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
