The 2022 Ford F-150 sets the standard for towing capacity in its class, while the F-150 Lightning boasts one of the highest towing capacities among all mass-produced electric vehicles worldwide. With a turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 engine, the F-150 can tow up to 14,000 pounds (8,200 pounds on Raptor).
As strong as the F-150 is, exceeding the recommended towing capacity of the truck can lead to serious repercussions on the road. With this in mind, it is always good to know how much weight a Ford F-150 can tow. Stay with us as we look at the vehicle’s towing capacity and much more.
How Much Weight Can an F-150 Tow?
The simple answer to this question is that the 2021 F-150 can easily tow weights and vehicles around 5,000 to 8,000 pounds in weight. The total weight depends on the rear-axle ratio of the vehicle being towed and the gear inside the vehicle.
The total towing capacity is determined by the variant or trim you buy. Current trims include:
- The XL
- XLT
- The Lariat
- The King Ranch
- Platinum
- The Limited Edition
- The Raptor
The XL happens to be the least powerful trim, while the Limited Edition comes packed with the best features.
The F-150, as we will discuss later on in this article, is a half-ton truck. Half-ton trucks are known to come with a specific trailer tow package, which can help tow over 13,000 pounds in total at times. However, this rating is sugarcoated by glowing salesmen, as it does not account for the gear and passengers present within the trailer.
When you account for the equipment inside the vehicle, the gear inside it, and the people in the truck, a range of around 6,000 to 8,000 pounds makes more sense.
The towing capacity of the Ford F-150 is accredited to its 4-wheel drive option. The 4-wheel drive option drastically increases the total towing capacity.
Can a Ford F-150 Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer?
If you crunch in the numbers and calculate the total towing capacity of the Ford F-150, you will realize that the Ford F-150 can tow a small fifth-wheel trailer.
However, we don’t recommend you tow a fifth-wheel trailer with your Ford F-150. Most travel trailers require a special goose-neck hitch, usually mounted towards the truck’s backend. The hitch can alter the payload response of the truck.
If you want to tow a fifth-wheel truck, we recommend that you go towards the more convenient option of full-size or one-ton trucks. We discuss this category in detail below and also mention some of the one-ton trucks you can consider.
The Ford F-450 is the perfect option to consider for towing a fifth-wheel trailer if you want to do just that.
Studying the Ford F-150
The 2019 Ford F-150 is one of the most popular trucks across the United States. The success of the Ford F-150 is owed much to the fact that it is one of the most capable and well-rounded vehicles in the country. Like many other full-sized pickup trucks, the F-150 can be enjoyed in numerous trim levels. It also comes with additional towing and hauling capabilities, making it one of the more versatile and diverse vehicles to possess.
The F-150 is more than just a brawny pickup truck, which is experiencing unprecedented success in the market. The F-150 has exceptional cabin space, a sturdy exterior, and a brilliantly aesthetic interior. The interior is extremely unlike many of the trucks we have seen before. Most of the trucks back in the day compromised on the vehicle’s interior to give a well-rounded exterior and engine performance.
The 2019 Ford F-150 does not compromise the vehicle’s interior and packs a well-rounded exterior that is quite soothing to the eye. The truck is also well-equipped with safety measures, as Ford’s F-150 is one of the manufacturer’s most well-rounded vehicles for vehicle safety and after-collision maintenance.
Comfort
There is a lot that you can like about the 2019 Ford F-150 regarding design and comfort. The 2019 Ford F-150 provides exceptional seat comfort, which is very unlike some of the other trucks on the market. The cabin has a quiet and calm presence and does not make the ride objectionable. With such a big cabin, you would expect minor bumps from the back, but the 2019 Ford F-150 rules out all fidgetiness.
The truck shows a lot of good manners on the street, as it can climb atop bumpy roads without being too harsh or bothersome to you. The rear tires can, however, skitter over rough surfaces when the vehicle’s bed is empty.
The road noise of the truck is nearly absent when you are driving it on a smooth highway. There are no vibrations, and the climate control feature is well crafted.
Interior
The interior of the 2019 Ford F-150 is in line with some of the previous models launched by Ford. The vehicle packs all the goodness of aesthetics with comfort and makes a meal out of it. While the 2019 Ford F-150 does not trump Ram’s cabin regarding vastness, it has a lot of utility. The intuitive screen flow of the infotainment system is a cherry on the top.
Safety
Ford has always prioritized safety and has maintained the same standards as the 2019 Ford F-150. The vehicle has all the latest safety features and comes packed with all the sensors and cameras you need to avoid collisions in the first place and then return towards recovery.
What is a Half-Ton Truck?
Ford F-150 is categorized as a half-ton truck in the market. Before we directly answer this question related to half-ton trucks, we first need to understand that the term ton is used as a unit of measurement. A ton equals two thousand pounds of dead weight. A half-ton truck would mean a truck weighing 1,000 pounds, wouldn’t it? But that isn’t the case behind these classifications. Some half-ton trucks in the market can weigh over eleven thousand pounds.
To simplify the naming and classification procedure, half-ton trucks are usually known by this name because of their payload capacity – the weight these trucks can carry in the cabin. While many of these half-ton trucks can carry over 1,000 pounds in the cabin, they are known as half-ton because of the general comparison with one-ton trucks.
These classifications and terms were given to trucks back in the day, and while the features and qualifications of all trucks have grown and developed with time, these trucks still have the same name.
Half-Ton Trucks in the Market
Most vehicles currently ranked in the category of half-ton trucks have the payload capacity one would attribute to three-fourth trucks of the days gone by. Some of these trucks can easily manage a payload of three thousand pounds, roughly equivalent to one and a half tons.
While the terms for these trucks aren’t as clear and easy to understand as they once were, there are still plenty of vehicles from this class currently available.
Some available vehicles are old, while others are relatively new with advanced features and payload weight. Some of the current half-ton trucks in the market include:
- 2022 Ford F-150
- 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2019 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2019 RAM 1500
- 2019 Nissan Titan Pro- 4x
The higher capacity of the trucks we have mentioned above is the reason why these trucks are famous and chosen over others by buyers. The ton classification method used for these trucks isn’t what it used to be because the method has lost its accuracy and credibility. While half-ton trucks have become outdated in the market, the term will stay longer.
When Do You Need a Half-Ton Truck?
There are things that a half-ton truck can do better than other varieties of trucks, while there are things that the other trucks can do better than a half-ton truck.
Someone looking to buy a half-ton truck should know that comfort, fuel economy, and price value of half-ton trucks is commendable. While heavy trucks have come a long way in comfort and livability, half-ton trucks still have better seating positions, suspension comfort, handling, and livability. Also, the cabin noise for half-ton trucks is less than for higher-power trucks.
A Silverado 2500 is considered a 3/4th truck in the market. The truck registered 14 MPG on the road and 17 MPG in a controlled fuel efficiency test. Using a half-ton truck trick for your highway trips can significantly reduce the money you spend on fuel.
Finally, a heavy-duty truck would cost you $6,000 more than a 1500 truck. This is enough for you to consider a half-ton truck for your needs.
What is the Difference Between Ford F150 and other Trucks?
The difference between half-ton trucks like Ford F150 and a three-fourth or one-ton truck comes through the engine’s power inside.
We know the vehicles that come under half-ton and ¾-ton trucks, including the Silverado 1500 and 2500. The Silverado 1500 is a half-ton truck, while the Silverado 2500 is a ¾-ton truck.
One-ton pickup trucks include the Sierra 3500, the RAM 3500, the Ford F-350, and the controversial Ford F-450. These daddies are perfectly suited for people who want towing and hauling capabilities above everything else.
The half-ton valuation system or metric system is not what it used to be when it first came out. The half-ton system is still commonly used by people today; however, it isn’t as authentic as it used to be. The half-ton trucks of the future would add some more power to the machine and would make traveling and hauling other trucks even easier to do.
FAQs
1. How much weight can a Ford F-150 tow?
The maximum towing capacity of the Ford F-150 varies depending on the cab size and engine type. The small cab with a 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine can tow up to 8,000 lbs, while the large cab with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 has a maximum towing capacity of 13,200 lbs.
2. Can you increase the towing capacity with aftermarket modifications?
Adding aftermarket accessories such as upgraded hitches or suspension upgrades can help increase the towing capacity of a Ford F-150. However, it is always important to read your vehicle’s owner manual for the manufacturer’s recommended capacities and advised modifications for your particular model year.
3. What safety measures should be considered when towing with a Ford F-150?
When towing with a Ford F-150, it is important that you check that all of your vehicle’s components are in proper working order before loading anything onto your trailer and taking off down the road. Other safety measures include checking tire pressure and making sure any towed load is securely fastened down before hitting the road. Additionally, ensure you follow all posted speed limits specific for trailers and read through all instructions on how best to tow using your Ford F-150 safely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is best to state that the Ford F-150 comes with a best-in-class towing capacity. Ford prides itself on the performance of the Ford F-150 and how it stands out among other trucks in its category.
However, as we have studied above, the actual towing capacity of the F-150 is determined by the trim and variant you buy. The XL happens to be the least powerful trim, while the Limited Edition comes packed with the best features.
In short, your Ford F-150 can tow anywhere between 6,000 to 8,000 pounds, with the exact figure being determined by your trim and variant.