Ford has released their 2021 towing guide

[Groover]

Ford 2021 towing guide

You can get the highest tow ratings with max payload package.

All of the F150 engines have received significant bumps in tow ratings.
The 2.7 is now up to 10,000lbs, the diesel is up to 12,100lbs and the 5.0 is up to 13,000lbs.

Maximum GCRW is 19,500lbs. If I recall correctly the maximum GCWR for a 1991 F350 was 18,500lbs. Things have really changed.

[4x4ord]

Looks like they've flattened out the torque curve of the 6.7 some: 475 HP @ 2600 rpm ... or is that a misprint?

[otrfun]

ShinerBock wrote:
. . . I loved that F150HD with the 3.5L Ecoboost. It was very fun to drive especially after I had 5 Star tune it for me.

The 3.5 Ecoboost is an awesome engine. I've driven one a number of times. Gotta say, though, I so-so wish Ford had gone with a twin-turbo V8 instead. The sonic experience alone would have turned this engine into a rockstar!

[ShinerBock]

carringb wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

And a detuned 7.3 that is essentially not any better than the outgoing 6.2. The 7.3 has 35 less hp and 30 ftlbs more tq.
Yet you can get a full power 7.3 10 speed in a F550 or F600.

Heck, the Transits will even spank the E series RVs with an Eco boost and a 10 speed.

If you get a regular E series cutaway you can get a full power 7.3 though. Just the RV/bread truck options that get saddled with the inferior drivetrain.

Very well laid out towing guide though!

The Premium tune is standard on all E-series and the F53 chassis. This is the same calibration as the F450-F750. The "Economy" tune has to be selected when ordering and is only available to fleets. The 6.2L in the E-series was not dyo certified like the 7.3L is so the numbers shouldn't be compared directly.

The difference in tuning has to do with emissions certifications for the different chassis. There are different tiers and bins for each type of chassis or complete vehicle.

Also, even though the 7.3L is detuned, it is still a better choice than the 6.2L in my opinion. I know people chastised Ford for going with "old" pushrod tech, but they are considerably better in the low range than the "new" OHC engines.

For example, according to the crank dyno charts released by Ford, the 7.3l is creating 400 lb-ft at just 1,500 rpm while the 6.2L is creating less than 200 lb-ft at the same rpm which also means it is creating less than half the horsepower as well. In fact, the 7.3L is above 400 lb-ft from 1,500 to 5,500 rpm. The OHC 6.2L reaches 400 lb-ft at around 4,300 rpm and only holds it to around 5,200 rpm which is a very narrow window.

[ShinerBock]

otrfun wrote:

Groover wrote:
Ford 2021 towing guide

You can get the highest tow ratings with max payload package.

All of the F150 engines have received significant bumps in tow ratings.
The 2.7 is now up to 10,000lbs, the diesel is up to 12,100lbs and the 5.0 is up to 13,000lbs.

Maximum GCRW is 19,500lbs. If I recall correctly the maximum GCWR for a 1991 F350 was 18,500lbs. Things have really changed.

Can higher tow ratings overcome basic physics (truck weight vs. trailer weight)---the ole tail-waggin-the-dog syndrome?

A 5,000 lb. F150 pulling 13k? Seriously?!

I am with you and this is one of the reasons I traded in my 2012 F150HD Ecoboost for my Ram 2500.

When I bought the F150HD, I was only towing about 10K which it could easily do. Keep in mind this was before the F150 started getting lighter with aluminum body panels so it weighed about 6k lbs. I towed 12k one time with it(short distance between two farm properties less than 10 miles away) and I did not like the experience. The trailer was pushing me around like a rag doll. Engine had plenty of power power towing it, but the truck was just not up to the task.

So when the wife wanted to go bigger than 10k with the new RV, I knew I had to get a bigger/heavier truck. It was a shame because I loved that F150HD with the 3.5L Ecoboost. It was very fun to drive especially after I had 5 Star tune it for me.

[otrfun]

Groover wrote:

otrfun wrote:

Groover wrote:
Ford 2021 towing guide

You can get the highest tow ratings with max payload package.

All of the F150 engines have received significant bumps in tow ratings.
The 2.7 is now up to 10,000lbs, the diesel is up to 12,100lbs and the 5.0 is up to 13,000lbs.

Maximum GCRW is 19,500lbs. If I recall correctly the maximum GCWR for a 1991 F350 was 18,500lbs. Things have really changed.

Can higher tow ratings overcome basic physics (truck weight vs. trailer weight)---the ole tail-waggin-the-dog syndrome?

A 5,000 lb. F150 pulling 13k? Seriously?!

I do it every day. It's a better ratio than pulling 30,000lbs with an F450 and that seems to widely accepted.

I hear ya.

However, for my level of comfort we wouldn't consider towing any more than ~13k on any cross-country trip with our '16 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins. I think Ram got the max. tow capacity of 16k just right.

I've towed 8k-10k with an aluminum F150 5.0 and a late model Tundra with a 5.7 (~10k tow rating for both). Both felt much less stable than our 3500 when we towed 15k.

There's no way I would consider towing 13k with an F150 that weighs 3k less (with almost half the torque) on any cross-country trip. Yup, I know folks claim they do it all the time (i.e., tows like it's not there). But, telling myself that ain't gonna make my pucker factor go away :E

[Groover]

otrfun wrote:

Groover wrote:
Ford 2021 towing guide

You can get the highest tow ratings with max payload package.

All of the F150 engines have received significant bumps in tow ratings.
The 2.7 is now up to 10,000lbs, the diesel is up to 12,100lbs and the 5.0 is up to 13,000lbs.

Maximum GCRW is 19,500lbs. If I recall correctly the maximum GCWR for a 1991 F350 was 18,500lbs. Things have really changed.

Can higher tow ratings overcome basic physics (truck weight vs. trailer weight)---the ole tail-waggin-the-dog syndrome?

A 5,000 lb. F150 pulling 13k? Seriously?!

I do it every day. It's a better ratio than pulling 30,000lbs with an F450 and that seems to widely accepted.

[lane_hog]

What has my attention is this:

Pro Power Onboard
Available class-exclusive feature expands F-150’s capability by bringing generator levels of exportable power to work sites and campsites.

Provides 2.0kW, 2.4kW or 7.2kW of output depending on configuration. Accessible via in-cabin outlets and up to 4 cargo bed-mounted 120-volt/20-amp outlets with a 240-volt/30-amp outlet on models equipped the available
7.2kW system.

That 2.4kW would power up my trailer nicely on an overnight Cracker Barrel stay...

[otrfun]

rjstractor wrote:
Since you specifically mentioned the physics of the weight difference between truck and trailer, what is the difference between an F150 towing 13K and an F350 towing 21K? The proportional weight difference is exactly the same.

Towed 15k a few times with our ‘16 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins that weighs 8k empty. For my tastes, I would never consider towing more. Tow rating is 16k. Power is not the issue. Handling and braking is.

Towed an 8k TT with a friend’s ‘15 F150 5.0 with a 10.5k tow rating. IMO, it felt like it was at its limit. Power and handling were “ok”. Can’t even imagine 13k.

To each their own.

[carringb]

Grit dog wrote:

And a detuned 7.3 that is essentially not any better than the outgoing 6.2. The 7.3 has 35 less hp and 30 ftlbs more tq.
Yet you can get a full power 7.3 10 speed in a F550 or F600.

Heck, the Transits will even spank the E series RVs with an Eco boost and a 10 speed.

If you get a regular E series cutaway you can get a full power 7.3 though. Just the RV/bread truck options that get saddled with the inferior drivetrain.

Very well laid out towing guide though!

The Premium tune is standard on all E-series and the F53 chassis. This is the same calibration as the F450-F750. The "Economy" tune has to be selected when ordering and is only available to fleets. The 6.2L in the E-series was not dyo certified like the 7.3L is so the numbers shouldn't be compared directly.

[rjstractor]

otrfun wrote:

Groover wrote:
Ford 2021 towing guide

You can get the highest tow ratings with max payload package.

All of the F150 engines have received significant bumps in tow ratings.
The 2.7 is now up to 10,000lbs, the diesel is up to 12,100lbs and the 5.0 is up to 13,000lbs.

Maximum GCRW is 19,500lbs. If I recall correctly the maximum GCWR for a 1991 F350 was 18,500lbs. Things have really changed.

Can higher tow ratings overcome basic physics (truck weight vs. trailer weight)---the ole tail-waggin-the-dog syndrome?

A 5,000 lb. F150 pulling 13k? Seriously?!

Since you specifically mentioned the physics of the weight difference between truck and trailer, what is the difference between an F150 towing 13K and an F350 towing 21K? The proportional weight difference is exactly the same.

[Grit_dog]

An 8klb HD truck pulling 20klbs?
A 25klb semi tractor pulling a 55klb trailer?
What’s the difference?
If the vehicle can safely handle the tongue weight and has the power and brakes, I don’t understand the general belief by many that a half ton is somehow tapped out at slightly over its own weight when all other trucks aren’t.

[otrfun]

Groover wrote:
Ford 2021 towing guide

You can get the highest tow ratings with max payload package.

All of the F150 engines have received significant bumps in tow ratings.
The 2.7 is now up to 10,000lbs, the diesel is up to 12,100lbs and the 5.0 is up to 13,000lbs.

Maximum GCRW is 19,500lbs. If I recall correctly the maximum GCWR for a 1991 F350 was 18,500lbs. Things have really changed.

Can higher tow ratings overcome basic physics (truck weight vs. trailer weight)---the ole tail-waggin-the-dog syndrome?

A 5,000 lb. F150 pulling 13k? Seriously?!

[Grit_dog]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Both the F53 and E-Series Class C chassis still show only the 6 speed transmission.

And a detuned 7.3 that is essentially not any better than the outgoing 6.2. The 7.3 has 35 less hp and 30 ftlbs more tq.
Yet you can get a full power 7.3 10 speed in a F550 or F600.

Heck, the Transits will even spank the E series RVs with an Eco boost and a 10 speed.

If you get a regular E series cutaway you can get a full power 7.3 though. Just the RV/bread truck options that get saddled with the inferior drivetrain.

Very well laid out towing guide though!

[Grit_dog]

K Charles wrote:
I had a 2004 ford SUV, with 3 rows of leather and an CGRW of 20,000 lb, 19,500 doesn't sound like much for a pickup.

So your comparing your Excursion (Superduty, HD chassis) to a new half ton and what was your point again? Just stirring the pot?

[Groover]

rhagfo wrote:
Boy love how the the only talk about Payload and GVWR on the page about slide in Campers. The tout the BIG max tow ratings without reference to GVWR or payload!
No wonder we see so many 20K+ 5er TH hooked to F250’s.
Ford should be taken to task for misleading advertising, likely Ram and GM also.

Not disagreeing with you but at least Ford made the max payload package much more available this year, even included with the max tow option in some cases. That would increase the payload of my 2016 F150 by 800lbs. That would go a long ways towards making the ratings on my truck more acceptable.

A 20K 5th wheel probably has an F250 overloaded too.