Properly configured, the 2026 Ford F-150 tows up to 13,500 lbs — the highest in its class. But that number only matters if you understand what to actually pull behind it and how to configure the truck to do it. Here’s the complete answer.
How much can the 2026 Ford F-150 tow?
Maximum Available Towing
3.5L EcoBoost V6 · Tow/Haul Package · Max Tow axle · properly configured
The big asterisk on every truck tow rating is the phrase “properly configured.” On the F-150 that’s not marketing — it’s literal. Ordering or buying the wrong combination of engine, axle, cab, and bed gets you a truck that tows less than its headline number. Hitting 13,500 lbs requires the right four boxes checked, and we’ll walk through exactly which.
2026 F-150 towing capacity by engine
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Max Tow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 400 hp | 500 lb-ft | 13,500 lbs |
| 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 | 400 hp | 410 lb-ft | 12,800 lbs |
| 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 | 420 hp* | 570 lb-ft* | up to 11,600 lbs |
| 5.2L Supercharged V8 (Raptor R) | 720 hp | 640 lb-ft | 8,700 lbs |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 325 hp | 400 lb-ft | 8,400 lbs |
| 3.5L HO EcoBoost V6 (Raptor) | 450 hp | 510 lb-ft | 8,200 lbs |
*PowerBoost figures are SAE-rated total-system output. All capability numbers shown are maximum when properly configured. Actual tow rating on any specific F-150 depends on the engine, axle ratio, cab style, bed length, and equipment ordered — verify the door-jamb or window sticker on the truck you’re considering.
What can the 2026 F-150 actually tow?
Travel Trailers (up to ~30 ft)
Most 24–30 ft conventional travel trailers run 5,000–8,000 lbs loaded — well within F-150 range with the 3.5L EcoBoost or 5.0L V8. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes campground maneuvering dramatically easier.
Boats — Pontoon, Ski, Wakeboard
A 22 ft pontoon runs 3,500–4,500 lbs with trailer. A loaded 24 ft wakeboard boat with trailer typically runs 6,500–8,500 lbs. Both well-handled by the 2.7L EcoBoost or above.
Horse Trailers (2–4 horse)
A loaded 2-horse bumper-pull runs 5,000–7,000 lbs. A 4-horse with a tack room can hit 9,000–11,000 lbs. The 3.5L EcoBoost handles all of these, especially with the Tow/Haul Package and trailer brake controller.
Fifth-Wheel Trailers
The F-150 with the Max Tow 3.73 axle can pull conventional fifth wheels up to about 12,000 lbs. Beyond that — large luxury fifth wheels or 35 ft+ rigs — you’ll want to step up to a Super Duty.
Car Haulers & Classic Cars
An open car hauler with a classic car runs 7,000–9,000 lbs loaded. Enclosed haulers with a sports car can hit 10,000–11,500 lbs. The 3.5L EcoBoost with Max Tow handles both.
Big Toy Haulers & Heavy Fifth Wheels
Toy haulers with side-by-sides loaded can exceed 13,000 lbs — right at the F-150’s ceiling. If you’re regularly loaded heavy or live in mountainous terrain, talk to us about a Super Duty F-250 or F-350 instead.
Four boxes to check, in order:
- Engine: 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (engine code 998). Only this engine hits the 13,500-lb maximum.
- Cab & bed: SuperCrew 4×4 with the 6.5-ft box (157″ wheelbase) is the most common max-tow configuration. Some Regular Cab and SuperCab combinations also qualify.
- Tow/Haul Package (53T): includes the integrated trailer brake controller and pre-wires the truck for max-tow axle availability.
- Max Tow axle: the 3.55 (XL5) or 3.73 (XL7) electronic-locking rear axle. The Max Tow axle is what unlocks the 13,500-lb rating. Note: the standard 3.55 and 3.73 axles do NOT carry the max-tow rating — you need the XL5 or XL7 specifically.
If you’re shopping our lot rather than factory-ordering, check the window sticker or door-jamb plate on any specific truck to confirm its rated tow capacity. We can also pull the build sheet on any F-150 in our inventory and confirm whether it’s configured for max tow before you drive up.
What towing technology does the 2026 F-150 have?
F-150 Towing Tech — What Each Does
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist — the truck steers, brakes, and accelerates itself to line up perfectly with your trailer ball. One button, zero spotter required.
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist — you turn a small dashboard knob in the direction you want the trailer to go; the truck steers itself. Removes the hardest part of backing a trailer.
- Dynamic Hitch Assist — the rearview camera shows you a guide line to your ball; helps with hitching solo.
- 360-Degree Camera — available on XLT and above, gives you a top-down view of the truck and trailer for tight maneuvering.
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller — included with the Tow/Haul Package; lets you control trailer brakes from a factory-mounted knob in the cab.
- Smart Trailer Tow Connector — monitors that all your trailer lights are working and reports trailer battery health to the truck’s screen.
- Trailer Sway Control — standard on every F-150; uses selective braking to dampen trailer sway before it gets dangerous.
- Tow/Haul Mode — reprograms the 10-speed transmission for steadier shifting under load and adds engine braking on downgrades.
2.7L EcoBoost or 3.5L EcoBoost for towing?
The 2.7L EcoBoost (325 hp, 400 lb-ft, 8,400-lb max tow) is the F-150’s best-kept secret. It’s lighter than the 3.5L, gets better unloaded fuel economy, and still handles most consumer trailers and boats without complaint. We sell a lot of 2.7L F-150s to buyers who tow occasionally and want a truck that doesn’t feel like a workhorse the other 90% of the time.
The 3.5L EcoBoost (400 hp, 500 lb-ft, 13,500-lb max tow) is the F-150 you want if towing is part of why you’re buying the truck. The extra torque shows up most when you’re loaded heavy or pulling up grades. For SuperCrew Lariat buyers especially — where the 3.5L is standard equipment — this is the engine to default to.
If you’re still deciding, our complete 2026 F-150 buyer’s guide walks through every engine head-to-head with specs and use cases.
Is the 2026 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid good for towing?
The hybrid is the right choice if you camp, tailgate, or work off-grid and want serious onboard power. The 7.2 kW Pro Power Onboard option (when equipped) is enough to run a window AC, microwave, lights, and a TV simultaneously off the truck — or in a power-outage scenario, enough to back up the essentials in most homes. New for 2026, the PowerBoost is now available with 4×2 on STX, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum from Job 2 production onward.
30 years of trailer-pulling Missouri and Kansas farms, ranches, and lake-country families.
Dennis Sneed Ford has been recognized as one of the Top 5 Ford remarketing dealers in the country and a Ford Credit Partners in Quality award winner (one of approximately 111 dealers nationally). We sell F-150s to a customer base that genuinely tows — horse trailers across northwest Missouri, boats out of the Lake of the Ozarks, fifth wheels, livestock, hay racks, equipment trailers. We know which configurations work in the real world and which look good on paper. Read why Kansas City F-150 buyers drive 45 minutes to Gower →
How do I know if my specific F-150 has the max-tow configuration?
If you’re shopping inventory online, our 2026 F-150 listings include the key configuration data, but the build sheet on any specific truck will tell you the full story. Call 816-409-1975 and we’ll pull it for you before you drive up.
2026 F-150 towing questions, answered
What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2026 Ford F-150?
13,500 lbs when properly configured with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the Tow/Haul Package, the Max Tow electronic-locking rear axle (3.55 XL5 or 3.73 XL7), and the right cab and bed combination. This is the maximum available towing capacity and is class-leading among half-ton trucks.
How much can the 2026 F-150 2.7L EcoBoost tow?
Up to 8,400 lbs when properly configured. The 2.7L EcoBoost produces 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque and handles most consumer trailers, boats, and small horse trailers without issue.
How much can the 2026 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid tow?
Up to 11,600 lbs when properly configured. The PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 produces 420 hp and 570 lb-ft of SAE-rated total system output, and adds the option of Pro Power Onboard up to 7.2 kW, which most other F-150 engines cannot match.
Can the 2026 F-150 tow a 30-foot travel trailer?
Yes, comfortably with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 or the 5.0L V8. Most 30 ft conventional travel trailers run 6,000–8,000 lbs loaded, well within both engines’ capacity. The 2.7L EcoBoost can also handle most 30 ft travel trailers if they’re on the lighter end. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes campground maneuvering significantly easier.
Can the 2026 F-150 tow a fifth wheel?
Yes, conventional fifth wheels up to about 12,000 lbs with the F-150 properly configured (3.5L EcoBoost + Max Tow 3.73 axle). Large luxury fifth wheels above 12,000 lbs, especially 35 ft+ rigs, are better suited to a Super Duty F-250 or F-350.
What is the difference between the standard 3.73 axle and the Max Tow 3.73 axle?
The standard 3.73 (XL6) and Max Tow 3.73 (XL7) electronic-locking rear axles have the same gear ratio but different supporting hardware. The Max Tow XL7 includes additional cooling and structural components rated for the higher tow capacity. To hit the 13,500-lb max tow rating, you need the Max Tow XL7 specifically, ordered as part of the Tow/Haul Package.
Do I need the Tow/Haul Package to hit the maximum tow rating?
Yes. The Tow/Haul Package (option 53T) is required to unlock the F-150’s maximum tow rating. It includes the integrated trailer brake controller and the Max Tow electronic-locking rear axle (XL5 or XL7). Without the Tow/Haul Package, the truck’s tow rating is significantly lower.
Where can I see what a specific 2026 F-150 is rated to tow?
Check the door-jamb sticker on the driver-side B-pillar, or the original window sticker on the truck. Both list the specific tow rating for that vehicle as configured. You can also call Dennis Sneed Ford at 816-409-1975 with the VIN and we’ll pull the build sheet and walk you through exactly how the truck is set up.
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