Brandon Ford Official Blog
Ford F-150 Towing
By Product Expert | Posted in Uncategorized on Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 at 3:09 pm
How Much The New F-150 Can Tow
We’ve said before that the new Ford F-150 can tow more than any other pickup in the segment, but how is it possible? It’s more than just an aluminum body and an EcoBoost engine that are responsible for how much the new F-150 can tow. The pickup was engineered for power and has made it possible to not just tow even more, but do it more efficiently.
Though the body, it’s weight and durability are important for the F-150’s ability to tow, as is the engine, there is much more to the story. The transmission, suspension, wheelbase and axle ratio also affect the overall capability of the pickup.
Engine
The engine that offers the maximum towing capability for the F-150 is the 3.5 L V6 EcoBoost engine. It is the most powerful engine option for the Ford pickup. It creates 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque at 2500 RPM. The fact that the engine offers that power at a low RPM rating is a large part of why it is possible to tow so much. Low end torque makes it easier to get moving with heavy loads.
Body/Suspension
The importance of the Aluminum body is straightforward. It offers less weight and the same durability. WIth 700 less pounds to carry around, that’s that much more weight that the pickup can tow. Along with this is a heavy duty suspension. If it weren’t for this, the effects of the load would result in compression and reduced travel in the suspension and lead to a decrease in performance and comfort.
Wheelbase/Axle Ratio
A wide wheelbase allows a truck to tow longer trailers and keep them stable at higher speeds. The F-150 offers a base of 141.1-inches. Also important is the axle ratio, the higher the ratio, the more the engine revs and offers power to the wheels. At 3.55 you have the complete setup for the F-150 that offers the towing capacity of 12,200 lbs.
Each engine option offers a range of axle ratios and wheelbases so that you can find a pickup that can handle your specific trailering needs. With the Ford F-150, there is no wrong choice for a pickup.
