How much can the Ford F-150 actually tow?
The short answer is that a properly equipped 2026 Ford F-150 can tow up to 13,500 pounds, but your actual towing capacity depends on the engine, cab, drivetrain, axle, equipment and configuration you choose. Ford’s official towing information specifically notes that maximum towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers.
That's why simply seeing "13,500 pounds" online doesn't necessarily tell you how much a particular F-150 sitting on a dealer lot can tow.
Here's how the 2026 lineup breaks down.
2026 Ford F-150 Towing Capacity by Engine
According to Ford’s 2026 F-150 Towing Information, the available maximum towing ratings include:
| Engine | Available Max Towing |
|---|---|
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 8,400 lbs |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 13,500 lbs |
| 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 | 12,400 lbs |
| 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 | 12,800 lbs |
| 3.5L High-Output EcoBoost V6 | 8,200 lbs |
| 5.2L Supercharged V8 | 8,700 lbs |
If maximum towing capability is your priority, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 leads the 2026 F-150 lineup with an available maximum towing capacity of 13,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Which F-150 Engine Is Best for Towing?
That depends on what you're pulling.
2.7L EcoBoost
With an available maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds, the 2.7L EcoBoost can make a lot of sense for drivers who want F-150 capability without necessarily needing the truck's maximum towing potential.
5.0L V8
Want a traditional V8?
The available 5.0L V8 brings a maximum towing rating of 12,800 pounds when properly configured, along with an available maximum payload rating of 2,235 pounds.
3.5L EcoBoost
For buyers focused primarily on towing, this is the big one.
The 3.5L EcoBoost offers up to 13,500 pounds of available maximum towing capacity, the highest figure listed for the 2026 F-150.
3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid
Going hybrid doesn't mean giving up serious towing capability.
The PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 offers up to 12,400 pounds of available maximum towing capacity while producing 570 lb-ft of torque according to Ford's specifications.
Don't Forget About Payload
This is where a lot of truck shoppers get confused.
Towing capacity and payload capacity are not the same thing.
Payload includes the weight you're carrying in the truck itself, including passengers, equipment and cargo. Trailer tongue weight also affects the weight carried by the truck.
Ford specifically notes that horsepower, torque, payload and towing are independent attributes and their maximum figures may not be achieved simultaneously.
So if you're buying an F-150 for a camper, equipment trailer, boat or work trailer, don't shop based only on the headline towing number.
How Do I Know How Much a Specific F-150 Can Tow?
This is probably the most important thing to understand when you're truck shopping:
Not every F-150 with the same engine has the same towing capacity.
Cab configuration, drivetrain, axle ratio, optional equipment, passengers and cargo can all affect capability. Ford also instructs owners to reference the vehicle's door-jamb label for the carrying capacity of the specific vehicle.
That's especially important if you're trying to match a truck to a particular trailer.
Instead of shopping for "an F-150 that can tow a camper," it's better to know approximately:
- Loaded trailer weight
- Trailer type
- Expected tongue weight
- Number of passengers
- Cargo or equipment carried in the truck
- How frequently you'll be towing
From there, you can narrow down the appropriate truck and configuration.
F-150 or Super Duty: Which Do You Need?
This is another question we hear from truck buyers.
If an F-150 comfortably handles your trailer and payload requirements, moving into a Super Duty isn't automatically necessary.
But if you're routinely towing heavier equipment, carrying substantial payload, using a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer, or operating the truck commercially, it may make sense to compare the F-150 with an F-250 or F-350.
The goal isn't necessarily to buy the biggest truck.
It's to buy the right truck for the job.
Shopping for a Ford F-150 in Louisville, KY?
At All-State Ford Truck Sales in Louisville, we work with customers looking for everything from a daily-driver F-150 to trucks that need to tow and work every day.
If you already know what you're pulling, tell us the trailer weight and how you'll use the truck. We can help you narrow down the F-150 configurations that make sense instead of making you sort through dozens of trucks that don't.
Browse our available Ford F-150 inventory or contact the All-State Ford team for help finding a truck matched to your towing needs.
FAQ
How much can a 2026 Ford F-150 tow?
A properly equipped 2026 Ford F-150 has an available maximum towing capacity of 13,500 pounds. Actual capacity depends on the specific configuration.
Which 2026 F-150 engine can tow the most?
The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 offers the highest available maximum towing capacity at 13,500 pounds when properly equipped.
How much can the 2026 F-150 PowerBoost tow?
The 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 offers up to 12,400 pounds of available maximum towing capacity.
How much can the 2026 Ford F-150 V8 tow?
The available 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 offers up to 12,800 pounds of maximum towing capacity when properly equipped.
Can All-State Ford help me choose an F-150 for my trailer?
Yes. Bring the trailer specifications, particularly its loaded weight, and the dealership can help identify an appropriately configured truck.
For more information on towing guides, click here: ford.com