Towing Guides
F-150 Towing
Super Duty Towing: Built to Take on the Toughest Jobs
When the job demands serious power, the Ford Super Duty steps up to the challenge. Designed with class-leading towing capabilities, advanced trailering technology, and unmatched durability, the Super Duty is your ultimate partner for hauling heavy loads. Whether you're pulling a trailer for work, recreation, or farming, the Super Duty offers the strength, stability, and confidence you need to get the job done right.
With features like Pro Trailer Backup Assist™, integrated trailer brake control, and best-in-class towing ratings, the Ford Super Duty ensures smooth, controlled performance even under the heaviest demands. Take on any task with ease-because with Super Duty, no load is too big, and no journey is too far.
Get ready to tow smarter, safer, and stronger with the Ford Super Duty.
Passenger Weight
Alternative terms: Passenger load, occupant weight
Definition
Passenger Weight is the combined weight of all people in the vehicle, including the driver.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, the combined weight of passengers, cargo, Payload and the vehicle itself must be less than the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Vehicle Cargo Weight
Alternative term: Load weightDefinition
Vehicle Cargo Weight is all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer Tongue Load or kingpin weight is also part of the Cargo Weight.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, the combined weight of passengers, cargo, Payload and the vehicle itself must be less than the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. It is essential to include the weight of all items and accessories added to the vehicle.
Payload
Alternative terms: NoneDefinition
Payload is the combined weight of cargo, passengers, after-market accessories, plus the Tongue Weight if you are towing.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, your Payload must be less than the vehicle’s Payload Capacity
Curb Weight
Alternative term: None
Definition
Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle with a full tank of fuel and all installed equipment. It does not include passengers or cargo. Taking your unloaded vehicle to a commercial scale is the most accurate way to determine Curb Weight.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, the combined weight of passengers, cargo, Payload and the vehicle itself must be less than the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Identifying your vehicle curb weight will help you know how many passengers and how much cargo you can put in it.
Gross Vehicle Weight
Alternative terms: Total vehicle weight, gross weight, vehicle total weight, total vehicle massDefinition
Gross Vehicle Weight is the Base Curb Weight plus actual Cargo Weight plus Passenger Weight. It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit or specification – it is the actual weight that is obtained when the fully-loaded vehicle is driven onto a scale.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, GVW must be below your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Payload Capacity
Alternative terms: Load capacity, carrying capacity, maximum load, capacity limit, maximum payloadDefinition
Payload Capacity is the maximum combined weight of cargo and passengers that your vehicle can carry. The maximum Payload for your vehicle appears on the Tire and Loading Information label, which is on the driver door jamb. Vehicles exported outside the US and Canada may not have the label.
Look on the label for “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg OR XXX lb” for maximum payload. The payload listed on the Tire and Loading Information label is the maximum payload for your vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If you install any additional equipment on your vehicle, you must determine the new payload. Subtract the weight of the equipment from the payload listed on the Tire and Loading label. When towing, trailer Tongue Weight or kingpin weight is also part of payload.
Important safety information
Your vehicle should never be operated with Payload in excess of the Payload Capacity. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating by overloading your vehicle or trailer hitch can adversely affect the performance and handling of your vehicle, cause vehicle damage, and can result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury, or death.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
Alternative term: Maximum vehicle weight limitDefinition
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle, including passengers and cargo. This number – along with other weight limits, as well as tire, rim size and inflation pressure data – is shown on the vehicle’s Safety Certification Label, which is on the driver door jamb. The Gross Vehicle Weight must never exceed the GVWR.
Important safety information
The combined weight of the passengers, vehicle cargo and vehicle itself, must never exceed the vehicle’s GVWR.
Weight over the GVWR can adversely affect the performance and handling of your vehicle, cause vehicle damage, and can result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury, or death.
Trailer Cargo Weight
Alternative term: Trailer loadDefinition
Trailer Cargo Weight includes all weight added to the Trailer Curb Weight, including cargo and optional equipment.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, the Trailer Cargo Weight and Trailer Curb Weight combined must be less than the Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight.
Trailer Curb Weight
Alternative term: Dry weightDefinition
Trailer Curb Weight is the weight of a trailer (e.g., boat trailer, teardrop trailer, utility trailer), excluding any cargo. Please check with the trailer manufacturer for this weight.
Why it matters
Knowing your Trailer Curb Weight will help you identify how much cargo you can put in it before you exceed the Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight.
Loaded Trailer Weight
Alternative terms: Gross trailer weight, total trailer weightDefinition
Loaded Trailer Weight is the total weight of a trailer when it is fully loaded, including Trailer Cargo Weight and Trailer Curb Weight.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, you’ll add the Loaded Trailer Weight to the Gross Vehicle Weight to to get the Gross Combination Weight. Be sure it does not exceed the Gross Combination Weight Rating.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight
Alternative terms: Maximum trailer capacity, trailer weight limit, maximum towing weight, maximum trailer load, maximum trailer weight capacityDefinition
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight is the maximum weight that your vehicle can tow. It assumes a trailer Tongue Weight of 10% for a conventional trailer or 15% for a 5th-wheel or Gooseneck trailer. You can find Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight in the RV & Trailer Towing Guide.
Important safety information
The combined weight of the trailer and its cargo must never exceed your vehicle’s Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight.
Exceeding the Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight can adversely affect the performance and handling of your vehicle, cause vehicle damage, and can result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury, or death.
FAQ's
Ford trucks are equipped with advanced towing technologies, including:
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist™: Makes reversing a trailer easier by allowing you to steer it with a knob.
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller: Improves braking performance when towing heavier loads.
- Smart Hitch: Helps optimize weight distribution and provides guidance for safe towing.
- BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Trailer Coverage: Monitors blind spots, including those of your trailer.
To calculate your towing weight limits, you need to know:
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
- Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
- Payload Capacity
Subtract the truck’s curb weight, passengers, and cargo from the GCWR to determine how much you can safely tow. Refer to your vehicle’s manual or the Ford Towing Guide for precise information.
Still Have Questions? Contact Us.
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