The Ford F-150’s towing capacity ranges between 4,000 and 14,000 lbs. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine option from the thirteenth gen has the highest towing capacity of 14,000 lbs. Conversely, the 4.2L Essex V6 has the lowest capacity of 4,000 lbs, which is from the tenth generation. Newer generations comparatively have higher towing capacity than the older generations.
This is just a snapshot of the Ford F-150’s towing capacity. Dig deeper into it to find a comprehensive list.
Ford F150 Towing Capacity
The towing capacity of the Ford F-150 depends on the engine, trims, year, and generation. Typically it ranges from 4,000 lbs to 14,000 lbs. The following sections are all about generation and engine-wise towing capacity.
Ford F-150 Tenth Generation Towing Capacity (1997-2004)
The tenth generation (1997-2004) of the Ford F-150 offers a range of towing capacities, spanning from 4,400 lbs to 10,000 lbs. Below is a comprehensive table showcasing the towing capacities of this particular generation:
| Engine | Towing Capacity | Available Trims |
| 4.2L Essex V6 | 4,400-5,800 lbs | XL, XLT |
| 4.6L Triton V8 | 5,100-7,200 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat |
| 5.4L Triton V8 | 6,000-8,000 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Harley-Davidson |
| 5.4 L Triton S/C V8 | 10000 lbs | Harley-Davidson |
This capacity can vary due to aftermarket modifications.
Ford F-150 Eleventh Generation Towing Capacity (2004-2008)
The Ford F-150 eleventh generation (2004-2008) came with a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 lbs. The 5.4L V8 engine variant has the highest capacity to tow within this gen.
No matter what you needed to haul for work or for outdoor adventures, the Ford F-150 this Generation provided the strength and reliability you needed. Let’s take a closer look at the towing capacities and available trims for this exceptional lineup.
| Engine | Towing Capacity | Available Trims |
| 4.2L V6 | 5,000- 5700 lbs | XL, XLT, STX |
| 4.6L V8 | 6000-7200 lbs | XL, XLT, STX, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch |
| 5.4L V8 | 8500-11,000 lbs | XL, XLT, STX, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch |
It’s possible to enhance this capacity by further modifications. However, this is not recommended.
Ford F-150 Twelfth Generation Towing Capacity (2009-2014)
F-150 Twelfth Generation trucks spanning from 2009 – 2014 have a towing capacity from 6,700 lbs to 11,500 lbs. This generation offered a diverse range of engine options and a wide selection of available trims. It ensures that owners could find the perfect combination of power and luxury to suit their needs. Let’s have a quick look at the towing capacity of this generation.
| Engine | Towing Capacity | Available Trims |
| 3.5L V6 | 11300 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor, Limited |
| 3.7L V6 | 6,700 lbs | XL, STX, XLT, FX2, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Harley-Davidson |
| 5.0L V8 | 11,500 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum |
| 6.2L V8 | 11,300 lbs | SVT Raptor, Harley-Davidson |
| 4.6L V8 | 9,800 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat |
| 4.6L V8 gasoline | 9,800 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch |
| 5.4L V8 | 11,300 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, SVT Raptor |
This generation has a wide option of trim level. Whereas the towing capacity actually varies based on the engine variant.
Ford F-150 Thirteenth Generation Towing Capacity (2015-2020)
The towing capacity of the thirteenth generation lies between 8,200 and 14,000 lbs. The specialty of this lineup is that it provides the highest average towing capacity among generations of the Ford F-150 series.
The following table contains the towing capacity of the engine variant from this generation.
| Engine | Towing Capacity | Available Trims |
| 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 | 8,200 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 10,100 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat |
| 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 | 11,500 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 14,000 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited |
| 3.5L PowerBoost full hybrid V6 | 12,700 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited |
| 6.2-liter V8 engine | 11300 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Raptor |
| 3.7L Duratec V6 engine | 6,100 lbs | XL, XLT, STX |
If you need the highest towing capacity-oriented SUVs, this lineup can be a handy choice for you.
Ford F-150 Fourteenth Generation Towing Capacity (2021-Present)
The fourteenth generation is the newest lineup of the Ford F-150 and has a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 lbs. This edition is also known for its capacity to tow. All trims of this generation are equipped with strong and advanced engines. This allows them to haul more weight.
The following table is about the towing capacity of all engine variants of this series.
| Engine | Towing Capacity Range | Available Trims |
| 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 | 8,200 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 10,100 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat |
| 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 | 11,500 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 14,000 lbs | XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited |
For those who require a truck with high towing capacity, the Ford F-150 Fourteenth generation is a great choice
Which F-150 Engine Is Best For Towing?
For the best towing performance in the F-150, go with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. It can tow up to 14,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 3,250 pounds. With its ten-speed automatic transmission, you can tow with ease. This engine delivers an impressive 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. You can find it in the Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims.
Things to Consider For Better Towing Capacity In the Ford F-150
To increase towing capacity in a Ford F-150 truck, consider the following factors:
- Engine: The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 with the towing package offer the best towing capacities, up to 14,000 lbs and 13,000 lbs respectively.
- Transmission: Opt for the 10-speed automatic transmission, as it’s the best choice for towing in the Ford F-150.
- Towing package: The Heavy Duty Payload Package and the Max Trailer Towing Package can enhance towing capacity.
- Axle ratio: A higher axle ratio can increase towing capacity.
- Brakes: Upgrading the brakes can help increase towing capacity.
- Weight distribution hitch: Installing a weight distribution hitch helps distribute trailer weight evenly, boosting towing capacity.
- Payload capacity: Higher payload capacity allows for increased towing capacity.
- Gross combined weight rating: Ensure the combined weight of the truck and trailer doesn’t exceed this rating.
- Curb weight: Subtracting curb weight from the gross combined weight rating provides an idea of the maximum weight that can be towed.
FAQ
Which F-150 Is The Strongest?
The Ford Raptor R is the strongest F-150 available. It features a supercharged V8 engine that generates a whopping 700 horsepower. This makes it significantly stronger than the F-150 Raptor, which comes with a turbocharged V6 engine and produces 250 horsepower less.
Is The Ford 5.0 V8 A Good Engine?
Yes, the Ford 5.0 V8 is a great engine. Due to its power and reliability, it is popular among truck owners. It’s perfect for towing and hauling heavy loads and handles off-road driving well. Also, it’s a good option for off-road driving.
What Is The Impact Of The Truck’s Curb Weight On Its Towing Capacity?
The curb weight affects the truck’s towing capacity because it is used in calculating the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). The GCVWR is the maximum weight of the loaded truck and its attached trailer. To determine the towing capacity, the curb weight is subtracted from the GCVWR. The GCVWR includes what’s inside the truck and what’s carried behind it. Hence, a higher curb weight means a lower towing capacity.
Final Words
Well, this was the complete list of the Ford F-150’s towing capacity. Hopefully, this will be handy for choosing the best Ford F-150 truck for towing purposes. However, by maintaining the right strategy you can make the best use of this capacity. It’s important to note that, trailing and hauling more than the capacity is always hazardous.
Thank you!
