Tow Guides can be downloaded

06Fargo wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
and you want to be armed with those towing guides when you walk on the dealer lot. Because the salesman does not have a clue what any of the tow ratings are on any of the trucks on the lot.

This is good advice.

Where do you find the "tow rating" for a particular VIN sitting on the lot anyways?

The Ford F150 towing guide (Which I have one of) Gives you the tow capacity for each version of the truck. In the guide you will find the GVWR, axle ratio, engine, and GCVWR. It will be broken up by body style. The list will have the engine in the far left column, with the axle ratios in the next column, and the GVWR in the next column, with the various body styles, 4x4, or 4x2, and wheelbases for each listed by column across the page. The list continues down from smallest engine to the largest engine.

All you have to do is match that to the information on the window sticker. The sticker has the GVWR, wheelbase, engine, and axle ratio listed on it.

Should you be buying used. You will need to know the axle codes. The axles code is on the door jamb sticker with the GVWR

Rear Axle Ratio Codes
If you do not know the axle ratio of your vehicle, check its Truck
Safety Compliance Certification Label (located on the left front
door lock facing or the door latch post pillar). Below the bar code,
you will see the word AXLE and a two-digit code. Use this chart to
find the axle ratio that corresponds to that code
..........Axle......Non-Limited...Limited.............Electronic
Vehicle...Ratio........Slip........Slip................Locking
F-150.....3.15........15..........Not Available......... L5
..........3.31........27..........Not Available..........L3
..........3.55........19..........H9.....................L9
..........3.73........26..........B6.....................L6
..........4.10... Not Available...Not Available..........L4