Ford’s F-150 Towing Capacities (1996-2019)

There were a ton of Ford F-150’s made from the very beginning and I thought it would be cool to see what the towing capacity of each year’s F-150 could handle going as far back as I could find data.

These are the towing capacities for all of the F-150 models out there and not as in-depth as it gets, it is just more of a “quick reference” type of guide. This data includes all models, 4×2 and 4×4 models, as well as regular cab, crew cab and super cab Ford F-150s. This is a summary of the information put out by Ford Motor Co.

Here goes!

2019 & 2018 Models:

The F-150’s seem to get more extravagant and the newer 2018-2019 models have tons of engine options to choose from. The 3.5L had some of the best tow ratings out of all of the engines, once you add the upgraded towing/payload packages and is a 6 cylinder engine!

The average towing capacity for Ford F-150s (auto transmission) in 2018-2019 ranged from 5,000 lbs to 13,200 lbs, the higher capacities having the extra towing packages installed, of course. The lowest weight ratings were tied to the Limited and Raptor models.

2019 Models

2019 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2019 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart 2

2019 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart 3

2019 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2019 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart 2

2019 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart 3

2018 Models

2018 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2018 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart 2

2018 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart 3

2018 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2018 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart 2

2018 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart 3

2017-2015 Models:

The 2015-2017 F-150’s were very similar in specs because they used similar engines, so it makes sense that they would have similar towing capacities. There was a little variation between some of the towing capacities by 100-300 lbs. but nothing substantial, for the most part.

The tow capacities for the 2015-2017 F-150’s ranged from 5,000 lbs.-12,000 lbs. (with automatic transmissions) and the heavier towing ranges did require upgraded tow /payload packages and larger tires, 17″ or 18″.

No 5th wheel towing specs were listed for the 2015-2016 F-150s, only the 2017 models.

2017 Models

2017 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2017 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart 2

2017 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2017 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart 2

2016 Models

2016 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2016 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart 2

2016 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2016 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart 2

2015 Models

2015 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2015 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart 2

2015 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2015 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart 2

2014-2011 Models:

The Ford F-150s used from 2011-2014 used the same engines and had very similar specs with a little different towing capacities. The lower towing capacities were found on the Limited, SVT Raptor and Harley Davidson versions of the trucks and is why the range is so drastic in some cases, like for the 6.2L engine.

In general, the Ford F-150’s that were made from 2011-2014 only specified using automatic transmissions and had a maximum towing capacity range of 5,500 lbs.-11,300 lbs. The larger towing capacities did require the use of additional packages like the Heavy Duty Payload Package, The Max. Trailer Towing Package (or both).

2014 Models

2014 Ford F 150 Towing Chart

2014 Ford F 150 Towing Chart 2

2013 Models

2013 Ford F 150 Towing Chart

2013 Ford F 150 Towing Chart 2

2012 Models

2012 Ford F 150 Towing Chart

2012 Ford F 150 Towing Chart 2

2011 Models

2011 Ford F 150 Towing Chart

2011 Ford F 150 Towing Chart 2

2010 & 2009 Models:

There were three main engine options for 2009-2010 and these were the 4.6L 2 valve engine, another 4.6L 3 valve engine and the 5.4L 3 valve. The tow ratings for conventional towing and 5th wheel towing were basically the same.

The ratings for both years were nearly identical except for the 2009 F-150 having a smaller capacity of 7,600 lbs. instead of 6,000 lbs. when equipped with the 5.4L engine.

The total towing capacity for F-150’s in 2009-2010 ranged between 5,100 lbs. and 11,300 lbs. and only automatic transmissions were specified. Like other models, some towing packages may need to be added to achieve those higher end towing capacities.

2010 Models

2010 Ford F 150 Towing Chart

2010 Ford F 150 Towing Chart 2

2009 Models

2009 Ford F 150 2wd Towing Chart

2009 Ford F 150 2wd Towing Chart 2

2009 Ford F 150 4wd Towing Chart

2009 Ford F 150 4wd Towing Chart 2

2008-2005 Models:

From 2005-2008, the F-150s had pretty decent towing capacities, especially if you had the 5.4L engine equipped. There were three engine choices at the time: the 4.2L, the 4.6L and the 5.4L engines.

The towing capacity for F-150s that were made from 2005-2008 ranged from 5,100 lbs.-11,000 lbs., when equipped with a manual transmission. The average towing capacities for 2005-2008 F-150s that used a manual transmission ranged from 2,300-3,700 lbs.

As always, to achieve the higher towing capacities (mainly with the 5.4L engine) you will need the necessary towing packages equipped.

2008 Models

2008 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2008 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2007 Models

2007 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2007 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2006 Models

2006 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2006 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2005 Models

2005 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2005 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2004 Models:

2004 was a bizarre year as far as engine configurations go and I could only find the specs below listed from Ford… The two engines you had a choice from were the 4.6L and the 5.4L engines.

The total maximum towing capacity for Ford F-150s made in 2004 ranged from 5,900 lbs.-10,000 lbs. The only specifics made were to reduce the GCWR and Max. trailer weight by 500 lbs. if your truck came with 18″ wheels.

2004 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2004 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2003-2001 Models:

From 2001-2003, there were five different engine configurations that were offered but only three different displacements. The 4.2L, the 4.6L and the 5.4L engines were the main choices and there was three different 5.4L engines that ran off of alternative fuels as well.

The towing capacities for 2001-2003 Ford F-150s equipped with automatic transmissions ranged from 4,400 lbs.-8,800 lbs. and some models equipped with the 3.08 axle ratios (4.6L engine) had a max capacity of 2,000 lbs.

The average towing capacity for the 2001-2003 F-150s that used manual transmissions ranged from 2,000 lbs.-3,500 lbs.

2003 Models

2003 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2003 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2002 Models

2002 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2002 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2001 Models

2001 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2001 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

2000 & 1999 Models:

The 1999-2000 Ford F-150s were very similar in towing specs when compared to the 2001-2003 models because they used most of the same engines, except the 5.4L Bi-Fuel model. The specs did change a little bit though, as you can compare in the data table below.

The average towing capacity for a 1999-2000 Ford F-150 that used an automatic transmission ranged from 4,400 lbs.-8,800 lbs., when equipped with a manual transmission, those figures ranged from 1,900 lbs.-3,600 lbs.

2000 Models

2000 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

2000 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

1999 Models

1999 Ford F 150 Conventional Towing Chart

1999 Ford F 150 5th Wheel Towing Chart

A Word On Axle Ratios...

On a lot of the towing charts I listed, you will need to know your axle ratio in order to get the most accurate towing number you can. You will have to do a small amount of research but I will explain the process and you might be surprised at how easy it actually is!

The Easiest Method:

1. The first thing you want to do is open your driver's side door and look on the door jamb for a sticker that has all sorts of useful information on it. It will be located on the right hand side of the door jamb, same side as the door handle.

2. On that label, usually towards the bottom, you will find a code that states "AXLE" and below that you will see letters/numbers or a combination of both, like the picture below shows.

3. Take that code and use blueovaltrucks.com to decipher the code and you will have your axle ratio!

An Alternate Method:

You can always climb under your F-150 and take a look at your rear differential, locate the stamped markings or tag that is attached to the housing cover and get your axle ratio from that. This can be harder to located on some model years though.

1997-1998 F-150 Towing Capacity:

The 1997-1998 Ford F-150s had three different engine displacements available and similar towing capacities to the 1999-2000 but were a bit different, so I decided to make another set of tables. The 5.4L (NGV) engine was not offered between these years though.

The average towing capacity for Ford F-150 made between 1997-1998 ranged from 4,400 lbs.-8,000 lbs. for trucks equipped with the automatic transmission and 1,700 lbs.-3,600 lbs. on trucks equipped with the manual transmission.

Automatic Transmission:

Engine	Conventional Towing	5th Wheel Towing
4.2L V6	4,400-5,800 lbs.	Not Specified
4.6L V8	5,100-7,200 lbs.	Not Specified
5.4L V8	6,000-8,000 lbs.	Not Specified

Manual Transmission:

Engine	Conventional Towing	5th Wheel Towing
4.2L V6	1,900-3,600 lbs.	Not Specified
4.6L V8	1,700-3,500 lbs.	Not Specified

1996 F-150 Towing Capacity:

The 1996 Ford F-150 was the last model that I was able to find specs on (for now) and offered three different engines which were: the 4.9L, the 5.0L and the 5.8L engines. These three engines were offered all the way back to 1977, with a few other options mixed in as well.

The towing capacity for 1996 F-150’s ranged from 4,600 lbs.-7,700 lbs., when equipped with an automatic transmission and ranged from 1,700 lbs.-3,600 lbs. if they came equipped with a manual transmission.

Automatic Transmission:

Engine	Conventional Towing	5th Wheel Towing
4.9L V6	4,600-5,700 lbs.	Not Specified
5.0L V8	4,700-7,100 lbs.	Not Specified
5.8L V8	5,500-7,700 lbs.	Not Specified

Super Cooling is required with trailers over 2,000 lbs. (907kg). Super Cooling and Handling/Suspension Package or trailer towing package is required with trailers over 3,500 lbs. (1587kg).

Manual Transmission:

Engine	Conventional Towing	5th Wheel Towing
4.9L V6	1,700-3,600 lbs.	Not Specified
5.0L V8	2,300-3,600 lbs.	Not Specified

If you're interested in seeing how some of the other Ford trucks stack up against the F-150, then check out my other posts on the F-250 tow specs, the F-350 tow specs and the F-450 tow specs. I also have all of Ford's tow guides that you can rummage through, if you want.

Helpful Resources For The F-150's:

Here is a list of Ford's towing guides that have the information I gathered for the F-150's towing capacity. The list may not have all years, but I will work on getting that info for a more complete list as soon as possible!

Last updated on May 7th, 2022 at 08:07 am