Ah, I over looked the Canadian part......but really that is most likely the reason right there.

I know there would have been a hand full more on this forum alone that would have got the max tow if you could get it with out the mirrors here in the U.S.

 

i totally agree i don't think i would have got max tow if i was forced to take those mirrors, or i would have worked new ones into the deal.

but the plan id to buy a new holiday trailer next year, so i may be buying a set for towing season anyways. but i would would never run them year around.

 

Where'd you get this information? I'm curious as the 2009 Order Guide says the Max Tow includes upgraded rear leafs (with no payload change), while the 2010 says nothing about the leafs, but upgrades the payload. I'm trying to figure this out as I'd look hard into a 2009 with a Max Tow IF I could verify the rear leaf springs in the 2009 AND the 2010 are in fact the same, but only the payload sticker changed. My dealer says the rear leafs show the same part number in 2009 and 2010 with the Max Tow. That tells me only the payload stickers were updated on the 2010, and the 2009 is basically the same truck that can handle the same weight increase shown on the 2010 Max Tow trucks.

 

It's all about the payload. The 2009 XLT's I've seen have 1400-1500 pounds of payload. Get a family of 4 at 500 pounds, plus 400 pounds of camping gear in the bed, and you have only 5-600 pounds of tongue Weight left. That's only a 5000 pound trailer. Bump that payload up by 450 pounds and you can tow something closer to 9000 pounds with 12% tongue weight. Apply the same to a loaded Platinum with 792 pounds of payload for 2009 and you can't even carry your family with some firewood, let alone add a trailer. That $1000 extra could be very important. Use your own numbers for your plans of use.

 

Max Tow Package will ride better if you have a heavy load or high tongue weight but will not be as good with lighter loads when on uneven terrain or off-road. Rear traction will suffer on uneven terrain because the axle will resist allowing the wheels to follow the irregular contours.

I would have a problem with the huge "Dumbo elephant ears". The standard mirrors are more than sufficient unless your trailer is wider than the truck. I would like to see some extendable towing mirrors that are not the size of a serving tray. Those Dumbo ears gotta catch some serious wind at freeway speeds.

 

i have the max tow package and the ride is excellent empty and is much better than a lot of cars take a test drive at you ford dealer and you will be amazed.

 

My 2010 has the Max Tow as well. It is my first pick up, however it rides pretty close to the same as the non Max Tow when I test drove the trucks. The tow mirrors are massive, however I do not have to clamp on the tow mirrors that always slipped and the majority of times did not serve the purpose. I selected Ford because it was the nicest riding truck and I know that the GM and the other Governement owned automobile maker did not have the same ride. The Max tow may have raised the truck a bit. The $1000.00 is not much for what is added to this package. Items you can not upgrade without spending a fair bit of money.

 

To clarify my earlier comments, I agree that the ride on normal pavement w/ light loads will be fine with the max tow package, the only time the quality of the ride will suffer is when the terrain is uneven enough or rough enough to need the full travel of the suspension. The max tow package will not handle those conditions as well as the standard package when lightly loaded.