Ford F-150 Towing Capacity Guide: Max Towing by Engine and Trim

If you’re shopping for a truck that can handle serious towing, you’re looking in the right place. The Ford F-150 has earned its reputation as America’s best-selling truck for nearly five decades.

The 2026 Ford F-150 towing capacity reaches up to 13,500 lbs when properly equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, Tow/Haul Package, and Max Tow Axle. Payload tops out at 2,445 lbs. Your actual capacity depends on engine choice, cab size, bed length, and axle ratio.

At Cloninger Ford of Hickory, we’ve helped drivers across Lenoir, Statesville, Valdese, Taylorsville, and Wilkesboro find the right F-150 configuration for their boats, campers, and work trailers. This guide breaks down towing specs by engine and trim, explains the packages that unlock maximum capability, and covers the technology that makes towing safer and easier.

Key Points: Ford F-150 Towing Capacity 

• Max towing capacity is 13,500 lbs with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, available on XL through Platinum trims when equipped with the Tow/Haul Package and Max Tow Axle.
• Engine choice matters most. The 3.5L EcoBoost delivers the highest towing, while the PowerBoost Hybrid offers 11,600 lbs plus Pro Power Onboard for job sites and campsites.
• The right packages unlock full capability. Without the Tow/Haul Package and proper axle ratio, you won’t reach the F-150’s maximum towing potential.

Why the Ford F-150 Leads Its Class in Towing

The Ford F-150 has been America’s best-selling truck for 48 years running. That kind of streak doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from building a truck that works as hard as the people who drive it.

At the core of every F-150 is a fully boxed high-strength steel frame. This design provides the rigidity needed to handle heavy loads without flexing or fatiguing over time. Pair that with a military-grade aluminum alloy body, and you get a truck that’s both strong and light enough to maximize towing and payload.

Ford matches that foundation with a 10-speed automatic transmission tuned specifically for towing. The gearing keeps the engine in its power band during acceleration and provides smooth downshifts on descents. Whether you’re pulling a bass boat out of Lake Hickory or hauling a camper up toward the Blue Ridge Parkway, the drivetrain responds to changing conditions without hunting for gears.

Every F-150 also comes standard with Trailer Sway Control. This system detects side-to-side trailer movement and applies selective braking to help keep your rig stable. It’s one of many features Ford builds in from the factory, not as an afterthought.

Ford F-150 Towing Capacity by Engine

Your engine choice determines how much you can tow. The 2026 F-150 offers six powertrains, each with different strengths. Here’s how they compare when properly equipped.

Engine	Horsepower	Torque	Max Towing	Max Payload
2.7L EcoBoost V6	325 hp	400 lb-ft	8,400 lbs	1,775 lbs
3.5L EcoBoost V6	382 hp	500 lb-ft	13,500 lbs	2,440 lbs
3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V6	420 hp	570 lb-ft	11,600 lbs	1,740 lbs
5.0L Ti-VCT V8	400 hp	410 lb-ft	12,800 lbs	2,235 lbs
High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost (Raptor)	450 hp	510 lb-ft	8,200 lbs	1,405 lbs
5.2L Supercharged V8 (Raptor R)	720 hp	640 lb-ft	8,700 lbs	1,410 lbs

Ford F-150 Towing Capacity by Trim Level

Towing capacity isn’t just about the engine. Your cab size, bed length, drivetrain, and axle ratio all affect how much you can pull. Every F-150 trim can tow, but the configurations required to hit maximum capacity vary.

Here’s a look at what each trim can achieve when properly equipped.

Trim	Max Towing Capacity	Max Payload	Notes
XL	13,500 lbs	2,440 lbs	Requires 3.5L EcoBoost, Tow/Haul Package, Max Tow Axle
STX	13,500 lbs	2,445 lbs	Requires 3.5L EcoBoost, Tow/Haul Package, Max Tow Axle
XLT	13,500 lbs	2,440 lbs	Requires 3.5L EcoBoost, Tow/Haul Package, Max Tow Axle
Lariat	13,500 lbs	2,440 lbs	Requires 3.5L EcoBoost, Tow/Haul Package, Max Tow Axle
King Ranch	13,500 lbs	2,225 lbs	Requires 3.5L EcoBoost, Tow/Haul Package, Max Tow Axle
Platinum	13,500 lbs	2,225 lbs	Requires 3.5L EcoBoost, Tow/Haul Package, Max Tow Axle
Tremor	12,100 lbs	1,885 lbs	Off-road focused with 3.5L EcoBoost standard
Raptor	8,200 lbs	1,400 lbs	High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost, off-road suspension
Raptor R	8,700 lbs	1,410 lbs	5.2L Supercharged V8, performance focused

Towing Packages That Maximize Your F-150’s Capability

The F-150’s max towing of 13,500 lbs requires specific equipment. Without the right packages, your actual capacity drops significantly.

Tow/Haul Package (53T)

This is the essential package for serious towing. It includes:

• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Upgraded rear axle ratio (3.55 or 3.73)
• Electronic locking rear differential
• Automatic transmission oil cooler
• Upgraded radiator
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver with 4-pin and 7-pin connectors
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector
• Tow/Haul Mode

Without this package, most configurations top out around 8,000 to 11,000 lbs.

Max Tow Axle Upgrade

To reach 13,500 lbs, you also need the Max Tow Axle. This reinforces the rear axle and upgrades the hitch receiver rating from 11,600 lbs to 14,000 lbs. It’s typically bundled with the Tow/Haul Package on max-tow configurations.

Weight-Distributing Hitch Requirement

Ford requires a weight-distributing hitch for trailers over 5,000 lbs. This spreads tongue weight across both axles, improving stability and steering control. Towing heavy loads without one can affect handling and void warranty coverage.

At Cloninger Ford of Hickory, we help customers across Lenoir, Valdese, and the surrounding area spec the right packages from day one.

F-150 Towing Technology and Safety Features

Ford builds serious towing tech into the F-150. These features make hitching, backing, and hauling easier and safer.

Pro Trailer Backup Assist

Backing up a trailer can be tricky. This system simplifies it with a control knob to the right of the steering wheel. Turn the knob in the direction you want the trailer to go. The truck handles the steering while you control speed and brakes. It stores up to 10 trailer profiles for quick setup.

Pro Trailer Hitch Assist

Lining up your hitch with the trailer ball is frustrating solo. This feature uses rear sensors to automatically align the hitch by controlling steering, throttle, and brakes on a reverse path. It takes the guesswork out of connecting.

Trailer Sway Control

If your trailer starts swaying, this system detects it immediately. It applies selective braking to specific wheels to bring the rig back in line. This comes standard on every F-150.

Integrated Trailer Brake Controller

This controller powers your trailer’s electric brakes proportionally based on how hard you press the brake pedal. It provides smooth, coordinated stops and includes manual override for added control on steep descents.

Tow/Haul Mode

One button changes how the truck behaves. Tow/Haul Mode adjusts shift points, increases engine braking on downhills, and improves throttle response. Use it whenever you’re pulling a load, especially on mountain roads around the Blue Ridge.

360-Degree Camera with Trailer Views

Four cameras give you a top-down view of your truck and surroundings. Available trailer camera provisions let you add a rear-facing camera on your trailer for visibility behind long loads. This makes tight campground spots and crowded boat ramps much easier to navigate.

Pro Power Onboard: Power Anywhere You Tow

The F-150 can work as a mobile generator. Pro Power Onboard delivers exportable electricity from outlets in the cab and bed.

Three levels are available:

Power Level	Outlets	Availability
2.0 kW	Two 120V/20A	Available on 2.7L, 3.5L, and 5.0L engines
2.4 kW	Two 120V/20A	Standard on PowerBoost Hybrid
7.2 kW	Four 120V/20A, one 240V/30A	Optional on PowerBoost Hybrid

The 7.2 kW system runs power tools, lights, air compressors, and even small appliances. At a campsite near Lake Hickory or South Mountains, it powers your gear without a separate generator. On a job site in Statesville or Taylorsville, it keeps your crew working when grid power isn’t available.

For drivers who tow campers or work from remote locations, Pro Power Onboard adds real value beyond towing capacity alone.

Test Drive a New Ford F-150 in Hickory, NC

Finding the right F-150 configuration starts with understanding how you’ll use it. Whether you’re towing a boat to Lake Hickory, hauling equipment to a job site in Lenoir, or pulling a camper up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, we can help you match the engine, trim, and packages to your needs.

At Cloninger Ford of Hickory, we’ve served drivers across Lenoir, Statesville, Valdese, Taylorsville, and Wilkesboro for years. Our team knows these trucks inside and out. We’ll walk you through towing specs, package options, and financing that fits your budget.

Stop by our dealership at 1241 Highway 70 East in Hickory, NC or call us at 828-374-9538 to schedule a test drive. Bring your questions. We’ll bring the answers.

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