F150 Max Tow Package

[TrailerGuy85]

Looking at picking up a used F150 this week with the max tow package. Would the towing capacity change on the door sticker or is there anywhere else in the vehicle where I can confirm this? The used car dealership gave me the window sticker and they are trying to get ahold of the original invoice but just wanted to see how I might confirm the tow package installs are truly there other than just taking their word for it?

[Quantum]

Check the receiver on the back. There should be a sticker on the hitch that states what the tow rating of the truck is.

Also, take a look at the payload number on the door. It will likely be around 1500-2000lbs, depending on the options on the truck.

Payload is a big factor in determining how much your truck can tow. For example, my truck has a payload 1813lbs.

1813 - 550lbs (passengers) - 50lbs (hitch) - 100lbs (miscellaneous in the bed of my truck) = 1113lbs of payload.

Since a conventional trailer should have 10-15% tongue weight, I use 13% for my calculations.

1113lbs divided by 13% = 8561lbs max trailer weight.

My truck has the max tow and is rated for 11,900lbs according to Ford. But as you can see, in reality with my payload, I can legally tow 8561lbs without exceeding capacities on my truck.

My Jayco is GVWR 8200lbs, so I'm in the clear as long as I don't exceed the GVWR of my trailer.

[redsnapper]

Originally Posted by TrailerGuy85

Looking at picking up a used F150 this week with the max tow package. Would the towing capacity change on the door sticker or is there anywhere else in the vehicle where I can confirm this? The used car dealership gave me the window sticker and they are trying to get ahold of the original invoice but just wanted to see how I might confirm the tow package installs are truly there other than just taking their word for it?

If that window sticker is the OEM sticker, as affixed by the Ford factory when new and yet undelivered...it will indicate what packages have been installed :ie package 402 (for example)

Now drill down on what package 402 consists of.

If it is just the used car dealers sticker......proceed with all due caution.
Or alternatively or additionally......plug the VIN into google and see what pops up.

[Redwing]

There is a Ford F-150 eco boast forum with a section just on towing they are a big help https://www.f150ecoboost.net/forum/1...coboost-towing

[bankr63]

I was going to suggest plugging the VIN into Ford's window sticker generator, but the link now takes me to some dumb QR code lookup. That was the coolest tool Ford had!

If that page just got relocated and anyone knows where, please post!

If Ford is anything like Nissan, I would be careful of just identifying one part. Many owners of older Titans seem to add on just one or two of the towing components to a stock base truck (usually the higher ratio rear end), but this does not necessarily equate to a full towing package. Better to know what was installed at the factory when looking at a used vehicle.

[TrailerGuy85]

Wow - you're all awesome resources - thank you!

[Isaacs]

I think things may have changed on the more recent trucks but if you're looking for something around 2012 there's an easy way to identify the max tow. They all had the large pull-out towing mirrors and also had a factory installed brake controller. The standard tow package came with smaller mirrors.

The brake controller could have been installed in any truck at the dealer but I would think that not many people would switch out the mirrors.

[madmaxmutt]

Be careful. The salesmen think every F150 has Max Tow, and they will certainly tell you yours does The window sticker and ETIS were the best tools, (before their locked out demise) but there are still lots of keys.

1st: The dealership can without a doubt get you that VINs window sticker. If they are not or it doesn't say the right things, you found one of "those" salesmen...

Short any real documentation, the clues needed are below and depend on the year.

What year is it?
What wheelbase?
What cab?
What is the payload (Tire and Loading door sticker)?
What is the GVWR?
What are the axle ratings? (front and rear)
What axle ratio?
4x4 or 4x2?
Engine?
What is the rating on the hitch (underneath on the sticker)?

And the dumbo mirrors may or may not be on a Max Tow, depending on year and where it was sold. Lots of people added them, and they didn't come on Canuck vehicles.

[Murff]

Originally Posted by Isaacs

I think things may have changed on the more recent trucks but if you're looking for something around 2012 there's an easy way to identify the max tow. They all had the large pull-out towing mirrors and also had a factory installed brake controller. The standard tow package came with smaller mirrors.

The brake controller could have been installed in any truck at the dealer but I would think that not many people would switch out the mirrors.

I had the brake control added and did switch out my mirrors.

Murff

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by Murff

I had the brake control added and did switch out my mirrors.

Murff

But did you add Ecoboost emblems?

I even know a couple of people who removed the tow mirrors. I tried to buy both sets, at the time....

[ifallsguy]

You might try these in order. The first is FORD and is used by members of the F150 forum. When I used it, I got an exact copy of the window sticker. Matched the sticker which was in the window from the factory

Use this URL, typing you VIN at the end:

windowsticker.forddirect.com/windowsticker.pdf?vin=

This site will give you how the vehicle was ordered. You will need make, model and VIN.

https://monroneylabels.com/

Here is another site you can check out:

Window Sticker Lookup by VIN

I haven't used the second and third ones, but members in a forum I belong to who have used them say they work.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by ifallsguy

You might try these in order. The first is FORD and is used by members of the F150 forum. When I used it, I got an exact copy of the window sticker. Matched the sticker which was in the window from the factory

Use this URL, typing you VIN at the end:

windowsticker.forddirect.com/windowsticker.pdf?vin=

This site will give you how the vehicle was ordered. You will need make, model and VIN.

https://monroneylabels.com/

Here is another site you can check out:

Window Sticker Lookup by VIN

I haven't used the second and third ones, but members in a forum I belong to who have used them say they work.

As noted earlier, the Ford site was locked down to only vehicles currently for sale at a Ford dealership, or a Ford dealership login. Any site that relies on that image is subject to those rules now. It did work for years, but no more.

For a price, stickers can be had from a dealership.

[CampNow]

I believe some folks (especially sales people) give the impression the Max Tow Package provides everything you need to tow big with the F150. Important to note the F150 can be equipped (with certain restrictions) with the Max Tow Package and the Heavy Duty Payload Package (HDPP).

Payload (i.e., tongue weight) is a 1/2-ton truck's Achilles heel. Although the Max Tow Package is an awesome package, only the HDPP gives you that much needed additional payload (and higher GVWR) to support more passengers, gear and higher tongue weights---all at the same time---safely.