502A lariat. The max tow package is great because it combines several desirable options into one pkg (3.5EB, 36 gallon tank, 3.55s etc..) but in lariat trim the "extra" capacity is a moot point in many cases.
If OP wants to drive over to look at the trucks in person, he can look at the safety chain attachment points on the hitch. The standard hitch and max tow hitches have different attachment designs. That is something you are unlikely to see close enough to distinguish them in pictures...but in person it is easy.
Here is a pic of the Max Tow vs standard tow hitch design. Look at the safety chain attachment points. The Max Tow is the new/clean hitch....the dirty one is the standard tow hitch. See the design difference? That is a very conclusive giveaway, but it may be harder to find pics online [when shopping/researching the web] that will show this detail. In person...it's easy to check and is a definitive detail of whether the truck has the Max Tow package.
Good info guys, thanks for the replies. I get what you're saying about payload capacity on the Lariat, and mainly I'm looking at the max payload package to gain the lower gears, extra trans cooler, maximum payload options, etc. I likely won't be pushing the towing capacity to those extremes, but it's nice to know I can if I do in the future. From what I've found in my searching, most ads don't tell you the rearend gear ratio, and if they do they oftentimes list the standard gear ratio of 3.31. I've run across a few trucks that have the extended tow mirrors, and I was hoping that was a dead giveaway to the lower gears, higher capacity, etc, but it looks like that's not the case. I did find one truck, a 2015 Platinum with 3.5, and it listed a class IV hitch as one of the options - I'm assuming that is part of the max tow package which would give me lower gears, extra coolers, etc. Link to said truck: 2015 Platinum
On that note, does the FX4 package automatically give you lower gears? Ideally I'd like 3.73s, but I don't even know if that's possible on a Lariat Crew with the 3.5. (I did a build and price on a 2021 and 3.55 is the lowest available with this package/drivetrain, but 15-17 might be different. I've run across several trucks with FX4 stickers, so I'm assuming they at least have 3.55s. I don't want 3.31s, that's for sure.
I know that I can request window stickers for a particular truck I'm interested in, but at the stage I'm at currently, I'm sorting through hundreds of trucks nationwide to find ones that fit my budget and have the options I want. I'm trying to avoid direct contact with dealers (and pushy salesman) until I've narrowed it down to just a few trucks. You could say I'm window shopping right now, via my computer screen. Looking to purchase sometime this summer. Replacing my 08 Yukon Denali, which has been a really good truck, which is saying a lot coming from a diehard Ford guy.
mainly I'm looking at the max payload package to gain the lower gears, extra trans cooler, maximum payload options, etc.
I did find one truck, a 2015 Platinum with 3.5, and it listed a class IV hitch as one of the options - I'm assuming that is part of the max tow package which would give me lower gears, extra coolers, etc.
On that note, does the FX4 package automatically give you lower gears?
I'll address the 3 above:
Max tow is entirely different that heavy duty payload package. Max tow does not impact GVWR and will have identical payload from the same truck without max tow. HDPP is a unicorn package to find, especially used and won't be available on a 502A.
Class IV hitch is not an indicator of max tow package. Will still need one of the methods above to verify. There are 3 Tow packages, Class IV hitch (53A), medium duty tow (53A) and max tow (53C) see below. All include a Class IV hitch with different ratings.
FX4 does not guarantee 3.55s (at least not for 2018- 2020 where I pulled the below order info from). On the EB, it came with 3.31s and could be optioned with 3.55s. If you can get a picture of the doorjamb sticker can look up axle code easily. There may be some years prior to 18 that had 3.55s at standard with FX4, would need to lookup the order guides.
Robbgt, thanks for the info. Most ads don't have pictures of the window stickers either, so I guess I'm down to contacting the dealers directly for more info. Good info on the towing packages though, I didn't know there were so many options. My father in law bought a 2013 F150 Crew that didn't even have a receiver hitch, which I didn't know was possible, lol. I've been out of the F150 game for a long time. I special ordered a 2005 F150 FX4 with every option available at the time except leather, but I sold it in 2010 and haven't had one since. Haven't kept up with the tons of options/packages that are available these days, but trying to do my research before buying now.
Eric,
When I've been shopping used vehicles and have found a "tell" that would assure me the vehicle had a certain something (receiver on Max Tow + 3.5EB + 3.55s) - I'd contact the seller/dealer and have him shoot me some specific pics: door jamb stickers, hitch, etc. Never ran into someone that wouldn't do that, and I didn't have to tell them I was looking for something "special" (that could affect price or negotiability, etc.)
The one thing the FX4 has that you couldn't easily add to a standard 4x4 is the Hill Descent Control - as far as my knowledge goes. If you'll off road a bunch, I'd want to get that myself...
+1 on the "max tow" being totally different than the "max payload" packages. Max tow is really common around here, while Max Payload is nearly impossible to find without a special order. Agree that asking for picture of the two stickers inside the drivers door is the way to go, and there are places you can type in the VIN and get a window sticker.
If I were the OP I'd look at the XLT 302A and add Katskin leather after the fact. A 502A Lariat is never going to have the payload or towing capacity he is looking for.
I really wish Ford would put a sticker in the door jam saying what the max towing is for the exact truck you're looking at. I guess GM started doing this since 2019?? I have been looking at full size trucks again for upgrading my TT. I really want another 2.7 if I buy an F-150. They have a max available over 10k lbs towing. I copied and pasted new vins on the Ford fleet towing site on about 30 trucks I like. All of them (2.7) have a 6,000 lbs trailer limit. That is a joke when a Ranger with tow package is rated at 7,500 lbs. Even the 5.0 F-150 is rated at 7,000lbs with out tow package with standard gears. I find it hard to believe that an F-150 with either of these engines could not tow 7,500 lbs more effectively and more safely than a Ranger. As far as I can tell from Fords limited info on their web site is that going with the "tow package" as opposed to just the class IV reciever, bumps the 2.7 from 6,000 up to 7,800 or whatever lbs towing. But Ford's build and price is kind of worthless. Adding the payload package doesn't tell you what is gained in capability, just that you get a 9.75 gear set and manual parking brake. Same with the tow package. It should say what it increases your towing to. I called a dealer who tried to tell me the 2.7's I mentioned earlier had the "heavy tow package" (sales clown) and could tow 8k-10k depending on what gears they had. It makes me wonder how many people have trucks rated at 6k or 7k that think they have a lot more. My question is why are they rated so low really? Is it because they don't include the trailer brake controller? It mentions noting of different spring rates etc. I get that it could be a different hitch and obviously lower gears would be a factor, but Ford does not make anything clear. To boot, sales people have no clue what they are even selling.
Lots of good advise above. Look also for the note: 36 gallon gas tank. ALL maxtow have 36 gallon tanks, although it is an option to order as well. I found that interacting with the internet sales team was like interacting with my 22 year old daughter, clueless. Often after you find one you like, head to the Dealers website, often it has a link to the window sticker. Then look up the salespersons, usually bios etc, and find someone who seems to be knowledgeable, at least seasoned a few years. I ended up ordering my maxtow Lariat. I wanted to get a decent payload, and that meant omitting the sunroof and tailgate step, and finding an upper end without them is tough.
I had a 4:30 rear end on my Tundra towing 9,000 lbs. and I was a little concerned the 3:55s wouldn't cut it on my 2018 F-150 Max Tow, but it towed like a champ. The window sticker shows max tow at $1,295. You also want the 7050#GVWR package, the 36 gallon tank, and 20" wheels.
