I pulled a bit over 8000# with my 2011 Ecoboost.
It had MaxTow but not the HD payload option. So I upgraded the tires to LT-E and stiffened the suspension. But that still left me about 300# over-weight on the rear GAWR. If the truck had the HD Payload option the rear axle would have been good, and I wouldn't have needed the tire/suspension mods.
With the mods, and a good anti-sway hitch, the truck pulled and handled that load fine. We went all over North America with it, never a problem. But the over loaded rear axe worried me, and it wasn't a 4x4, so we upgraded after 5 years.
