2009 Ford F-150 Will Tow Up To 11,300 Pounds
By: Mike Levine Posted: 06-19-08 23:52 PT
© 2008 PickupTrucks.com

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Update #2: 08-04-08 23:57 PT

We're back to the original 11,300-pounds max towing figure we first reported in June.

According to Ford spokesperson Becky Sanch, the "2009 Ford F-150 Owner Guide" published on Ford's fleet website was "incorrect" when it listed 11,400-pounds as the F-150's highest trailer pulling limit.

"Our (maximum towing) number stands at 11,300-pounds," said Sanch.

Update #1: 08-03-08 00:23 PT

The maximum tow rating for the 2009 Ford F-150 has been increased by 100-pounds, from 11,300-pounds to 11,400-pounds, according to the "2009 Ford F-150 Owner Guide" published on Ford's North American Fleet, Lease, and Remarketing Operations website. The top figure applies to a SuperCab 4x2 F-150 equipped with a 5.4-liter V-8 and optional "Heavy Duty Payload" package (page 251).

We first reported the 2009 F-150 would pull a maximum trailer weight of 11,300-pounds, after Ford provided that figure to journalists in a printed press release in June.

Since we originally published this story, Chrysler and General Motors have released similar information about their 2009 model year pickups, included below for comparison.

	2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500	2009 Dodge Ram 1500	2009 Ford F-150	2008 Toyota Tundra
Engine	6.0-L V-8	5.7-L V-8	5.4-L V-8	5.7-L V-8
Horsepower	367	390	310*	381
Torque (lbs-ft)	375	407	365*	401
Gear Ratios:
First	3.06	3.00	4.17	3.33
Second	1.63	1.67/1.5**	2.34	1.96
Third	1.00	1.00	1.52	1.35
Fourth	.70	.75	1.14	1.00
Fifth	--	.67	0.87	.73
Sixth	--	--	0.69	.56
Final Drive Ratio(s)	3.73	4.10	3.73	4.30
Max Towing (lbs)	10,700	9,100	~~11,400~~ 11,300	10,800
Fuel Economy (city/hwy, mpg)	14/19	13/19	N/A	14/18
All Models are 2WD * Unofficial Figures ** 1.67 upshift / 1.5 kick-down

Tow ratings are dependent on a truck's configuration, including cab type, engine, transmission and rear axle ratio.

A Ford Motor Company press release says the new 2009 Ford F-150 pickup will tow up to 11,300-pounds. That figure is expected to be the highest tow rating in the half-ton segment for the 2009 model year.

Tow ratings are dependent on a truck's configuration, including cab type, engine, transmission and rear axle ratio.

Ford's press release doesn't say which 2009 F-150 configuration will rate 11,300-pounds, though it's likely to be similar to the 2008 model year. A 2008 regular cab 5.4-liter 4-speed two-wheel-drive F-150 equipped with optional Trailer Tow and Heavy Duty Payload packages is rated to pull up to 11,000-pounds, the highest current rating in the segment.

Ford attributes the 300-pound increase in the F-150's towing capability to its reengineered ladder frame, specifically the number three (of seven) cross member that helps join the truck's two primary rails which run the length of the truck. The third cross member has been strengthened and given a flat rectangular profile that adds torsional and lateral stiffness so the frame doesn't twist under heavy towing conditions. The same cross beam also enables a flat load floor in the second row of the four door Super Crew version of the F-150.

Below are the maximum tow ratings of other half-ton pickups for comparison:

	2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab	2008 Ford F-150 Regular Cab	2009 Ford F-150 Config. TBD	2008 Toyota Tundra Regular Cab
Engine	6.0-L V-8	5.4-L V-8	5.4-L V-8	5.7-L V-8
Horsepower	367	300	310*	381
Torque (lbs-ft)	375	365	365*	401
Gear Ratios:
First	3.06	2.84	4.17	3.33
Second	1.63	1.55	2.34	1.96
Third	1.00	1.00	1.52	1.35
Fourth	.70	.70	1.14	1.00
Fifth	--	--	0.87	.73
Sixth	--	--	0.69	.56
Final Drive Ratio	3.73	3.73	3.73 (est.)**	4.30
Max Towing (lbs)	10,700	11,000	~~11,300~~	10,800
All Models are 2WD except the 2009 Ford F-150. Ford's press release doesn't provide the 2009 model configuration rated to tow 11,300-pounds. * Unofficial Figures ** Highest numeric axle ratio for 2009 Ford F-150 4x2 with 5.4-liter V-8 in 2009 is 3.73